Aharen-san wa Hakarenai is back for season 2, continuing the charming and quirky slice-of-life story of Reina Aharen and Raidou Matsuboshi. After a successful first season, fans have eagerly awaited the return of this unusual couple and their heartwarming, hilarious adventures. Here’s everything you need to know about the season premiere and what to expect from the latest episodes.
What’s Aharen-san wa Hakarenai About?
Before diving into season 2, let’s recap the premise of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai. The story revolves around Reina Aharen, a quiet and petite high school student who struggles with personal boundaries. She either gets too close or remains too distant from her classmates, making social interactions a challenge.
Enter Raidou Matsuboshi, a fellow student with a vivid imagination and a desire to make friends. When Raidou picks up an eraser Aharen drops, she decides they are now best friends. The anime follows their unlikely friendship as they navigate the ups and downs of high school life, filled with humorous misunderstandings and heartwarming moments.
Season 2: What to Expect
Season 2 of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai premiered in April 2025, continuing the duo’s story as they begin their second year of high school. New opportunities, challenges, and relationships await Aharen and Raidou as they navigate their school days.
A New Transfer Student
One of the significant additions to season 2 is the introduction of Riku Tamanaha, a socially awkward gyaru transfer student. Riku is voiced by Nao Toyama. Riku’s arrival adds a new dynamic to the series, as Aharen grapples with how vulnerable she can be with someone new.
Episode 1 Highlights
Episode 1, titled “A Transfer Student, Huh?”, reintroduces viewers to Aharen and Raidou, now dating and once again seated next to each other. The episode also features familiar faces like Ishikawa, Sato, and Oshiro, with Tobaru-sensei returning as their homeroom teacher.
Aharen struggles with fatigue in the first episode, leading Raidou to amusingly speculate whether she has been hibernating to prepare for a growth spurt. It turns out she was simply tired from waking up early. In a sweet moment, Raidou keeps Aharen warm inside his jacket, causing Tobaru-sensei to have her first fainting spell of the year.
Raidou’s sister gives him a fidget spinner, which Aharen becomes obsessed with. She quickly masters tricks, impressing local children. One little girl, Futaba, becomes jealous of Aharen’s popularity with her friend Akkun and challenges her to Reversi. Aharen intentionally loses, but Akkun is mean to Futaba despite her victory. Aharen intervenes, teaching Akkun a lesson and prompting him to apologize. Exhausted from playing with the children, Aharen summons her giant dog, Nui, for a ride home.
Production
Felix Film returned to produce the second season, with Yasutaka Yamamoto as chief director and Tomoe Makino directing. Takao Yoshioka handled series composition, Yūko Yahiro designed the characters, and Satoru Kōsaki and Monaca composed the music.
Episode 2 Sneak Peek
Episode 2, “Isn’t That a Little Too Heavy?”, sees Raido and Aharen delving into a game called Omatsure Tsubutsubu no Yashiro, also known as “Tsubumori.” In the game, players clear forests to build their own town. Raido works hard, earns money, and eventually buys a house. However, his relentless pursuit of wealth leads to tragedy within the game.
In another storyline, Raido drinks amazake (a traditional sweet drink) before heading to school, mistaking it for an alcoholic beverage and imagining himself as drunk.
Where to Watch
Aharen-san wa Hakarenai season 1 is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The second season is also expected to stream on Crunchyroll shortly after airing in Japan.
Reception and Popularity
The first season of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai garnered a decent following, praised for its heartwarming and comedic portrayal of an unconventional friendship. On MyAnimeList, the first season holds a score of 7.28 with over 150,000 users. AniList reports a 72% average score for the series.
Critics have noted the show’s unique humor and the endearing nature of its characters. Some reviews highlight the anime’s strength in short-form humor and its ability to create surreal situations from everyday scenarios. While some found the humor repetitive, many appreciated the show’s lighthearted and sweet vibe.
Similar Anime Recommendations
If you enjoy Aharen-san wa Hakarenai, here are a few other anime series you might like:
- Komi Can’t Communicate: Another school rom-com that deals with themes of social awkwardness and misunderstandings.
- My Dress-Up Darling: A heartwarming series about two high school students who bond over their shared love of cosplay.
- Kaguya-sama: Love is War: A comedic series about two top students who are both determined to make the other confess their feelings first.
- Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro: A rom-com where a timid high schooler is constantly teased by a cute freshman who harbors a crush on him.
- Tanaka-kun is Always Listless: A surreal comedy about an exhausted high school boy who always manages to sleep, despite his friends’ attempts to keep him awake.
- Senryu Girl: A sweet and funny anime about a girl who communicates solely through senryu poetry.
Final Thoughts
Aharen-san wa Hakarenai season 2 promises to deliver more of the heartwarming comedy and quirky characters that fans loved in the first season. With a new transfer student adding to the dynamic and the continued adventures of Aharen and Raidou, this season is shaping up to be a delightful addition to the slice-of-life anime genre. Be sure to tune in and follow their journey through high school and beyond.
