Akkun to Kanojo

My Sweet Tyrant

Characters

Non Katagiri

MAIN

Atsuhiro Kagari

MAIN

Masago Matsuo

MAIN

Chiho Kagari

MAIN

Yui Higano

SUPPORTING

Maya

SUPPORTING

Sara

SUPPORTING

Takumi Kubomora

SUPPORTING

Konagi Irie

SUPPORTING

Keita Kagari

SUPPORTING

Sakurako Kagari

SUPPORTING

My Sweet Tyrant Season 1: A Charming Dive into Tsundere Romance

My Sweet Tyrant (Japanese: Akkun to Kanojo, lit. “Akkun and His Girlfriend”), a romantic comedy anime adapted from Waka Kakitsubata’s manga, burst onto screens in 2018 with a unique blend of humor, heart, and classic anime tropes. Premiering on April 6 and running through September 21, 2018, the first season, produced by Yumeta Company, consists of 25 bite-sized episodes, each roughly three minutes long. Despite its short runtime, My Sweet Tyrant Season 1 delivers a surprisingly cohesive and endearing story that explores the quirky dynamics of a tsundere romance, making it a memorable addition to the rom-com genre. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes this season a delightful, blush-inducing experience.

Plot and Premise

At its core, My Sweet Tyrant follows the high school romance between Atsuhiro “Akkun” Kagari and Non “Nontan” Katagiri, childhood friends turned boyfriend and girlfriend. Akkun is the epitome of a tsundere—a character who masks deep affection with a prickly, aloof demeanor. He’s often harsh, spouting verbal jabs or acting cold toward Nontan, but behind this facade, he’s utterly infatuated, secretly tailing her, recording her voice, and collecting her photos like a lovesick stalker. Nontan, however, is unfazed by his abrasive behavior, finding his antics cute and understanding his true feelings. This dynamic forms the heart of the series, delivering comedic moments as Akkun struggles to balance his “tsun” (harsh) and “dere” (sweet) sides.

The show doesn’t limit itself to the main couple. It weaves in a colorful cast of supporting characters, including Akkun’s best friend Masago Matsuo, a game-obsessed otaku, and Akkun’s younger sister Chiho Kagari, a tsundere in her own right who adores Nontan in a platonic way. Other characters, like the cheerful Konagi Irie, who has a crush on her clueless teacher Takumi Kubomura, add layers of humor and variety to the narrative. The series follows their daily interactions, school life, and seasonal events, creating a lighthearted exploration of relationships and personal growth.

Characters: A Tsundere-Filled Ensemble

• Atsuhiro “Akkun” Kagari (Voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki): The titular “sweet tyrant,” Akkun is a dark blonde-haired high schooler whose tsundere nature defines the show. His harsh words and moody demeanor contrast hilariously with his obsessive devotion to Nontan, like when he skips school for days out of embarrassment after a rare affectionate gesture. His internal conflict between shyness and love makes him both relatable and comedic.
• Non “Nontan” Katagiri (Voiced by Ayaka Suwa): Nontan is the sweet, patient girlfriend who sees through Akkun’s tough exterior. Her obliviousness to his stalker-like tendencies and unwavering kindness make her a perfect foil, grounding the show’s absurdity with her genuine affection.
• Masago Matsuo (Voiced by Keisuke Ueda): Akkun’s dark-haired best friend, Matsuo is a laid-back gamer who often hangs out at Akkun’s house, much to Chiho’s annoyance. His awareness of Akkun’s and Chiho’s tsundere traits adds a layer of wry humor, and his budding connection with Chiiteral
• Chiho Kagari (Voiced by Arisa Kôri): Akkun’s eighth-grade sister, Chiho shares her brother’s tsundere personality but shows her “dere” side more openly with Nontan. Her growing feelings for Matsuo provide a subtle romantic subplot, adding depth to her character. Her ponytail and fiery attitude make her a standout, especially in later episodes where her development shines.
• Konagi Irie and Takumi Kubomura: This side pairing brings additional comedic flair, with Konagi’s oblivious crush on her teacher and Kubomura’s earnest attempts to understand his students, like when he asks Akkun to insult him to empathize with Nontan.

Structure and Style

One of the most distinctive aspects of My Sweet Tyrant Season 1 is its short-form format. Each episode, clocking in at around three minutes (with a 52-second opening theme), packs multiple scenarios into a tight timeframe, creating a fast-paced, vignette-style storytelling approach. This brevity can feel rushed—some viewers note difficulty keeping up with the rapid scene changes—but it allows the show to cover a wide range of scenarios, from everyday school moments to classic anime staples like beach trips, summer festivals, Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s shrine visits.

The animation, handled by Yumeta Company, is simple but effective, with bright colors and expressive character designs that amplify the comedic tone. The voice acting, particularly Suzuki’s portrayal of Akkun’s shifting moods and Suwa’s warm depiction of Nontan, enhances the emotional beats. The opening theme, while eating up a chunk of each episode’s runtime, is catchy and sets the playful mood.

Themes and Appeal

My Sweet Tyrant leans heavily into anime tropes, particularly the tsundere archetype, but it flips the script by making Akkun, the male lead, the tsundere—a refreshing twist, as this role is typically female. The show explores themes of vulnerability, young love, and self-expression, as Akkun grapples with his embarrassment over affectionate acts. Nontan’s acceptance of his quirks highlights a relationship built on understanding, making their dynamic heartwarming despite its comedic exaggeration.

The series also excels at world-building within its constraints. Episodes cover a variety of settings—school, festivals, the beach, and even Akkun’s home—while introducing family dynamics and side characters’ arcs, like Chiho’s evolving feelings for Matsuo or Konagi’s crush on Kubomura. These elements create a sense of progression, with later episodes delving into Akkun and Nontan’s past and how their nicknames originated, adding depth to their bond.

Reception and Critique

My Sweet Tyrant Season 1 has a mixed but generally positive reception, with a 6.4/10 rating on IMDb and a “Decent” rating on Anime News Network (5.703 arithmetic mean). Fans praise its humor and character development, with Chiho often cited as a standout for her relatable growth and vivid design, especially in the second half. However, the short episode length is a common critique, with some viewers feeling the rapid pacing and brief runtime (effectively two minutes after the opening) make it hard to fully process each episode’s content. Comparisons to other short-form anime like Wakakozake note that My Sweet Tyrant squeezes in more scenarios per episode, which can feel chaotic but also keeps the energy high.

Where to Watch

The series is available for streaming on platforms like Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Prime Video, and YouTube TV (with a free trial option). As of June 2025, there are no free streaming options in India, but viewers can check for updates via services like JustWatch or try free trials on Prime Video.

Final Thoughts

My Sweet Tyrant Season 1 is a delightful, if frenetic, rom-com that packs a surprising amount of heart and humor into its micro-episodes. Its exploration of a male tsundere, combined with a lovable cast and a parade of anime tropes, makes it a fun, light watch for fans of the genre. While the short runtime can feel limiting, it’s a testament to the show’s charm that it builds a compelling world and relationships in such brief bursts. Whether you’re drawn to Akkun’s over-the-top devotion or Chiho’s fiery charm, this season is bound to leave you smiling—and maybe blushing a little, too.

For those eager to dive in, My Sweet Tyrant is a quick binge that delivers laughs and warmth in equal measure. Check it out on Crunchyroll or Prime Video, and let Akkun and Nontan’s quirky love story win you over