We Never Learn

This was the ninth work by Taishi Tsutsui and his first serialized piece in Weekly Shonen Jump.

The manga uses the chapter count "Question No. X," and every chapter title features an [X].

Tsutsui even included references to his debut work, "Esprit," within the manga, such as hidden "Gariore dolls" as easter eggs in each chapter.

The series blends the themes of competitive academic performance, youthful dreams, and multi-route romance storytelling.

The main setting is Ichinose Academy, a prestigious high school with a unique "Special VIP Recommendation" program that covers all university expenses for outstanding students.

The story explores family backgrounds, from Nariyuki's humble home life and his motivation to lift his family from poverty, to the complicated family circumstances of each heroine.

Recurring locations include the bustling "Ogata Udon" shop, the eccentric maid café "High Stage," and the school itself, complete with a legendary festival romance rumor.

University entrance exams and the challenges of adolescence serve as the backdrop for both academic and romantic development.

Nariyuki Yuiga is a diligent but financially struggling third-year high school student vying for a full scholarship offered by his school.

To earn it, he must tutor three girls: Rizu Ogata, a math genius who is hopeless at literature; Fumino Furuhashi, a literature prodigy drawn to astrophysics but clueless in math; and Uruka Takemoto, a sports ace struggling academically.

Each girl aspires to excel in the subject they find least compatible, making tutoring a challenging but meaningful journey for Nariyuki.

He soon finds himself caught in a whirlwind of their quirks, dreams, and growing affections—all while uncovering his own desire to become an educator.

Multiverse romance routes branched out, with the ending splitting into multiple paths where each main heroine received her own route and happy ending.

The manga concludes by implying a "sixth route" where all heroines retain memories of their respective endings, suggesting another beginning.

Ichinose Academy: An elite high school with a "Special VIP Recommendation" covering all university expenses for top students.

Ogata Udon: The family udon shop owned by Rizu Ogata’s family, often serving as a community hub.

High Stage: The maid café where Asumi Kominami works undercover to support herself while studying for medical school.

Special VIP Recommendation: A unique scholarship granted to exceptional students, sparking intense competition.

Route:if: Refers to the parallel storylines in which each heroine receives her own romance route after the main story.

The series consists of 21 manga volumes released by Shueisha.

It inspired two TV anime seasons; the first aired from April to June 2019, while the second ran from October to December 2019.

Both anime adaptations were jointly produced by studio Silver and Arvo Animation.

Several light novels and drama CDs were published, expanding on side stories and alternate scenarios.

The anime’s first and second seasons were directed by Yoshiaki Iwasaki, with series composition handled by Gō Zappa.

Character designs were by Masakatsu Sasaki and the original music was composed by Masato Nakayama.

The anime was notable for the collaboration between two animation studios: st Silver and Arvo Animation.

The main voice cast included Ryota Ohsaka as Nariyuki Yuiga, Haruka Shiraishi as Fumino Furuhashi, Miyu Tomita as Rizu Ogata, Sayumi Suzushiro as Uruka Takemoto, Lynn as Mafuyu Kirisu, and Marika Asahina as Asumi Kominami.

The series featured original songs by the in-universe idol group "Study," formed by the voice actresses of the heroines.

The first opening, "Seishun Seminar," and ending, "Never Give It Up!!," were sung by Study for season one.

For season two, "Can now, Can now" served as the opening theme and "After School Liberty" by halca was the ending.

Various character songs and insert songs, such as "Wanda Pure Magic!" and "Starlit Prelude," were featured in notable episodes.

We Never Learn: BOKUBEN quickly became a beloved romantic comedy, praised for its diverse cast, clever humor, and multi-ending structure.

It sold over 4.4 million copies by March 2021 and was lauded for its inclusive approach to romance, giving each main heroine a happily-ever-after in her own route.

The anime adaptations were well-received, with the voice actress Lynn (Mafuyu Kirisu) and the character Mafuyu achieving top popularity in fans' polls.

The franchise expanded into various media, including light novels and cross-promotional events.

A notable special chapter was released in 2025 as a collaboration with Tsutsui's other detective series, "Sid Craft's Final Deduction," connecting the universes for fans and celebrating the continuing appeal of both works.

The manga also enjoyed official collaborations, seasonal campaigns, and memorable in-series references to classic works and genres, cementing its place in modern manga culture.