Honestly, the whole premise of the Kiss Him Not Me television show sounds like a fever dream if you try to explain it to someone who doesn't watch anime. It's weird. It's loud. It’s a little bit problematic by 2026 standards, yet it remains one of the most fascinating snapshots of fujoshi culture ever put to screen. Originally known in Japan as Watashi ga Motete Dousunda, the series dropped in 2016 and immediately set the internet on fire because it dared to say the quiet part out loud: some fans would much rather watch their crushes date each other than date them.
The story follows Kae Serinuma. She's a dedicated otaku and a "boys' love" (BL) fangirl who spends her time shipping her classmates in her head. Then, her favorite anime character dies. She gets so depressed that she locks herself in her room for a week, doesn't eat, and undergoes a "miraculous" physical transformation that turns her into a conventional beauty. Suddenly, the four hottest guys in school are tripping over themselves to date her.
But here is the kicker. Kae doesn't care about their attention. She’s still the same hardcore nerd who wants to see these guys kiss each other.
The Reality of the "Glow Up" Trope
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. The Kiss Him Not Me television show hinges on a trope that hasn't aged particularly well: the idea that a person's value only skyrockets after they lose weight. When the anime first aired, produced by Brain's Base (the same studio behind Durarara!! and My Little Monster), it was treated as a classic shoujo comedy setup.
However, looking back, the show actually tries to subvert this, even if it stumbles.
While the boys—Igarashi, Nanashima, Shinomiya, and Mutsumi—initially notice Kae because of her new look, the narrative slowly forces them to reckon with her personality. She hasn't changed. She still screams about limited edition merchandise. She still loses her mind over voice actors. She is socially awkward and obsessed with fictional pairings. The show's tension comes from the boys trying to "normalize" her, while Kae refuses to be anything other than a total geek.
One of the most telling moments happens early on when the group goes to a theme park. While the guys are trying to be romantic, Kae is busy hunting for rare merch and dragging them into her delusions. It’s chaotic. It’s funny. It also highlights a genuine truth about hobby-driven lives: your passions don't just disappear because you've changed your shirt size.
Not All Suitors Are Created Equal
If you ask any fan of the Kiss Him Not Me television show who the best guy is, they will almost certainly say Asuma Mutsumi. There is a reason for this. While the other three guys are arguably shallow at the start—Nanashima literally tells her to "go back to how you were" when she briefly gains weight again—Mutsumi is the only one who liked her before the transformation.
He’s a senpai in the history club. He's calm. He’s basically the human equivalent of a warm blanket. More importantly, he's the only one who respects her hobbies without judging them. This creates a weirdly sophisticated dynamic for a comedy anime. It pits the "visual attraction" of the other boys against the "genuine connection" of Mutsumi.
Then there’s Shima Nishina.
Adding a female suitor into the mix was a brilliant move by the original manga creator, Junko. Shima is wealthy, talented, and a fellow fujoshi. She understands Kae on a level the boys never will. This inclusion turned a standard reverse harem into something much more inclusive and chaotic. It challenged the audience to think about what "winning" actually looks like for a character like Kae.
Why the Animation Style Matters
Brain's Base opted for a vibrant, almost neon palette for the Kiss Him Not Me television show. It matches the frantic energy of Kae’s internal monologues. The character designs by Kazuhiko Tamura are sharp, but they often devolve into "chibi" versions or exaggerated expressions when the comedy hits.
You've probably seen the memes. Kae’s "creepy" face when she's fantasizing about her classmates is legendary in the anime community. This visual language is crucial because it bridges the gap between the beautiful aesthetic of shoujo manga and the gritty, messy reality of being a fan. It doesn't take itself too seriously.
The Cultural Impact of the Fujoshi Identity
There is a specific term used in the show: fujoshi. It literally translates to "rotten girl." In Japan, it’s a self-deprecating label for women who love BL (Boys' Love) media.
The Kiss Him Not Me television show was one of the first mainstream anime to center this identity so aggressively. It didn't just make her a nerd; it made her a specific kind of nerd that was often mocked or hidden. By making Kae the protagonist, the show gave a voice to a massive demographic of anime fans.
Critics often point out that the show oversimplifies the "fandom" experience, but honestly, it’s a comedy. It’s meant to be hyperbolic. When Kae starts hyperventilating because two of her suitors are standing too close to each other, it's a parody of the "shipping" culture that dominates sites like Tumblr or X (formerly Twitter).
Breaking Down the Episodes
The 12-episode run moves at a breakneck pace.
- The Transformation: Kae loses weight and gains a harem.
- The Competition: The boys realize they have to fight for her time.
- The Complications: Shima enters the fray.
- The Growth: Kae realizes she might actually have feelings, maybe.
One of the standout episodes involves a cosplay competition. Seeing Kae navigate the pressure of "performing" as a character while her real-life suitors watch is peak cringe-comedy. It captures that specific anxiety of having your private interests collide with your public persona.
What the Show Gets Wrong (And Right)
We have to be real here. The "miracle weight loss" is a lazy plot device. In the real world, starving yourself for a week doesn't result in a perfect physique; it results in a hospital stay. The show uses this as a magical girl transformation of sorts, which is a bit of a cop-out. It avoids the actual hard work of self-improvement to get to the "fun" part of the story.
However, where the Kiss Him Not Me television show succeeds is in its heart.
Underneath the jokes about BL and the slapstick humor, there is a story about boundaries. Kae has to learn how to tell people "no." The boys have to learn that they don't own her time just because they find her attractive. It’s a messy lesson, and they don't always get it right.
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The Ending That Divided Fans
Without spoiling every detail, the way the anime concludes (which differs slightly in tone from the manga's eventual end) leaves many people feeling conflicted. It leans into the status quo.
In a typical reverse harem, you expect a definitive choice. But Kae isn't a typical protagonist. Her primary love interest has always been her 2D husbandos. The show stays true to that. It suggests that while romance is cool, your personal identity and your "found family" of fellow weirdos are just as important.
How to Watch It Today
If you're looking to dive into the Kiss Him Not Me television show now, it's widely available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Hulu. The English dub is actually surprisingly good—it captures the frantic, high-pitched energy of the original Japanese cast.
For those who want the full story, you’ll have to head to the manga. The anime only covers a portion of the source material. The manga goes much deeper into the relationships, particularly between Kae and Mutsumi, and provides a much more satisfying resolution to the "who will she choose?" question.
Key Takeaways for New Viewers
- Don't take the weight loss literally. It’s a narrative shortcut, not a health guide.
- Watch for the references. The show is packed with nods to other anime and tropes.
- Focus on Mutsumi. If you want a masterclass in how to be a supportive partner, he's the one to watch.
- Embrace the cringe. You will feel second-hand embarrassment. That’s the point.
The Kiss Him Not Me television show isn't perfect. It’s a product of its time that balances on a thin line between satire and sincerity. But for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider because of their hobbies, Kae Serinuma remains a relatable, if slightly chaotic, icon.
To get the most out of the series, start by watching the first three episodes to see if the humor clicks with you. If you find yourself laughing at the absurdity of the "shipping" logic, you're exactly the audience this show was made for. After finishing the anime, transition to the manga starting around Chapter 29 to see how the character arcs actually resolve, as the anime leaves several threads dangling in favor of its comedic ending.