is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eri Ejima. It follows a group of high school girls who secretly play fighting games together at a prestigious academy where video games are forbidden. The manga has been serialized in Media Factory's manga magazine Monthly Comic Flapper since January 2020, and is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.
A live-action web drama adaptation aired from May to July 2023. An anime television series adaptation produced by Diomedéa aired from July to September 2026. The adaptations feature real life fighting games and brands in place of the original ones created for the manga, most prominently Capcom's Street Fighter series.
Plot Aya Mitsuki and Mio Yorue are high school students who attend Kuromi Girls' Academy, a prestigious all-girl school where video games are banned. Despite this, they discover that they are both avid fans of fighting games, and begin playing together in secret. The series follows the two as they bond through their rivalry and improve their skills, finding others who share their passion and entering tournaments, all while keeping their activities hidden from the academy's disciplinary committee.
Characters
A common girl who received entry into Kuromi Girls Academy via a scholarship. Aya has played fighting games since elementary school, but gave them up to attend Kuromi. Her passion is reignited upon meeting Mio, who has her own secret love of fighting games. Aya specializes in fast characters who are good at rushdown. In the live-action and anime adaptations, she mains Cammy in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6 respectively.
The most popular girl at Kuromi Girls Academy, known as due to her elegance and beauty. Behind this persona, however, she is a ruthless hardcore gamer who is passionate for extreme competition. She is drawn to the main characters of fighting games when she plays. In the live-action and anime adaptations, she mains Ryu in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6 respectively.
A fun loving student and member of Kuromi's dorm disciplinary committee. She has loved fighting games since childhood. As such, she gets drawn to the girls playing. In the live-action and anime adaptations, she mains Ken in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6 respectively.
A strict member of the dorm disciplinary committee who hates to lose. She secretly practices fighting games in her room to impress her sister Hana. In the live-action and anime adaptations, she mains Juri in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6 respectively.
An ill-tempered elementary school student who devotes all her time to playing fighting games under the alias "Lesser Devil". She looks down on others who play casually or with friends. In the live-action and anime adaptations, she mains Guile in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6 respectively.
The stoic vice-chairwoman of the dorm disciplinary committee and a fighting game player who goes by "Bloody Macaron". She is Tamaki's older sister and treats her with scorn. In the anime adaptation, she mains A.K.I. in Street Fighter 6.
The student council president and chairwoman of the dorm disciplinary committee. She is Arisa's older sister and frequently dotes on her.
Aya's dorm roommate at Kuromi. She mistakenly believes Aya and Mio are dating and is supportive of the perceived relationship.
A high-ranking professional fighting game player for the Tokyo Kobushi Gaming team. He has an intimidating appearance, resembling a biker gang member. In the anime adaptation, he mains Chun-Li in Street Fighter 6.
A newer member of the Tokyo Kobushi Gaming team. His name is derived from "café au lait". He views Gekido as his rival, maining the same character in the games they play.
A professional gamer and livestreamer. He is a friend of Gekido who provides commentary over his matches.
A professional fighting game commentator. He provides commentary during the matches at the EXjp tournament, changed to EVO Japan in the anime adaptation.
Media Manga Written and illustrated by Eri Ejima, Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games has been serialized in Media Factory's manga magazine Monthly Comic Flapper since January 4, 2020, with eleven volumes were released as of July 2026. Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the manga for an English release.
Volumes
Drama A live-action web drama adaptation was announced on October 21, 2022. It was directed by Ryoma Ouchida and written by Anna Kawahara. The series was streamed on the Lemino streaming service from May 19 to July 7, 2023, and ran for eight episodes. Iron Senpai 4, the fictional fighting game featured in the manga, was replaced by in-game footage of Capcom's Street Fighter V in the adaptation.
Anime An anime adaptation was announced on January 21, 2021, which was later confirmed to be a television series produced by Diomedéa and directed by Shōta Ihata, with scripts written by Wataru Watari, characters designed by Mayuko Matsumoto, and music composed by Kana Hashiguchi. The series was originally scheduled to premiere in 2025, but was later delayed due to schedule adjustments of the various parties involved in production, and aired from July 7 to September 22, 2026, on AT-X and other networks. The opening theme song is , performed by Hanabie., while the ending theme song is "New Game", performed by Halca. Crunchyroll is streaming the series. Similar to the live-action series, the anime features in-game footage of Capcom's Street Fighter 6.
Episodes
Notes
References
External links