Too Many Losing Heroines! — BrandWiki

Too Many Losing Heroines!

title	Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
type	tv series
director	Shōtarō Kitamura
writer	Masahiro Yokotani
music	Kana Utatane
studio	A-1 Pictures
licensee	Crunchyroll
network	Tokyo MX, GTV, GYT, BS11, Chukyo TV, ytv
first	July 14, 2024
episodes	12

Too Many Losing Heroines! (負けヒロインが多すぎる！), 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.[1] 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 website and MangaOne app in April 2022.

An anime television series adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures aired from July to September 2024. A second season has been announced. Both the novel and the anime series were met with very positive reviews.

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)
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. As the story progresses, Nukumizu begins to open up and socialize more thanks to his time with the girls, and starts developing genuine friendships with people for the first time in his life. He has a taste for tap water and its quality, a hobby he shares with Chika.
Anna Yanami (八奈見杏菜)
One of the loser heroines. She is the popular girl in Kazuhiko's class with vibrant blue hair, a bright and charming personality, and is close friends with Lemon. Though she's known for her beauty and playful nature, 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. Though her antics tend to annoy Nukumizu, she genuinely does care for him, and with his help, she is eventually able to move on from her heartbreak and enjoy life.
Amamori did not originally plan Anna to be a glutton, but wrote her that way as he continued writing the story. He originally planned to name her Iroha, although his editor suggested he change it as it was already the name of a major character in My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, as I Expected.
Lemon Yakishio (焼塩檸檬)
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)
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. One notable trait of hers is that she tends to stutter when speaking with other strangers.

Tsuwabuki High School

Students

Koto Tsukinoki (月之木古都)
The vice president of the literature club who is Shintarō's childhood friend. Shintarō holds feelings for her, and she recently became his girlfriend.
Shintarō Tamaki (玉木慎太郎)
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.
Sōsuke Hakamada (袴田草介)
Another classmate of Kazuhiko who is Anna's childhood friend and long-term crush.
Karen Himemiya (姫宮華恋)
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.
Mitsuki Ayano (綾野光希)
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.

Students

Koto Tsukinoki (月之木古都)
The vice president of the literature club who is Shintarō's childhood friend. Shintarō holds feelings for her, and she recently became his girlfriend.
Shintarō Tamaki (玉木慎太郎)
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.
Sōsuke Hakamada (袴田草介)
Another classmate of Kazuhiko who is Anna's childhood friend and long-term crush.
Karen Himemiya (姫宮華恋)
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.
Mitsuki Ayano (綾野光希)
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.
Chihaya Asagumo (朝雲千早)
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.

Student Council

Hibari Hōkobaru (放虎原ひばり)
The incumbent President of the student council and Hiroto's cousin. Kazuhiko observes that she has a clumsy, airheaded personality beneath her dignified and beautiful appearance.
Tiara Basori (馬剃天愛星)
The vice president of the student council. She is conscious about her poor grades in school.
Yumeko Shikiya (志喜屋夢子)
The Secretary of the student council. She is described as a "zombie girl", due to her dress sense and her perceived personality. It is implied she has a condition that contributes to her low-energy demeanor, as she is once compared to a cold-blooded creature. She is one of the top students of her year, and is very capable in handling student council work, in spite of her physical condition, and is actually quite attractive.
Hiroto Sakurai (桜井ひろと)
The treasurer of the student council and Hibari's cousin.

Staff

Konami Amanatsu (甘夏古奈美)
The homeroom teacher of Kazuhiko's class.
Sayo Konuki (小抜小夜)
The school nurse.

Other characters

Kaju Nukumizu (温水佳樹)
A second-year middle school student who is Kazuhiko's little sister and is concerned about her older brother's lack of friends. She calls Kazuhiko "Onii-sama" and speaks in the third-person. She is a member of her school's student council. She becomes good friends with several of the girls later on.
Asami Gondō (権藤アサミ)
A second-year middle school student who is Kaju's best and closest friend. She is noted to be unusually tall for a middle school student.

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. Eight volumes and two short stories volumes have been released as of January 26, 2026.

In July 2023, the official Twitter account of the light novel announced that the series had been licensed in English without revealing a publisher.[15] In February 2024, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they had licensed the series.[16]

An audiobook version of the series began on September 20, 2023, featuring the voices of Shotaro 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.[2][17] It has been released up to the second volume of the series.[18][19]

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Itachi began serialization on Shogakukan's Ura Sunday website and MangaOne app on April 29, 2022.[39] The manga's chapters have been collected in five tankōbon volumes as of September 11, 2025.

In February 2024, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they also licensed the manga adaptation.[16]

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced in December 2023.[50][51] It is produced by Aniplex,[52] 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. The opening theme song is "Tsuyogaru Girl" (つよがるガール), performed by BotchiBoromaru feat. Mossa of Necry Talkie,[53] 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,[54]

Episodes

Other

The series had an illustration collaboration with the second volume of the manga series Starting Today, We're Childhood Friends by Midori Obiya.[65] It also had multiple collaborations with Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park and JR Central.[66][67][68][69]

Shogakukan released an art book titled Too Many Losing Heroines! Imigimuru ARTWORKS (負けヒロインが多すぎる！いみぎむるＡＲＴＷＯＲＫＳ) (ISBN 978-4-09-199094-5) on January 26, 2026.[70]

Too Many Losing Heroines!

Plot

Characters

Main characters

Tsuwabuki High School

Students

Students

Student Council

Staff

Other characters

Media

Light novel

Manga

Anime

Episodes

Other

Reception

Accolades

See also

External links

References

Student Council

Staff

Episodes