Masamune-kun's Revenge R

Masamune-kun's Revenge was created by Hazuki Takeoka (writer) and Tiv (illustrator).

The series debuted in Monthly Comic REX magazine in 2012, with Tiv’s art quickly gaining attention for its vibrant style.

The manga attracted a strong following, leading to the development of spin-offs and adaptations.

With over 3.8 million copies circulated as of late 2023, the series’ popularity prompted expanded storylines even after the original’s conclusion.

The story is set in contemporary Japan, centering on high school life, with occasional forays into extravagant family mansions and prestigious locations like Paris during school trips.

Social status, familial expectations, and the contrast between public persona versus private hurt drive much of the drama.

Wealthy families, school traditions (like the “White Princess”), and secret relationships add layers to the setting.

Eight years ago, Masamune Makabe was an overweight, bullied child who formed a bond with the elegant heiress Aki Adagaki.

Everything shattered when she cruelly nicknamed him “Pig’s Foot” and rejected him.

Haunted by childhood trauma, Masamune undergoes a grueling regimen—shedding his weight, mastering sports, and even changing his surname.

He returns incognito, plotting the “Dead or Love Plan”: win Aki's heart, then devastate her in revenge.

What starts as a revenge comedy quickly becomes more complicated.

Yoshino Koiwai, Aki’s sharp-tongued maid, discovers Masamune’s true identity but surprisingly offers her support—she herself nurses deep regrets related to that traumatic past.

Into this high school powder keg walks Neko Fujinomiya, an enigmatic and sickly rich girl who claims to be in love with Masamune, and Kanetsugu Gasō, a chubby “rival” with secrets of their own.

Masamune’s plans are challenged by Aki’s reality: she faces rumors, harsh treatment from peers, and pressure from her family to marry.

Along the way, the secrets behind the original childhood incident unravel—revealing Aki is not as responsible as Masamune believed and that Yoshino played a hidden role.

Through heartbreak, betrayals, slapstick moments, and genuine emotional growth, the characters gradually confront their pasts, their feelings, and what “revenge” truly means.

• Dead or Love Plan: Masamune's master plan to make Aki fall in love so he can dump her at her most vulnerable, avenging his childhood humiliation.
• Pig’s Foot: The cruel nickname Aki gave Masamune as a child, haunting him into adolescence.
• “White Princess”: Aki Adagaki’s nickname at school, hinting at her beauty and perceived coldness.

• Manga: The primary series consists of 13 main volumes, with extra volumes focusing on side stories and after-school events.
• Spin-Offs: Includes “Masamune-kun’s Renaissance” (comedy spin-off) and after-school epilogues.
• Light Novel: A novel adaptation by Hazuki Takeoka, offering alternative perspectives and additional character detail.
• Anime: Two TV anime seasons produced by SILVER LINK.—the first from January to March 2017, and the second, “Masamune-kun's Revenge R,” from July to September 2023.

The anime includes an OAD (original animation DVD) and multiple streaming releases.

• Radio Shows: Web radio programs accompanied both anime seasons, featuring cast members discussing story developments and voice-acting topics.

The anime adaptation was first announced in 2016, leveraging the manga’s strong sales and fanbase.

Season one aired during the manga’s run, with season two confirmed after the original manga concluded, following persistent fan interest and international popularity.

Director Mirai Minato and writer Michiko Yokote anchored both seasons, aiming to enhance the emotional depth and character psychology compared to typical rom-coms.

Special care was given to create novel flashback sequences and differentiate the second season’s tone from the first.

• Season 1 Opening: “Wagamama MIRROR HEART” by Ayaka Ohashi.
• Season 1 Ending: “Elemental World” by ChouCho.
• Season 2 Opening: “Please, please!” by Ayaka Ohashi.
• Season 2 Ending: “twilight little star” by ChouCho.

Character songs and special insert tracks are performed by the voice cast, adding fun and emotional resonance to key scenes.

Masamune-kun's Revenge has sold over 3.8 million copies, cementing its place as a contemporary rom-com favorite.

Its anime adaptations widened the fanbase through energetic performances and a lively soundtrack.

The combination of humorous misunderstandings, dramatic twists, and relatable anxieties resonated with both Japanese and international viewers.

The series is praised for subverting typical romantic comedy tropes—offering both slapstick revenge antics and nuanced, emotionally honest character arcs.

Spin-offs, after-stories, and official merchandise continue to sustain community engagement.

The series inspired drama CDs, tribute illustrations by famous manga artists, and collaborative events with major Japanese retailers.

Both the manga and anime have spawned extensive online communities, lively fan theories, and recurring memes about “Pig’s Foot transformation.”

Masamune-kun's Revenge stands as a playful exploration of how love and revenge can become hilariously entangled—and just how far one might go to rewrite their high school legend.