Aharen-san wa Hakarenai, a series known for its unconventional romantic dynamics, is officially returning for a second season. The anime, based on Asato Mizu’s manga, is set to premiere in April 2025. Fans have awaited this announcement following the first season’s conclusion in mid-2022.
The New Cast Addition: Nao Toyama Joins as Riku Tamanaha
The most notable news alongside the release window is the addition of Nao Toyama to the cast. She will portray Riku Tamanaha, a gyaru-style transfer student whose cheerful exterior hides extreme social anxiety.
Toyama is a seasoned voice actress known for her roles in Kancolle (Kongou), Yuru Camp (Rin Shima), and My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (Yui Yuigahama). Her versatility and experience with both comedic and emotionally nuanced roles make her a fitting choice for the new character.
In a comment shared during the announcement, Toyama expressed her excitement about joining the cast, highlighting her admiration for the heartwarming relationship between the leads. She also described Riku as a “pure-hearted character” with exaggerated emotional expressions that often lead to hilarious misunderstandings.
Returning Cast and Staff
The key cast members from Season 1 are returning:
- Reina Aharen: Voiced by Inori Minase (Re:Zero as Rem, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? as Hestia).
- Raidō Matsuboshi: Voiced by Takuma Terashima (Log Horizon as Shiroe, Aikatsu! as Kakeru).
The second season also retains much of the original production team:
- Director: Tomoe Makino (Woodpecker Detective’s Office).
- Music: Satoru Kōsaki (Monogatari series) & MONACA (Nier: Automata).
- Studio: Felix Film
The anime is adapted from Asato Mizu’s manga, which concluded in April 2023, after a six-year run. With its original serialization starting in January 2017 on Shōnen Jump+. It was compiled into 16 volumes, all of which are currently available in print and digital formats.
Aharen San season 1 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll. The series has a rating of 4.8/5 voted by more than 28,000 Crunchyroll members. The streaming giant describes the series as:
Socially awkward Aharen-san has personal boundary issues, either getting too close or too far from her classmates. When fellow student Raido picks up an eraser she drops, Aharen-san decides they’re now best friends. Whether studying, playing the arcade, or just eating lunch—she’s along for the ride. What follows is an impromptu bonding that shows affection can blossom in the unlikeliest of places.
Source: Comic Natalie
