Super Lovers

Super Lovers
Industry	Manga, Anime
Founded	October 30, 2009; 17 years ago
Founder	Miyuki Abe
Products	Manga, Anime

SUPER LOVERS (presented in all caps) is a Japanese yaoi manga series created by Miyuki Abe, who is also recognized for Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East. Serialized in Emerald magazine, this work is aimed at the shōjo audience, with 18 volumes published since its initial release on 30 October 2009.

The story was adapted into an anime by Studio Deen, debuting in April 2016 and followed by a second season in January 2017. The production was directed by Shinji Ishihira, with scripts written by Yoshiko Nakamura and music composed by Yasuharu Takanashi, Shūji Katayama, and Kenji Katō. The anime aired on channels such as AT-X, Tokyo MX, and BS11. Distribution rights for North America were secured by Crunchyroll, while Medialink licensed it for South and Southeast Asia. The series consists of 20 episodes plus 2 OVAs.

Plot

During his summer break, Haru Kaido travels to his strict mother Haruko's cabin in Canada’s forest. There, Haruko deceives him into believing she suffers from a terminal illness to compel him to care for her newly adopted "puppy" — a reserved boy named Ren who is distrustful of others and more comfortable around dogs. Haruko insists that Haru "tame" Ren before summer ends. As Haru makes efforts to assist Ren, their bond strengthens, prompting Haru to consider bringing Ren to Japan to live with his twin half-brothers after finishing high school.

Tragedy strikes when Haru’s father and stepmother perish in an accident, leaving Haru as the only survivor but causing him to lose memories of that summer.

Five years later, Ren arrives in Tokyo asserting that Haru is now his "brother." Haru faces the choice of accepting or rejecting this new relationship.

Kaidō Household

: The eldest sibling and head of the Kaidō family. He is Ren’s adoptive brother and half-brother to Aki and Shima. After meeting Ren in Canada five years earlier and losing recollection of that summer due to an accident, he initially resists but ultimately accepts his role as Ren’s brother. Haru is part Canadian and possesses a gentle, youthful disposition, showing deep affection for all his siblings.
: The youngest member of the Kaidō family. Previously a wild and solitary child who resembled a dog, Ren’s life transformed after meeting Haru. Currently enrolled at a co-educational high school in Tokyo, he exhibits greater calmness and maturity. There are suggestions that his birth name might be Allen and that his biological mother struggled with drug addiction, though these remain unconfirmed.
: The second oldest brother characterized by a bold and stubborn nature. At first distant toward Ren, he gradually warms up as they live together. Displays a mild brotherly attachment toward both Haru and Shima.
: The third brother, who is taller than his twin Aki and maintains a composed demeanor. He shows understanding toward Ren.
: Haru’s biological father who died in an early-series car crash.
: Haru’s stepmother who also passed away in the same accident.

Others

: A host working alongside Haru at the White Fang café; he comes from a rural family that supplies food to the establishment. He holds admiration for Haru and affectionately refers to Ren as "Ren Ren."

: Ren’s closest friend and classmate who resides in a dormitory near their school. Often embarrassed by Ren’s inquisitiveness.

: Haru’s biological mother and Ren’s adoptive mother who remained with Ren after Haru returned to Japan. She is affiliated with CERN and connected to Mikiko.

: A lawyer from an affluent background who is friends with Haruko; acts as an intermediary between Haru and Haruko, occasionally visiting to check on them.

: A female student attending the same school as Ren and one of his friends.

: The nurse at Ren’s school.

/: A high school acquaintance of Haru who cross-dresses and works at the bar in Haru’s café during evenings. He confessed feelings to Haru but was turned down.

: A first-year middle school student taught by Shima who lives with her grandparents following her parents’ divorce. She once had a minor crush on Shima.

: A frequent patron of The White Fang Café with wavy blonde hair; often seen accompanied by her sister Wakana.

: Mimi’s sister; another regular customer at The White Fang Café with short hazel brown hair.

: The bartender at Host, where Haru previously worked; childhood friend and cousin known for being assertive yet lazy. Despite hardships, he lives in a disorderly home. His separation from the Kaidō family stems from his father’s financial troubles.

: A psychotherapist at the hospital where Haru recovered from his near-fatal car accident. Maintains cheerful contact with Mikiko.

Manga

Abe initiated the serialization of Super Lovers in Kadokawa's Ciel magazine in 2009. Following the launch of Emerald magazine on 31 August 2014, the series was transferred there. As of August 2024, a total of eighteen volumes have been published.

During Yaoi-Con in 2017, Viz Media acknowledged receiving inquiries about acquiring the manga’s North American licensing rights but ultimately declined due to concerns related to its content.

Anime

An anime adaptation of Shungiku Nakamura's manga √W.P.B. was revealed alongside the reprint of its first volume. The series was directed by Shinji Ishihira with a script by Yoshiko Nakamura and produced by Studio Deen. Character designs were crafted by Miki Takihara. The opening song is "Okaeri," performed by Yūsuke Yata, while the ending theme "Happiness YOU&ME" features Kaidō 4 Kyōdai, the voice actors for Ren, Haru, Aki, and Shima.

The anime consists of ten episodes and debuted on 6 April 2016. It was broadcast across several networks including Tokyo MX, Sun TV, BS11, Chiba TV, tvk, Mie TV, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, Gifu Broadcasting, and TV Saitama.

A 20-minute Original Video Animation (OVA) accompanied the release of the manga’s tenth volume on 1 January 2017.

The conclusion of season one announced a second season, which premiered on 12 January 2017. The returning cast and production team continued their work, with the opening theme "Hare-Iro Melody" by Yūsuke Yata and the ending theme "Gyun to Love Song" performed by Kaidō 4 Kyōdai.

On 14 July 2017, Funimation acquired the license for home video distribution of the series, with releases beginning on 17 October 2017.

External links

Official anime website