Are You a Landmine, Chihara-san?

Lore & Background

The story follows Kuroki, a second-year high school student with no friends or relationship experience, who sits next to Mai Chihara. Mai is a popular student but is rumored to be a 'landmine' due to her appearance and aura. When Mai develops an interest in Kuroki, he becomes wary because of the rumors, but soon discovers she is actually a kind girl who simply wants to befriend him. Other characters include Chinatsu Iwakura, Hibiya, and Kazami.

The manga began serialization on June 25, 2021, and its first tankōbon volume was released on July 25, 2022. A promotional song was produced in collaboration with Vocaloid producer Nanahoshi Orchestra in 2023.

An anime television series adaptation was announced on December 25, 2025. Specific production staff, including the studio, director, series composer, character designer, and composer, have not been officially confirmed. Broadcast details and premiere date are also unconfirmed.

Reader's Guide

Are You a Landmine, Chihara-san? represents a contemporary romantic comedy manga that plays with social perceptions and high school dynamics. Its significance lies in how it subverts the 'landmine' trope—a term used in Japanese youth culture to describe someone who appears attractive but is considered dangerous or problematic—by revealing the protagonist Mai Chihara to be genuinely kind. The series gained enough popularity to be nominated in the web category at the Next Manga Award in 2023, ranking 18th. Its licensing by Seven Seas Entertainment for English publication in January 2026 indicates growing international interest. The upcoming anime adaptation by SynergySP, with a notable voice cast including Kazuki Ura and Sayumi Suzushiro, is expected to expand its audience further. The series' legacy may be as a lighthearted exploration of first impressions and the gap between rumor and reality, appealing to fans of school-life romance with a twist.

Did You Know?

• The series was nominated for the web category at the Next Manga Award in 2023, ranking 18th.
• A promotional song for the series was produced in collaboration with Vocaloid producer Nanahoshi Orchestra in 2023.
• The anime adaptation was originally scheduled for 2026 but was later delayed to January 2027.
• Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the series for English publication in January 2026, with the first volume set for September release.

Story & Premise

The manga centers on Kuroki, a second-year high school student who leads a solitary life, lacking both close friends and any experience in romantic relationships. His quiet existence is disrupted when Mai Chihara, his classmate, begins showing a noticeable interest in him. The problem, from Kuroki's perspective, is that Mai carries a notorious reputation among their peers. Because of her striking appearance and intimidating aura, classmates have branded her a "landmine"—a person to be avoided at all costs. This label makes Kuroki deeply self-conscious whenever Mai directs her attention his way. Yet the tension dissolves almost immediately, as Mai quickly reveals a warm and gentle personality that contradicts everything the rumors suggest. Far from being dangerous or hostile, she simply finds Kuroki interesting and genuinely wants to become his friend. The series draws its charm from this gap between perception and reality, exploring how a socially isolated boy navigates his first meaningful connection with a girl the entire class has decided to fear.

Cast & Character Dynamics

The supporting cast expands the social world around the two leads. Chinatsu Iwakura, voiced by Maaya Uchida in the anime, and Hibiya, brought to life by Tomokazu Sugita, round out the ensemble alongside Kazami, voiced by Daisuke Ono. The two protagonists, however, carry the emotional weight of the story. Kuroki, voiced by Kazuki Ura across the promotional video, voice comic, and the upcoming anime, is defined by his isolation—he sits beside Mai in class yet has never formed a genuine friendship or romantic bond. Mai Chihara, given voice by Sayumi Suzushiro in the same media, is a paradox: a popular student whose very presence triggers gossip and fear among classmates. Her "landmine" reputation stems entirely from her look and the intimidating impression she gives off, not from any actual behavior. In reality, she is a kind girl who latches onto Kuroki because she finds him fascinating and simply wants a friend. The dynamic between them—his anxiety over the rumors versus her straightforward warmth—forms the emotional core of every chapter.

Manga Publication & Cross-Media Collaborations

Ryon both wrote and illustrated the series, which first appeared on Comic Smart's Ganma! web platform on June 25, 2021. The transition to print came a year later, with Ichijinsha publishing the first tankōbon on July 25, 2022. As of July 24, 2026, the collection has reached nine volumes, indicating a steady and sustained serialization pace. Beyond the core manga, the project has embraced creative cross-pollination. In 2023, Ryon partnered with Vocaloid producer Nanahoshi Orchestra to craft a promotional song, blending the series' world with electronic music culture. To mark the fourth anniversary of serialization in June 2025, a special promotional video was released featuring Kazuki Ura as Kuroki and Sayumi Suzushiro as Mai, giving fans an early taste of the voice performances. International expansion followed in January 2026, when Seven Seas Entertainment announced an English-language licensing deal, with the first volume slated for a September release. This milestone brings the series to a global readership for the first time.

Anime Adaptation & Critical Recognition

The anime television adaptation was officially announced on December 25, 2025. Production is handled by SynergySP, with Yasuaki Fujii serving as director. Keiichirō Ōchi takes charge of series composition, Majiro is responsible for character design, and Alisa Okehazama composes the musical score. The series was originally scheduled for a 2026 premiere but was subsequently delayed, with a confirmed January 2027 start date. It will broadcast on the Super Animeism Turbo programming block across all JNN affiliates, including MBS and TBS, ensuring wide domestic viewership. On the critical front, the manga earned a nomination in the web category of the 2023 Next Manga Award, ultimately ranking 18th. While not a podium finish, the recognition affirmed the series' standing within Japan's competitive manga scene and likely contributed to the momentum behind both the English licensing announcement and the anime greenlight. The convergence of sustained print serialization, cross-media creative partnerships, and an upcoming television adaptation positions the series as a notable entry in the contemporary romance-comedy landscape.