Osamake: Author Reveals Negative Impact of Anime Adaptation on Light Novel Sales
Shuichi Nimura, the author of the original light novel series Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy (Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won’t Lose), recently spoke out about the detrimental impact the anime adaptation had on the series’ sales.
Osamake: Author Reveals Negative Impact of Anime Adaptation on Light Novel Sales
The Osamake anime, produced by Doga Kobo (the studio behind Oshi no Ko), aired during Spring 2021. Right from the first episode, viewers pointed out issues such as poor animation quality. However, a dance scene in the third episode became infamous for its awkward execution, sparking widespread attention online.
This moment, nicknamed the “Osamake Dance,” quickly turned into a viral meme on Japanese social media, inspiring parodies and dance covers. While the meme increased the series’ visibility, it did not translate into commercial success. Instead, the anime’s release significantly hurt the light novel’s sales.
Drastic Decline in Light Novel Sales
In a detailed post on their X account on January 16, Nimura disclosed that the first edition of Osamake’s final volume performed poorly, selling less than a tenth of what the first volume achieved. The author acknowledged that sales typically slow after an anime adaptation airs, but in this case, sales plummeted drastically.
Before the anime, the light novels were on a steady upward trajectory, with 2-3 reprints each month. However, the release of the anime brought about an “extreme downward trend,” with reprints stopping altogether.
A Cautionary Tale for Other Authors
By sharing their experience, Nimura hopes to encourage other authors to be vigilant about who they entrust with their adaptations. Choosing the right studio, team, director, and producer is crucial to preserving the quality of their work.
The 13th and final volume of Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won’t Lose is scheduled for release on February 7.
Source: Você Sabia Anime