Too Many Losing Heroines creator reveals the inspiration behind the series

Modified Nov 28, 2024 15:30 GMT

Too Many Losing Heroines creator reveals the inspiration behind the series (Image via A-1 Pictures, TRIGGER, and CloverWorks)

Too Many Losing Heroines was one of the most memorable and unique rom-coms from the 2024 batch of anime series. The series utilized a popular anime trope and took it to another level while centering its entire plotline around it. While speculating the inspiration behind such a great anime might be hard, it was actually inspired by an anime.

In a recent interview to commemorate the release of a guidebook, the series' author, Takibi Amamori, unveiled the inspiration behind his magnum opus, which was the famous mecha-romance Darling in the Franxx, more specifically, Ichigo. Fans may know that Ichigo lost in romance to Zero Two. The author took this concept, diversified it, and created one of the best rom-com light novel series.

Too Many Losing Heroines: Discovering the inspiration behind the rom-com light novel series

Yanami Anna as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! is an annual guidebook that features the most popular light novels. In its 2025 edition, it highlighted the most popular light novels of the previous year, and some recognizable names made it to the list. However, the spotlight of this guidebook went toward To Many Losing Heroines (written by Takibi Amamori and illustrated by Muru Imigi).

Out of the 6 categories, the light novel series ranked the top in 3: The most popular light novel series, the most popular protagonist (Kazuhiko Nuzumiku), and the most popular illustrator (Muru Imigi). Moreover, the guidebook also featured an interview with the series' author, and things got interesting when the Takibi Amamori disclosed the inspiration behind his magnum opus.

When asked if a specific work inspired his light novel series, the author replied with the story of Ichigo from Darling in the Franxx. Ichigo was the childhood friend of the male protagonist, Hiro, and someone who saw Hiro as a potential love interest. However, in the last part of the series, she was outdone by the female protagonist, Zero Two, and lost in her battle of romance.

Ichigo as seen in the anime (Image via TRIGGER and CloverWorks)

According to Takibi Amamori, Ichigo's elements of a losing heroine inspired the light novel author to write a series where the childhood friend would win. However, making the childhood friend win would mean the loss of another heroine. Hence, the author decided to dedicate an entire series to losing heroines and wrote Too Many Losing Heroines.

Indeed, the series became a hit and even received a TV anime adaptation during the Summer 2024 Anime Season, produced by A-1 Pictures. The anime series was known for its Shinkai-like animation and a plot that was nothing short of unique.

Final thoughts

Karen and Zero Two as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures, TRIGGER, and CloverWorks)

When looked closely, it is surprising how the fans never debunked the similarities between Takibi Amamori's magnum opus and Darling in the Franxx. Just like Ichigo from the latter series, Yanami Anna had similar hair. Moreover, just like Zero Two (who outclassed Ichigo), Karen Himemiya also had pink hair (who outclassed Yanami Anna).

Moreover, the author didn't just grab a concept and use it as a hard and fast plotline. He diversified it as childhood friends were also seen as losing heroines in Takibi Amamori's series (how Yakishio Lemon lost her childhood friend, Mitsuki Ayano, to another girl).

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Edited by Rachith Rao