Shuichi Nimura, author of Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy (Osamake), has revealed how the anime adaptation of his work negatively affected sales of the original light novels. In a recent statement, the writer shared details about the difficulties that arose after the anime’s release, bringing into debate the impact of media adaptations on the success of literary works.
Osamake: the negative impact of anime on light novel sales
The world of anime adaptations has proven to be a land of both opportunity and risk for light novel authors. Shuichi Nimura, creator of the Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy (Osamake) series, recently shared his experience following the release of the anime version of his work, revealing that instead of increasing the popularity of the series, this adaptation contributed to an alarming decline in light novel sales.
The anime adaptation of Osamake was produced by Doga Kobo, a studio known for its work on popular series such as Oshi no Ko. Airing during the spring of 2021, the anime generated expectations among light novel fans due to its unique premise: a romantic comedy centered on the triumph of the childhood friend, a figure that is often relegated in these types of stories.
However, since its premiere, the anime was criticized for technical and artistic problems. The quality of the animation was pointed out as one of the weak points from the very first episode, which disappointed fans who expected a more careful production. The controversy reached its peak in the third episode, with a dance scene that went viral on social networks due to its poorly executed and unconvincing visual appearance.
This segment, dubbed as the “Osamake dance,” generated a plethora of memes and parodies on social media, which gained the series notoriety, but for the wrong reasons. While the phenomenon increased the franchise’s visibility, it failed to convert that attention into support for the original light novels.
In a recent post on his X/Twitter social network account, Shuichi Nimura shared figures that illustrate the negative impact the anime had on sales of his work. According to the author, while the first volume of Osamake enjoyed a solid reception and was frequently reprinted, the latest volume of the series barely managed to sell a tenth of that figure.
Prior to the anime’s broadcast, the light novels maintained steady growth, with two to three reprints per month. However, after the release of the adaptation, that positive trend took a drastic turn. Reprints stopped completely and sales began to plummet, to the point of jeopardizing the sustainability of the series.
With the release of the thirteenth and final volume of Osamake scheduled for February 7, Shuichi Nimura drew on his experience to warn other creators about the risks of handing over the rights to adapt their works. According to the author, carefully choosing the animation studio, as well as the creative team responsible for the production, is crucial to preserve the quality and spirit of the original work.
Nimura said that while an anime adaptation may seem like a golden opportunity to reach a wider audience, it can also become a double-edged sword if the result does not meet fans’ expectations. In his case, mistakes in animation and narrative handling not only damaged the reputation of the anime series, but also had direct consequences on the commercial performance of the light novels.
The Osamake case highlights the importance of quality in media adaptations and the challenges creators face when they decide to expand their works to other formats. While a good adaptation can catapult a franchise to success, poor execution can have the opposite effect, damaging public perception and negatively affecting sales of the original work.
For Shuichi Nimura, this experience has been a difficult but valuable lesson, and he hopes his story will serve as a reminder to other authors of the importance of protecting their work and making informed decisions when exploring new creative opportunities.
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