If you bookmark one spring opener this week, make it I Want to End This Love Game. Felix Film returns April 14, 2026 with 12 episodes locked in, and the early read is everything except ordinary.
The hook
In sixth grade, childhood friends Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura created a game with the objective to embarrass the other person by taking turns saying "I love you." Four years later, even as they are entering high school, the two are still trying to one-up the other and claim victory. However, as tender feelings begin to bloom in their hearts, the simple phrase has taken on new meaning beyond the rules of their game. With the passing of each day, the urge to become more than childhood friends grows—but both Yukiya and Miku resist making the first move, hesitant about what is in store once the game finally ends. Source readers already know the cliff this arc is walking off. Newcomers get the cleanest opening anywhere — the studio framed episode one for people who've never touched the web manga.
The hands on it
Felix Film's on the line, with Mainichi Broadcasting System, Movic, KlockWorx on the committee. Their recent ledger is the thing flagging this as more than spring filler — the storyboards on the opener show actual budget, not contractual minimum.
Where to catch it
Tuesdays at 23:00 (JST). Episode count: 12. Same-day simulcast windows are on the usual Western streamers — check your local Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, or Hulu listing for the timed slot.
Should you actually watch
7.28 from 7,148 early scores on MAL — useful context when the season hits saturation and watchlist trims become inevitable. Audience holding past week one usually means the source's emotional anchors are landing. Slot it. Worst case you drop it episode four with a story still worth telling someone about.