by The Winter 2026 anime season has officially begun, and one of its most talked-about romantic comedies is Childhood Friends Don’t Become a Romantic Comedy, which started airing today, Monday, January 5, 2026.
Along with the broadcast premiere, the synopsis and preview scene cuts for Episode 1—titled “Whether It’s the Way to School, an Indirect Kiss, or Sitting on My Butt, It Still Won’t Be a Romantic Comedy” have been released, giving fans a taste of the show’s playful tone.
Broadcast & Streaming Schedule (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
The anime is widely available across TV and streaming platforms, making it easy to follow from day one.
TV Broadcast
- TV Tokyo (6-network nationwide)
Every Monday from 12:00 AM, starting January 5 - AT-X (Petit Doki version)
Every Tuesday from 10:30 PM
Rebroadcasts: Thursday 10:30 AM / Monday 4:30 PM - BS Nippon TV
Every Tuesday from 11:30 PM, starting January 6
Streaming Platforms
- Fastest streaming (from January 5, 12:00 AM):
- d Anime Store
- AnimeFesta
- From January 9 (Friday, 12:00 AM):
ABEMA, Amazon Prime Video, DMM TV, FOD, Hulu, J:COM STREAM - Additional platforms (sequential release):
Lemino, milplus, TELASA, TVer, U-NEXT, Anime Times, Animehodai, Niconico, Net TV Tokyo, and more
Viewers can choose between the standard “On-air version” and the special “Petit Doki version”, depending on the platform.
What Is “Childhood Friends Don’t Become a Romantic Comedy”?
Based on the popular manga by Shinya Miren, currently serialized on Magazine Pocket, this series flips a classic rom-com trope on its head.
Simple Story Summary
- Eyu, a first-year high school boy, is surrounded by two childhood friends:
- Shio, who acts sweet and overly close
- Akari, who is energetic and physically affectionate
- From the outside, it looks exactly like the setup for a typical romantic comedy.
- However, Eyu firmly believes:
“This is real life. Childhood friends don’t magically turn into rom-com heroines.”
The anime humorously explores the gap between rom-com expectations and everyday reality, blending comedy with subtle emotional tension.
Episode 1 Story Highlights
In Episode 1, Eyu struggles with a very relatable problem:
his childhood friends are too cute.
- Shio casually sneaks into his bed every morning
- Akari constantly invades his personal space
- Eyu panics at the thought that his inner thoughts might be exposed
While the situations resemble classic rom-com scenes—indirect kisses, awkward closeness, and accidental contact—Eyu insists that nothing romantic is happening.
But the twist?
Shio and Akari may be hiding feelings of their own.
This episode sets the stage for a comedy full of misunderstandings, emotional restraint, and “almost-romantic” moments that never quite cross the line… or do they?
Production Staff & Animation Quality
The anime is produced by a reliable creative team known for balancing comedy and emotional nuance:
- Director: Satoshi Kuwabara
- Series Composition: Mitsuki Hirota
- Script: Mitsuki Hirota, Mayumi Morita
- Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Reina Iwasaki
- Animation Studio: Tezuka Productions
Tezuka Productions brings clean character expressions and soft comedic timing, perfectly matching the series’ light yet emotionally aware tone.
Why This Anime Is Worth Watching
Even for viewers new to romantic comedies, this series is easy to enjoy because:
- ✅ No complicated lore or backstory
- ✅ Relatable school-life situations
- ✅ Comedy rooted in realistic emotions
- ✅ A fresh twist on a familiar genre
Fans of slice-of-life romance, school comedies, and childhood friend dynamics will find plenty to smile—and cringe—about.
Early Buzz & Expectations
The original manga has sold strongly and continues to grow in popularity, with readers praising its:
- Honest portrayal of unspoken feelings
- Comedic use of “rom-com clichés”
- Realistic teenage inner monologues
With CyberAgent participating in the production and strong early streaming support, expectations are high for this anime to become one of Winter 2026’s sleeper hits.
Final Thoughts
Childhood Friends Don’t Become a Romantic Comedy delivers exactly what its title promises—and then cleverly questions it.
With Episode 1 now airing and widely available on streaming platforms, this charming and slightly frustrating love comedy is perfect for anyone who has ever wondered:
“Why is it so hard to confess… especially to someone you’ve known forever?”
If you enjoy gentle laughs, awkward emotions, and adorable childhood friends, this winter anime deserves a spot on your watchlist.
