Too Many Losing Heroines!

, also known as , 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. It began publication under Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko imprint in July 2021. A manga adaptation illustrated by Itachi began serialization on Shogakukan's ' website and ' 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.

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

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: 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.
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: 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 attractive 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. Though her antics tend to annoy Nukumizu, she genuinely does care for him.
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: 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.
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: 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

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: The vice president of the literature club who is Shintarō's childhood friend. Shintarō holds feelings for her, and she recently became his girlfriend.
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: 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.
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: Another classmate of Kazuhiko who is Anna's childhood friend and long-term crush.
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: 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.
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: 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.
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: 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

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: 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.
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: The vice president of the student council. She is conscious about her poor grades in school.
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: 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. It is implied that Nukumizu secretly develops feelings for her later on, but it's never made clear.
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:The treasurer of the student council and Hibari's cousin.

Staff

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: The homeroom teacher of Kazuhiko's class.
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: The school nurse.

Other characters

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: 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 is a member of her school's student council. She becomes good friends with several of the girls later on.
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: 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 a short story volume have been released as of May 19, 2025.

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

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. It has been released up to the second volume of the series.

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Itachi began serialization on Shogakukan's ' website and ' app on April 29, 2022. The manga's chapters have been collected in four ''tankōbon'' volumes as of January 10, 2025.

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

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced in December 2023. It is produced by Aniplex, 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 , performed by BotchiBoromaru feat. Mossa of Necry Talkie, 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, the second is a cover of Kylee's "Crazy For You" performed by Shion Wakayama as her character Lemon Yakishio, and the third is a cover of Yui's " Feel My Soul" performed by Momoka Terasawa as her character Chika Komari.

Crunchyroll streamed the series worldwide outside of Asia, but including Indian subcontinent. An English dub produced in Coppell under the direction of Helena Walstrom that premiered on July 27, 2024. Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia and airs it on Aniplus Asia.

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. The 12th and final episode was an original episode written by Takibi Amamori.

A second season was announced during an event for the anime series on April 6, 2025.

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. It also had multiple collaborations with Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park and JR Tōkai.

Reception

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. It ranked first in the ''bunkobon'' category in 2025.

Accolades

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
* '' This Art Club Has a Problem!'', a manga series illustrated by Imigimuru

Notes

References

External links

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{{A-1 Pictures television series

2021 Japanese novels
2024 anime television series debuts
A-1 Pictures
Anime and manga based on light novels
Aniplex franchises
Aniplus
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Japanese webcomics
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Romantic comedy anime and manga
Seven Seas Entertainment titles
Shogakukan franchises
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Television shows set in Aichi Prefecture
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