Juxia Anime Review - You Can't Be in a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! Anime Adaptation

There’s something endlessly relatable about the “childhood friend” trope — that delicate line between comfort and unspoken tension. Now, one of Japan’s most self-aware romantic comedies is stepping into the spotlight: You Can’t Be in a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! (Osananajimi to wa Love Comedy ni Naranai), the hit manga by Shinya Misu (三簾真也). Set for a January 2026 premiere, this long-awaited TV anime adaptation promises to deliver both heart and humor in equal measure...

From Page to Screen:

Originally serialized on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket in March 2022, Misu’s manga quickly built a loyal following for its clever writing and genuine portrayal of youth relationships. By November 2025, it had reached 18 volumes — a testament to its staying power in Japan’s crowded rom-com market?!

Now, Tezuka Productions — known for its classic works and modern anime productions — is taking the reins of the anime version. The series is directed by Satoshi Kuwabara (The Quintessential Quintuplets), with Mitsutaka Hirota (Edens Zero) overseeing series composition and scripts by Hirota and Mayumi Morita...

Plot - More Than Just Childhood Bonds:

At the heart of the story is Yonosuke Sakai, a well-meaning but romantically clueless teenager. His life gets complicated when two childhood friends — Shio Minamo, cheerful yet emotionally guarded, and Akari Hiodoshi, energetic but secretly sensitive — find themselves tangled in the kind of romantic tension that only years of friendship can create...

While many series might lean on clichés, Misu’s writing has always played with expectations?! Every near-confession feels both hilarious and bittersweet. The story asks a simple yet powerful question: can friendship survive when love enters the equation? And perhaps more importantly, should it?!

A Growing Cast and Expanding Drama:

As the story progresses, other characters like Runa Tsukimi and Hinata Haru join the circle, expanding what began as a tight triangle into a more dynamic ensemble... These later arcs introduce fresh energy, balancing heartfelt drama with sharp comedic timing — something fans are hoping the anime captures with equal finesse!

The anime’s latest key visual, released on October 7, 2025, revealed a soft, pastel aesthetic that matches the manga’s tone — nostalgic but not sentimental, modern but still tender... It’s a style that invites viewers to smile even when their hearts ache!

Voices Behind the Charm:

Casting has already been partially confirmed: Rin Kusumi will voice Shio Minamo, and Yu Serizawa will bring Akari Hiodoshi to life... Their previous performances in My Dress-Up Darling and How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom show they can handle both humor and heartfelt emotion — a balance this story depends on?! The remaining cast, including Yonosuke’s voice actor, is expected to be announced before the end of 2025.

Where and When to Watch:

The anime will premiere across TV Tokyo, AT-X, and BS Nippon TV, with Crunchyroll confirmed to stream the series globally outside Asia... Early footage suggests a polished production with expressive animation and lively direction — the kind that could easily elevate this from a simple rom-com to one of the genre’s standout titles of 2026!

You Can't Be in a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! PV:

Final Thoughts:

You Can’t Be in a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! doesn’t reinvent the wheel — instead, it polishes it with warmth, wit, and a touch of realism... It’s a story about timing, about people who love too late or too carefully, and about the courage it takes to say what you really feel?! If Tezuka Productions can translate Misu’s subtle blend of laughter and longing onto the screen, this series might just make us all root for the childhood friend again!