The official website for the television anime adaptation of Yūki Dōmoto’s I Want to End This Love Game (Aishiteru Game o Owarasetai) manga announced on Saturday that the series will premiere in April 2026.
Alongside the debut window, the site revealed the main cast, key production staff, and a new teaser visual featuring the two leads — Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura.
Teaser Visual & Character Designs
The newly released teaser visual showcases the main characters standing together in a romantic yet competitive pose, capturing the playful tension that defines their relationship.
- Kaito Ishikawa will voice Yukiya Asagi, the once-shy student who reinvents himself to win over his best friend.
- Miku Itō will star as Miku Sakura, the lively and confident heroine who finds herself caught off-guard by Yukiya’s sudden change and bold advances.
Character design sheets were also released, revealing the vibrant, expressive art direction that will guide the anime’s romantic comedy tone.
Main Staff & Studio
The anime will be produced by Felix Film, known for titles such as Aharen-san wa Hakarenai and Reincarnated as a Sword. The series brings together an experienced creative team with a strong background in character-driven storytelling and lighthearted comedy:
- Director: Azuma Tani (Thermae Romae, Waka Okami wa Shōgakusei!)
- Series Composition / Script Supervisor: Keiichirō Ōchi (Girlfriend, Girlfriend; Go, Go, Loser Ranger!)
- Character Design: Yūki Fukuchi (Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement; Plunderer)
- Music Composer: Akito Matsuda (Sound! Euphonium; Non Non Biyori)
Together, this lineup promises a mix of heartfelt romance, comedy, and aesthetic charm, backed by a dynamic musical score.
Story Synopsis
Viz Media, which publishes the manga in English, describes the plot as a battle of hearts between two best friends teetering on the edge of love:
After shedding his image as a quiet, unassuming nerd, Yukiya Asagi is determined to make a move on his longtime crush and best friend, Miku Sakura. Armed with charm and confidence — and inspired by Miku’s favorite shōjo manga — Yukiya decides to turn fiction into reality by recreating the genre’s most romantic moments. His goal? To make Miku’s heart race and finally win her over.
But Miku isn’t about to lose easily. What starts as a one-sided confession quickly spirals into a hilarious and flirtatious “love game,” where each tries to outmaneuver the other in an escalating contest of feelings. Will Yukiya’s bold advances succeed, or will Miku turn the tables and make him fall harder than he expected?
The story combines romantic tension, comedy, and shōjo-manga parody, making it a standout entry in the high school romance genre.
About the Manga
Yūki Dōmoto launched I Want to End This Love Game on Shogakukan’s Sunday Webry platform in 2021. The series quickly gained popularity for its sharp humor, clever meta references to shōjo tropes, and the endearing chemistry between its leads.
- Japanese Publisher: Shogakukan
- Latest Japanese Volume: Vol. 7 (released June 18, 2025)
- English Publisher: Viz Media
- Latest English Volume: Vol. 6 (released May 13, 2025)
What to Expect from the Anime
With its April 2026 premiere, fans can anticipate a faithful adaptation that balances comedic timing and romantic sincerity. The anime will highlight the evolving relationship between Yukiya and Miku, bringing to life the exaggerated gestures, dramatic expressions, and emotional beats that make the manga beloved.
Given the pedigree of the staff and the studio’s clean, expressive animation style, I Want to End This Love Game is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated rom-com anime, promising both laughs and heartfelt moments for fans of romantic storytelling.
