Say I Love You

• Name — Say I Love You • Ja Kanji — 好きっていいなよ。 • Ja Romaji — Suki-tte Ii na yo • Genre — Romance

• Type — Manga • Author — Kanae Hazuki • Publisher — Kodansha • Magazine — Dessert • First — February 23, 2008 • Last — July 24, 2017 • Volumes — 18 + 1

• Type — tv series • Director — * Toshimasa Kuroyanagi • Takuya Satō • Producer — * Shinichi Ikeda • Tomoko Kawasaki • Sawako Hamano • Writer — Takuya Satō • Music — Yūji Nomi • Studio — Zexcs • Network — Tokyo MX, tvk, BS11, AT-X • First — October 6, 2012 • Last — December 30, 2012 • Episodes — 13 + 1 OVA • Episode List — List of Say I Love You episodes

• Type — live film • Director — Asako Hyuga • Writer — Asako Hyuga • Studio — Shochiku • Released — 2014 07 12 • Runtime — 102 minutes

• Portal — yes Say I Love You is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kanae Hazuki. It was serialized in Kodansha's shōjo manga magazine Dessert from February 2008 to July 2017, with its chapters collected in 18 tankōbon volumes. An anime adaptation by Zexcs aired from October to December 2012. A live action film adaptation premiered in July 2014. In North America, the manga was licensed by Kodansha USA. The anime series was licensed by Sentai Filmworks.

Mei Tachibana, a reserved high school student, has avoided close relationships due to a childhood experience with former friends whose behavior left her distrustful of others. Her life changes when Yamato Kurosawa, a popular classmate, shows interest in her. As their friendship develops into a romantic relationship, Mei gradually gains the confidence to form new connections with others.

• Mei Tachibana: • Haruna Kawaguchi • Mei Tachibana, traumatized by childhood bullying and false accusations from classmates, resolves to avoid friendships entirely. Though initially perceived as unsociable and awkward by peers, she possesses keen observational skills, kindness, and a dry sense of humor. Her perspective changes when developing a relationship with Yamato Kurosawa, through which she gradually learns to trust others and forms genuine friendships. Eventually pursuing a career in early childhood education, Mei channels her experiences into caring for others. • Yamato Kurosawa: • Sota Fukushi • A popular student with many past romantic encounters. After Mei Tachibana mistakenly kicks him down stairs, he becomes interested in her unique personality. He protects Mei from a stalker by kissing her, beginning their relationship. Known for his selfless nature, he once slept with depressed classmate Aiko to comfort her. With Mei's support, he pursues photography as a career. • Asami Oikawa: • Rima Nishizaki • A classmate of Mei Tachibana who struggles with unwanted attention due to her large bust. Resenting how others focus solely on her physique, she admires Yamato Kurosawa for defending her from harassment in middle school. She eventually forms a relationship with Takeshi after he demonstrates genuine interest in her personality. After high school, Asami pursues a career in early childhood education alongside Mei. • Takeshi Nakanishi: • Tasuku Nagase • A classmate of Mei Tachibana and close friend of Yamato Kurosawa. Known for his lewd behavior, he harbors strong romantic feelings for Asami. With Mei's assistance, he successfully confesses to Asami and enters a relationship with her. • Aiko Mutō: • Rika Adachi • A brash yet kind-hearted classmate who develops unreciprocated feelings for Yamato Kurosawa after he praises her natural beauty. Her intense romantic pursuits lead to drastic weight loss with lasting physical effects. After Mei Tachibana supports her, they form a friendship, and Aiko later begins dating Masashi. • Masashi Tatekawa: • Ryosuke Yamamoto • Aiko's romantic partner who accepts her unconditionally, including during her previous struggles with weight. He becomes the sole person she feels comfortable revealing her body to without reservation. • Kakeru Hayakawa: • A classmate who pursues multiple casual relationships in an attempt to emulate Yamato's popularity. His childhood friend Chiharu remains one of his few authentic connections. After his advances toward Mei Tachibana are rejected and he subsequently suffers an assault, he comes to value Chiharu's genuine care and begins a relationship with her. • Chiharu Ogawa: • Kakeru's childhood friend who understands his true personality. After harboring long-standing romantic feelings for him, she eventually begins dating him when he reciprocates her affection. She works with Mei Tachibana at Bakery Farm. • Megumi Kitagawa: • Alissa Yagi • An amateur model transfer student assigned to Yamato Kurosawa's class. Initially presenting a kind facade, she secretly attempts to isolate Mei Tachibana from their friend group while pursuing Yamato. Haunted by childhood taunts about her appearance, she initially tries to buy friendship through gifts before reconnecting with childhood friends Momo and Asami. After accepting Yamato's devotion to Mei, she adopts a more self-assured attitude, symbolized by cutting her hair. She later temporarily relocates to Paris to pursue modeling and begins dating photographer Angelo Garcia. • Kai Takemura: • Tomohiro Ichikawa • A former junior high classmate of Yamato Kurosawa who was severely bullied, causing him to repeat his first year of high school. Now physically stronger and more athletic, he shares a bond with Mei Tachibana through their mutual experiences of bullying. He frequents Mei's workplace, Bakery Farm, and enjoys visiting Land theme park. Though harboring unrequited feelings for Mei, he respects her relationship with Yamato and becomes protective of her. He briefly dates Rin Aoi before their relationship ends due to disagreements. • Rin Aoi • A tall, outspoken model who replaces Megumi Kitagawa after her departure for Paris. Contrasting sharply with her petite, reserved brother Ren, she openly pursues a relationship with Kai, who gradually reciprocates her feelings. Their romance eventually ends due to unresolved differences, after which she focuses on her modeling career and achieves international success. • Ren Aoi • A reserved and gentle classmate of Takemura's grade level. Unlike his outgoing twin sister Rin, he maintains a quiet, antisocial demeanor and prefers playing video games. While harboring unrequited feelings for Mei Tachibana, he supports her fitness goals by assisting at the gym. Despite disappointment over Mei's relationship with Yamato Kurosawa, he contributes to her and Asami's career development in early childhood education. • Nagi Kurosawa: • Yamato Kurosawa's younger sister, skilled in baking and crafting stuffed animals. Initially resentful toward Mei Tachibana for "stealing" her brother, Nagi later bonds with Mei over their shared experiences of being exploited by false friends. This connection leads Nagi to fully accept Mei while also forming her first genuine friendship with a classmate. • Daichi Kurosawa: • Yamato Kurosawa's older brother. He operates a barber shop with a strict philosophy of creating original hairstyles rather than imitations. Haunted by his ex-girlfriend's death, he struggles to confess his feelings to his assistant Kyouko, who reciprocates his affection. • Miki Arai: • A classmate rumored to be Yamato Kurosawa's first love, as she remains the only female student he has never kissed. While she actively pursues Yamato and flirts with him during a restaurant outing, he consistently rejects her romantic advances. • Mei's Mother: • A concerned parent initially anxious about her daughter's ability to find happiness. She strongly desires others to appreciate Mei Tachibana's true character. After observing Yamato Kurosawa's interactions with Mei, she becomes confident in his ability to care for her daughter. She keeps a photo of her late husband, who died of cancer, in her room.

Written and illustrated by Kanae Hazuki, Say I Love You was serialized in Kodansha's shōjo manga magazine Dessert from February 23, 2008, to July 24, 2017. Kodansha collected its chapters in 18 tankōbon volumes, released from August 11, 2008, to September 13, 2017. An additional 19th volume was released digitally on August 25, 2022. The manga has been licensed for English release in North America by Kodansha USA.

An anime adaptation by Zexcs began premiered on Tokyo MX October 6, 2012. The series later aired on tvk, BS11 and AT-X. It was later licensed by Sentai Filmworks for release in North America. The opening song is "Friendship" by Ritsuko Okazaki and the ending theme is "Slow Dance" by Suneohair. The limited edition of the eleventh manga volume, released on July 24, 2013, was bundled with an original animation DVD (OAD).

Say I Love You is classed in the genre romantic comedy anime and manga. Classed in the genre slice of life anime and manga. Associated with Japan.