Osananajimi to wa LoveCom ni Naranai [Season 1 Episode 3]

Alright, let’s dive into Episode 3 of Osananajimi to wa LoveCom ni Naranai—or as the cool kids are calling it, My Childhood Friend Isn’t a Romantic Comedy Heroine. First off, let’s get the basics straight: this is a Winter 2026 rom-com from Tezuka Productions, the same studio that brought us Goddess Café Terrace and The Quintessential Quintuplets. So, if you’re into harem vibes with a side of chaos, you know what you’re signing up for.

Episode 3 picks up right where the first two left off: our poor protagonist, Eiyuu, is still drowning in a sea of blushing and awkwardness, surrounded by two girls who are way too into him. Shio, his childhood friend, is the classic “I’ve liked you forever but can’t say it” type, while Akari is the tsundere who’s clearly trying to hide her feelings with insults. And let’s not forget—this is a harem show, so there are two more girls on the way. Yikes, Eiyuu’s gonna need a bigger closet for all those accidental panty shots.

Now, let’s talk about the fan reactions because, let’s be real, that’s where the tea is. A lot of viewers are calling this “peak slop,” but in the best way possible. One user on MyAnimeList said, “This is so dumb, I laughed all the time!” and honestly? Same. The humor is unapologetically over-the-top. We’re talking indirect kisses (because sharing a drink is so 2020), panty shots at the most random moments, and Akari literally trying to intertwine fingers with Eiyuu like they’re in a K-drama. It’s like the writers took every rom-com trope, cranked it to 11, and said, “Let’s see if we can make the audience cringe and laugh at the same time.” Spoiler: They succeeded.

But not everyone’s on board. Some fans are already tired of the clichés. One commenter ranted, “Another generic mediocre harem show made by Tezuka Mediocre Productions.” Ouch. Others are annoyed by Akari’s tsundere act—apparently, her “I hate you but I’m secretly in love” schtick is getting old fast. And let’s not forget the animation complaints: “Tezuka’s animation is lacking as always,” someone wrote, pointing out stiff movements and weird color filters. Fair enough, but let’s be real—we’re here for the chaos, not the Oscar-worthy cinematography.

The best part? The self-awareness. Eiyuu keeps saying, “My life isn’t a rom-com manga!” while the show throws every rom-com manga trope at him. It’s like watching someone try to deny they’re in a meme while they’re actively participating in it. One fan noted, “This anime is good and makes me laugh,” and that’s the key—if you don’t take it too seriously, it’s a blast. The OP by HoneyWorks is catchy, the character designs are cute (shoutout to Shio’s blue hair), and the chemistry between Eiyuu and the girls is surprisingly endearing, even if it’s chaotic.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the harem. With two more girls coming, things are about to get messy. One user joked, “Whats better than one childhood friend? Four ofc. But don’t think for a second this means this is sure way for one of them to win. They’ll all get rejected together.” Burn. But hey, that’s the fun of it—will Eiyuu end up with Shio? Akari? Or someone we haven’t met yet? The suspense is killing me… or maybe that’s just the secondhand embarrassment from watching Eiyuu accidentally grab Shio’s boobs. Again.

Critics are split on whether this show is a parody or just another generic harem. One commenter said, “The intent of the show is to make fun of rom-com tropes, but the humor isn’t hitting hard with me so far.” Another countered, “This is absolutely a blast to watch! It feels like an anime from the golden age of rom-coms.” Personally, I’m leaning toward the latter. Sure, it’s cliché, but it’s knowingly cliché, and that makes all the difference. It’s like eating junk food—you know it’s bad for you, but you can’t stop.

In conclusion, Episode 3 of Osananajimi to wa LoveCom ni Naranai is a wild ride. It’s not for everyone—if you hate harems or over-the-top fan service, this isn’t your jam. But if you’re looking for a show that will make you laugh (and maybe cringe a little), this is it. The characters are fun, the humor is silly, and the drama is just enough to keep you hooked. Plus, with two more girls on the horizon, the chaos is only getting started. So grab your popcorn, ignore the haters, and enjoy the ride—because Eiyuu’s romantic comedy (or lack thereof) is just getting started.

P.S. If you’re team Shio, raise your hand. If you’re team Akari, I see you, but let’s be real—Shio’s been there since day one. Just saying. 😉