Can a childhood grudge truly fuel a romance, or is it just toxic obsession?
In short: Masamune Makabe spent years transforming from a bullied, chubby boy into a handsome high schooler, all to execute a calculated revenge plot against the girl who once cruelly rejected him. But as he attempts to seduce his tormentor, he discovers that the past is far more complicated than he remembered.
The narrative centers on Masamune Makabe, who, after being dubbed 'Pig's Foot' by the wealthy Aki Adagaki during their childhood, commits himself to a rigorous fitness regimen. His goal is simple: make Aki fall in love with him, only to reject her in a scheme he calls his 'Dead or Love Plan.' However, the foundation of his vengeance is built on a misunderstanding. When he finally confronts Aki, she reveals she never used that nickname and was actually heartbroken by his sudden disappearance years prior.
The true culprit behind the childhood rejection was Yoshino Koiwai, Aki's maid. Driven by jealousy over Aki's affection for Masamune, Yoshino disguised herself as Aki to drive him away. This revelation forces Masamune to reconcile his desire for retribution with his genuine feelings. The series, written by Hazuki Takeoka and illustrated by Tiv, explores these shifting dynamics through a blend of comedy and romance that critics have found polarizing. While some reviewers appreciate the unusual character motivations, others have criticized the cast as 'repugnant' and the tone as excessively cruel.
First serialized in Monthly Comic Rex from 2012 to 2018, the franchise expanded into an anime adaptation by Silver Link, which aired its first season in 2017 and a second, titled Masamune-kun's Revenge R, in 2023. The story eventually moves past the initial vendetta, with Masamune and Aki finding closure. The series also features a variety of supporting characters, such as the 'Commando Princess' Neko Fujinomiya and a cross-dressing rival named Kanetsugu, who complicates the plot by impersonating Masamune to save her family from poverty. Ultimately, the work serves as a complex, if controversial, examination of how unresolved childhood trauma can distort adult relationships.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Masamune-kun's Revenge
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