This rom-com anime ruined the nights of many anime lovers, and thankfully, there's no sequel

Rom-com anime typically delivers a smile, enjoyable, lighthearted twists, and some special moments that viewers can carry with them long after their screens turn dark. They provide escape, charm, and occasionally, emotional punch—but rarely do they leave viewers stunned or disturbed. Most rom-com anime fall into normal, expected patterns, bringing the viewer familiarity and warmth.

But then there is School Days. What starts as a common high school romance takes a dark turn with surprising ferocity, leaving many fans shocked, distraught, and some unable to sleep. Its reputation spread like wildfire throughout the anime community. Though some fans appreciated School Days' serialized boldness, many were happy to hear there would not be a sequel.

Disclaimer: The article reflects the opinion of the writer.

How School Days ruined the nights of many anime lovers, despite being a rom-com anime, explained

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Many anime fans had their nights ruined by School Days, as it completely subverted the expectations established in its rom-com premise. School Days began much in the way one would expect a normal high school love triangle to behave: the shy young boy, Makoto Itou, develops a crush on Kotonoha Katsura, leading to flirtation and a romantic relationship, with her friend Sekai Saionji's help.

The animation, music, and tone conveyed a comedic, somewhat dramatic teenage romance. However, underneath that surface, darker themes of jealousy and obsession began to develop, and School Days never turned back to a rom-com anime.

Makoto, the protagonist, quickly becomes manipulative, selfish, and emotionally detached from his relationships. Instead of focusing on a central rom-com relationship, he begins hanging out with multiple girls and exhibits no remorse, becoming arguably one of the most hated characters in anime.

The romantic conflicts quickly shed any pretense of romantic entanglements and turn into negative emotions: jealousy, obsession, and betrayal.

Katsura Kotonoha as seen in anime (Image via TNK)

What made people truly uncomfortable was how the characters evolved over time. Kotonoha, whom viewers first meet as the sweet and shy girl, ends up mentally unstable due to Makoto ruining her. Sekai, who initially helps Makoto, finds herself hurt and lost.

The show takes deliberate time with its pacing, uses manipulation, psychological and otherwise, pushes its relationships, and makes dark turns throughout, behind the backdrop of a rom-com. The growing dread is a complete opposition to the genre in which the show marketed itself. People felt deceived by the show. This was why they were frustrated.

But the final blow is the ending. It goes so far beyond what someone would expect from a rom-com anime. Violence, deaths, and disturbing scenes without the context that many viewers associated with the anime's first half made it impossible to forget.

This authorship choice of changing the tone so drastically, at least the last few episodes, confused people, frustrated them, and left them with a range of feelings from emotionally drained to mad. Across forums, nearly all exploded with disbelief and regret after having a moment to think and connect with the viewing experience. Others reportedly said they couldn't sleep after the show.

School Days wasn’t merely surprised—it intentionally messed with audience trust. The betrayal of rom-com anime genre expectations, the central character's moral detachment, and the brutal conclusion all created a kind of emotional whiplash. It is still remembered years later not for its love story, but how thoroughly it mopped the floor with what fans thought they were in for.

Final thoughts

School Days made a mark on the rom-com anime landscape by morphing something familiar into something horrifying. What fans thought would be a cute, lighthearted story became a psychological breakdown that very few people saw coming.

Its emotional manipulation, dark character arcs, and infamous conclusion made sure it was unforgettable, for all the wrong reasons. Some say it was brave, but most people remember it with discomfort and anger.

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About the author

Mudassir is an anime writer at Sportskeeda with 2.5 years of professional experience reporting on various developments in the industry. A data science enthusiast, Mudassir is currently pursuing a BCA, although his passion for anime and desire to connect with fellow fans pushed him to his current role. Mudassir's interest in anime and manga was piqued by the iconic Death Note series, with its intriguing premise and captivating characters prompting him to explore the genre and eventually write about the rich narratives and themes they had to offer.

Mudassir feels deeply connected with the works of mangakas Isayama sensei, Oda sensei, and Toriyama sensei, and he respects their creativity, storytelling abilities, and profound impact on millions of fans worldwide.

Mudassir ensures accuracy in his reportage by researching thoroughly, staying updated with Reddit forums and official sources, and citing transparently. Furthermore, he upholds privacy, avoids misinformation, and maintains objectivity while covering anime news.

When he is not watching anime or writing, Mudassir likes to read non-fiction and play games, as well as spend time outdoors and explore new places.

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Edited by Riya Peter