Marika's Love Meter Malfunction: Rin Komugi's Quirky Rom-Com Manga Secures AnimeFesta Adaptation for 2026

Anticipation is growing among fans of high school romantic comedy following the official announcement that Rin Komugi's highly regarded manga series, Marika's Love Meter Malfunction (Marika-chan wa Kōkando wa Bukkowareteiru), is being adapted into a television anime. AnimeFesta confirmed the news on November 20, 2025, stating that the adaptation is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2026. This project is designated as an AnimeFesta Original, continuing the streaming block’s established practice of animating popular, often short-form romantic manga. This strategy has been successfully applied to over 30 titles since the block's inception, previously operating under the names Anime Zone and ComicFesta Anime.

The Premise: A Broken Gauge of Affection

The narrative centers on Kanata Kitami, a profoundly shy and generally inconspicuous high school student who harbors deep, unexpressed feelings for his energetic childhood friend, Marika Chitose. In a classic romantic fantasy setup, Kanata makes a desperate wish upon a falling star, hoping to gain the ability to finally comprehend the complex emotions of the people around him. His wish is immediately granted, manifesting with consequences akin to a dating simulation game: he awakens to find he can now perceive floating 'love meters' above everyone’s heads.

This newfound power, however, quickly delivers a significant setback. While the meters of his other classmates fluctuate normally, the gauge representing Marika's affection is not merely low; it is registering the absolute minimum value possible, indicating a catastrophic malfunction or complete lack of romantic interest. Despite this crushing visual evidence of rejection, Marika consistently treats Kanata with genuine warmth and kindness. This contradiction forces the confused protagonist to question the reliability of his new ability and the true, potentially hidden, depth of her feelings. The story skillfully uses this central conflict to explore universal themes of youthful miscommunication, the inherent awkwardness of new romance, and the layers of emotion people often conceal behind their outward behavior, all presented with a consistently humorous and heartwarming tone.

Source Material and Release Details

The source material for the anime began online serialization in April 2024 via WWWave Comics under their specialized Trahison label. The manga is already accessible to international readers on digital platforms such as MangaPlaza and Coolmic. Recognizing the manga's growing popularity, publisher Suiseisha is preparing for the physical release, with the first two print volumes scheduled to be released simultaneously on April 17, 2026. Consistent with previous AnimeFesta productions, the adaptation is expected to retain the manga’s signature lighthearted style and will likely be presented as a short-form series, potentially including the subtle suggestive elements characteristic of the block, appealing to a broad audience of romantic comedy and slice-of-life anime enthusiasts.