There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless...
{{Short description|Yuri light novel and manga series}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image = There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless... Light Novel Volume 1 English Cover.jpg
| caption = First light novel English volume cover
| ja_kanji = わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?）
| ja_romaji = Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wakenaijan, Muri Muri! (*Muri Janakatta!?)
| genre = {{ubl|Romantic comedy|Slice of life|Yuri}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = light novel
| author = {{ill|Teren Mikami|ja|みかみてれん}}
| illustrator = {{ill|Eku Takeshima|ja|竹嶋えく}}
| publisher = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=Seven Seas Entertainment}}
| demographic = Male
| imprint = Dash X Bunko
| first = February 21, 2020
| last =
| volumes = 7
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| author = Teren Mikami
| illustrator = Musshu
| publisher = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=Seven Seas Entertainment}}
| demographic = Seinen
| imprint = Young Jump Comics
| magazine = Dash X Comic
| first = May 15, 2020
| last =
| volumes = 7
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| director = Natsumi Uchinuma
| producer =
| writer = Naruhisa Arakawa
| music = Yoshiaki Fujisawa
| studio = Studio Mother
| licensee = Remow
| network = Tokyo MX, Sun TV, BS11
| first = July 7, 2025
| last = scheduled
| episodes =
| episode_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Nihongo|There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless...|わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?）|Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wakenaijan, Muri Muri! (*Muri Janakatta!?)|lead=yes}}, also known as {{nihongo|WataNare|わたなれ}} for short, is a Japanese yuri light novel series written by {{ill|Teren Mikami|ja|みかみてれん}} and illustrated by {{ill|Eku Takeshima|ja|竹嶋えく}}. Shueisha has released seven volumes since February 2020 under their Dash X Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Musshu was launched on Shueisha's Dash X Comic section of the Niconico Seiga website in May 2020. Both the light novel and manga are licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Mother is set to premiere in July 2025.
Plot
Renako Amaori, who had spent her middle school years as a non-attending student with no friends, is committed to getting the most out of her time in high school. To accomplish this, she approaches the most popular girl in school, Mai Oduka, as soon as the school year begins and is successful in joining her group of friends. However, pretending to be one of the popular girls when she has always been a loner is mentally taxing, and so as Renako walks alone to the school's rooftop one day to unwind, Mai discovers her and believes she is preparing to end her life. The miscommunication actually ends with both of them opening up to each other, and Renako returns home ecstatic that she has finally met someone to call her best friend. At least until Mai confesses her love the following day and asks her out. Renako is puzzled by the sudden confession, but Mai suggests that they play a game to see which relationship is more suitable for them: "best friend" or "lover".
Characters
;{{nihongo|Renako Amaori|甘織 れな子|Amaori Renako}}
:{{voiced by|Ayaka Ōhashi (PV),{{cite web|script-title=ja:『わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（ムリじゃなかった!?）』のスペシャルPVが公開 大橋彩香さん＆田所あずささんが出演|url=https://ln-news.com/articles/112580|website={{ill|Light Novel News Online|ja|ラノベニュースオンライン}}|date=October 30, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2025|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030053128/https://ln-news.com/articles/112580|archive-date=October 30, 2021|url-status=live}} Kanna Nakamura (anime)}}
;{{nihongo|Mai Oduka|王塚 真唯|Oduka Mai}}
:{{voiced by|Azusa Tadokoro (PV), Saori Ōnishi (anime)}}
;{{nihongo|Ajisai Sena|瀬名 紫陽花|Sena Ajisai}}
:{{voiced by|Manaka Iwami (PV),{{cite web|script-title=ja:『わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（ムリじゃなかった!?）』第5巻発売記念PVが公開 石見舞菜香さん演じる瀬名紫陽花も登場|url=https://ln-news.com/articles/116398|website={{ill|Light Novel News Online|ja|ラノベニュースオンライン}}|date=March 24, 2023|access-date=March 21, 2025|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410043751/https://ln-news.com/articles/116398|archive-date=April 10, 2023|url-status=live}} Yukari Anzai (anime)}}
;{{Nihongo|Satsuki Koto|琴 紗月|Koto Satsuki}}
:{{voiced by|Kana Ichinose{{cite web|last=Hazra|first=Adriana|title='There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless...' TV Anime Reveals Trailer, More Cast|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-03-21/there-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-tv-anime-reveals-trailer-more-cast/.222649|website=Anime News Network|date=March 21, 2025|access-date=March 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321122741/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-03-21/there-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-tv-anime-reveals-trailer-more-cast/.222649|archive-date=March 21, 2025|url-status=live}}}}
;{{Nihongo|Kaho Koyanagi|小柳 香穂|Koyanagi Kaho}}
:{{voiced by|Takako Tanaka}}
Media
=Light novel=
Written by Teren Mikami and illustrated by Eku Takeshima, There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless... began publication under Shueisha's Dash X Bunko imprint. The series has been collected in seven volumes as of December 25, 2024.
The light novel has been licensed for English release in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Seven Seas Reveals GL/BL Labels; Licenses The Titan's Bride, More Manga|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-05-18/seven-seas-reveals-gl-bl-labels-licenses-the-titan-bride-more-manga/.185801|website=Anime News Network|date=May 18, 2022|access-date=July 15, 2023}}
{{Graphic novel list/header
| WithTitle = no
| Language = Japanese
| SecondLanguage = English
| Width = 70%
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 1
|OriginalRelDate = February 21, 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-631356-8|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?）|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-631356-8
|LicensedRelDate = May 30, 2023{{cite web|title=There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless… (Light Novel)|url=https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/theres-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-light-novel/|publisher=Seven Seas Entertainment|access-date=July 15, 2023}}
|LicensedISBN = 978-1-68579-626-6
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 2
|OriginalRelDate = August 25, 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-631379-7|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?） 2|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-631379-7
|LicensedRelDate = September 5, 2023
|LicensedISBN = 978-1-68579-646-4
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 3
|OriginalRelDate = April 23, 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-631412-1|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?） 3|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-631412-1
|LicensedRelDate = December 5, 2023
|LicensedISBN = 978-1-68579-948-9
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 4
|OriginalRelDate = October 25, 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-631439-8|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?） 4|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-631439-8
|LicensedRelDate = May 7, 2024
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-88843-443-7
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 5
|OriginalRelDate = February 24, 2023{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-631480-0|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?） 5|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-631480-0
|LicensedRelDate = September 10, 2024
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-88843-873-2
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 6
|OriginalRelDate = November 24, 2023{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-631528-9|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?） 6|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-631528-9
|LicensedRelDate = February 11, 2025
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-89160-878-8
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 7
|OriginalRelDate = December 25, 2024{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-631568-5|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ!(※ムリじゃなかった!?) 7|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=November 15, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-631568-5
|LicensedRelDate = September 16, 2025
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-89561-728-1
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
=Manga=
A manga adaptation illustrated by Musshu began serialization on Shueisha's Dash X Comic section of the Niconico Seiga website on May 15, 2020.{{cite tweet|author=Dash X Bunko Editorial Department|user=dx_bunko|number=1260536025291452416|script-title=ja:【コミカライズ新連載予告】 5月15日（金）より『わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ！（※ムリじゃなかった!?）』のコミカライズ連載がスタートします！ 連載先はまったりダッシュエックスコミック⬇️ https://seiga.nicovideo.jp/manga/official/dashcomic 愉快で可愛いガールズラブコメに乞うご期待です！ #わたなれ|date=May 13, 2020|access-date=July 16, 2023|lang=ja}} The series has been collected in seven tankōbon volumes as of September 19, 2024.
The manga has also been licensed for English release in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.
{{Graphic novel list/header
| WithTitle = no
| Language = Japanese
| SecondLanguage = English
| Width = 70%
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 1
|OriginalRelDate = October 16, 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-891719-1|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 1 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-891719-1
|LicensedRelDate = April 11, 2023{{cite web|title=Series: There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless… (Manga)|url=https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/theres-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-manga/|publisher=Seven Seas Entertainment|access-date=July 15, 2023}}
|LicensedISBN = 978-1-68579-463-7
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 2
|OriginalRelDate = April 19, 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-891891-4|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 2 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-891891-4
|LicensedRelDate = June 27, 2023
|LicensedISBN = 978-1-68579-590-0
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 3
|OriginalRelDate = October 19, 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-892126-6|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 3 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-892126-6
|LicensedRelDate = October 3, 2023
|LicensedISBN = 978-1-68579-931-1
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 4
|OriginalRelDate = April 19, 2022{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-892321-5|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 4 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-892321-5
|LicensedRelDate = February 6, 2024
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-88843-400-0
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 5
|OriginalRelDate = March 17, 2023{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-892654-4|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 5 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-892654-4
|LicensedRelDate = June 18, 2024
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-88843-650-9
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 6
|OriginalRelDate = December 19, 2023{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-893110-4|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 6 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-893110-4
|LicensedRelDate = October 22, 2024
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-89160-506-0
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 7
|OriginalRelDate = September 19, 2024{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-893432-7|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 7 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2024}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-893432-7
|LicensedRelDate = June 24, 2025
|LicensedISBN = 979-8-89373-323-5
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 8
|OriginalRelDate = June 18, 2025{{cite web|url=https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-893790-8|script-title=ja:わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) 8 (ヤングジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=April 17, 2025}}
|OriginalISBN = 978-4-08-893790-8
|LicensedRelDate = —
|LicensedISBN =
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
=Anime=
An anime television series adaptation was announced on November 19, 2024. It will be produced by Studio Mother and directed by Natsumi Uchinuma, with Naruhisa Arakawa handling series composition and scripts, Kojikoji designing the characters, and Yoshiaki Fujisawa composing the music. The series is set to premiere on July 7, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other networks.{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title='There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless...' Yuri Comedy Novels Get TV Anime Next July|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-11-19/there-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-yuri-comedy-novels-get-tv-anime-next-july/.218024|website=Anime News Network|date=November 19, 2024|access-date=November 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119081020/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-11-19/there-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-yuri-comedy-novels-get-tv-anime-next-july/.218024|archive-date=November 19, 2024|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pueyo |first=Ken |date=2025-03-21 |title=There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless... Anime Unveils New Trailer, Visual, Additional Cast |url=https://animecorner.me/theres-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-anime-unveils-new-trailer-visual-additional-cast/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Anime Corner |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Danica |date=2025-03-22 |title=There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless... Yuri Anime Hypes Subbed Trailer |url=https://otakuusamagazine.com/theres-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-lover-unless-yuri-anime-hypes-subbed-trailer/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Otaku USA Magazine |language=en-US}} Remow licensed the series.{{cite web|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/11/remow-greenlights-theres-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-love-unless-anime/|title=REMOW Greenlights 'There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless…' Anime|website=Animation Magazine|date=November 19, 2024|access-date=January 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127003203/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/11/remow-greenlights-theres-no-freaking-way-ill-be-your-love-unless-anime/|archive-date=November 27, 2024|url-status=live}}
Reception
The manga adaptation was nominated for the 2021 and 2022 Next Manga Award in the web manga category.{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|title= Voting Opens for Next Manga Awards 2021|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-06-21/voting-opens-for-next-manga-awards-2021/.174159|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 15, 2023|date=June 21, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|title= Voting Opens for Next Manga Awards 2022|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2022-06-23/voting-opens-for-next-manga-awards-2022/.186663|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 15, 2023|date=June 23, 2022}}
See also
- Whisper Me a Love Song, a manga series written and illustrated by Eku Takeshima
- Flower and Asura, a manga series illustrated by Musshu
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://dash.shueisha.co.jp/feature/watanare/|Light novel official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{Official website|https://seiga.nicovideo.jp/comic/47265|Manga official website at Niconico Seiga}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{Official website|https://www.watanare-anime.com/|Anime official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{Anime News Network|manga|25908|noparen=true}}
{{Dash X Comic}}
{{Studio Mother}}
Category:2020 LGBTQ-related literary works
Category:2025 anime television series debuts
Category:Anime and manga based on light novels
Category:Japanese comedy novels
Category:Japanese romance novels
Category:LGBTQ harem anime and manga
Category:Romantic comedy anime and manga
Category:Seven Seas Entertainment titles
Category:Slice of life anime and manga