is a Japanese boys-love manga

Manga

Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...

 series written and illustrated by Shungiku Nakamura

Shungiku Nakamura

is a Japanese manga artist most famous for the boys love manga Junjo Romantica: Pure Romance.- Works :* Junjo Romantica: Pure Romance * Hybrid Child * Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi - References :...

. In 2011, the manga was adapted into an anime television series under the title Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi. Produced by Studio DEEN

Studio DEEN

is a Japanese company that produces anime. Three years after Sunrise was founded in 1972, Studio Deen was established by Sunrise's members in 1975. As a result of this, anime shows such as Cowboy Bebop that were produced by Sunrise may have had assistance from Studio Deen.-Produced anime:* Urusei...

 under the direction of Chiaki Kon

Chiaki Kon

is a Japanese anime director who directed the anime adaptations of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Umineko no Naku Koro ni, and Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter. She also worked the storyboard and dramatization for the anime Midori Days and did the Opening Animation for Shōnen Onmyōji.-External links:...

, the anime series began its broadcast run on April 9, 2011. An original animation DVD was bundled with the fifth and sixth volumes of the manga series, released in March and September 2011.

Plot

Onodera Ritsu, a literary editor, resigns from his father's publishing company, due to his coworkers' jealousy of his success, claiming that he is simply riding his father's business. He applies for a position at Marukawa Publishing, but instead of his preferred department of literature he is placed in the infamous shōjo manga department, Emerald. He initially considers resigning, especially because he finds his new boss, Masamune Takano, intolerable and unnerving from the very beginning; however, Takano inadvertently convinces Onodera to stick with the job by calling him "useless," his pride forcing him to stay in order to prove his worth. Later, Onodera learns that Takano's old family name was Saga, an older schoolmate from high school that Ritsu fell in love with and confessed to.

Characters

Ritsu is a 25-year-old jaded literary editor. He is the only son of the head of Onodera Publication and previously worked at his father's company in the literature department. Hearing his fellow co-workers accusing him of taking hand-outs from his father, he decides to show that he can be successful on his own by going to work at Marukawa Publishing. After being hurt by his first love in high school when he was 15, Ritsu vowed to never fall in love again. His resolve is tested, however; when he is reunited with the boy he once loved: now very much a man and his new boss things get very complicated for him. And now he must figure out his feelings while also juggling his career and seduction from his former first love and new boss. It was also mentioned that he was one of Usami Akihiko's (from Junjo Romantica

Junjo Romantica

, stylized as Junjo Romantica ~Pure Romance~, is a yaoi series by Shungiku Nakamura. It focuses on three storylines; the main couple, which comprises the bulk of the books, and two other male couples which provide ongoing side stories...

) editors at his previous job.

Formerly known as Saga Masamune, before his parents divorced in high school. He is the editor-in-chief of the Emerald department at Marukawa, and is sometimes referred to as "the Capable". He and Ritsu were once in a brief relationship in high school but split up over a misunderstanding, where they both thought each other was wrong. It is revealed that he later had a break down from the break up, family problems, and other personal issues, which in turn left him with an unrequited love for Ritsu. When both he and Ritsu realize who each other are, he promises Ritsu he will make him fall in love with him again much to Ritsu's contempt. In Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi: Takano Masamune no Bai (lit. Takano Masamune's Case), Takano's perspective of his and Ritsu's first meeting and romantic development and previously unknown events are shown.

Ritsu's childhood friend and his fiancée, due of an agreement their parents had when they were kids. Sweet, polite and sensitive, An has deep feelings towards him, despite of being rejected by Ritsu (whom she calls 'Ricchan') when she confessed her love; despite of figuring out about the bond between Masamune and Ritsu and accepting it, she still hopes to gain Ritsu's affections someday.

Yoshino Chiaki, is a 28 year old shōjo manga artist known as Yoshikawa Chiharu. His editor in-charge is Yoshiyuki Hatori, who is also his childhood friend. His two best friends are Hatori and Yanase, but the lines between friendship and love begin to blur after a number of confusing incidents. Chiaki begins to question his feelings for Hatori after not only witnessing him and Yanase together in what he thinks is a kiss but Hatori kisses him one night. Chiaki begins to realize he has to confront his true feelings or risk losing them both.

Hatori, also known as Tori, is 28 years old and an editor in the Emerald department. Although in the beginning he is serious and reserved, we later learn that he has harbored both deep and secret feelings for his childhood friend Chiaki. After kissing him and confessing his love, Hatori pulls away fearing that Chiaki doesn't feel the same, but instead loves his rival, Yanase. Although Chiaki does somewhat have the same feelings, unbeknownst to Tori.

Chief assistant for mangaka Yoshino Chiaki. Hatori and Chiaki both came to know Yuu when they were in junior high. An immediate tension is visible between Hatori and Yanase. It isn't until later that it is discovered that both are vying for the love of Chiaki.

Kisa is a fellow editor in the Emerald department, and because of his "baby face" he is mistaken for being much younger than his true age of 30. He's never been in a serious relationship and doesn't think himself capable of being in one because of his tendency to fall in love for only good looks without knowing a guy's personality. Because of this, he immediately questions his feelings for Kou and doesn't hold out much hope for a relationship with him. His mentality can be described by his line: "love at first sight works well enough in a manga, but this is reality."

Yukina is a 21-year-old clerk in charge of the shōjo manga section at the bookstore, Marimo books. He's been aware of Kisa coming in to watch him, but when he finds out Kisa is the editor behind all of his favorite works he begins to develop feelings for him. He's willing to fight to make Kisa understand that what they feel for each other is real. And that Kisa is able to actually fall in love.

Yokozawa works in the Financial department at Marukawa. He is friends with and had a physical relationship with Takano when they were both in college. It's also common knowledge in the publishing world that he helped Takano get into publishing and get his position at Marukawa. He is seriously jealous of and resents Ritsu, blaming him for "screwing up" Takano. He often warns Ritsu away from Takano, even going as far as proclaiming Takano is his. He has his own side story called Takafumi Yokozawa No Baii(Takafumi Yokozawa Case) about his new love interest, Kirishima, and him handling his rejection from Takano.

He was first introduced in Junjo Romantica

Junjo Romantica

, stylized as Junjo Romantica ~Pure Romance~, is a yaoi series by Shungiku Nakamura. It focuses on three storylines; the main couple, which comprises the bulk of the books, and two other male couples which provide ongoing side stories...

 as the editor in chief of Japun and is now Yokozawa's new love interest. He is raising his daughter, Hiyori, on his own due to his wife passing away a few years ago. After blackmailing Yokozawa, the two start dating once they realizing their feeling for each other. He has a habit of teasing Yokozawa calling him the mother of his daughter Hiyori and his family.

Hiyori is the only child of Zen; 10 years old and lost her mother time ago. She bonds quickly with Yokozawa, to whom she refers as 'Onii-san' (big brother). She's responsible for cooking her father's meals and is very fond of kittens and green tea sweets.

Mino is a fellow editor in the Emerald department, who is constantly smiling through all the stress and exhaustion. It has been hinted that he has a dark side, with Takano saying "Make sure you don't make Mino upset".

Isaka is the senior managing director of Marukawa Publishing, and is acquainted with Ritsu's parents. He is quite the mysterious man. He is also a character of Junjo Romantica

Junjo Romantica

, stylized as Junjo Romantica ~Pure Romance~, is a yaoi series by Shungiku Nakamura. It focuses on three storylines; the main couple, which comprises the bulk of the books, and two other male couples which provide ongoing side stories...

.

Novels

As of April 2011, there have been 4 novels published telling the story of Hatori and Chiaki, titled Yoshino Chiaki no Baai (lit. The Case of Yoshino Chiaki). Although these novels contain mini-comics, this couple has only appeared in one manga chapter so far. They have, however, been featured in the anime.

The 1st of November 2011 a "Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai" Novel was released which also included a mini-comic.

Manga

Written and illustrated by Shungiku Nakamura

Shungiku Nakamura

is a Japanese manga artist most famous for the boys love manga Junjo Romantica: Pure Romance.- Works :* Junjo Romantica: Pure Romance * Hybrid Child * Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi - References :...

, Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi began serialization in 2007 in The Ruby magazine. From July 2009 to present, however, it is being published in Asuka Ciel magazine. The individual chapters have been released as six tankōbon volumes by Kadokawa Shoten

Kadokawa Shoten

is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...

's Asuka Comic CL-DX branch. The first volume was published on July 1, 2008, and the sixth on September 27, 2011. Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi has not yet been released in English. The series was originally licensed for English-language release in North America by Tokyopop

Tokyopop

Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...

's Blu Manga, with volume 1 due for release on 12 July 2011. However, since the 31 May 2011 closure of Tokyopop

Tokyopop

Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...

's publishing efforts, it is currently not licensed for English release.

Anime

The first season opening for the anime is "Sekai de Ichiban Koishiteru" by Shuhei Kita and the ending is "Ashita Boku wa Kimi ni Ai ni Iku" by Wakaba. The second season opening is "Sekai no Hate ni Kimi ga Itemo" by Shuhei Kita and the ending is "Aikotoba" by Sakura Merry-Men. The second season will feature Junjou Mistake in episode 6. An OVA

Original video animation

, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...

, bundled with the limited edition manga vol. 6, was released in September.

Season 1

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Season 2

No.	Title	Original airdate

OVA

No.	Title	Original airdate

External links

• Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi official anime website