The childhood friends rom-com is having a moment — and I Want to End This Love Game looks like one of the better examples of the genre landing in Spring 2026. It premieres April 14, 2026 on Tokyo MX and other networks.
If you enjoy romantic comedies built around awkward tension and slow-burning feelings, this upcoming series may be worth adding to your watchlist.
I Want to End This Love Game Release Date and Broadcast Details
Japanese Title: Aishiteru Game wo Owarasetai
Release Date: April 14, 2026
Networks: Tokyo MX and other broadcasters
Studio: Felix Film
Director: Azuma Tani
Opening Theme: “Kimi no Sei de Aishiteru” by CHiCO with HoneyWorks
The anime will debut during the Spring 2026 anime season, though the total number of episodes has not yet been confirmed.
What Is I Want to End This Love Game About?
Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura have been playing the same game since sixth grade: whoever blushes first after hearing “I love you” loses. It started as a joke. Now they’re in high school, clearly in love with each other, and neither one will admit defeat.
It’s a mutual-pining premise with an actual structural gimmick — not just two characters pining quietly while the plot treads water. The game gives every interaction a built-in tension. Who cracks first?
The manga by Yūki Dōmoto has been running in Kodansha’s Sunday Webry since December 2021, with seven volumes collected as of mid-2025. Viz Media handles the English release.
Anime Staff and Voice Cast
The anime adaptation is produced by Felix Film, a studio known for working on romance-focused series.
Director: Azuma Tani, who previously worked on Thermae Romae and Insufficient Direction.
Series composition is handled by Keiichirō Ōchi, a writer known for titles such as:
- Girlfriend, Girlfriend (both seasons)
- Go, Go, Loser Ranger!
Main Voice Cast
- Kaito Ishikawa as Yukiya Asagi (Jin in Dan Da Dan)
- Miku Itō as Miku Sakura (The Quintessential Quintuplets)
The opening theme song “Kimi no Sei de Aishiteru” is performed by CHiCO with HoneyWorks, while the ending theme “Little World” is sung by PompadollS.
Why This Romance Anime Could Be Popular
Felix Film has a track record with romance anime that actually delivers. Ōchi’s writing tends to keep things moving rather than stalling. And Ishikawa/Itō is a genuinely strong pairing for a tsundere childhood-friends dynamic — both have the range for comedy and emotional weight.
The anime premieres April 14, 2026. No episode count has been officially announced yet.
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Ren Akira is an anime news writer at AnimeBooth.com, reporting on anime release dates, movie announcements, official updates, and top anime recommendations. Specializing in isekai, fantasy, and seasonal anime, Ren delivers accurate, timely, and engaging news for anime fans around the world.