Kara Dennison
April 14, 2025 
Next year, harem rom-com manga Tune In to the Midnight Heart is getting an anime adaptation. Fortunately for curious fans, Kodansha will be releasing the manga in English next month! And we’ve got an early look at the first volume.
Join us as we dive into the story of a boy searching for his lost love. The good news is, she’s right in front of him. The bad news is, she could be any of four girls in his school’s new broadcasting club!
The Setup
Tune In to the Midnight Heart focuses on Arisu Yamabuki, a perfectionist from an esteemed family. His all-boys high school has just merged with a local all-girls high school. And according to Yamabuki, he’s looking for a girlfriend. But that’s not strictly the truth. Yes, he’s looking for a girl. But a specific one. Whom he knows only by voice.
Several years prior, Yamabuki listened to a webcast hosted by a girl known only as “Apollo.” He was often her only listener, and he fell in love with her from afar. Now, with this merging of schools, he’s certain he’s found her. Sort of. She’s one of four girls in the school’s broadcast club. And it really could be any of them.
Meet the Girls
Four girls also star in Tune In to the Midnight Heart. And between their career goals and respective vocal talents, any of them could be Apollo. Student council VP Shinobu aims to be an announcer. The shy Iko wants to be a VTuber. The outgoing Rikka has plans to become a singer. And the manga-loving Nene aspires to be a voice actress. All four of these paths are careers Apollo has considered. And at least one aspect of each girl’s vocal delivery is a match for Apollo.
To get closer to all four and find out who’s who, Yamabuki volunteers to underwrite the club. Not only will he pay for their equipment, he’ll also set them on the path to success. With close observation, he hopes to unmask Apollo. But Apollo recognizes him. She knows who he is, and she loves him too. But, at least for now, she keeps her secret.
A Secret Romance
Tune In to the Midnight Heart has a lot in common with The Quintessential Quintuplets right off the bat. While our male protagonist is in a harem situation, only one of these girls is the one he’s looking for. Motivations aside, he is going out of his way to help them succeed and grow in their chosen fields. And, as we see at the end of Volume 1, this story is told in flashback. Apollo and Yamabuki will get together. Someday.
This is a very cute series, even if Yamabuki does start off pretty irritating. He’s got the potential to grow, as we see even in these early chapters. And readers who are less into traditional harem narratives might find themselves enjoying this one. After all, it’s not so much about one guy getting fawned over pointlessly. Rather, the couple exists. It’s just a matter of finding it. The manga hails from Masakuni Igarashi, who also wrote Senryu Girl. That genuine earnestness and sweetness carries over, even under a “harem” label.
