
Any guy who’s watched a harem anime before – one where a single male is surrounded by many women – has probably giggled to himself about what it would be like to be in a similar situation himself. Would it be nonstop abuse like in Love Hina? Would there be crazy love-triangles like in Tenchi Muyo?
Well one boy gets to find out for real! A former women’s high school in Yamagata Prefecture recently opened its doors to non-female students, and this month at the start of the new school year welcomed its first male student for the first time in its 118 year existence.
The high school in question is Tsuruoka-kita High School in Yamagata Prefecture. Out of the 160 students starting there as freshmen this month (due to the Japanese school year starting in April), 159 of them are girls. One of them is a boy.
▼ The first day probably looked something like this.
Technically the school has been open to boys for the past two years. In 2013 it underwent renovations to have male restrooms and changing areas installed, in order to accommodate male students. However, this year marks the first time any boys have actually entered the school as an official student. And by boys we mean one boy.
Since most high schools in Japan have entrance exams, it is possible that more boys tried to get into the school but simply failed the test. Whether or not the boy himself is glad that he did so well or terrified at the prospect of being the only male student in school is still up in the air. Reports of him walking into the opening ceremony as the only student in male uniform among a sea of sailor suits causing an eruption of applause and cheering show early promise though.
As expected, Japanese netizens had some things to say about all this:
“I think I’ve read this story in a manga before.”
“The harem fantasy is so good, but the reality is probably horrific.”
“So that means he’s stuck as the only guy in his whole class for the next three years (Japanese high school is three years long). Good luck, kid!”
“What bravery! I wonder if he’ll last all the way to graduation.”
“Is this a game anyone can join? If so I’m going to Yamagata right now!”
Only time will tell if this turns out to be a dream or nightmare come true for the harem high school boy. Chances are he will set a precedent for others to follow and it will all be fine, but let’s just hope that in the meantime he doesn’t accidentally stumble into the women’s hot spring, fall and land face-first in someone’s bosom, and then get comically punched out of a window. That might cause a nosebleed.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun via Itai News
Featured/top image: zerochan


How often do Japanese high school kids watch anime, and do boys and girls watch the same series?
Yamagata high school baseball team becomes Twitter sensation with their impeccable manners
Japanese high school boy wows netizens with his cute girl-next-door looks
Friend’s reaction to high school boy’s penchant for crossdressing is both unexpected and cute
Announcing the 2019 Junior and Senior High School Girls’ Buzzword Awards & 2020 predictions
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
How lucky are the themed retro video game lucky bags from this shop in the Tokyo boonies?
Kitakyushu’s Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age Ceremony: Where new adults go wild with outlandish kimono
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
13 Japanese teen boys caught peeping into girls’ hot spring bath during class trip
Second-year Japanese high school student creates amazingly realistic dioramas
High schooler “forced” to quit school sues Kumamoto prefecture for a single yen
Japanese teacher punches high school boy in the face, social media is still on his side【Video】
Japanese college students share four ways anime high school is different from real high school
Female high school students continue to be banned on baseball field at Koshien Stadium in Japan
American English teacher fired from Japanese high school after exposing genitals
Japanese school renames boys, girls uniforms as “Type I” and “Type II” in gender identity reform
Tokyo schoolboy assumes other boy’s identity for six months, attends classes at top high school
How many favorite voice actors do Japanese high school kids have and who are they?
Life imitating anime: Japanese people tell us about their most “anime” moments
All-boys’ high school in Japan has mandatory grooming lesson, teaches about skincare, hairstyling
Real-life high school from Kyoto Animation’s Sound! Euphonium wins gold medal at band competition
Fruits Basket and Ouran Host Club, two of the best reverse harem manga, going free-to-read online
Japanese high school genius creates incredible 4-minute stop motion movie 【Video】
Leave a Reply