Too Many Losing Heroines! (Japanese: 負けヒロインが多すぎる！, Hepburn: Make Hiroin ga Ōsugiru!), also known as Makeine (マケイン), is a Japanese light novel series written by Takibi Amamori and illustrated by Imigimuru. The story takes place in Toyohashi, Aichi, where Amamori comes from. It follows a boy in high school interacting with several girls who got heartbroken after being rejected by their respective love interests.[2] It began publication under Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko imprint in July 2021. A manga adaptation illustrated by Itachi began serialization on Shogakukan's Ura Sunday [ja] website and MangaOne [ja] app in April 2022.
An anime television series adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures aired from July to September 2024.
Plot
Self-proclaimed "background character" Kazuhiko Nukumizu accidentally witnesses Anna Yanami, a popular girl in his class, being rejected by her childhood friend. He labels her a "losing heroine", and soon finds himself getting involved with Anna and other similar girls.
Characters
Main characters
Kazuhiko Nukumizu (温水 和彦, Nukumizu Kazuhiko)
Voiced by: Shōtarō Uzawa[3] (audiobook), Shūichirō Umeda[4] (anime) (Japanese); Kevin D. Thelwell[5] (English)
The protagonist of the series. He is a reserved first-year high-school student with an analytical personality and is also an otaku fond of reading light novels. He usually doesn't like socializing and tends to be on his own, but can still offer good advice to others around him. He witnesses the various heroines of the story being rejected by their crushes and decides to emotionally support them and help them move on — though at times, their antics tend to annoy him beyond belief. He has a taste for tap water and its quality.
One of the loser heroines. She is the popular girl in Kazuhiko's class with a bright and charming personality, and is close friends with Lemon. Though she's known for her good looks and is often the target of many other boys' affections, she's had a long-lasting crush on her childhood friend Sōsuke Hakamada, who never reciprocated her feelings at all and instead started dating her rival Karen Himemiya, much to her frustration and inner jealousy. She is a glutton and is often seen eating, though always manages to maintain a healthy and slim figure.
One of the loser heroines and another classmate of Kazuhiko. She is the ace of the track and field club, and like Yanami, is also popular. She's also in love with her childhood friend Mitsuki Ayano, who already has a girlfriend named Chihaya Asagumo. She initially feels dismay that Mitsuki does not see her in the same way he sees Chihaya, but later on, it is revealed that Mitsuki also had romantic feelings for her when they were younger. This helps Lemon come to terms with her heartbreak and move on with her life, while still remaining good friends with Mitsuki and Chihaya.
Chika Komari (小鞠 知花, Komari Chika)
Voiced by: Mei Shibata[3] (audiobook), Momoka Terasawa[4] (anime) (Japanese); Morgan Lea[5] (English)
One of the loser heroines and another classmate of Kazuhiko. A member of the literature club, she is shy and has a hard time talking to others. She's had a long-lasting crush on Shintarō Tamaki, who has remained completely oblivious due to her not being able to confess sooner while harboring feelings for Koto. Despite Shintarō not reciprocating her feelings, she is still in good terms with him and Koto.
The president of the literature club whom Chika is in love with. However, he has no romantic feelings for Chika at all, and instead is in love with Koto.
Another classmate of Kazuhiko who is Sōsuke's girlfriend and Anna's rival. She is unaware of Anna being rejected by Sōsuke, and is often seen trying to get along with her. She is a kind and good-natured girl who always worries for others and would try to befriend people like Kazuhiko.
Another classmate of Kazuhiko who is Lemon’s childhood friend and crush. When he was younger, he used to have feelings for Lemon, but didn't quite understand what they were and never got a chance to confess, seeing himself as unworthy for her due to her popularity. He is currently dating Chihaya Asagumo, but still remains on good terms with Lemon.
Another classmate of Kazuhiko who is Mitsuki's girlfriend. She and Lemon become good friends later on, though at times, she can't help but worry if Mitsuki is cheating on her.
A second-year middle school student who is Kazuhiko's little sister and makes fun of her older brother's lack of friends. She calls Kazuhiko "Onii-sama" and speaks in the third-person. She becomes good friends with Anna later on.
A second-year middle school student who is Kaju's friend.
Media
Light novel
Written by Takibi Amamori and illustrated by Imigimuru, Too Many Losing Heroines! began publication under Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko imprint on July 21, 2021.[18] Seven volumes and a short story volume have been released as of July 18, 2024.[19]
In July 2023, the official Twitter account of the light novel announced that the series had been licensed in English without revealing a publisher.[20] In February 2024, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they had licensed the series.[21]
An audiobook version of the series began on September 20, 2023, featuring the voices of Shōtarō Uzawa, Rina Honnizumi, Maki Yamaichi, Mei Shibata, Chihiro Shirata, Keaki Watanabe, Shuma Konoe, Yurie Igoma, Kiri Kamasawa, and Taira Yamauchi, all of whom are from 81 Produce.[3][22] It has been released up to the second volume of the series.[23][24]
A manga adaptation illustrated by Itachi began serialization on Shogakukan's Ura Sunday [ja] website and MangaOne [ja] app on April 29, 2022.[1] The manga's chapters have been collected in three tankōbon volumes as of July 18, 2024.[35]
In February 2024, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they also licensed the manga adaptation.[21]
An anime television series adaptation was announced in December 2023.[42][43] It is produced by Aniplex,[44] animated by A-1 Pictures, and directed by Shōtarō Kitamura, with scripts written by Masahiro Yokotani, characters designed by Tetsuya Kawakami, and music composed by Kana Utatane. The series aired from July 14 to September 29, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[a] The opening theme song is "Tsuyogaru Girl" (つよがるガール, lit.'Tough-Acting Girl'), performed by BotchiBoromaru feat. Mossa of Necry Talkie,[6] while the multiple ending theme songs are performed by the losing heroines in the following order: the first is a cover of Hitomi's "Love 2000" performed by Hikaru Tono as her character Anna Yanami,[4] the second is a cover of Kylee's "Crazy For You" performed by Shion Wakayama as her character Lemon Yakishio,[45] and the third is a cover of Yui's "Feel My Soul" performed by Momoka Terasawa as her character Chika Komari.[46]
Crunchyroll streamed the series worldwide outside of Asia but including Indian subcontinent.[47] An English dub produced in Coppell under the direction of Helena Walstrom that premiered on July 27, 2024.[5]Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia and airs it on Aniplus Asia.[48]
According to the editor-in-charge of the light novel series, Iwaasa, the discussion about the anime adaptation started before the publication of the first volume of the series.[49]
The 12th and final episode was an original episode written by Takibi Amamori.[50]
"Professional Childhood Friend Yanami Anna's Style of Losing" Transliteration: "Puro Osananajimi Yanami Anna no Make-ppuri" (Japanese: プロ幼馴染八奈見杏菜の負けっぷり)
Shōtarō Kitamura
Shōtarō Kitamura
July 14, 2024 (2024-07-14)
Kazuhiko Nukumizu is a high school student who has no experience being in a romantic relationship, instead spending his time reading light novels. While at a restaurant, he witnesses a quarrel between his classmates Anna Yanami and Sōsuke Hakamada on the latter's relationship with Karen Himemiya. Anna confesses her feelings to Sōsuke before he runs off to see Karen, leaving her dejected. Kazuhiko attempts to feign ignorance until he is noticed by Anna. She sits beside him and begins venting about losing Sōsuke to Karen, then forces him to pay her bill when she sees she can't afford it. At school, Kazuhiko and Anna hang out during lunch at the school's emergency stairwell, where Anna shares her displeasure and jealousy in joining Sōsuke and Karen on their trips as she gradually pays back Kazuhiko the restaurant bill by making him bentos amounting to the bills. Kazuhiko joins the school's literature club and meets fellow first-year Chika Komari, vice president Koto Tsukinoki, and Lemon Yakishio, who is attempting to hang out with her childhood friend Mitsuki Ayano, to no avail. One day later, Kazuhiko meets with Anna, who has tearfully come to realize Sōsuke chose Karen over her. Anna assures him he would understand when he gets into a relationship; Kazuhiko replies that he has never been in one, leaving Anna charmed.
2
"The Promised Failure for You" Transliteration: "Yakusoku Sareta Haiboku o Kimi ni" (Japanese: 約束された敗北を君に)
Yuki Watanabe
Shōtarō Kitamura
July 21, 2024 (2024-07-21)
While cleaning sports equipment at the school's storage room, Kazuhiko is found by Lemon as she asks for advice on how she can hang out with Mitsuki. He suggests that she can join Mitsuki when he borrows books from the literature club. Thanking him, Lemon proceeds to leave until realizing the shed is locked from the outside. The two nearly suffer heatstroke, with Lemon becoming delirious and behaving embarrasingly, but they are saved by their homeroom teacher. They are later visited by Anna, as the school doctor Sayo Konuki takes note of their banter. Kazuhiko heads to the literature club room the following day to help Lemon with her predicament, with Anna coming along as assistance. When Koto assumes Lemon and Mitsuki are dating, Mitsuki clears up the confusion by elaborating he is in a relationship with fellow classmate Chihaya Asagumo, breaking Lemon's heart and leading Kazuhiko and Anna to cheer her up by letting her join the club and treating her for dinner. Later that evening, as Sayo tries to make sense of the relationship dynamics surrounding Kazuhiko, she sees Lemon practicing passionately and saying she is getting somewhere.
3
"Losing the Battle Before it is Ever Fought" Transliteration: "Tatakau Mae Kara Maketeiru" (Japanese: 戦う前から負けている)
Komao Yukihiro
Shin'ichirō Ushijima
July 28, 2024 (2024-07-28)
Kazuhiko and Chika are instructed by the literature club president Shintarō Tamaki to head to the club room, where Koto announces the club will be holding a training camp in the weekend to write novels. Kazuhiko later tells Anna their plans and she begs to join the club to avoid a gathering between her and Sōsuke's families and learning there is a beach near the training camp. The club arrives at the beach and proceeds to enjoy their time as Chika passes any opportunity to join them, despite Kazuhiko's offer to use it to spend time with Shintarō. While Kazuhiko and Lemon head out to buy food for the club, she expresses her disappointment of Mitsuki not seeing her in the same way as Chihaya, so Kazuhiko reassures her to not mope and have fun. Shintarō reads Chika's novel and is impressed with her writing, flustering Chika. As night arrives, Chika lights up a sparkler and is narrowly saved by Shintarō after directing it to her face and almost burning herself; feeling grateful that Shintarō cares for her well-being, Chika confesses her feelings to him and asks him out on a date, leaving him and the others completely stunned.
4
"When You Stare into a Losing Heroine, the Losing Heroine Stares Back into You" Transliteration: "Make Hiroin o Nozoku Toki, Make Hiroin mo Mata Anata o Nozoiteiru Noda" (Japanese: 負けヒロインを覗く時、負けヒロインもまたあなたを覗いているのだ)
Tsuyoshi Tobita
Shōtarō Kitamura
August 4, 2024 (2024-08-04)
Unable to respond, Shintarō asks Chika for time to process her confession, leading Chika to run off and Koto to slap him when he does not reciprocate Koto's remark of them being childhood friends. Kazuhiko sees Shintarō caught up with his dilemma and Shintarō seeks for advice on who to pursue; he has no feelings for Chika at all, but he confessed to Koto once before and got rejected. Anna approaches the boys and reveals Koto left ahead, prompting Kazuhiko to catch up to her and talk; Koto reveals she always reciprocated Shintarō's feelings, but misinterpreted his last confession. Kazuhiko sees Chika heartbroken after Shintarō declined her, but she still keeps her head high and remains on good terms with Shintarō and Koto. Later at school, Kazuhiko hears rumors being spread of him and Anna dating and how he is out of her league, making him wonder what their relationship is. Out of fear of the rumors affecting Anna, Kazuhiko completely forgives her debt and severs ties with her, which hurts her. Some days later, Sōsuke approaches Kazuhiko to congratulate him on dating Anna, as Kazuhiko clears up the confusion. Anna confronts them, declaring that neither boy will dictate her life, while also confirming she still has feelings for Sōsuke despite him dating Karen. At the start of summer vacation, Kazuhiko and Anna talk on being friends and confessions, gleefully laughing as they mend their friendship.
5
"Asagumo Chihaya Is Led Astray" Transliteration: "Asagumo Chihaya wa Madowaseru" (Japanese: 朝雲千早は惑わせる)
Anna shares with Kazuhiko that she is coming to terms with Sōsuke and Karen dating and feeling grateful for them, leaving Kazuhiko skeptical. He meets with Lemon after hearing from Chika she has plans, who later leaves ahead of him. Anna invites Kazuhiko for tea and expresses her jealousy for Sōsuke and Karen once more, where they are shocked to see Lemon and Mitsuki hanging out together and Chihaya spying them. Chihaya talks to Kazuhiko and Anna about her suspicion that Mitsuki is cheating on her with Lemon and asks for their assistance to learn Mitsuki's true intentions, even if that means breaking up with him. Kazuhiko and Anna agree to help, and they spy on Lemon and Mitsuki the next day. Chihaya runs off after seeing Mitsuki having fun with Lemon, leading Kazuhiko to follow her in a bookstore and suggest taking Mitsuki out to learn more about him. They are interrupted when Mitsuki enters the bookstore, and while they try to hide, Mitsuki finds and confronts them.
6
"Let Any One of You Who Has Never Been Dumped Be the First to Throw a Stone at the Losing Heroine" Transliteration: "Furareta Koto no Nai Mono Dake Ga, Make Hiroin ni Ishi o Nagenasai" (Japanese: 振られたことのない者だけが、負けヒロインに石を投げなさい)
Yuki Watanabe & Amagaeru
Yuki Watanabe & Motoki Nakanishi
August 18, 2024 (2024-08-18)
Mitsuki and Kazuhiko confront each other on what they were doing with Lemon and Chihaya respectively. Both boys clarify they were asking the girls for relationship advice which prompts Mitsuki to have Kazuhiko invite someone from the literature club to a hangout with Lemon and Chihaya, leading Kazuhiko to reluctantly invite Anna as they visit a museum. Lemon talks to Kazuhiko on not wanting to interrupt Mitsuki and Chihaya enjoying their time together and asks him to not worry too much about how she feels. Mitsuki plans to split off from Kazuhiko and Anna to spend time with Lemon and Chihaya, but Lemon demands he should spend more time with Chihaya before accidentally revealing her feelings for him, shocking him and the rest of the group. Realizing the implication, Lemon runs off and cuts all contact with the group. Kazuhiko and Chihaya later meet, and the latter expresses her guilt on causing the current predicament, and worries for Lemon's well-being. Kazuhiko promises her he would handle the situation as he later receives a call from Koto, who arranges to visit Lemon with the rest of the club. As Kazuhiko shares his worry for Lemon, Koto reassures him they will keep her company in the meantime. The group travels to the home of Lemon's grandmother, but when the group prepares to spend the night, realize they forgot to tell Kazuhiko, who did not bring spare clothes with him. Lemon seems to be doing better, and is grateful the group was there for her.
7
"The Other Side of a Happy Ending" Transliteration: "Happīendo no Mukōgawa" (Japanese: ハッピーエンドの向こう側)
Yudai Shimizu
Shōtarō Kitamura
August 25, 2024 (2024-08-25)
At night, Kazuhiko and Anna discuss the situation involving Lemon, Mitsuki, and Chihaya. Anna expresses that they should be clearer with how they feel about one another. Kazuhiko later checks on Lemon, who worries how her friendship with Mitsuki will change after the incident and that her actions may ruin Mitsuki and Chihaya's relationship. As the literature club heads back home, Lemon promises Kazuhiko she will talk to Mitsuki and Chihaya properly. Afterwards, Lemon encounters Chihaya while going home and the two talk. A few days later, Lemon and Mitsuki reminisce on their childhood and how their friendship blossomed. As Lemon confesses how she wanted to enroll in the same school as him, Mitsuki returns the sentiment, revealing he also had a crush on Lemon but was unsure of what those feelings actually were at the time. Satisfied that she got to hear his feelings, Lemon asks him to treat Chihaya well and not give up on her after learning she shares the same aspirations as him. Lemon continues to be friends with Mitsuki and becomes more acquainted with Chihaya by the start of the new school term.
8
"If You Are In Trouble, Feel Free to Consult" Transliteration: "Oko Marideshitara Kon Saru ni" (Japanese: おこまりでしたらコンサルに)
Akiyoshi Watari
Akiyoshi Watari
September 1, 2024 (2024-09-01)
Kazuhiko meets with Shintarō and Koto to discuss submitting the literature club's plan for the upcoming school festival. Shintarō reveals he wants Kazuhiko and Chika to take over the club, using it as an opportunity for Chika to boost her self-confidence. As the couple plans to step down after the festival, they ask Kazuhiko to watch over Chika in their absence. Kazuhiko and Anna talk about Chika's passion on wanting the club to succeed during the festival, which Anna recognizes as an attempt to leave a positive impact on Shintarō's last year in high school. They later head out with Chika to brainstorm ideas for their festival booth, deciding to do an exhibit focusing on food and literature; the club also settles on letting Sayo be their advisor and turn in their application forms, as Kazuhiko and Chika work hard on their plan. Sometime later, Kazuhiko goes to the student council's room to hand in their club application form, meeting Tiara Basori and Hibari Hōkobaru, the latter remarking to Kazuhiko she will be keeping a closer eye on the literature club.
9
"Teacher Thought It Was a Stain in the Ceiling or Something... Please Continue" Transliteration: "Sensei wa Tenjō no Shimi ka Nankada to Omotte, Tsuzuki o Dōzo" (Japanese: 先生は天井の染みかなんかだと思って、続きをどうぞ)
Komao Yukihiro
Kei Oikawa
September 8, 2024 (2024-09-08)
After an encounter with Karen as the school prepares for the festival, Kazuhiko assists Chika in finalizing their club exhibit as they notice Shintarō and Koto together. Chika is aware of Kazuhiko's concern for her on their relationship and recounts how Shintarō and Koto were caring for her during her freshman year; Chika then worries she will be left alone after they graduate. Chika refuses Kazuhiko's attempt to help, stating she needs to be able to stand on her own, only for her to become sick from taking on the workload by herself some days later, worrying Kazuhiko, Shintarō, and Koto. When Kazuhiko offers to help again, Chika reassures she will finish the job; Kazuhiko concedes, but he promises her he and the club will handle setting up the exhibit while she rests at home. The next morning, as Kazuhiko prepares to set up, the rest of his friends alongside his sister Kaju arrive to help him and they accomplish it by the afternoon. Kazuhiko talks to Anna on how the exhibit is Chika's show of gratitude in her time as a member of the literature club, leading Anna to remark how Chika was ready to move on from Shintarō even after confessing her feelings to him. Kazuhiko later tells Anna to not say anything weird after he catches Sayo recording them during their moment together.
10
"I Suppose It's a Bit Too Early for Goodbye" Transliteration: "Sayōnara ni wa Hayasugiru" (Japanese: さようならには早すぎる)
Tsuyoshi Tobita
Tatsuya Murakami
September 15, 2024 (2024-09-15)
Chika checks out the literature club's exhibit after fully recovering and is left surprised with its display, thanking Kazuhiko and later learning how much his friends helped out. The school festival then begins in earnest, and Kazuhiko takes the time to visit some of his friends. He heads back to the exhibit and sees how popular it is. As the festival concludes, Shintarō proclaims the exhibit a success and is left proud at being able to finish his time in high school on a high note. Kazuhiko later talks to Koto on having concern with Chika taking up Shintarō's position, and Koto assures he can be able to assist her, pointing out how much Chika depends on him. Koto also shares how she was aware of Chika's feelings for Shintarō, but realized she underestimated her when she confessed during the training camp. Kazuhiko meets with Chika and hears her worries of losing her feelings for Shintarō after he thanked her for everything she has done for the club. Kazuhiko replies that her worries need more time to resolve themselves, making Chika come to terms and feel grateful that she got to like Shintarō.
11
"Let's Have a Talk About Responsibility" Transliteration: "Kekka Sekinin Nitsuite no Hanashi o Shiyō ka" (Japanese: 結果責任についての話をしようか)
Kīchirō Murase & Kazuki Kawagishi
Shōtarō Kitamura
September 22, 2024 (2024-09-22)
Chika nervously practices her introduction for the club president meeting; despite her inability, she resolves to accomplishing it alone, despite Kazuhiko wanting to assist her. Anna takes them to a zoo as a way to practice Chika's social skills. Seeing Chika struggle, Kazuhiko insists on taking her place out of concern of her failing, but Chika grows frustrated on how Kazuhiko sees her and runs off. Later, Anna suggests Kazuhiko talk to Chika to know how she feels. After reminiscing with Kaju on how he never tried to influence her with his ideas as they grew up, Kazuhiko realizes what he needs to do. On the day of the club president meeting, Chika attempts to begin her report but stutters and makes mistakes, leading the student council to skip her, much to her and Kazuhiko's frustration. Not wanting the event to negatively impact Chika further, Kazuhiko intervenes and declares himself the new club president against her wishes, leading her to lash out at him. Feeling guilty once more, Kazuhiko looks for her with the help of the other literature club members and finds her in the emergency stairwell. Chika tearfully asks why he acted in her place while sharing her fears of being left alone. Realizing how different he is from Chika, Kazuhiko makes it clear to her alongside Anna and Lemon she is not alone and they will be always there for her. Chika accepts Kazuhiko taking over as president and lets him know they are counting on him.
12
"Am I Actually Just Some Unseasoned Rando Who Drops In for the Last Episode With the Losing Heroine?" Transliteration: "Ore wa Hyottoshite, Saishū Banashi de Hiroin no Yoko ni iru, Potu to Shutsu no na Nodarō ka" (Japanese: 俺はひょっとして、最終話でヒロインの横にいる、ポッと出のモブキャラなのだろうか)
Akihito Sudō & Shōtarō Kitamura
Akihito Sudō
September 29, 2024 (2024-09-29)
Anna laments on not having a boyfriend, leading Kazuhiko to reluctantly conduct a plan with the literature club to create a fake boyfriend for Anna through a fake date. While Kazuhiko thinks about the details of the date and Anna develops a background for her fake boyfriend, the former receives a ticket to an amusement park from Sayo as a suggestion. The literature club gets to work and Chika, Lemon, and Kazuhiko each give tips to make Anna's date more convincing. During the trip, Kazuhiko and Anna ride a Ferris Wheel, where he suggests Anna stop forcing herself to be in a relationship and let it happen naturally. Realizing she can take it easy, Anna decides to take a break on finding a boyfriend only for her and Kazuhiko to be interrogated by Lemon and Chika, asking them what the two of them did alone in the gondola.
In the 2022 edition of Takarajimasha's annual light novel guide book Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, the novel series ranked 18th in the bunkobon category, and 11th in the new work category.[59] It ranked first in the bunkubon category in 2025.[60]
See also
Engage Kiss, the manga adaptation of which is illustrated by Itachi, and was serialized at the same time with Too Many Losing Heroines!
Haganai, another light novel series whose manga adaptation is illustrated by Itachi
Lycoris Recoil, an anime series with characters designed by Imigimuru and produced by A-1 Pictures
