We Never Learn: A Comprehensive Overview of Plot, Characters, and Themes

We Never Learn, also known as Bokuben, is a Japanese manga and anime series that blends the genres of romantic comedy and harem. Created by Taishi Tsutsui, the series gained popularity for its focus on character interactions, relatable themes, and a unique approach to the harem genre. This article delves into the plot, key characters, and underlying themes that make We Never Learn a compelling and enjoyable series.

Introduction: The Premise

The story centers around Nariyuki Yuiga, a diligent and hardworking high school senior from a poor family. To secure a special VIP nomination, a scholarship that waives all future university tuition fees, Nariyuki is tasked with tutoring three female geniuses in subjects they are weak in. This sets the stage for a series of comedic and heartwarming interactions as Nariyuki navigates the challenges of teaching and the complexities of burgeoning romantic feelings.

The Core Characters

We Never Learn boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities, aspirations, and struggles.

Nariyuki Yuiga

Nariyuki is the protagonist of the series, driven by a strong sense of responsibility towards his family. His dedication to his studies is inspired by his late father. He is not the typical bland harem protagonist; he has a defined personality and a commendable sense of responsibility. Despite finding himself in embarrassing situations, he steps forward in admirable ways.

Fumino Furuhashi

Fumino is a third-year student and a genius in the fields of humanities and social sciences. However, she dreams of pursuing a degree in astronomy, despite her struggles with mathematics. Her strained relationship with her father, a university mathematics professor, adds depth to her character. With Nariyuki's support, they reconcile, and she develops feelings for him, though she initially tries to suppress them for the sake of her friends.

Rizu Ogata

Rizu is a third-year student and a genius in the fields of mathematics and science. However, she has difficulty understanding emotions, which inspires her to pursue a degree in psychology. She is passionate about board and card games, an interest fueled by gifts she received from her late grandmother.

Uruka Takemoto

Uruka is a third-year student and a swimming prodigy who dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete. Due to her poor academics, she is placed under Nariyuki's tutelage to improve her English skills. She has had a crush on Nariyuki since middle school, struggling to confess her feelings.

Mafuyu Kirisu

Mafuyu is a teacher at Ichinose Academy and Rizu and Fumino's first tutor. She initially believes that students should pursue paths that align with their natural talents but later changes her perspective after witnessing Nariyuki's positive impact on his students. She was formerly an aspiring figure skater and was inspired to pursue a career in teaching by Nariyuki's father.

Asumi Kominami

Asumi is an alumna of Ichinose Academy and a rōnin student, often mistaken for a middle school student due to her petite stature. She aspires to attend medical university to support her father's clinic, despite her struggles with science. She enjoys teasing Nariyuki, much to his embarrassment.

Plot Summary: Tutoring and Romantic Entanglements

The central plot of We Never Learn revolves around Nariyuki's efforts to tutor Fumino, Rizu, and Uruka, helping them overcome their academic weaknesses and achieve their university aspirations. As they spend time together, the girls develop romantic feelings for Nariyuki, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings, awkward situations, and heartfelt moments.

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Overcoming Weaknesses

Each of the three girls has personal reasons and conflicts surrounding their strengths and weaknesses. Fumino has the largest set of family problems to overcome, stemming from her strained relationship with her father after her mother's death. Rizu struggles with understanding emotions, while Uruka grapples with her academic shortcomings.

Harem Antics

As expected from a harem anime, the series features outlandish events that put Nariyuki in awkward and embarrassing situations. These scenarios often involve fan service and comedic elements, such as Nariyuki having to fill in for his mother at a lingerie store, where Fumino, Uruka, Rizu, and even Mafuyu happen to be shopping.

Character-Driven Humor

While the series incorporates fan service and comedic situations, it primarily focuses on the interactions among the different personalities and the personal problems each character faces. Nariyuki's interactions with each of the girls highlight different aspects of his personality. Fumino allows him to be sensitive and present, Rizu allows him to be a big brother, and Uruka allows him to relax in warm familiarity. Mafuyu represents the typical teen guy interest in older women, while Asumi plays the role of an older sister, offering advice and teasing Nariyuki.

Themes and Analysis

We Never Learn explores several themes that resonate with audiences, including:

Overcoming Personal Struggles

The series emphasizes the importance of overcoming personal struggles and pursuing one's dreams, even in the face of adversity. Each character has their own set of challenges, and their journey towards self-improvement is a central theme.

The Power of Connection

The relationships between Nariyuki and the girls highlight the power of connection and the importance of having someone who believes in you. Nariyuki's genuine care and support help the girls overcome their weaknesses and grow as individuals.

Challenging Gender Stereotypes

The series subverts traditional gender stereotypes by portraying female characters as intelligent, capable, and driven individuals with diverse interests and aspirations.

The Nature of Genius

We Never Learn questions the traditional definition of genius, suggesting that true intelligence lies not only in academic prowess but also in emotional awareness, empathy, and the ability to connect with others.

Denial and Self-Awareness

Nariyuki's cluelessness about romantic feelings, despite being surrounded by girls who are clearly interested in him, reflects a common experience of denial and self-doubt. The series suggests that people are often blind to what they offer others and may misread or dismiss signals of affection.

The Manga and Anime Adaptations

We Never Learn, written and illustrated by Taishi Tsutsui, was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from February 2017 to December 2020. The individual chapters were collected and published in twenty-one tankōbon volumes.

An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Silver and Arvo Animation aired from April to June 2019, with a second season airing from October to December of the same year. The manga also spawned two light novel spin-offs released in 2019.

The Unique Ending

One of the most notable aspects of We Never Learn is its unique approach to the harem genre's ending. Instead of leaving the protagonist's romantic choice ambiguous, the series features five separate endings, each depicting Nariyuki ending up with one of the five main girls. The final chapter reveals a continuity where all the girls, including secondary characters, end up touching Nariyuki during the school festival, suggesting that the fireworks school legend was created by Nariyuki's late father.

Parallel Story Arcs

The series' last arc, the "Parallel Story" arc, features Nariyuki having endings with other characters in the series. Each ending focuses on the girl who Nariyuki encountered at the fireworks during the Ichinose School Festival.

The Ending with Fumino Furuhashi

In Fumino's ending, she falls on the way to the college entrance exam rather than Nariyuki. This deviation from the typical harem ending trope is a testament to the series' willingness to subvert expectations.

The Ending with Mafuyu Kirisu

In Mafuyu's ending, Nariyuki moves into the apartment next to Mafuyu's, and Nariyuki becomes her colleague after he starts teaching at Ichinose Academy.

The Ending with Asumi Kominami

Asumi's ending, which takes place several years later, sees her working as a resident doctor on a remote island. Nariyuki lands a job as a teacher on the same island and becomes her neighbor. After Nariyuki injures himself rescuing students, Asumi operates on him, solidifying her feelings. He proposes after his recovery.

Reception and Impact

We Never Learn has been well-received by audiences for its engaging characters, comedic moments, and heartwarming themes. The series has been praised for its unique approach to the harem genre, its focus on character development, and its willingness to challenge traditional tropes.

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