On December 16, 2024, it was officially announced that Makoto Kudo’s romantic comedy manga My Awkward Senpai (Bukiyou na Senpai.) will receive a TV anime adaptation set to air in 2025. The announcement included a teaser PV, teaser visual, and details about the main cast and staff.
The story follows Yū Kamegawa, a diligent rookie office worker, and Azusa Kannawa, his awkward and often misunderstood senior mentor. The romantic comedy centers on their daily workplace interactions, focusing on Azusa’s inability to effectively express her feelings.
Teaser Visual and PV
The teaser visual features Azusa Kannawa with the tagline: “I can’t be honest, but there are feelings I want to convey.” The visual portrays Azusa looking down with a stern gaze, conveying her internal struggles.
Another version of the visual with a different expression will be revealed on the official teaser site and X (formerly Twitter) account (@bukiyou_anime). Checkout the PV for the anime adaptation.
My Awkward Senpai began as a webcomic on Makoto Kudo’s Twitter in March 2019. It transitioned to serialization in Young Gangan magazine on December 6, 2019, and is also available on Square Enix’s Manga UP! app. The manga has published eight volumes to date and ranked fifth in the print category of the sixth Next Manga Awards.
Staff and Cast
The anime will be produced by Studio Elle, which has experience in animation production and support roles for projects such as Attack on Titan and Fruits Basket (2019). Below is the full list of the announced staff and cast:
| Role | Staff/Cast |
|---|---|
| Animation Studio | Studio Elle |
| Director | Ayumu Kotake |
| Series Composition | Mio Inoue |
| Script | Mio Inoue |
| Character Design | Kenrō Tokuda |
| Music | Kōji Fujimoto |
| Voice of Azusa Kannawa | Lynn |
Lynn, the voice actor cast as Azusa Kannawa in My Awkward Senpai, has built a reputation for her roles in various high-profile anime series. She is widely recognized for voicing Miorine Rembran in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, where her portrayal of a determined yet emotionally complex character won her significant acclaim.
Other notable roles include Princess Hibana in Fire Force, Gilda in The Promised Neverland, and Mafuyu Kirisu in We Never Learn. Lynn has also ventured into video game voice acting, including her role as Aqua in Fire Emblem: Fates.
Studio Elle, tasked with animating My Awkward Senpai, has a long history in the anime industry, primarily as a supporting studio. Their contributions include second key, finish, and in-between animation for major projects such as Attack on Titan, Fruits Basket (2019), and Kill la Kill.
Although their primary focus has been assisting larger studios, they have taken the lead on some projects, such as the 2020 original anime Gibiate. While Gibiate received mixed reviews, Studio Elle’s work in finish animation and photography showcased their technical strengths.
Creator and Voice Actor Comments
Makoto Kudo expressed his gratitude to fans and his trust in the anime staff:
“The anime adaptation is finally happening—what a big deal! This is all thanks to the readers who supported the series on social media and since its debut in Young Gangan. I trust the talented voice actors and production team completely and hope everyone enjoys the anime as much as I enjoy creating the manga.”
Lynn, who will voice Azusa Kannawa, shared her thoughts on the character:
“I’m thrilled to voice Azusa Kannawa in My Awkward Senpai. I deeply relate to her struggles with communication and often found myself nodding in agreement while reading the script. Despite her awkwardness, she’s utterly charming—especially with her regional dialect and the gap between her work persona and true self. I’ll give it my all, in my own way, to portray her earnestly. Please look forward to it!”
The My Awkward Senpai anime adaptation is set to bring this charming workplace romantic comedy to life. With a solid cast and staff, fans of the manga and newcomers alike can look forward to its 2025 debut.
