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I Want to End This Love Game #1
I Want to End This Love Game, Vol. 1
The first step to winning the Love Game is saying “I love you.” So how do you lose? By admitting you’re in love!
Let the games begin! Since childhood, Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura have played the Love Game, where they try to fluster each other with a simple “I love you.” But after falling in love for real and refusing to admit it, neither of them can afford to lose this battle!
After leaving behind his image as a quiet nerd, Yukiya’s ready to break hearts and take names with the ultimate high school glow-up. Well, he’s really just got one girl in his sights—his best friend, Miku! Using her favorite shojo manga as his weapon, he’s ready to pin her to the wall and gaze at her with a perfect smolder. Will his moves get her heart racing?
Let the games begin! Since childhood, Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura have played the Love Game, where they try to fluster each other with a simple “I love you.” But after falling in love for real and refusing to admit it, neither of them can afford to lose this battle!
After leaving behind his image as a quiet nerd, Yukiya’s ready to break hearts and take names with the ultimate high school glow-up. Well, he’s really just got one girl in his sights—his best friend, Miku! Using her favorite shojo manga as his weapon, he’s ready to pin her to the wall and gaze at her with a perfect smolder. Will his moves get her heart racing?
200 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2024
22 people are currently reading
3021 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 1, 2024
Remember, kids, shoujo romances are for reading, not basing your entire romantic plan of attack on.
April 9, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This is a me issue and not a book issue, but one of my big pet peeves is the "lack of communication" trope. I absolutely LOATHE it. I think it is sloppy writing, as the lack of communication is usually what moves the plot along in a very forced and inorganic manner, rather than good plotting, pacing, interesting characters, etc. I feel that is what happened here. I understand that is LITERALLY the hook of the series and I tried to get out of my comfort zone, but this didn't convince me to love that trope.
It isn't poorly written and I do think the characters are cute, if completely misguided and immature, but it wasn't enough to save this for me. I can see others really liking it though and actually most of my GR friends really liked it, so I am clearly the one who read this wrong.
2, I read this wrong and admit it, stars.
This is a me issue and not a book issue, but one of my big pet peeves is the "lack of communication" trope. I absolutely LOATHE it. I think it is sloppy writing, as the lack of communication is usually what moves the plot along in a very forced and inorganic manner, rather than good plotting, pacing, interesting characters, etc. I feel that is what happened here. I understand that is LITERALLY the hook of the series and I tried to get out of my comfort zone, but this didn't convince me to love that trope.
It isn't poorly written and I do think the characters are cute, if completely misguided and immature, but it wasn't enough to save this for me. I can see others really liking it though and actually most of my GR friends really liked it, so I am clearly the one who read this wrong.
2, I read this wrong and admit it, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2024
"I trust in Hinako and the power of shojo manga!"
Very fun read, especially the last two chapters!! I want to go on a shoujo manga date and shoutout to Yukiya for making it happen!
Not sure what I expected when starting this, but I had such a blast reading this volume! It's a lot of fun and I really enjoyed how these two are trying to make the other's heart flutter, despite that they are already in love with the other person and have been making their heart flutter for a long time already! LOL!
Due to this being episodic, this was a nice read over the course of a few days. I enjoyed that every time I picked it, I had a good time and always some laughs. It didn't feel like I was being pulled out of the story when putting it down, which was cool to have a book that can do that occasionally!
Overall, I really loved this! I'm thankful I was influenced to pick it up because I was seriously missing out! Highly recommend it to those who love the childhood friends-to-lovers trope, romantic comedies, and easygoing but fun reads!
Very fun read, especially the last two chapters!! I want to go on a shoujo manga date and shoutout to Yukiya for making it happen!
Not sure what I expected when starting this, but I had such a blast reading this volume! It's a lot of fun and I really enjoyed how these two are trying to make the other's heart flutter, despite that they are already in love with the other person and have been making their heart flutter for a long time already! LOL!
Due to this being episodic, this was a nice read over the course of a few days. I enjoyed that every time I picked it, I had a good time and always some laughs. It didn't feel like I was being pulled out of the story when putting it down, which was cool to have a book that can do that occasionally!
Overall, I really loved this! I'm thankful I was influenced to pick it up because I was seriously missing out! Highly recommend it to those who love the childhood friends-to-lovers trope, romantic comedies, and easygoing but fun reads!
February 19, 2024
Childhood friends Miku and Yukiya have been playing a silly game for years to try and make one another flinch by expressing their love. Except now they’re entering high school and very much in actual love, but entirely too pent up to admit it.
From the creator of Necromance comes a romantic comedy in the style of Kaguya-sama that’s better than the former and not as good as the latter. Still, that leaves it in a pretty good place.
Given the premise, you can see the obvious comparison to the aforementioned famous manga title, but this lacks the hilarious antics and ridiculous plots and goofball characters of its cohort. This is, once you accept this premise, entirely more grounded.
Which is no bad thing. Even if the central conceit has overlap, this is entirely more intimate and entirely more shojo about it all. I don’t mind imitation, you’d never read half the manga out there if you let that get to you, but it does need to differentiate itself. This does.
And I do appreciate that, even if I think the premise is flimsy as paper left in a floodplain, they do make the case that this contest of wills has been going on for so long that both participants are being incredibly stubborn to the point of not getting what they actually want.
The pace can be a little too frenetic at times - as the competition rages on and goes absolutely nowhere, as you’d expect, these two contort themselves like a couple of pretzels at a hot yoga class to avoid showing weakness. It certainly conveys the frustration and only marginally passes that on to the reader.
Consequently, this would utterly fall apart if our leads were completely obnoxious, which they mercifully are not. They twist the knife on one another fairly hard, but it’s pretty much ‘all’s fair in love and war’ stuff. And, this being their only way to communicate with one another, it’s essentially just them being very caring but not wanting to give up and admit it. The vibe is fun.
Miku comes off as posh and bubbly, but she’s clinging very hard to some of her girliest behaviours. Yukiya gave himself a major glow-up, but underneath he’s still the exact same introvert and it’s really cute how they both see one another beneath their facades and love that true version of them.
Of course, the right introvert can draw all sorts of attention, and Yukiya manages to begin pulling in admirers, or at least other girls who see him as a bit of a catch. As you may imagine, hi-jinx ensue.
Then again, Yukiya can only do so much, and later he does fall into the ‘I learned it all from shojo’ trope that I generally like, but is a little overused. That does turn into an incredibly awkward date between himself and Miku, which becomes very adorable the longer it goes on. There’s a balance that this manga is striking and it has it pretty much right on the cusp of annoying, but knows when to pull it back.
It’s understandable, yet unfortunate, that this will get bumped up against Kaguya-sama, as it really is its own animal. Even compared to the similar Last Game, this is much more romantic and more grounded than those. Yes, it stretches that premise, but it’s really rather sweet underneath all the brinksmanship.
4 stars - this is really fun, has good art, and two lead characters that I enjoyed spending my reading time with. It might not be shockingly original, but I can see this becoming a low-key favourite going forward.
From the creator of Necromance comes a romantic comedy in the style of Kaguya-sama that’s better than the former and not as good as the latter. Still, that leaves it in a pretty good place.
Given the premise, you can see the obvious comparison to the aforementioned famous manga title, but this lacks the hilarious antics and ridiculous plots and goofball characters of its cohort. This is, once you accept this premise, entirely more grounded.
Which is no bad thing. Even if the central conceit has overlap, this is entirely more intimate and entirely more shojo about it all. I don’t mind imitation, you’d never read half the manga out there if you let that get to you, but it does need to differentiate itself. This does.
And I do appreciate that, even if I think the premise is flimsy as paper left in a floodplain, they do make the case that this contest of wills has been going on for so long that both participants are being incredibly stubborn to the point of not getting what they actually want.
The pace can be a little too frenetic at times - as the competition rages on and goes absolutely nowhere, as you’d expect, these two contort themselves like a couple of pretzels at a hot yoga class to avoid showing weakness. It certainly conveys the frustration and only marginally passes that on to the reader.
Consequently, this would utterly fall apart if our leads were completely obnoxious, which they mercifully are not. They twist the knife on one another fairly hard, but it’s pretty much ‘all’s fair in love and war’ stuff. And, this being their only way to communicate with one another, it’s essentially just them being very caring but not wanting to give up and admit it. The vibe is fun.
Miku comes off as posh and bubbly, but she’s clinging very hard to some of her girliest behaviours. Yukiya gave himself a major glow-up, but underneath he’s still the exact same introvert and it’s really cute how they both see one another beneath their facades and love that true version of them.
Of course, the right introvert can draw all sorts of attention, and Yukiya manages to begin pulling in admirers, or at least other girls who see him as a bit of a catch. As you may imagine, hi-jinx ensue.
Then again, Yukiya can only do so much, and later he does fall into the ‘I learned it all from shojo’ trope that I generally like, but is a little overused. That does turn into an incredibly awkward date between himself and Miku, which becomes very adorable the longer it goes on. There’s a balance that this manga is striking and it has it pretty much right on the cusp of annoying, but knows when to pull it back.
It’s understandable, yet unfortunate, that this will get bumped up against Kaguya-sama, as it really is its own animal. Even compared to the similar Last Game, this is much more romantic and more grounded than those. Yes, it stretches that premise, but it’s really rather sweet underneath all the brinksmanship.
4 stars - this is really fun, has good art, and two lead characters that I enjoyed spending my reading time with. It might not be shockingly original, but I can see this becoming a low-key favourite going forward.
February 15, 2024
I thought this was cute. I wouldn't say it blew my mind or really stood out from the other romance manga I've read, but I liked it well enough. I'm not sure I'll continue with the series, but I'd still recommend it for someone looking for a light, fun romance.
May 8, 2024
This was cute! A little juvenile, but sweet.
Two childhood best friends grew up playing an “I love you” game of chicken which developed into a flirting game when they got older. Feelings developed but they both don’t want to jeopardize their friendship. Now they’re in high school, they’re both determined to end this game so something new can potentially become of their relationship.
The antics are true to shoujo, using shoujo as a blueprint to flirt? I’m suffering in secondhand embarrassment, but they’re just adorable.
I’m not very invested in this so far, but I also didn’t hate it.
Two childhood best friends grew up playing an “I love you” game of chicken which developed into a flirting game when they got older. Feelings developed but they both don’t want to jeopardize their friendship. Now they’re in high school, they’re both determined to end this game so something new can potentially become of their relationship.
The antics are true to shoujo, using shoujo as a blueprint to flirt? I’m suffering in secondhand embarrassment, but they’re just adorable.
I’m not very invested in this so far, but I also didn’t hate it.
March 7, 2025
Quand j’ai lu le résumé de ce premier tome, j’ai de suite eu envie de le lire. Avec ce premier tome je me suis tout simplement régalée! J’ai adoré l’histoire et les personnages. C’est un manga qui m’a fait beaucoup rire, beaucoup sourire. Maintenant je n’ai qu’une envie c’est lire la suite. Elle s’annonce de plus en plus intéressante pour le coup et je sens que je n’ai pas fini de rire avec ces deux là!
Dans ce premier tome, ils sont si proches qu’ils sont tombés amoureux. Mais cette proximité les empêche de dévoiler leurs sentiments. La seule chose qui relie ces deux jeunes gens incapables d’être sincères l’un envers l’autre c’est… le “jeu de la déclaration” qu’ils ont commencé, alors qu’ils étaient enfants. Ce jeu enfantin, où celui qui rougit le premier est condamné à perdre, s’est métamorphosé en un affrontement chargé d’innocentes émotions, un duel que Miku et Yukiya sont déterminés à ne pas perdre !
J’ai tellement aimé le jeu que les personnages ont mis en place pendant leur enfance. Le jeu de la déclaration consiste à dire des choses et le premier qui rougit a perdu. Le problème pour Miku et Yukiza c’est qu’ils ont grandit et leurs sentiments ont évolués. si bien qu’ils ont fini par tomber amoureux l’un de l’autre mais hors de question de dévoiler ses sentiments! Ce qui m’a fait beaucoup rire c’est de les voir dire ou faire des choses pour décontenancer l’autre tout en essayant de préserver le secret de leurs sentiments. Je ne sais pas comment ils font pour se contenir comme ça mais j’ai trouvé ça tellement drôle. Ils paraissent détachés de tout ça alors qu’à l’intérieur ils ont le coeur qui palpite à toute vitesse! J’ai beaucoup aimé les personnages d’ailleurs. Je trouve Miku et Yukiza adorable en tout cas. Je suis tellement curieuse de voir comment tout ça va évoluer! Surtout quand on voit tout ce qu’il se passe à la fin de ce premier tome, la suite promet d’être tellement intéressante!
Je sens que ce manga va être ma petite bouffée d’air frais. Ce genre d’histoire me plaît beaucoup de par sa légèreté. C’est drôle et ça fait tellement de bien à lire! J’ai vraiment passé un excellent moment avec ce premier tome et j’ai déjà hâte de voir ce qu’il va se passer par la suite. Je sens que je n’ai pas fini de rire avec ces deux là!
Dans ce premier tome, ils sont si proches qu’ils sont tombés amoureux. Mais cette proximité les empêche de dévoiler leurs sentiments. La seule chose qui relie ces deux jeunes gens incapables d’être sincères l’un envers l’autre c’est… le “jeu de la déclaration” qu’ils ont commencé, alors qu’ils étaient enfants. Ce jeu enfantin, où celui qui rougit le premier est condamné à perdre, s’est métamorphosé en un affrontement chargé d’innocentes émotions, un duel que Miku et Yukiya sont déterminés à ne pas perdre !
J’ai tellement aimé le jeu que les personnages ont mis en place pendant leur enfance. Le jeu de la déclaration consiste à dire des choses et le premier qui rougit a perdu. Le problème pour Miku et Yukiza c’est qu’ils ont grandit et leurs sentiments ont évolués. si bien qu’ils ont fini par tomber amoureux l’un de l’autre mais hors de question de dévoiler ses sentiments! Ce qui m’a fait beaucoup rire c’est de les voir dire ou faire des choses pour décontenancer l’autre tout en essayant de préserver le secret de leurs sentiments. Je ne sais pas comment ils font pour se contenir comme ça mais j’ai trouvé ça tellement drôle. Ils paraissent détachés de tout ça alors qu’à l’intérieur ils ont le coeur qui palpite à toute vitesse! J’ai beaucoup aimé les personnages d’ailleurs. Je trouve Miku et Yukiza adorable en tout cas. Je suis tellement curieuse de voir comment tout ça va évoluer! Surtout quand on voit tout ce qu’il se passe à la fin de ce premier tome, la suite promet d’être tellement intéressante!
Je sens que ce manga va être ma petite bouffée d’air frais. Ce genre d’histoire me plaît beaucoup de par sa légèreté. C’est drôle et ça fait tellement de bien à lire! J’ai vraiment passé un excellent moment avec ce premier tome et j’ai déjà hâte de voir ce qu’il va se passer par la suite. Je sens que je n’ai pas fini de rire avec ces deux là!
January 18, 2024
VIZ Media provided an early galley for review.
Two things got my attention with this manga: the colorful cover and the premise itself. The latter is a great springboard for a teen romantic comedy/drama. Take a simple idea like a childhood game that has gone on for years and see where it leads when the kids have now grown up into hormonal teenagers.
The black and white artwork with occasional texturing in grays (on clothes, on walls, etc.) contributes to that classic manga style which I like. The story has good beats with classic tropes (first day of high school, new friends, new opportunities to make one's self into a different type, etc.). While the story takes its time to unfold, it really needs to in order to explore that uncertainty and awkwardness of coming of age and realizing one is in love for the first time.
The collection ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, with Miku discovering the source Yukiya's "new moves". How this will play out in volume 2 will be interesting. It is important, after all, for the story to have progress and for the characters to grow with it.
Two things got my attention with this manga: the colorful cover and the premise itself. The latter is a great springboard for a teen romantic comedy/drama. Take a simple idea like a childhood game that has gone on for years and see where it leads when the kids have now grown up into hormonal teenagers.
The black and white artwork with occasional texturing in grays (on clothes, on walls, etc.) contributes to that classic manga style which I like. The story has good beats with classic tropes (first day of high school, new friends, new opportunities to make one's self into a different type, etc.). While the story takes its time to unfold, it really needs to in order to explore that uncertainty and awkwardness of coming of age and realizing one is in love for the first time.
The collection ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, with Miku discovering the source Yukiya's "new moves". How this will play out in volume 2 will be interesting. It is important, after all, for the story to have progress and for the characters to grow with it.
January 5, 2024
The title immediately grabbed me and the first half of the book was great but unfortunately it got very old very fast.
It’s my same problem with love is war, the concept does not last very long and by the end of this book I was thinking, how long are they going to keep this up?
I’m saying that there is a lot of humour in it. If there aren’t some changes to this concept though I might not be continuing the series
It’s my same problem with love is war, the concept does not last very long and by the end of this book I was thinking, how long are they going to keep this up?
I’m saying that there is a lot of humour in it. If there aren’t some changes to this concept though I might not be continuing the series
February 7, 2025
How did i go from reading mature comics and detective mystery books to reading Shojo manga? Damn life's taking weird turns.
This is basically a childhood friends trope, a decent setting. Art is good, too. Sometimes it's too cliché. High school life for our two protagonists will be fun I guess.
This is basically a childhood friends trope, a decent setting. Art is good, too. Sometimes it's too cliché. High school life for our two protagonists will be fun I guess.
May 26, 2025
This just takes shoujo misunderstandings to a whole new level! And it’s intentional in this case! I don’t know how to feel about it, but it’s kind of frustrating for me so I gave it a 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2025
Errm… Nothing much to say tbh it was really bland. Some panels were nice. Thats it really. I’d wanna try volume 2 though and see how the story progresses cuz tbh I dont see where else this story could go after the game “ends” which would suck if they dragged the game idk it didnt make my heart doki doki as much as I’d expect a story like this to being that’s the only thing that would make reading it enjoyable
November 9, 2025
I freaking loved this. Are the characters a little stupid? Is the ‘shtick’ getting old already? Yes to both questions but I didn’t care. Both main characters are so cute and they are really trying to make this work. Cannot wait for more.
April 21, 2024
Cute af
December 25, 2025
ohh this is so cute
January 21, 2024
3.5 stars
Yukiya and Miku have played a game since middle school in which they never admit to one another that they have embarrassed the other through flirtation. It's now their first year of high school and Yukiya finally admits to himself that he has feelings for Miku, but can he get over himself and admit this to her?
This was cute, but the antics between the two got old kind of fast. They both use different ways of flirting with the other to make them flustered, but neither will admit to having feelings for the other or being affected by the flirting. The entire time I read this, I kept thinking to myself that this couldn't go on for very long, there is only so many scenarios this mangaka can come up with for them to flirt right? Well, probably, but we didn't see the end of that in this first volume. We see that both have feelings for each other, but won't admit it and it is frustrating as the reader. It doesn't really feel like slow burn because they are already in love with each other and everyone around them knows this already. I also don't exactly see what they see in each other. I, as the reader, fell in love with neither character. I can tell you a little about Yukiya's likes and habits, but I feel like Miku is still a stereotypical cheerful girl that you see in a lot of Japanese manga, and nothing about her has really been distinguishing to me as a character.
The art style was appealing and pretty easy to read/follow along. The panels were not laid out in a manner that was difficult to follow and there was not an overabundance of small text conversations that you sometimes see in romantic comedies. I did find myself chuckle a couple of times, and that's why I'm giving it a higher review than I would have otherwise.
I don't see myself continuing the series, but I could see younger readers/teens finding the plot charming. I am probably too old of a reader to get enjoyment out of a pure love story such as this one. I could find myself recommending this to middle and high schoolers as I did not see any objectionable content for younger teens.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viz Media for an advanced reader copy for review purposes!
Yukiya and Miku have played a game since middle school in which they never admit to one another that they have embarrassed the other through flirtation. It's now their first year of high school and Yukiya finally admits to himself that he has feelings for Miku, but can he get over himself and admit this to her?
This was cute, but the antics between the two got old kind of fast. They both use different ways of flirting with the other to make them flustered, but neither will admit to having feelings for the other or being affected by the flirting. The entire time I read this, I kept thinking to myself that this couldn't go on for very long, there is only so many scenarios this mangaka can come up with for them to flirt right? Well, probably, but we didn't see the end of that in this first volume. We see that both have feelings for each other, but won't admit it and it is frustrating as the reader. It doesn't really feel like slow burn because they are already in love with each other and everyone around them knows this already. I also don't exactly see what they see in each other. I, as the reader, fell in love with neither character. I can tell you a little about Yukiya's likes and habits, but I feel like Miku is still a stereotypical cheerful girl that you see in a lot of Japanese manga, and nothing about her has really been distinguishing to me as a character.
The art style was appealing and pretty easy to read/follow along. The panels were not laid out in a manner that was difficult to follow and there was not an overabundance of small text conversations that you sometimes see in romantic comedies. I did find myself chuckle a couple of times, and that's why I'm giving it a higher review than I would have otherwise.
I don't see myself continuing the series, but I could see younger readers/teens finding the plot charming. I am probably too old of a reader to get enjoyment out of a pure love story such as this one. I could find myself recommending this to middle and high schoolers as I did not see any objectionable content for younger teens.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viz Media for an advanced reader copy for review purposes!
December 20, 2023
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
5/5
I Want to End This Love Game follows our two main characters, Miku and Yukiya, childhood friends that have had a wager going on for the last 4 years. A game where they each try to fluster one another by saying “I love you” and doing things to get their hearts to skip a beat. Now that they’re in high school, Miku and Yukiya are still trying to win, except that they now have both realized their feelings for each other. Who will end victorious, I wonder.
Cuteness overload much? From start to finish this was just so darn spankin’ cute. Spankin’ I say! I love the dual POV. I cannot wait until the big confession (if there ever is one). I’m anxious to see what the conflict will be, because you know there always is one.
The art is everything you expect from a shoujo manga. Clean, crisp, cute. The character design is solid yet simple. No one is so outlandish that it would take away from the story.
I’m so glad I came across Yuki Domoto’s work and I can’t wait to devour more.
5/5
I Want to End This Love Game follows our two main characters, Miku and Yukiya, childhood friends that have had a wager going on for the last 4 years. A game where they each try to fluster one another by saying “I love you” and doing things to get their hearts to skip a beat. Now that they’re in high school, Miku and Yukiya are still trying to win, except that they now have both realized their feelings for each other. Who will end victorious, I wonder.
Cuteness overload much? From start to finish this was just so darn spankin’ cute. Spankin’ I say! I love the dual POV. I cannot wait until the big confession (if there ever is one). I’m anxious to see what the conflict will be, because you know there always is one.
The art is everything you expect from a shoujo manga. Clean, crisp, cute. The character design is solid yet simple. No one is so outlandish that it would take away from the story.
I’m so glad I came across Yuki Domoto’s work and I can’t wait to devour more.
January 30, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Viz for this eArc in exchange for review.
Childhood friends Yukiya and Miku have a unending game between them called the "love game." It started when they were just children, but now entering their first year of high school, the "I love yous" have taken on a new meaning. The problem, however, is that neither of them want to admit they actually mean the things they are saying. From the not-so-subtle flirting, to the jealousy of new classmates, the pair find themselves struggling to get their true feelings out there. In the end, will Yukiya's elaborate date be enough to finally "win" against Miku's advances?
This shojo story is a classic high school romance. The game itself does kind of get old after the first two chapters, however with other "firsts" happening, the story has a decent amount of flow to it. I do think a lot of this could be resolved in just 1 volume, but with it being a true Shojo, that doesn't remove any points in my book. Solid 4 stars from me.
Childhood friends Yukiya and Miku have a unending game between them called the "love game." It started when they were just children, but now entering their first year of high school, the "I love yous" have taken on a new meaning. The problem, however, is that neither of them want to admit they actually mean the things they are saying. From the not-so-subtle flirting, to the jealousy of new classmates, the pair find themselves struggling to get their true feelings out there. In the end, will Yukiya's elaborate date be enough to finally "win" against Miku's advances?
This shojo story is a classic high school romance. The game itself does kind of get old after the first two chapters, however with other "firsts" happening, the story has a decent amount of flow to it. I do think a lot of this could be resolved in just 1 volume, but with it being a true Shojo, that doesn't remove any points in my book. Solid 4 stars from me.
April 3, 2024
Yukiya and Miku have been competing since childhood in a Love Game where they blurt out "I love you" in hopes of making the other person's heart go doki-doki. It's been four years and the two of them are actually head-over-heels in love with each other, but are both too stubborn to admit it, and instead opt to keep going until they "win".
So it's a series of all the shojo romance tropes done intentionally, a bunch of blushed red faces and denial of feelings. It's like Kaguya-sama: Love Is War except more aggressive.
So far, some parts are funny, but I'm not sure if it's going to be funny enough to carry this gag on for an extended period without it going stale. But... we'll see.
So it's a series of all the shojo romance tropes done intentionally, a bunch of blushed red faces and denial of feelings. It's like Kaguya-sama: Love Is War except more aggressive.
So far, some parts are funny, but I'm not sure if it's going to be funny enough to carry this gag on for an extended period without it going stale. But... we'll see.
April 29, 2025
This has some of the flavor of Kaguya-sama Love is War and I was worried it would be too similar, but I was so wrong.
It approaches the base idea from a different angle and is much more down to earth; I would say it absolutely can stand on its own. If you like that core idea but want something more, and/or something delightfully different, then this is a sure bet.
The MCs shine and it strikes a good balance of tension through miscommunication, without tipping into frustrating miscommunication. As an added bonus, they actually talk stuff out, and both their character and relationship progression feels very natural. It was refreshing to read for sure.
Overall, I found the series so far to be quite funny, wholesome, and adorable so I really enjoyed reading it. I'm writing this from the perspective of having read volumes 1-4.
It approaches the base idea from a different angle and is much more down to earth; I would say it absolutely can stand on its own. If you like that core idea but want something more, and/or something delightfully different, then this is a sure bet.
The MCs shine and it strikes a good balance of tension through miscommunication, without tipping into frustrating miscommunication. As an added bonus, they actually talk stuff out, and both their character and relationship progression feels very natural. It was refreshing to read for sure.
Overall, I found the series so far to be quite funny, wholesome, and adorable so I really enjoyed reading it. I'm writing this from the perspective of having read volumes 1-4.
April 29, 2024
I love shoujo manga and this is absolutely where it’s at!!
FFO: Ao Haru Ride (literally the best comparison I can make, and Ao Haru is a BANGER)
High schoolers are longtime childhood friends and play a “love game” to see who blushes and admits they have a crush first…yeah literally what could go wrong there??
I’m obsessed with the setup, the art style is gorgeous and the characters themselves are very cute and it overall gives a very nostalgic feeling for first loves and the nervousness of being accepted that comes with it.
I came across this manga on a whim from Viz, and it’s absolutely worth reading. Cannot wait to keep this train rolling!! Will they won’t they!!!!
FFO: Ao Haru Ride (literally the best comparison I can make, and Ao Haru is a BANGER)
High schoolers are longtime childhood friends and play a “love game” to see who blushes and admits they have a crush first…yeah literally what could go wrong there??
I’m obsessed with the setup, the art style is gorgeous and the characters themselves are very cute and it overall gives a very nostalgic feeling for first loves and the nervousness of being accepted that comes with it.
I came across this manga on a whim from Viz, and it’s absolutely worth reading. Cannot wait to keep this train rolling!! Will they won’t they!!!!
December 28, 2023
You know, I do it to myself. I seek out stories—manga and otherwise—that I know will eventually end in a super cute and sweet and romantic way, and it'll eventually give me all the desired feels and a HEA, but I also do it knowing that it will take A WHOLE EON AND A HALF TO GET THERE. And you know what? I'll do it again, too.
Moral of the story: this was adorable, the end has me begging for the rest, and I desperately wish I could binge the series but will compromise and wait for each new volume so I may consume those as well.
Moral of the story: this was adorable, the end has me begging for the rest, and I desperately wish I could binge the series but will compromise and wait for each new volume so I may consume those as well.
October 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️
This was pretty fun. I'm not especially blown away by it, the story is nothing new, but I did enjoy the dynamics so far.
I think it would work really well as an anime: seeing/hearing their smooth exterior faces/voices when they're trying to play it cool, and then a cut to their hyper internal monologues... I think it could be really funny and cute!
The kabedon scene made me giggle out loud, and I really liked the date in the latter chapters as well... 🥰
I'm not planning to continue this manga, but if I happen to find it somewhere secondhand for cheap, don't mind if I do.
This was pretty fun. I'm not especially blown away by it, the story is nothing new, but I did enjoy the dynamics so far.
I think it would work really well as an anime: seeing/hearing their smooth exterior faces/voices when they're trying to play it cool, and then a cut to their hyper internal monologues... I think it could be really funny and cute!
The kabedon scene made me giggle out loud, and I really liked the date in the latter chapters as well... 🥰
I'm not planning to continue this manga, but if I happen to find it somewhere secondhand for cheap, don't mind if I do.
December 20, 2023
This was adorable! It reminded me so much of Kagyua-Sama Love Is War in the best ways!
Our 2 main characters are childhood friends who have been playing the 'love' game for years now. The love game can only be won when one of the players admit that they are actually in love with the other person. It was super sweet! I can't wait for volume 2!
Thank you Netgalley and Viz for the ARC in exchange for my review!
Our 2 main characters are childhood friends who have been playing the 'love' game for years now. The love game can only be won when one of the players admit that they are actually in love with the other person. It was super sweet! I can't wait for volume 2!
Thank you Netgalley and Viz for the ARC in exchange for my review!
April 2, 2024
I thought this first volume was a really cute introduction to the series. I did feel Yukiya got a bit more personality/character development, but hopefully Miku will in future volumes. It reminds me of a more realistic to everyday life Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Both characters are trying to get the other to admit they're in love first, but in this plot it's more overt and playfully teasing since they're childhood best friends. I definitely am looking forward to reading the future volumes.
May 28, 2024
It reminds me of Love is War, but amped up for the couple to do more emotional damage to each other 😅 the two of them are never going to get out of this crazy cycle of “gotcha!” moments if someone doesn’t just relent.
Although IRL this would be a pain, it’s cute as a manga. The two of them are pretty wholesome and hitting all the moments of shoujo romance tropes, only to ruin it in the next breath.
Although IRL this would be a pain, it’s cute as a manga. The two of them are pretty wholesome and hitting all the moments of shoujo romance tropes, only to ruin it in the next breath.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2023
This digital ARC was obtainable via NetGalley for an honest review!
"I Want to End This Love Game. vol 1" is about two childhood friends who decide to hide their feelings and tease each other by playing the Love Game instead. Whoever admits they are in love will lose. I absolutely love reading about first loves! This manga was so cute, adorable, and innocent!
"I Want to End This Love Game. vol 1" is about two childhood friends who decide to hide their feelings and tease each other by playing the Love Game instead. Whoever admits they are in love will lose. I absolutely love reading about first loves! This manga was so cute, adorable, and innocent!
February 13, 2024
okay well this was absolute perfection in my book.....the gorgeous art, the mutual pining, the BLUSHING, the continued escalation of their 'game'. I haven't read love is war, so I can't speak to similarities, but this really checked all my boxes. I also really loved how they game together <3 just too freaking cute!! I need more!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2024
A less ridiculous and more slice-of-life "Love is War". The premise is almost exactly the same, but it still is enjoyable. The artwork is cute, and I liked the characters. Will definitely keep reading into the second volume.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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