| Romantic Killer | |
 Firsttankōbon volume cover, featuring Anzu Hoshino (front) and Tsukasa Kazuki (back) | |
| ロマンティック・キラー (Romantikku Kirā) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Wataru Momose |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Jump Comics+ |
| Magazine | Shōnen Jump+ |
| Original run | July 30, 2019 –June 2, 2020 |
| Volumes | 4 |
| Original net animation | |
| Directed by | Kazuya Ichikawa [ja] |
| Written by | |
| Music by |
|
| Studio | Domerica |
| Licensed by | Netflix |
| Released | October 27, 2022 |
| Runtime | 24–31 minutes |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Live-action film | |
| Directed by | Tsutomu Hanabusa |
| Written by | Junpei Yamaoka [ja] |
| Studio | |
| Released | December 12, 2025 (2025-12-12) |
| Runtime | 106 minutes[3] |
 Anime and manga portal | |
Romantic Killer (Japanese:ロマンティック・キラー,Hepburn:Romantikku Kirā) is a Japanesewebmanga series written and illustrated by Wataru Momose. It was serialized inShueisha'sShōnen Jump+ website from July 2019 to June 2020, with its chapters collected in fourtankōbon volumes.
Anoriginal net animation (ONA) series adaptation produced byDomerica was released onNetflix in October 2022. A live-action film adaptation was released in Japan in December 2025.
One day, a wizard claiming to be a "love cupid" named Riri appears before Anzu Hoshino, a high school girl who has no interest in romance outside of video game characters. The world where Riri comes from is founded on giving dreams and hopes to children, and collecting their pure hearts as energy in return. Due toJapan's declining birth rate problem assumed by the decrease in romance opportunities between men and women, Riri is sent to assist Anzu in experiencing real-life romance with a pool of "ikemen" for her to choose from. Despite Anzu's rejection due to her zero interest in pursuing real-life romance, Riri confiscates her "three greatest desires", video games, chocolate, and her cat Momohiki, and conspires a series of events to make Anzu encountershōjo manga-esque situations, leaving her with no choice. Anzu decided to play along with Riri's "game", but hopes to make Riri give up and release their "hostages" by avoiding all the romance-possible situations with all of her might so she can go back to her normal life.
Written and illustrated by Wataru Momose,Romantic Killer was serialized inShueisha'sShōnen Jump+ website from July 30, 2019,[11] to June 2, 2020.[12] The firsttankōbon volume was released on December 4, 2019.[1] The second to fourth volumes were released digitally on March 4,[13] August 4,[14] and September 4, 2020;[15] the volumes were released in print on October 4, 2022.[16]
In February 2022,Viz Media announced that they licensed the series for English publication.[17] Shueisha'sManga Plus platform is also digitally releasing the series in English.[6]
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 4, 2019[18] | 978-4-08-882164-1 | October 4, 2022[19] | 978-1-9747-3469-6 | ||
| ||||||
| 2 | March 4, 2020 (digital)[13] October 4, 2022 (print)[20] | 978-4-08-883326-2 | January 3, 2023[21] | 978-1-9747-3507-5 | ||
| ||||||
| 3 | August 4, 2020 (digital)[14] October 4, 2022 (print)[22] | 978-4-08-883327-9 | April 4, 2023[23] | 978-1-9747-3508-2 | ||
| ||||||
| 4 | September 4, 2020 (digital)[15] October 4, 2022 (print)[24] | 978-4-08-883328-6 | July 4, 2023[25] | 978-1-9747-3509-9 | ||
| ||||||
In August 2022, theShōnen Jump+ website announced that the series would be adapted into anoriginal net animation. It is produced byDomerica and directed by Kazuya Ichikawa, withSayuri Ōba [ja] andHiroko Fukuda [ja] overseeing the scripts, Arisa Matsuura designing the characters, andRyo Kawasaki [ja] and Tomoyuki Kono composing the music.[4] The series was released onNetflix on October 27, 2022.[26] The opening theme is "Roma Kira", performed byYurika,[4] while the ending theme is "Romantic Love (Renai Shimasen ka?)" (Romantic Love～恋愛しませんか？☆～;lit. 'Romantic Love (Won't You Fall in Love?)'), performed byMikako Komatsu.[8]
| No. | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Why Is There So Much Legalese in Magic!?" Transliteration: "Mahō Settei na no ni Kanji ga Ōi nda yo!" (Japanese:魔法設定なのに漢字が多いんだよっ!) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
High school freshmanAnzu Hoshino only loves beatingfinal bosses in video games, gobbling down chocolates and kissing her pet cat Momohiki. One day, a wizard namedRiri, who claims to be a "love cupid", appears out of the television and selects Anzu as a test subject to turn her romantic inexperience into a real-lifedating sim. In order to help Anzu stay on task until she can achieve a "lovely romantic thriller level relationship", Riri confiscates Anzu's three greatest desires by changing all the video games to packagedkabayaki and by removing the chocolate flavor from her favorite snacks, all to solveJapan's declining birth rate problem. After Momohiki is sent away with Anzu's parents, who are traveling overseas for work in the United States, an infuriated Anzu swears to spitefully avoid romance at all costs. Riri orchestrates ameet cute for Anzu outside aconvenience store, where she accidentally bumps intoTsukasa Kazuki and breaks his cellphone in the process. After encountering Tsukasa in the subway station the next day, Anzu realizes that Tsukasa is a popular student at her high school, though she is repeatedly put off by his aloof personality. When Anzu returns home in the afternoon, she is bored without her video games, but she is then scared off by acockroach, viewing it like a slice ofstrawberry cake as a coping mechanism. Anzu sulks in a playground as it begins to rain, but she is soon spotted by Tsukasa holding an umbrella. | |||
| 2 | "It's Time for Children to Go to Sleep" Transliteration: "Kodomo wa Mō Nerujikan Desu yo" (Japanese:子供はもう寝る時間ですよ☆) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
Anzu has no choice but to share the umbrella with Tsukasa as they walk to his apartment to dry up. After Anzu mentions herkatsaridaphobia, Tsukasa offers to exterminate the cockroach at her house. They become friends after he manages to get rid of the cockroach despite her accidentally tackling him. However, Tsukasa is forced to bunk with Anzu overnight when the rain escalates into atyphoon, which Anzu confirms that Riri had something to do with this. Ignoring Riri's suggestion to make a dazzling homecooked meal, Anzu gives Tsukasa someinstant noodles for dinner. After taking a bath, Anzu deliberately wears her unflattering cat-themed pajamas. Anzu and Tsukasa decide to play board games to pass the time, as to which Anzu has an undefeated winning streak inReversi. Unfortunately, her luck turns around when they playThe Game of Life, in which she loses after landing on all the bad spaces, thanks to Riri. After Anzu burns a pan of scrambled eggs, Tsukasa decides to prepare exquisiteboxed lunches for school. Anzu realizes that Tsukasa might not be as aloof as she originally thought. A disappointed Riri later causes Anzu to fall asleep on the couch in the living room. As Anzu dreams about holding Momohiki, Tsukasa tries to wake her up, but she grabs his hand and refuses to let go. Tsukasa accepts that he is stuck there for the night, realizing that he has not had that much fun in a long time. | |||
| 3 | "My Life Has Become a Dating Sim" Transliteration: "Otomegē Seikatsu Hajimemashita!?" (Japanese:乙女ゲー生活はじめました!?) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
When her dream turns into a nightmare, Anzu is mortified when she finds herself lying on Tsukasa's lap. Anzu is later dismayed upon learning that the typhoon caused Tsukasa's apartment to be flooded, to which Anri suspects Riri again. At school during lunch period, Anzu's best friendSaki Takamine is amazed at Anzu's boxed lunch, unknowingly prepared by Tsukasa. Two of Tsukasa's fans named Rena Kashiwagi and Yukika Maezono accompany Anzu to the Toutor Cafe, where Anzu planned to meet with Tsukasa after school. An annoyed Tsukasa abruptly leaves with Anzu, forbidding Rena and Yukika from tagging along. Tsukasa explains that he is uninterested in dating, leading Anzu to believe that she can become his friend without risking romance. He informs her that there are no available apartments anywhere, in which she speculates that Riri so expertly manipulated this. Nonetheless, Anzu agrees for Tsukasa to room with her for a month. During their first day living together, Anzu notices that Tsukasa is very helpful and hardworking around the house. Riri later appears to remind Anzu that she is experiencing a dating sim lifestyle, meaning that there will be multiple bachelors. At that moment, Anzu is taken back when a tall guy namedJunta Hayami, who claims to be her childhood friend and also attends her high school, shows up at her front door. | |||
| 4 | "The Childhood Friend Is Easy Mode" Transliteration: "Osananajimi wa Ījī Mōdo!?" (Japanese:幼なじみはイージーモード!?) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
Forced to play along, Anzu concludes that Junta hasfalse memories of having a longtime crush on her planted by Riri, who insists that Junta is an easy mode option for completing the real-life dating sim. While walking to school together, Anzu is caught off guard when Junta momentarily finds aHercules beetle, pictured like acrêpe as a coping mechanism, stuck in her hair. As they encounter Saki on the way, Anzu is surprised that Saki is already acquainted with Junta. Rena tries to exchange contact information with Tsukasa on his new cellphone, but Tsukasa's friendMakoto Oda witnesses when Tsukasa bluntly disregards Rena. Makoto informs Tsukasa that Junta is the star rookie of the high school baseball team, while Junta hears word that Tsukasa is popular and smart. During lunch period, Anzu and Tsukasa mix up their boxed lunches, so they end up eating with Makoto at the courtyard. After school, Tsukasa and Junta eavesdrop on Rena and Yukika interrogating Anzu, who confirms that she is not romantically involved with Tsukasa. However, Anzu refuses to set up Rena with Tsukasa since he is not interested in dating. An eccentric girl, who claims to be Anzu's cousin, suddenly arrives, coercing Rena and Yukika into leaving through overly invasive questions about Rena's bust size. Anzu then realizes that the eccentric girl is none other than Riri assuming the female form named Riri Fushigi. | |||
| 5 | "You're More Troublesome in Flesh and Blood" Transliteration: "Namami no Kata ga Yakkai ja nē ka" (Japanese:生身の方が厄介じゃねーか) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
After Tsukasa thanks Anzu for telling off Rena and Yukika, Riri invites Junta to a dinner party with Anzu and Tsukasa at Anzu's house. Junta brings overfried chicken, but he is despondent upon learning that Tsukasa cooked delicious curry for dinner. When Riri suggests for Junta to also live with Anzu, the latter steals the former's magic wand. Anzu and Riri wrestle over the magic wand until it drops onto dog poo, rendering it temporarily powerless until it is purified again. Junta leaves after he is reassured that Tsukasa is not interested in dating. After learning that it has been a while since Tsukasa had a dinner party, Anzu starts to wonder if Tsukasa has a complicated family relationship. The next day, Anzu and Tsukasa are seen walking to school together, so she spreads ahalf-truth that she lives very close to him. After school, Anzu returns home alone since Tsukasa has work, so she goes to bed early. An underwear thief breaks into Anzu's house, but he retreats due to her demonic rage. Luckily, Junta was passing by and manages to catch the underwear thief for the police. As Tsukasa leaves work early and accompanies Anzu and Junta back to Anzu's house, Junta receives a call from his mother. After learning that Junta has been given permission by his mother to live with her, Anzu becomes furious upon realizing that Riri has successfully manipulated the events to allow two attractive guys to live with her simultaneously. | |||
| 6 | "A "Reincarnated-in-Another-World" Date" Transliteration: "Isekai Tensei Dēto ka na!?" (Japanese:異世界転生デートかな!?) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
Anzu takes up a part-time job at the convenience store, since Tsukasa has work after school and Junta has baseball practice before school. Tsukasa later invites Anzu to accompany him to ashopping mall. Riri appears in female form, threatening to confiscate all of Anzu's cat-themed clothes if Anzu does not treat the trip to the shopping mall like a date. Anzu is reluctant to wear a cute outfit and don some makeup, which flusters Tsukasa. At the shopping mall, Anzu runs off to use the restroom, leaving Tsukasa by himself. Feeling like he is being eyed by two girls, Tsukasa begins to experience apanic attack until Anzu returns to quell his thoughts. Tsukasa impulsively buys a cat bracelet for Anzu out of gratitude. As they head back home, Junta meets up with them, overwhelmed by Anzu wearing a cute outfit and donning some makeup. That night, Riri feels like Anzu, Tsukasa and Junta have become far too comfortable with their living arrangement, deciding to add one more player for the game. The next day, Anzu oversleeps since her alarm failed to go off. While running late for school, Anzu is almost hit by the car of a wealthy but arrogant guy namedHijiri Koganei, who is driven around by his chauffeurTsuchiya. | |||
| 7 | "You Sure Have Your Quirks..." Transliteration: "Kuse ga Tsuyoi njā" (Japanese:クセが強いんじゃぁ) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
Making up for the trouble, Tsuchiya offers to give Anzu a ride with Hijiri to school, where Tsukasa, Junta, Saki and Makoto express their concerns for her. A few days later, Anzu and Hijiri go to aclothes shop for a beautiful dress before heading to a restaurant for lunch. When Hijiri believes that Anzu staged the car accident as blackmail for a date, Anzu boldly rejects him and walks out of the car, leading Hijiri to feel heartbroken for the first time. Anzu later returns the dress to Hijiri after having it dry-cleaned. Hijiri pays a visit to Anzu's house, where he offers to fulfill her three greatest desires by gifting her with video games, chocolates and cats in front of Riri and Junta. Riri would allow this if Anzu willingly dates Hijiri, but Anzu unexpectedly rejects the gifts, seeing them as meaningless if Hijiri has not earned the money through hard work. At the convenience store, Anzu is shocked to find Hijiri as a newly hired part-time employee. Much to Anzu's surprise, Hijiri actually excels at customer service. After her work shift, Anzu learns from Tsuchiya that Hijiri developed atsundere personality ever since she rejected him. Having received their paychecks, Hijiri offer to buy Anzu a gift, so she opts for eating cheapice pops at the playground. Their moment almost sparks romance until Anzu slaps herself back to sanity. As Anzu returns home, she finds Tsukasa's cellphone, which recently received a text message from a woman. | |||
| 8 | "Goose Bumps! I Am a Goose Now" Transliteration: "Torihada!! Ai Amu a Bādo" (Japanese:鳥肌!! アイ アム ア バード) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
During the weekend, Anzu is stunned when she chances upon the woman in question, who turns out to beArisa Kazuki, Tsukasa's older sister. Anzu realizes that Tsukasa has been living with her for a month already. Although Tsukasa previously lived alone in an apartment due to having a bad father, Arisa is happy now that Tsukasa is more like his old self because he has been staying with Anzu. Arisa convinces Tsukasa to continue rooming with Anzu indefinitely. A few days later, Riri decides to do more research on romance by assuming a male form named Rio Fushigi, bribing Anzu to go on a mock date with the reward of cat hooded pajamas. At the movie theater, Tsukasa and Makoto see Anzu and Rio holding hands, but Rio simply claims to be Anzu's other cousin and Riri's twin brother. After watching aromance film that is a realtearjerker, Anzu and Rio drink somebubble tea, though soon encountering Hijiri and Tsuchiya. Rio tries to provokes Hijiri by sparking a love rivalry. Anzu angrily drags away Rio to continue their mock date, visiting a photo booth, aclaw machine and a gift shop. Having gathered enough research on romance for another scenario, Rio playfully kisses Anzu on the cheek on their walk back home. An embarrassed Anzu realizes that Junta was traumatized upon seeing this happen nearby. | |||
| 9 | "Ginger Ale Is a Force Majeure" Transliteration: "Jinjāēru wa Fukakōryoku da" (Japanese:ジンジャーエールは不可抗力だ) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
On the subway, Anzu encounters her childhood friends named Amin and Riporin before hanging out at a restaurant called Zarigaria. From their conversation, Anzu realizes that Junta used to be nicknamed "Tonta", meaning that Junta is genuinely her childhood friend. Junta was just unrecognizable to Anzu because he has drastically changed in appearance over the years. Amin and Riporin invite Anzu and Junta to an upcomingclass reunion. At home, Riri confirms that Junta truly had a longtime crush on Anzu, though Riri did arrange for Anzu and Junta to meet again after so many years apart. Anzu attends the class reunion at afamily entertainment center, where a boy named Ryuya, who is also Anzu's childhood friend, insists on abattle of the sexes with punishments for the losers. However, Ryuya loses against Anzu in bowling and air hockey, in which the boys are forced to reveal their first crushes and buy ice cream for the girls. Junta later arrives when the boys and girls take a break in thekaraoke box. Seeing that Junta has become a handsome athlete, Ryuya bitterly storms outside the karaoke box, though Anzu manages to catch up to Ryuya. Anzu bluntly rejects Ryuya when he reveals that she was his real first crush. Amin and Riporin restrain Junta as they eavesdrop on Anzu blatantly stating that Junta would not be interested in her anyways. Later on, Ryuya apologetically admits that he caused Junta to drift apart from Anzu in the past. | |||
| 10 | "Other Way Around, Dummy" Transliteration: "Gyaku ja Boke" (Japanese:逆じゃボケ～) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
While planning to sleep over at Anzu's house, Saki soon discovers that Tsukasa and Junta have been living with Anzu. It turns out that Saki was kicked out of her house when her father went to work agraveyard shift while her older brother invited some friends over for a party. While considering to tell Saki about the existence of Riri, Anzu is struck by an urgent need to use the restroom. Riri confirms that Anzu'sstomach distress was punishment for attempting abreach of contract. In the past, Anzu first befriended Saki in middle school after defending her from a girl who purposely knocked into her. When Saki started dating an upperclassman named Mori, she slapped him with a textbook when he tried to molest her during a tutoring session. Anzu then publicly exposed Mori for spreading a false rumor about Saki. In the present, Riri in female form encourages Anzu, Tsukasa, Junta and Saki to attend thesummer festival inyukata attire. They encounter Ryuya, who privately advises Junta to confesses his feelings for Anzu before he misses his chance. Saki is traumatized upon seeing Mori, but Makoto rescues her from an uncomfortable setting. Anzu and Tsukasa watch the fireworks as Hijiri and Tsuchiya show up later. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman finds a selfie posted on social media by two girls who saw Anzu and Tsukasa watching the fireworks in the background. | |||
| 11 | "Just Tell Me If You Don't Like It" Transliteration: "Iya dattara Itte" (Japanese:イヤだったら言って) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
After hanging out with Hijiri and Tsuchiya at theamusement arcade, Anzu walks back home, where she is approached by the mysterious woman, introduced asYukana Kishi, who claims to be Tsukasa's girlfriend. Growing suspicious as she witnesses Tsukasa suffering a panic attack from a distance, Anzu urges Yukana to leave, while Tsukasa confirms that Yukana is his stalker. In the past, Tsukasa kindly retrieved Yukana's purse after she tripped and fell in the street. He received several packages from Yukana, which were delivered under his mother's name, and his father accused him of pulling a prank. Yukana even posed as Tsukasa's girlfriend on social media against his will and ruined his reputation. Thanks to his mother and Arisa, Tsukasa rented an apartment and transfer schools. In the present, Arisa temporarily moves in with Tsukasa at Anzu's house. After a work shift with Hijiri, Anzu is attacked in an alley by two thugs blackmailed by Yukana. Anzu is collectively saved by Junta, Ryuya, Tsuchiya and Saki's brother, all of whom responded to text messages from Anzu's cellphone. At Anzu's house, Riri in male form confirms to sending those text messages. When Riri considers removing Tsukasa from the list of candidates since it would impose danger, Anzu chucks Riri's magic wand onto dog poo again. Tsukasa learns that Junta started playing baseball because Anzu once said that she was attracted to athletic guys. After another work shift with Hijiri, Anzu is attacked outside by Yukana wielding a knife. | |||
| 12 | "Last Story!?" Transliteration: "Rasuto Sutōrī!?" (Japanese:ラスト・ストーリー!?) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | |
When Tsukasa witnesses Anzu bleeding from her forehead, he finally overcomes his fear and decries Yukana for her actions. Thanks to Arisa, Yukana is arrested by the police, while Anzu is bandaged up at the hospital. Tsukasa's father still blames Tsukasa for what has conspired, but Anzu stands up to Tsukasa's father. As Anzu takes Tsukasa back to her house, he embraces her after recounting all the times that she discreetly saved him. Anzu's mother Miyoko Hoshino finally returns home. Hijiri uses his family connections to ensure that Yukana will be imprisoned for her crimes. At night, Riri in female form menacingly visits Yukana in herprison cell. Riri in male form then appears in Anzu's bedroom, confessing love for Anzu and kissing her on the forehead before vanishing. Anzu, Tsukasa and Miyoko are relieved to learn from Arisa that Yukana recently suffered a severe case ofamnesia, having no recollection of Tsukasa. Anzu's father finally returns home, surprising Anzu with her three greatest desires. In the living room, Anzu meets a wizard named Kate, who was assigned to replace Riri. However, Kate forgot to cast an illusion spell to appear invisible to Tsukasa and Junta when they enter the living room. Coming clean, Kate reveals that Riri has been exiled from the human world for using taboo magic on Yukana and developing feelings for Anzu. Threatening to flush Kate's magic wand down the toilet, Anzu convinces Kate to summon Riri in male form. Anzu thanks Riri for improving her life, though Riri admittedly wants to stay with Anzu. Finding a loophole in the laws of potential romance, Anzu declares that there is a minuscule chance that she could fall in love with Riri in male form, which allows Riri to stay by her side. Anzu's parents return to the United States, while Tsukasa and Junta continue living with Anzu. Riri in female form announces that Anzu must choose a boyfriend before graduating high school or else she will permanently lose her three greatest desires, so Anzu insists that she will neither be forced into love nor let that happen on her watch. Kate is reassigned to Yukana, seemingly at apsychiatric hospital. Riri ends the episode on acliffhanger. | |||
In June 2025, a live-action film adaptation produced byToho Studios andDub [ja] was announced, withTsutomu Hanabusa serving as the director andJunpei Yamaoka [ja] writing the script.[27]Toho released the film in Japan on December 12, 2025.[6][3] Three theme songs were used in the film: "Never Romantic" performed byNaniwa Danshi, "True Love" performed byINI, and "Zutto Zutto" (ずっとずっと) performed byFantastics from Exile Tribe.[7]
The series was the first-place winner of the second of Shueisha's Jump Vertical Scrolling Manga Awards.[28] In 2020, the series ranked 12th in theNext Manga Awards in the web manga category.[29]
