When a sudden reality check transforms a persistent romantic pursuit
In short: After years of relentless rejection, Wataru Sajō undergoes a startling personality shift. Following a near-miss with a soccer ball, he decides he is no longer worthy of his crush, Aika Natsukawa. This unexpected withdrawal sparks a complex romantic comedy as his new distance confuses and attracts those around him.
The series, known in Japanese as Yumemiru Danshi wa Genjitsushugisha, began as a web novel on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō platform in December 2018. Written by Okemaru and illustrated by Saba Mizore, the story explores the friction caused when a protagonist's sudden change in attitude disrupts established social dynamics. The original web series was initially hosted on a user-generated publishing website. This creative work was later acquired by Hobby Japan for formal publication.
The narrative centers on Wataru Sajō, who had been consistently rejected by his classmate, Aika Natsukawa, since their time in middle school. The catalyst for his transformation is a narrow miss by an errant soccer ball, which leads him to conclude he should distance himself from her. This shift creates a misunderstanding; Aika interprets his newfound realism as dislike, causing her to become more involved with him. As other girls begin to notice Wataru, the situation evolves into a romantic comedy where classmates struggle to express their true feelings.
The franchise has seen significant expansion across different media. Following its web novel origins, Hobby Japan began publishing the series as a light novel under the HJ Bunko imprint in June 2020. Popuri Yoshikita illustrated a manga version that appeared on the Shōnen Ace Plus site between March 2021 and March 2024. Finally, an anime television series produced by Studio Gokumi and AXsiZ aired between July and September 2023. The manga adaptation was serialized on Kadokawa Shoten's website. The television anime was broadcast from July to September 2023.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist
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