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My Awkward Senpai

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My Awkward Senpai
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Azusa Kannawa
不器用な先輩。
(Bukiyō na Senpai)
GenreRomantic comedy[1]
Manga
Written byMakoto Kudo
Published bySquare Enix
English publisher
  • NA: Comikey
ImprintYoung Gangan Comics
MagazineYoung Gangan
Original runDecember 6, 2019 – present
Volumes10
Anime television series
Directed byAyumu Kotake
Produced by
  • Akihiro Hoshino
  • Naofumi Shiotani
  • Yutaka Suwa
  • Hirotaka Kaneko
  • You Nakamura
  • Soujirou Arimizu
  • Miho Kikuchi
  • Kouta Arai
Written byMio Inoue
Music byKōji Fujimoto
StudioStudio Elle
Licensed byCrunchyroll
Original networkTokyo MX, BS NTV, AT-X, MTV
Original run October 2, 2025 – present
Episodes5
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My Awkward Senpai (Japanese: 不器用な先輩。, Hepburn: Bukiyō na Senpai) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Kudo. It initially began as a webcomic published on Kudo's Twitter account in March 2019. It later began serialization in Square Enix's seinen manga magazine Young Gangan in December 2019. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Elle premiered in October 2025.

Characters

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Azusa Kannawa (鉄輪 梓, Kannawa Azusa)
Voiced by: Lynn[2]
Yū Kamegawa (亀川 侑, Kamegawa Yū)
Voiced by: Shogo Sakata[3]
Miho Hotta (堀田 美緒, Hotta Miho)
Voiced by: Ami Maeshima[3]
Ritsu Kankaiji (観海 寺律, Kankaiji Ritsu)
Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga[3]
Nashiko Akizuki (秋月ナシコ, Akizuki Nashiko)
Voiced by: Nashiko Momotsuki[4]
Kosuke Hita (日田 孝介, Hita Kosuke)
Voiced by: Hiromu Mineta
Minori Tamana (玉名 稔, Tamana Minori)
Voiced by: Saya Hitomi
Rin Suzugaya (鈴ヶ谷 凛, Suzugaya Rin)
Voiced by: Nanami Yamashita
Sayaka Kanzaki (神崎 さやか, Kanzaki Sayaka)
Voiced by: Ai Kayano
Kaoru Hisayama (久山 薫, Hisayama Kaoru)
Voiced by: Kentarō Kumagai
Eiji Kurokawa (黒川 英治, Kurokawa Eiji)
Voiced by: Shinji Kawada
Akemi Hamawaki (浜脇 明美, Hamawaki Akemi)
Voiced by: Nanako Mori
Yuko Yamaka (山香 裕子, Yamaka Yuko)
Voiced by: Yuka Nukui
Shun Tsukahara (塚原 俊, Tsukahara Shun)
Voiced by: Kento Shiraishi

Media

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Manga

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Written and illustrated by Makoto Kudo, My Awkward Senpai initially began as a webcomic published on Kudo's Twitter account published on March 2, 2019.[5] It later began serialization in Square Enix's seinen manga magazine Young Gangan on December 6, 2019.[1] Its chapters have been collected into ten tankōbon volumes as of September 2025.[6] The series is published in English by Comikey and by Square Enix through their Manga UP! Global app.[7][8]

No. Release date ISBN
1 March 25, 2020[9]978-4-7575-6543-2
2 October 24, 2020[10]978-4-7575-6914-0
3 May 25, 2021[11]978-4-7575-7270-6
4 December 25, 2021[12]978-4-7575-7643-8
5 August 25, 2022[13]978-4-7575-8088-6
6 March 25, 2023[14]978-4-7575-8483-9
7 October 25, 2023[15]978-4-7575-8869-1
8 August 23, 2024[16]978-4-7575-9375-6
9 March 25, 2025[17]978-4-7575-9766-2
10 September 25, 2025[6]978-4-3010-0074-7

Anime

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An anime television series adaptation was announced on December 16, 2024. It is produced by Studio Elle and directed by Ayumu Kotake, with series composition by Mio Inoue, character designs by Kenrō Tokuda and music composition by Kōji Fujimoto.[2][18] The series premiered on October 2, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[19] The opening theme song is "Bukiyōu na I love you" (不器用なI love you; 'The Awkward I love you'), performed by Angela,[3] while the ending theme song is "Bukiyōu ni Kimi no Tonari" (不器用に 君のとなり; 'Awkwardly Next to You'), performed by Ami Maeshima.[20] Crunchyroll is streaming the series.[21]

Episodes

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No.Title [22][23]Directed by [a]Written by [a]Storyboarded by [a]Original release date [24]
1"Me? The Mentor!?"
Transliteration: "Uchi ga Kyōikugakari!?" (Japanese: ウチが教育係！？)		UnknownUnknownTBAOctober 2, 2025 (2025-10-02)
Azusa Kannawa has a reputation in her publicity department as being highly competent but also cold and intimidating. Her boss, Eiji, asks her to train their new employee Yu Kamegawa. While outwardly appearing calm it is revealed Azusa actually uses false confidence to conceal her poor communication skills and introverted personality. In contrast Yu is handsome, confident, sociable and charming, making her realize she has a crush on him. After a bad first day she fears she is a failure, having worried about herself instead of teaching him. The next day she is determined to invite him to lunch like her mentor Kanzaki did with her but spends so long thinking about it she misses the opportunity. Her co-worker Ritsu Kankaiji urges her to do her best. For inspiration she reads self-help books on being an effective boss. Before she can try any techniques she overhears her coworkers gossiping about her being difficult to work with, causing her to cry in front of Yu. Yu insists to the others that Azusa has a softer side she just doesn't let anyone see. Azusa is quietly grateful but fails to invite him to lunch again.
2"I Wanna Invite My Junior to Lunch!"
Transliteration: "Kōhai o Ranchi ni Obīta Iccha!" (Japanese: 後輩をランチに誘いたいっちゃ！)		TBATBATBAOctober 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)
Azusa includes Yu on a maid café collaboration project, hoping working so closely won't make it strange when she does invite him to lunch. Later, she becomes distracted thinking about Yu and lunch and accidentally agrees to a request from her boss without listening to it. When she sees Yu only brought instant noodles she is able to invite him to lunch, claiming she doesn't want him falling ill from poor nutrition. Unfortunately, she spent so much time trying to invite him she never thought of what to talk about once they started eating. The next day she urges Yu to always ask for help if he needs it, then becomes restless when he never seems to need her help. She blames herself for making their lunch awkward and decides to invite him again. Unfortunately, he is invited by their co-workers first, who automatically assume Azusa won't be interested in joining them. Azusa ends up convinced Yu thinks she is a useless mentor. Yu stays late so Azusa decides to do the same. Yu admits he admires how everyone relies on her, so he is determined his first project will impress her. He also thanks her for lunch when everyone says she prefers to eat alone. Azusa blurts out she wanted to have lunch with him, then becomes embarrassed at the implication.
3"I Gotta Support the Drinking Party's Organizer!"
Transliteration: "Nomikai Kanji o Sapōto Sento!" (Japanese: 飲み会幹事をサポートせんと！)		TBATBATBAOctober 16, 2025 (2025-10-16)
Azusa's boss announces a drinking party to celebrate their co-worker Yamaga getting married. Yu is asked to arrange everything but Azusa has no idea how as she always avoids parties. For a wedding gift Azusa considers cat mugs but breaks one and feels ashamed when Yu pays for it. Eventually they buy towels as a gift. Azusa wonders what sort of party Yu would want. Yu claims he doesn't drink but would go drinking with her. Azusa panics and rejects the idea, then hates herself. The next day she finds Yu bought her one of the cat mugs. The party goes well but Azusa becomes drunk. Azusa claims Yu messed up a project, giving them an excuse to leave. She apologises for being a scary mentor but Yu assures her he thinks she is very kind. He asks her again to go drinking with him and this time Azusa agrees, then passes out. The next morning she learns getting her home took so long Yu had to stay with a friend without any clean clothes. Their boss spots lipstick on Yu's shirt and assumes he has a girlfriend, making Azusa panic for a moment, until he explains it is her lipstick from helping her get into a taxi, embarrassing her immensely. Their boss regrettably asks them to go on a business trip to Okinawa during Golden Week.
4"The Really Hot Okinawa Business Trip!"
Transliteration: "Shinken Atsui! Okinawa Shucchō!" (Japanese: しんけんあつい！沖縄出張！)		TBATBATBAOctober 23, 2025 (2025-10-23)
Azusa and Yu land in Okinawa for a sunscreen company's photo-shoot. As it is on the beach Azusa wears a swimsuit. Yu worries when the director flirts with Azusa so he deliberately interrupts but worries he upset her. At dinner there is dancing which Yu takes enthusiastic part in. Azusa is more reserved but eventually enjoys herself. Yu becomes flustered but is unsure why. Azusa visits Yu's room later with medication for his sunburn, reminding him it is unprofessional to be sunburned while working for a sun cream company. The next day they complete the photo-shoot early, so the director invites them on a group sightseeing tour. Yu notices Azusa panicking so he quickly claims they need to work on their maid café project by visiting Okinawan cafes. They enjoy the experience but Azusa worries Yu only saw it as work and might not have had fun. Azusa worries when their hotel booking is for a twin room they will have to share. Yu decides to sleep at a manga café to avoid any awkwardness. Feeling guilty, Azusa asks him to stay and even challenges him to play games together. Yu worries he only causes problems for Azusa, especially when she claims she had an excellent relationship with her own mentor. They return home the next day and Yu realises he had a lot of fun.
5"It's All the Typhoon's Fault!"
Transliteration: "Zenbu Taifū no Sei Tcha" (Japanese: ぜんぶ台風のせいっちゃ)		TBATBATBAOctober 30, 2025 (2025-10-30)
A typhoon hits Japan but Azusa decides to go to work to set a good example for Yu then send him home early like a good mentor. On arriving they find they are the only ones in the office. They try to leave for a meeting but discover Azusa forgot her umbrella. Sharing Yu's umbrella Azusa panics at how close they are. Yu leads the meeting perfectly so Azusa is determined to send him home early. They return to the office where Azusa tries to hang up his jacket, only to end up wearing it and acting silly, unaware he was watching. Yu realises Azusa is scared of thunder so he distracts her. Azusa asks him to collect documents from the Sales team then go home early. Yu ends up meeting his friend Tsukahara in the Sales office who asks for his help. Azusa is upset Yu will end up working overtime doing another department's work, so she scolds Tsukahara for inconveniencing her trainee. Yu is grateful and offers to share an umbrella to the train station. Azusa realises Yu is actually quite manly. Getting off the train near her apartment Azusa is surprised Yu makes her take his umbrella, so she insists he take her towel. Azusa is glad she will be working remotely the next day. Yu decides to properly wash Azusa's towel before returning it.

Other

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In commemoration of the releases of volumes 3 and 4, the series had two cosplay collaborations with the model Nashiko Momotsuki dressed-up as main character Azusa Kannawa in 2021.[25][26]

Reception

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The series was ranked fifth at the sixth Next Manga Awards in the print category.[27]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Production staff information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.

References

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  1. ^ a b 「ロトの紋章～紋章を継ぐ者達へ～」あと2話で完結！YG創刊号から15年の連載に幕. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Dempsey, Liam (December 16, 2024). "My Awkward Senpai Anime Announced for 2025 Release". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Cayanan, Joanna (July 21, 2025). "My Awkward Senpai TV Anime's Main Promo Video Reveals More Cast, Staff, Opening Song, October Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  4. ^ Tai, Anita (October 18, 2025). "My Awkward Senpai Anime Casts Nashiko Momotsuki". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  5. ^ Kudo, Makoto [@m0721804] (March 2, 2019). 不器用な先輩。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ a b 不器用な先輩。 10 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  7. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 7, 2021). "Comikey Licenses 10 New Manga Including Arte, Fenrir, Hero Classroom". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  8. ^ "My Awkward Senpai". Manga UP! Global. Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  9. ^ 不器用な先輩。 1 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  10. ^ 不器用な先輩。 2 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  11. ^ 不器用な先輩。 3 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  12. ^ 不器用な先輩。 4 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  13. ^ 不器用な先輩。 5 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  14. ^ 不器用な先輩。 6 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  15. ^ 不器用な先輩。 7 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  16. ^ 不器用な先輩。 8 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  17. ^ 不器用な先輩。 9 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  18. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (December 16, 2024). "Makoto Kudo's My Awkward Senpai Manga Gets TV Anime in 2025". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (September 10, 2025). "My Awkward Senpai Anime Premieres on October 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  20. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (September 25, 2025). "My Awkward Senpai Anime Previews Ending Song in 2nd Main Trailer". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  21. ^ Mateo, Alex (October 1, 2025). "Crunchyroll to Stream Digimon Beatbreak, Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle, Isekai Quartet 3, More Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  22. ^ "Story｜Terebi Anime『Bukiyō na Senpai.』Koshiki Saito" STORY｜TVアニメ『不器用な先輩。』公式サイト [STORY｜TV Anime『My Awkward Senpai』Official Site]. bukiyouna-senpai.asmik-ace.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  23. ^ "Watch My Awkward Senpai - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  24. ^ "On Air｜Terebi Anime『Bukiyō na Senpai.』Koshiki Saito" ON AIR｜TVアニメ『不器用な先輩。』公式サイト [On Air｜TV Anime『My Awkward Senpai』Official Site]. bukiyouna-senpai.asmik-ace.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  25. ^ 金田一蓮十郎「ラララ」完結、桃月なしこが「不器用な先輩。」鉄輪に扮したグラビアも. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 21, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  26. ^ 「不器用な先輩。」桃月なしこが魔女っ娘の鉄輪に、4巻発売記念コラボグラビア掲載. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  27. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (August 19, 2020). "Shonen Jump's Undead Unluck Wins Tsugi ni Kuru Manga 2020 Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
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