Osamake

Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose (幼なじみが絶対に負けないラブコメ, Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Rabu Kome, "A Romantic Comedy Where the Childhood Friend Absolutely Will Not Lose"), abbreviated as Osamake (おさまけ), is a Japanese romantic comedy light novel series written by Shūichi Nimaru and illustrated by Ui Shigure. A manga adaptation with art by Ryō Itō has been serialized in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive since November 2019. An anime television series adaptation by Doga Kobo aired from April to June 2021.

Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose
First light novel volume cover featuring Sueharu Maru (left) and Kuroha Shida (right)
幼なじみが絶対に負けないラブコメ (Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Rabu Kome)
Genre	Romantic comedy
Light novel
Written by	Shūichi Nimaru
Illustrated by	Ui Shigure
Published by	ASCII Media Works
Imprint	Dengeki Bunko
Demographic	Male
Original run	June 8, 2019 – present
Volumes	12
Manga
Written by	Shūichi Nimaru
Illustrated by	Ryō Itō
Published by	Media Factory
Magazine	Monthly Comic Alive
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	November 27, 2019 – present
Volumes	6
Manga
Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Rabu Kome: Otonari no Yon-shimai ga Zettai ni Honobono suru Nichijō
Written by	Shūichi Nimaru
Illustrated by	Mutsumi Aoki
Published by	Media Factory
Magazine	Monthly Comic Alive
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	January 27, 2021 – present
Volumes	3
Anime television series
Directed by	Takashi Naoya
Produced by	Satoshi Motonaga Aya Iizuka Yuuichirou Kurokawa Hajime Kamata Soujirou Arimizu Akihihiro Sotokawa Yuuki Uchiyama Takahiro Hibino
Written by	Yoriko Tomita
Music by	Akiyoshi Yasuda
Studio	Doga Kobo
Licensed by	Crunchyroll SA/SEA: Muse Communication
Original network	AT-X, SUN, Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, TV Aichi, BS11
English network	SEA: Animax Asia
Original run	April 14, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Episodes	12

Plot

Sueharu Maru is a seventeen-year-old high school boy who has never had a girlfriend. He lives next door to his childhood friend Kuroha Shida, a small and cute Onee-san type of girl with an outgoing character. One day, Kuroha confesses to Sueharu, but he rejects her; Sueharu only has eyes for his first love, Shirokusa Kachi, who is a beautiful idol and an award-winning author in school. Shirokusa is indifferent to all boys in school but Sueharu, which makes Sueharu think that he might have a chance. When Sueharu decides to confess his feelings, he is devastated to find out that Shirokusa already has a boyfriend. Kuroha approaches Sueharu, offering to help him get revenge on Shirokusa and her boyfriend. However it turns out that Shirokusa also has feelings for Suehara.

Characters

Ultramarine Channel

Sueharu Maru (丸 末晴, Maru Sueharu)

Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

A former child actor. He is traumatized by his mother's death and quits acting at the peak of his fame, becoming a regular high school student at the beginning of the series. Despite his acting prowess, he is easy to read and does not know much about romance, making him highly susceptible to teasing by the opposite sex.

Kuroha Shida (志田 黒羽, Shida Kuroha)

Voiced by: Inori Minase

Sueharu's childhood friend who lives next door to him. As the eldest of four sisters, she has a tendency to look after others and is socially adept. Although she wishes for Sueharu's happiness, she also knows him better than anyone else and does not hesitate to use that to her advantage.

Shirokusa Kachi (可知 白草, Kachi Shirokusa)

Voiced by: Ayane Sakura

An award-winning novelist and Sueharu's first love. When Sueharu entered high school, he did not recognize her at first as she had a boyish appearance as a child. She is renowned as a "cool beauty" at school due to her fame, demeanor, intelligence, and looks. Despite being cold and aloof toward most of her male classmates, she acts friendly around Sueharu after he praises her writing.

Maria Momosaka (桃坂 真理愛, Momosaka Maria)

Voiced by: Saori Ōnishi

A famous actress known for starring in the hit drama The Ideal Little Sister. Sueharu was assigned to be her mentor when he was a child actor, through which they developed a sibling-like relationship. She idolizes Sueharu and yearns for him to return to acting.

Tetsuhiko Kai (甲斐 哲彦, Kai Tetsuhiko)

Voiced by: Nobunaga Shimazaki

Sueharu's close friend. He enjoys watching Sueharu react to various events and often orchestrates things behind the scenes.

Supporting characters

Mitsuru Abe (阿部 充, Abe Mitsuru)

Voiced by: Takuma Terashima

Shirokusa's fake boyfriend. He is a big fan of Sueharu when Sueharu was the child actor.

Meiko Mine (峰 芽衣子, Mine Meiko)

Voiced by: M.A.O

Shirokusa's close friend.

Soichiro Kachi (可知 総一郎, Kachi Soichiro)

Voiced by: Tetsu Inada

Shirokusa's father.

Rena Asagi (浅黄 玲菜, Asagi Rena)

Voiced by: Tomoyo Takayanagi

A kouhai in Sueharu's school.

Midori Shida (志田 碧, Shida Midori)

Voiced by: Akane Fujita

Kuroha's next younger sister. She is the tallest in four sisters of Shida family.

Aoi Shida (志田 蒼依, Shida Aoi)

Voiced by: Miyuri Shimabukuro

Kuroha's second younger sister, Akane's elder twin sister.

Akane Shida (志田 朱音, Shida Akane)

Voiced by: Natsumi Hioka

Kuroha's youngest sister, Aoi's younger twin sister.

Shion Ōragi (大良儀 紫苑, Ōragi Shion)

Voiced by: Kaede Hondo

Shirokusa's maid who has lived with her family for years. Because of this, she and Shirokusa have a sister-like relationship. She is also classmates with Sueharu.

Shun Hardy (ハーディ・瞬, Hādi Shun)

Voiced by: Wataru Takagi

Eri Momosaka (桃坂 絵里, Momosaka Eri)

Voiced by: Minami Takahashi

Production

The names of the characters are references to characters in Fire Emblem: for instance, Maru, Shida, Kachi, Kai and Maria are named after Marth, Sheeda, Catria, Cain and Maria respectively. The names of the female characters include colors: for instance, Kuroha (lit. "black feather/wing"), Shirokusa (lit. "white grass"), Momosaka (lit. "pink slope/hill"), Asagi (lit. "pale/shallow yellow"), Midori (lit. "green"), Aoi (lit. "blue-i"), Akane (lit. "red sound") and Shion (lit. "purple garden").

Media

Light novels

The series is written by Shūichi Nimaru and illustrated by Ui Shigure. ASCII Media Works has begun publishing the series under their Dengeki Bunko imprint since June 2019. A total of twelve volumes have been released as of March 2024.

No.	Japanese release date	Japanese ISBN
1	June 8, 2019	978-4-04-912524-5
2	October 10, 2019	978-4-04-912852-9
3	February 7, 2020	978-4-04-912899-4
4	June 10, 2020	978-4-04-913213-7
5	October 10, 2020	978-4-04-913371-4
6	February 22, 2021	978-4-04-913496-4 978-4-04-913497-1 (SE)
7	April 9, 2021	978-4-04-913736-1
8	June 10, 2021	978-4-04-913737-8
9	February 10, 2022	978-4-04-913902-0
10	October 7, 2022	978-4-04-914227-3
11	June 9, 2023	978-4-04-914808-4
12	March 8, 2024	978-4-04-915133-6

Manga

A manga adaptation by Ryō Itō began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive in November 2019, with six tankōbon volumes were published so far.

No.	Japanese release date	Japanese ISBN
1	May 23, 2020	978-4-04-064697-8
2	February 22, 2021	978-4-04-680003-9 978-4-04-680004-6 (SE)
3	April 23, 2021	978-4-04-680385-6
4	November 22, 2021	978-4-04-680870-7
5	October 21, 2022	978-4-04-681769-3
6	March 23, 2023	978-4-04-682247-5
7	November 22, 2023	978-4-04-682747-0

A spin-off manga series illustrated by Mutsumi Aoki titled Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Come: Otonari no Yon-shimai ga Zettai ni Honobono suru Nichijō ("Daily Lives Where the Four-Sister Neighbour Absolutely Will Make You Warm") began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive on January 27, 2021. Three tankōbon volumes have been published so far.

No.	Japanese release date	Japanese ISBN
1	May 21, 2021	978-4-04-680386-3
2	February 22, 2022	978-4-04-680869-1
3	March 23, 2023	978-4-04-682248-2

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced on October 3, 2020. The series was animated by Doga Kobo and directed by Takashi Naoya, with Yoriko Tomita handling series' composition. Naoya also designed the characters. It aired from April 14 to June 30, 2021, on AT-X and other channels. Riko Azuna performed the series' opening theme song "Chance! & Revenge!", while Inori Minase and Ayane Sakura performed the series' ending theme song "Senryakuteki de Yosō Funō na Love Comedy no Ending Tema Kyoku" (lit. "An Ending Theme Song for a Tactically Unpredictable Romantic Comedy"). Crunchyroll licensed the series outside of Asia. Muse Communication has licensed the series in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and will stream it on their Muse Asia YouTube channel and Bilibili. The series ran for 12 episodes.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose" Transliteration: "Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Rabu Kome" (Japanese: 幼なじみが絶対に負けないラブコメ)	Matsuo Asami	Yoriko Tomita	April 14, 2021 (2021-04-14)
Sueharu Maru falls for classmate, school idol, and award-winning novelist Shirokusa Kachi, and they develop a friendship. He is also childhood friends with the other school idol, Kuroha Shida, who had confessed to him recently but was turned down due to his feelings for Kachi. In class, he overhears that Kachi is in a relationship with Mitsuru Abe, causing him to fall into a depression. Shida arrives to cheer him up, and helps to convince him to get revenge on Kachi and Abe by starting a fake relationship with her in order to make Kachi jealous and upstage them; all the while Shida uses this opportunity to get closer to Maru and get him to eventually fall for her. Maru meanwhile tries to dig up dirt on Abe, but is unsuccessful, as he is confronted by the man himself, who reveals he knows Maru used to be a child actor.
2	"His and Her and Her Circumstances" Transliteration: "Kare to Kanojo to Kanojo no Jijō" (Japanese: 彼と彼女と彼女の事情)	Sung Min Kim	Yoriko Tomita	April 21, 2021 (2021-04-21)
After revealing he knows that Maru used to be a famous child actor and star of a popular soap opera, Abe continues that he inspired him to enter acting, and that his relationship with Kachi is all part of a ploy to get revenge on him after learning he liked her, planning to formally confess to her at the school's upcoming festival. Maru decides the best way to upstage him is for their class to put on a play for the festival, which he manages to convince Kachi to write, even as Shida surprisingly reveals their "relationship" to the class. While practicing, Maru suddenly hyperventilates and passes out. He awakens with Kachi watching over him, and when she reveals she knows he used to be an actor and asks why he quit, he reveals that after his mother died in an accident on-set, their series was eventually put on hiatus and he grew traumatized and left the scene. Kachi later proceeds to reflect on everything, unveiling that she and Maru used to be friends when they were younger, with her known to him as "Shiro", as her father was Maru's co-star, and that it was Maru who convinced her to keep writing. However, after the show was cancelled, they could not see each other anymore, so Kachi grew bitter and devoted herself to becoming a great writer as revenge for leaving her, as it turns out that just like it is for him, he is her first love.
3	"I Have Achieved My Revenge on My First Love" Transliteration: "Ga, Hatsukoi Fukushū Kanryō su" (Japanese: 我、初恋復讐完了す)	Akane Ōzora Takashi Naoya	Yoriko Tomita	April 28, 2021 (2021-04-28)
At the start of the confession festival, Kachi, disguised as "Shiro", visits Maru, who's happy to see "him" again. After she discovers he still remembers his promise to act in one of her works, Kachi unveils herself, revealing that she had felt jealous over him always being around Shida and wanted to make him notice her. She gives him support and convinces him to start being friendlier with her. As she leaves, an eavesdropping Shida confronts her, as the two girls stake their claims to win Maru. He and Shida proceed to walk around the festival, as she tearfully breaks off their "relationship" giving him the push to make his own choice. During the closing ceremony, Abe puts on a song and dance routine for Kachi, which Maru arrives and upstages. As he is about to confess his feelings to Kachi, he instead reveals his initial plans for revenge and that while he did love her, he confesses to Shida instead, who he realizes had always been there for him, shocking Shida and devastating Kachi. However, to everyone's surprise, Shida happily rejects him. Afterwards, Maru's friend Kai and Abe discuss how Abe was playing "the bad guy" as Kachi's fake boyfriend as part of her ploy to get Maru to confess to her. They also figure out that Shida only rejected Maru as revenge for herself being rejected and regrets it, as the two lament that everyone lost. Meanwhile, a girl watches a video of the performance on her phone, recognizing Maru.
4	"Momosaka Maria Strikes" Transliteration: "Momosaka Maria Shūrai" (Japanese: 桃坂真理愛襲来)	Yoshiyuki Shirahata	Ayumu Hisao	May 5, 2021 (2021-05-05)
Maru continues to feel distressed over the confession failure, while the girls also distress over how everything turned out. Maru also learns Kai uploaded the video of his performance and confession, which has gone viral to his further annoyance. He is surprised by the arrival of Maria Momosaka, a popular actress who he acted as a mentor to, who expresses her happiness to see him again, to Kachi and Shida's irritation. Kai later introduces Maru to Rena Asagi, a first-year and old friend of his who's incredibly helpful to them. Kachi arrives appearing to ask Maru out, only for her friend, Meiko Mine, to clarify her father wants to see him again after hearing about his supposed return to acting. Just as Shida re-appears, still traumatized over the rejection, Maru retreats into himself hiding behind Kachi, forcing Shida to tearfully leave. Both Maru and Shida are supported by Kai separately as they try to decide what they want. Maru arrives home to find Momosaka already there, having made dinner and reveals that their agency, now run by the previous head's son, wants to convince Maru to return to acting, as well as Shida too. Just then, Shida's siblings suddenly appear, telling Maru that Shida has amnesia.
5	"The Girl Who Lost Her Memories" Transliteration: "Kioku Kakeru Shōjo" (Japanese: 記憶カケル少女)	Matsuo Asami	Ayumu Hisao	May 12, 2021 (2021-05-12)
	"The Octopus Wiener Trap" Transliteration: "Tako-san Uinnā no Wana" (Japanese: タコさんウインナーの罠)
After Momosaka messes around with Maru and the Shida siblings a bit before leaving, the sisters reveal that Shida has supposedly lost all of her memories since her initial confession to Maru. Despite still being hard for him to get closer to her after the rejection, he resolves to help her in any way he can. Shida herself tells him that she wants to start over so she can rebuild their trust. Kachi then arrives to give the two a ride, and sensing Shida's jealousy, believes she is faking the amnesia, so Maru comes up with a plan to test it. At lunch, he feeds her a bento with octopus wieners, as a traumatic incident in their past made it so that she is sensitive to certain tastes, however she proceeds to eat it no problem. As the two discuss about Maru potentially going back into acting, Kachi and Kai barge in to offer their own opinions. Kai reveals that he wants to start producing videos with his entertainment club, with Kachi writing scripts, and tries to convince Maru to accept. To decide what he wants, he goes to visit the agency, with Shida, Kachi, Kai, and Momosaka accompanying him. The President, Shun Hardy, tempts them with an over hundred million dollar deal, however Shida still declines the offer. As Hardy continues to insist she take the deal and proceeds to insult her over it, Maru retaliates pouring a bottle of wine over him.
6	"The One Who Laughs Last" Transliteration: "Saigo ni Warau Mono" (Japanese: 最後に笑う者)	Matsuo Asami	Seiko Takagi	May 19, 2021 (2021-05-19)
After Hardy threatens to report them to the police, Kachi's father and Momosaka manage to compromise by suggesting a competition. Both the agency and Maru's group, the Ultramarine Alliance, will produce a commercial for the pharmaceutical company, and if the Alliance wins they can do whatever they want, but if they lose Maru has to join the agency. Momosaka decides to act in the agency's commercial to show off to Maru how much she has grown. Despite some initial doubts, the Ultramarine Alliance ends up winning the competition, and Maru decides to stick with them. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Shun is Kai's father, and that he started the Alliance/initially became friends with Maru just to get revenge on him. After having also escaped the contract at the agency, Momosaka transfers into Maru's class, to Shida and Kachi's annoyance. Later that night, Maru catches Shida in a lie, confirming she faked her amnesia.
7	"I Know! Let's Go to Okinawa!" Transliteration: "Sō da, Okinawa e Ikō!" (Japanese: そうだ、沖縄へ行こう！)	Sung Min Kim	Yoriko Tomita	May 26, 2021 (2021-05-26)
Maru and Shida get into a fight over Shida lying to him about the amnesia, and Maru's inability to figure out why she did it in the first place. At the same time, Kachi schemes with Kai to get ahead in the "race". At the Ultramarine Alliance, the boys suggest a trip to Okinawa to have some "summer memories"; the girls initially reject the idea of filming their swimsuits but reluctantly give in when that's axed. Due to having to watch her sisters, Shida has to come with them the following day. Later that night, Aoi arrives to help out Maru, where she gives him advice warning him about the "magic of travel" and trying to hook up with someone in that environment. After Kachi checks back in with Kai, it is revealed that Rena is Kai's half-sister, who wants to keep their familial connection a secret. The group, plus Momosaka's sister, Eri, prepare for the trip as Kachi and Momosaka argue about each other's cooking abilities and decide to have a competition.
8	"Shirokusa's Counterattack" Transliteration: "Gyakushū no Shirokusa" (Japanese: 逆襲の白草)	Matsuo Asami	Seiko Takagi	June 2, 2021 (2021-06-02)
After they decide to have the competition be a hot pot, Kachi is depressed as she is not good with hot pots and wanted to make fried chicken, Maru's favourite food, instead. Overhearing Maru and Kai discussing his feelings for Kachi and Shida, Momosaka tries to plan a way for her to get closer. The group arrive to Kachi's family's villa where they start to relax. Meanwhile, Shida attempts to hold back her jealously, imagining how close the other girls could be getting to Maru. He later gets a text from Kachi to see her privately at a separate corner of the beach, where she seductively shows off her swimsuit. The rest of the group proceed to spy on them and stop them before they go too far. Kachi attempts to practice their dance routine but runs into some trouble. That night, Kachi dejectedly returns to the beach, where she is comforted by Maru as she discusses about everything she is anxious about. The two nearly kiss, until Maru remembers Aoi's words and stops. The next morning, Maru awakens greeted by Shida and her sisters.
9	"Paradise SOS" Transliteration: "Paradaisu Esu Ō Esu" (Japanese: パラダイスSOS)	Shōgo Arai	Ayumu Hisao	June 9, 2021 (2021-06-09)
The sisters arrive as Maru and Shida continue to act antagonistic towards each other. She decides to confront him, and still refusing to forgive her until she apologizes, she goes for a more proactive approach constantly saying "I love you" to him throughout the day, causing Maru to be annoyingly flustered. However, when they later work on their study sessions, Maru realizes the extra work that Shida put into the assignment for him, and starts to appreciate her more. While setting up the stage for the girls' performance, Akane voices her confused feelings for seeing Maru with so many other girls. Later that night, Maru spots Kachi practicing for the dance, despite a slightly sprained ankle she got earlier, as he cheers her on to succeed. At the same time, Akane spies on them, which Aoi realizes is because she has started to develop a crush on Maru, which she has been trying to prevent for herself to avoid the pain. The next day, the girls put on their successful performance. When Kachi nearly falls off the stage, Maru saves her, though resulting in him breaking his arm. Back at school, Abe meets up with Kai to discuss the ongoing developments, with the latter surmising that Kachi is currently in the lead, due to being the type of girl Maru likes. Maru learns that Kachi and her maid will be moving in to take care of him, to Shida's discomfort.
10	"The Girls' Secret Discussion" Transliteration: "Otome-tachi no Mitsudan" (Japanese: 乙女たちの密談)	Matsuo Asami Sung Min Kim	Yoriko Tomita	June 16, 2021 (2021-06-16)
Shida and Momosaka attempt to spend the night at Maru's place alongside Kachi, but do not receive permission from their parents. Aoi and Akane also start to keep their distance from Maru, to his disappointment. As they all leave, Kachi declares to Shida her intention to use this situation to get closer to Maru. At the same time, Kachi's maid, Shion Oragi, tells Maru that Shida is only doing everything out of a "sense of respect" and not to get any ideas. Momosaka starts her first day at their school, where she uses all her free time flirting with Maru, causing all the boys to get jealous, and Kachi to get annoyed. Kachi proceeds to feed him during lunch, causing him to feel confused based on Oragi's comments; he chats with Shida on the roof as they start to reconcile. Kai reveals to the Ultramarine Alliance they have received an offer for a documentary series about Maru's life since his disappearance. Shida is unsure, but Kai convinces Maru asking if he wants to get closure on his own merits. He devises a plan to compromise, having the Alliance produce the documentary themselves, as well as throwing in Maru filming a new version of the final scene of his previous drama, Child King, which he accepts. Sometime later, the girls meet up to discuss putting up boundaries so they cannot openly flirt with Maru, while also scheming a way to get closer to him through the documentary.
11	"Come and Catch the Me from That Day" Transliteration: "Ano Hi no Watashi o Tsukamaete" (Japanese: あの日のわたしをつかまえて)	Sung Min Kim	Ayumu Hisao	June 23, 2021 (2021-06-23)
The group learn that several tabloids have started printing out stories based on Maru's past, which Kai believes Shun Hardy to be responsible. Despite this, they all still persist to move forward with the documentary and the true ending, which Kai reveals is now backed by "Collect Japan TV". Momosaka suggests having each of the girls interview him, since they all have some connection to his past. Kachi starts first, inviting him to her home, where they end up reminiscing on their old friendship, and how Maru helped her get over her nervousness, ending with the two going on a date to Tokyo Tower. The following day, Momosaka takes her turn, where she takes him to the place his mother had died, in order for him to reconcile his feelings over the incident; she intends to use this opportunity for her to support him in his lowest moment. However, after he explains his lonely feelings after her death, Momosaka breaks down, due to her own love for his mother and her regret over nasty words she said to him back then. This leads to Maru, who initially felt like he could not cry, start to tear up as the two embrace each other.
12	"Childhood Girlfriend" Transliteration: "Osa Kano" (Japanese: おさかの)	Takashi Naoya	Yoriko Tomita	June 30, 2021 (2021-06-30)
After returning home, Momosaka continues to stake her claim on Maru. Back at school, Kai reveals that due to the other actors from Child King having retired, Shida and Kachi will be acting alongside Maru and Momosaka in the true ending. Shida walks home with Maru as she reflects on her life with him and when it was she started to fall for him. She takes him to an old hiding spot that he used to go to as they reminisce on their good memories. Shida confesses her love to Maru again, as well as revealing she rejected him as revenge for being rejected initially, which Maru is finally happy to hear the reasoning. However, when she asks for his answer, he is unable to respond right away, due to the lingering feelings he has for Kachi and Momosaka. Before he can answer, Shida stops, realizing his thoughts, and instead proposes she becomes his "childhood girlfriend", a promise that they will remain as close as they want to each other, while still leaving things open if their feelings change in any way. After the documentary is released, Abe goes to visit Kai once again, where he reveals all of the girl's scheming and Shida's plan, with Abe surmising Kai "won" out in the end. Later, Maru learns that there is a fan club for him formed in the school, which he is bashful about, all the while the girls plan to not let them get in their way.

Reception

The light novel ranked fifth in 2020 in Takarajimasha's annual light novel guide book Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, in the bunkobon category.

External links

• Anime official website (in Japanese)
• Osamake (light novel) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia