The Kabocha Wine - Recommendations

• TV (48 eps)
• 1987 - 1988

Fifteen-year-old Kasumi Kishimoto has a boyfriend overseas and high hopes for her future: she’s been accepted to Myoujou High School, and is moving to her aunt’s house to live. But little did she know that she’d be sharing her home with not one, but four boys! Perverted and playboy Shin, hungry Takashi, bizarre Makoto and endearing Yusaku help make Kasumi’s life more interesting; and in the midst of classes, baseball games, and dealing with the school’s all-male Cheer Squad, there are plenty of fun times to be had at Myoujou High.

• TV (24 eps)
• 2007

Lovely Complex is a story of a boy and a girl. The girl, Koizumi Risa, is much taller than the average Japanese girl; and the boy, Atsushi Otani, is much shorter than the average Japanese boy. Due to their immense difference in size and constant bickering with each other, the duo is unwillingly the school’s comic relief. As Risa and Otani continue to provide endless laughter for the masses, their friendship develops; and with that, so does Risa’s feelings for Otani...

• TV (13 eps)
• 2023

With the new school year comes a new homeroom, new classmates, and a new desk for the timid Komura. But any trepidation he might've felt quickly dissipates when he catches sight of Mie, his new seat neighbor. Apt to quietly blurt out the most random things, the quirky Mie wears thick glasses that accentuate her lovely eyes, making Komura’s heart skip a beat! Unfortunately, Mie is pathologically forgetful and can never seem to remember to bring her glasses to class. It's not all bad, though! Her resulting squinty, mean-girl face sends Komura’s heart into overdrive too! While Komura is keen to help out and share his textbooks with Mie, will his heart give out from the almost daily strain of being up close and personal with his crush?!

• TV (37 eps)
• 1983 - 1984

Masuto is a typical student who attends school and has a girlfriend: the gentle and timid Kajima Miyuki from his class. His life is further complicated, however, by the fact that Wakamatsu Miyuki (his stepsister, unrelated by blood) lives with him. Their irresponsible father left them alone in Tokyo while he moved out of the country, which needless to say creates an interesting atmosphere at home. Though Masuto has strong feelings for his girlfriend, he also feels attracted to his step sister; and now, Masuto must discover his true feelings and make a choice – or start two-timing on both of them!

• TV (13 eps)
• 2000

There is nothing more sad and pleasant than love in its various forms, and a group of high school students will discover them in this melancholy series. The focus is on Kanzaki Kyoichi, an artist and a dreamer at heart, and Nitta Chiharu, a track star and a childhood friend of Kyoichi's. From spring to summer to fall to winter, love will grow and fade, and grow again

• OVA (3 eps)
• 2012 - 2015

Izumi Miyamura is a lonely teenager who, despite being very recluse, ends up sharing a secret with a classmate. Her name is Kyoko Hori and he helped her younger brother when he got injured. Both are surprised by how different they look and act outside school. From then on, a peculiar bond is formed between them.

• Movie (1 ep)
• 2022

• TV (12 eps)
• 2017

As an overweight child, Makabe Masamune was mercilessly teased and bullied by one particular girl, Adagaki Aki. Determined to one day exact his revenge upon her, Makabe begins a rigorous regimen of self-improvement and personal transformation. Years later, Masamune re-emerges as a new man. Handsome, popular, with perfect grades and good at sports, Masamune-kun transfers to Aki's school, and is unrecognizable to her. Now, Masamune-kun is ready to confront the girl who bullied him so many years ago and humiliate her at last. But will revenge be as sweet as he thought?

• TV (13 eps)
• 2021

Kyouko and Izumi are two classmates who each lead a double life: the popular and talented Kyouko cares for her little brother by herself while her parents are away, and the quiet, bespectacled Izumi hides his many piercings and tattoos at school. After accidentally discovering each other's secrets the pair becomes fast friends, and together, they begin to navigate their new relationship together amongst unknowing peers and love rivals alike.

• TV (12 eps)
• 2021

The journey to 100 friends begins with a single conversation. Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve! With the whole student body keeping their distance and Komi unable to utter a single word, friendship might be forever beyond her reach. Timid Tadano is a total wallflower, and that’s just the way he likes it. He lives to blend in with the background. All that changes when he finds himself alone in a classroom on the first day of high school with the legendary Komi. He quickly realizes she isn’t aloof, she’s just super awkward. Now he’s made it his mission to help her on her quest to make 100 friends!