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My Clueless First Friend (Japanese: 事情を知らない転校生がグイグイくる。, Hepburn: Jijō o Shiranai Tenkōsei ga Guigui Kuru; lit. ‘The Clueless Transfer Student Is Assertive‘) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Taku Kawamura [ja]. It has been serialized in Square Enix‘s shōnen manga magazine Monthly Gangan Joker since May 2018, with its chapters collected in 23 tankōbon volumes as of March 2026. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Signpost aired from April to July 2023.

Synopsis

Akane Nishimura is a quiet, almost goth-like, girl who everyone nicknames “Grim Reaper” due to the way she looks. When a boy named Taiyō Takada first enters the class, he obliviously chooses to become friends with Akane and together form a friendship that will forever change both of their lives.

Characters

Akane Nishimura (西村 茜, Nishimura Akane)
Voiced by: Konomi Kohara[2] (Japanese); Molly Zhang[3] (English)
Taiyō Takada (高田 太陽, Takada Taiyō)
Voiced by: Shizuka Ishigami[2] (Japanese); Madeleine Morris[3] (English)
Daichi Hino (日野 大地, Hino Daichi)
Voiced by: Kengo Kawanishi[4] (Japanese); Belsheber Rusape[3] (English)
Umi Adachi (安達 海美, Adachi Umi)
Voiced by: Reina Kondō[4] (Japanese); Dani Chambers[3] (English)
Yukiko Takada (高田 雪子, Takada Yukiko)
Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki[4] (Japanese); Marisa Duran[5] (English)
Sumire Kasahara (笠原 すみれ, Kasahara Sumire)
Voiced by: Wakana Maruoka[6] (Japanese); Lindsay Sheppard[3] (English)
Kotarō Kitagawa (北川 虎太郎, Kitagawa Kotarō)
Voiced by: Kōhei Amasaki[6] (Japanese); Kyle Igneczi[3] (English)
Akane’s Dad (茜の父, Akane no Chichi)
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama[6] (Japanese); Alex Hom[3] (English)

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Taku Kawamura [ja], My Clueless First Friend started in Square Enix‘s shōnen manga magazine Monthly Gangan Joker on May 22, 2018.[7] Square Enix has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on October 22, 2018.[8] As of March 21, 2026, 23 volumes have been released.[9]

In July 2022, Square Enix Manga & Books announced that they had licensed the manga for English release in North America.[10] The series is also published online on the English version of Square Enix’s Manga Up! platform since July 2022.[11]

Volumes

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1October 22, 2018[12]978-4-7575-5855-7March 7, 2023[13]978-1-6460-9204-8
  • Chapters 1–18
  • Bonus Chapter
2February 22, 2019[14]978-4-7575-6025-3March 7, 2023[13]978-1-6460-9204-8
  • Chapters 19–29
  • Bonus Chapter
3June 22, 2019[15]978-4-7575-6167-0June 6, 2023[16]978-1-6460-9205-5
  • Chapters 30–40
  • Bonus Chapter
4October 21, 2019[17]978-4-7575-6352-0June 6, 2023[16]978-1-6460-9205-5
  • Chapters 41–50
  • Bonus Chapter
5February 22, 2020[18]978-4-7575-6529-6September 5, 2023[19]978-1-6460-9207-9
  • Chapters 51–60
  • Bonus Chapter
6June 22, 2020[20]978-4-7575-6708-5September 5, 2023[19]978-1-6460-9207-9
  • Chapters 61–74
  • Bonus Chapter
7November 21, 2020[21]978-4-7575-6948-5December 5, 2023[22]978-1-6460-9208-6
  • Chapters 75–84
  • Bonus Chapter 1
  • Chapters 85–87
  • Bonus Chapter 2
8March 22, 2021[23]978-4-7575-7162-4December 5, 2023[22]978-1-6460-9208-6
  • Chapters 88–99
  • Bonus Chapter
9July 20, 2021[24]978-4-7575-7375-8March 5, 2024[25]978-1-6460-9209-3
  • Chapters 100–112
  • Bonus Chapter
10November 22, 2021[26]978-4-7575-7576-9March 5, 2024[25]978-1-6460-9209-3
  • Chapters 113–124
  • Bonus Chapter
11March 22, 2022[27]978-4-7575-7825-8June 11, 2024[28]978-1-6460-9227-7
  • Chapters 125–134
  • Bonus Chapter
12July 22, 2022[29]978-4-7575-8035-0June 11, 2024[28]978-1-6460-9227-7
  • Chapters 135–140
  • Bonus Chapter
13November 22, 2022[30]978-4-7575-8263-7September 3, 2024[31]978-1-6460-9260-4
  • Chapters 141–147
  • Bonus Chapter
14March 22, 2023[32]978-4-7575-8476-1September 3, 2024[31]978-1-6460-9260-4
  • Chapters 148–160
  • Bonus Chapter
15July 22, 2023[33]978-4-7575-8672-7January 7, 2025[34]978-1-6460-9314-4
  • Chapters 161–165
  • Bonus Chapter
16November 21, 2023[35]978-4-7575-8905-6January 7, 2025[34]978-1-6460-9314-4
  • Chapters 166–173
  • Bonus Chapter
17March 22, 2024[36]978-4-7575-9114-1July 7, 2026[37]978-1-6460-9431-8
  • Chapters 174–181
  • Bonus Chapter
18July 22, 2024[38]978-4-7575-9325-1July 7, 2026[37]978-1-6460-9431-8
  • Chapters 182–187
  • Bonus Chapter
19November 21, 2024[39]978-4-7575-9520-0——
  • Chapters 188–191
  • Bonus Chapter
20March 22, 2025[40]978-4-7575-9759-4——
  • Chapters 192–201
  • Bonus Chapter
21July 22, 2025[41]978-4-7575-9963-5——
  • Chapters 202–210
  • Bonus Chapter
22November 20, 2025[42]978-4-301-00174-4——
  • Chapters 211–218
  • Bonus Chapter
23March 21, 2026[9]978-4-301-00400-4——
  • Chapters 219-223
  • Bonus Chapter

Anime

In November 2022, it was announced that the manga would receive an anime television series adaptation. It is produced by Studio Signpost and directed by Shigenori Kageyama, with scripts written by Takafumi Hoshikawa and Shogo Yasukawa, character designs handled by Chikashi Kadekaru, and music composed by Toshio Masuda.[2] The series aired from April 9 to July 2, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[4][43] The opening theme song, “Alcor to Polaris” (アルコルとポラリス, Arukoru to Porarisu; lit. ‘Alcor and Polaris‘), is performed by Reina Kondō, while the ending theme song, “Kokorone” (ココロネ), is performed by Kitri.[44][6] Crunchyroll is streaming the series.[45]

Episodes

No.Title [46][47]Directed by [46]Written by [46]Storyboarded by [46]Original release date [48][a]
1“The Grim Reaper and the Transfer Student”
Transliteration: “Shinigami to Tenkōsei” (Japanese: 死神と転校生)		Taiji KawanishiShogo YasukawaMizuki AobaApril 9, 2023 (2023-04-09)
2“Lunch Duty and Ghost Photographs and Love Letters”
Transliteration: “Kyūshoku Tōban to Shinrei Shashin to Rabu Retā” (Japanese: 給食当番と心霊写真とラブレター)		Yūki MoritaTsuma SawakiNaotaka HayashiApril 16, 2023 (2023-04-16)
3“Summer Vacation Begins”
Transliteration: “Natsuyasumi ga Hajimaru” (Japanese: 夏休みがはじまる)		Chika NenbeMasaya HondaMeigo NaitōApril 23, 2023 (2023-04-23)
4“Grandma’s House”
Transliteration: “Obāchan-chi” (Japanese: おばあちゃんち)		Hisanori Kobayashi,
Kazuho Kunimoto		Shogo YasukawaMizuki AobaApril 30, 2023 (2023-04-30)
5“Call Me the Grim Reaper”
Transliteration: “Shinigami tte Yonde” (Japanese: 死神って呼んで)		Fumio MaezonoTsuma SawakiMeigo NaitōMay 7, 2023 (2023-05-07)
6“Changing Desks, Class Reps, and New Friends”
Transliteration: “Sekigae to Kurasu Iin to Atarashii Tomodachi” (Japanese: 席替えとクラス委員と新しいともだち)		Masayuki MatsumotoYuki TanihataMizuki AobaMay 14, 2023 (2023-05-14)
7“Field Trips and the Magic of Marinated Eggs”
Transliteration: “Ensoku to Ajitama no Mahō” (Japanese: 遠足と味玉の魔法)		Taiji KawanishiMasaya HondaMeigo NaitōMay 21, 2023 (2023-05-21)
8“Yukata, Jungle Gyms, and Orthopedic Casts”
Transliteration: “Yukata to Janguru Jimu to Gipusu” (Japanese: 浴衣とジャングルジムとギプス)		Chika Nenbe, Yoshitsugu Kimura,
Takahiro Suzuura, Tsurugi Harada		Tsuma SawakiToshihiko MasudaMay 28, 2023 (2023-05-28)
9“Run! Shout! Field Day”
Transliteration: “Hashire! Sakebe! Undōkai” (Japanese: 走れ！叫べ！運動会)		Natsumi YasueShogo YasukawaMizuki AobaJune 4, 2023 (2023-06-04)
10“My First Time Having Guests Over”
Transliteration: “Hajimete no Omotenashi” (Japanese: 初めてのおもてなし)		Tsurugi HaradaYuki TanihataMeigo NaitōJune 11, 2023 (2023-06-11)
11“The Swift Reaper Alliance, the Cursed Song, and Christmas”
Transliteration: “Fūjin Dōmei to Noroi no Uta to Kurisumasu” (Japanese: 風神同盟と呪いの歌とクリスマス)		Yūki MoritaShogo Yasukawa,
Tsuma Sawaki		Miyuki FujimoriJune 18, 2023 (2023-06-18)
12“The Christmas Party Confession”
Transliteration: “Kurisumasu Pātī no Kokuhaku” (Japanese: クリスマスパーティーの告白)		Taiji KawanishiShogo YasukawaMizuki AobaJune 25, 2023 (2023-06-25)
13“10 Years Later, the Same as Today”
Transliteration: “Jūnengo mo, Kyō mo” (Japanese: 10年後も、今日も)		Maki KamiyaYuki TanihataMeigo NaitōJuly 2, 2023 (2023-07-02)

Reception

The series was ranked thirteenth in the 2020 edition of Takarajimasha‘s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of the best manga for male readers.[50]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Episodes are released on select platforms (such as ABEMA and Crunchyroll) a week before their air dates on television.[6][49]

References

  1. ^ “My Clueless First Friend”. Square Enix Manga and Books. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Cayanan, Joanna (November 16, 2022). “My Clueless First Friend Manga Gets TV Anime in 2023”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Mateo, Alex (April 12, 2023). “My Clueless First Friend Anime Reveals English Dub Cast, Premiere”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Dempsey, Liam (January 19, 2023). “My Clueless First Friend TV Anime Sets April 2023 Premiere with New Trailer”. Crunchyroll News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Duran, Marisa [@marisaduran_] (April 23, 2023). “I’m so excited to hop into My Clueless First Friend as Yukiko, Takada’s big sis! She’s goofy and oh-so supportive. 💜Catch ep2 of the dub out now on @Crunchyroll!” (Tweet). Retrieved May 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ a b c d e Cayanan, Joanna (February 21, 2023). “My Clueless First Friend Anime Reveals April 9 Premiere, More Cast, Visual, Ending Theme Artist”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  7. ^ 吉辺あくろ描く変態イケメンとのラブコメ1巻、JOKERに柊裕一ら執筆ポスターも. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  8. ^ クラスで浮いている女子と事情を知らない転校生のハートフルストーリー1巻. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 22, 2018. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  9. ^ a b 【3月21日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 21, 2026. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  10. ^ Mateo, Alex (July 22, 2022). “Square Enix Manga & Books Licenses Daemons of the Shadow Realm, My Clueless First Friend Manga”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  11. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 25, 2022). “Square Enix Launches English Version of Manga Up! Web Manga Site, App”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  12. ^ 【10月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 22, 2018. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (March 7, 2023). “North American Anime, Manga Releases, March 5–11”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  14. ^ 「好きな子がめがねを忘れた」1巻、同発「転校生がグイグイくる」2巻とコラボも. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. February 22, 2019. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  15. ^ 「事情を知らない転校生」と「好きな子がめがねを忘れた」を書店員が推薦. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 6, 2022. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (June 6, 2023). “North American Anime, Manga Releases, June 4–10”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  17. ^ 【10月21日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 21, 2019. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  18. ^ からかってくるけどポンコツなので勝手に詰む、川村拓「留年！ とどめ先輩」1巻. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. February 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (September 5, 2023). “North American Anime, Manga Releases, September 3–9”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  20. ^ 【6月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  21. ^ 【11月21日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (December 7, 2023). “North American Anime, Manga Releases, December 3–9”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  23. ^ 【3月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 22, 2021. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  24. ^ 【7月20日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 20, 2021. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (March 6, 2024). “North American Anime, Manga Releases, March 3–9”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  26. ^ 【11月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  27. ^ 【3月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 22, 2022. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  28. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (June 11, 2024). “North American Anime, Manga Releases, June 9–15”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  29. ^ 【7月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 22, 2022. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  30. ^ 【11月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 22, 2022. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  31. ^ a b “My Clueless First Friend, Volume 7”. Square Enix Manga and Books. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024. Format: (2-in-1 volumes omnibus)
  32. ^ 【3月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 22, 2023. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  33. ^ 【7月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 22, 2023. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  34. ^ a b “My Clueless First Friend, Volume 8”. Square Enix Manga and Books. Retrieved June 25, 2024. Format: (2-in-1 volumes omnibus)
  35. ^ 【11月21日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 21, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  36. ^ 【3月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 22, 2024. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  37. ^ a b “My Clueless First Friend, Volume 9”. Square Enix Manga and Books. Retrieved April 6, 2025. Format: (2-in-1 volumes omnibus)
  38. ^ 【7月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 22, 2024. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  39. ^ 【11月21日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 21, 2024. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  40. ^ 【3月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 22, 2025. Archived from the original on March 21, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  41. ^ 【7月22日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  42. ^ 【11月20日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 20, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  43. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (January 19, 2023). “My Clueless First Friend Anime’s First Video Reveals Additional Cast, Staff, April Debut”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  44. ^ Chapman, Paul (January 28, 2023). “My Clueless First Friend TV Anime Reveals OP Theme Song Performer”. Crunchyroll News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  45. ^ Mateo, Alex (December 1, 2022). “Crunchyroll to Stream Bofuri Season 2, Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion, A Galaxy Next Door, The Fire Hunter, My Clueless First Friend, More Anime”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  46. ^ a b c d “Sutōrī｜Terebi Anime “Jijō o Shiranai Tenkōsei ga Guigui Kuru.”” STORY｜TVアニメ『事情を知らない転校生がグイグイくる。』 [Story｜TV Anime “My Clueless First Friend”]. guiguikuru.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  47. ^ “Watch My Clueless First Friend”. Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  48. ^ “On’ea｜Terebi Anime “Jijō o Shiranai Tenkōsei ga Guigui Kuru.”” ON AIR｜TVアニメ『事情を知らない転校生がグイグイくる。』 [On Air｜TV Anime “My Clueless First Friend”]. guiguikuru.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  49. ^ Gangan Joker Editorial Department [official] [@gangan_joker] (April 2, 2023). このあと22:00よりTVアニメ「事情を知らない転校生がグイグイくる。」第1話先行配信です！https://abema.tv/video/title/173-5 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved April 3, 2023 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 11, 2019). “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Editors Unveil 2020 Rankings”. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2024.