To Love Ru

To Love Ru is a Japanese manga series that blends sci-fi romance with slapstick comedy. Written by Saki Hasemi and illustrated by Kentaro Yabuki, it ran in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump from April 2006 to August 2009. The 18 tankobon volumes follow Rito Yuuki, a high school student whose life turns upside down when he meets Lala Satalin Deviluke, a runaway alien princess. After a series of mishaps, Rito finds himself accidentally engaged to Lala, which drags him into chaotic encounters with both human and alien girls, plus threats from Lala's would-be suitors. The title itself is a pun on the English words "trouble" and "love," hinting at the harem antics. Hasemi and Yabuki have admitted they pushed the boundaries of what's allowed in a shonen manga, especially with the heavy fan service.

A drama CD arrived in February 2008, featuring an original story and character songs. Xebec then produced a 26-episode anime series in 2008, followed by six OVAs and a 12-episode second season titled Motto To Love Ru (2009-2010). Four video games also launched across different platforms.

The story continues in To Love Ru Darkness, serialized in Jump Square from October 2010 to March 2017, collected into 18 volumes. This sequel focuses on darker themes and characters like Yami. Xebec adapted it into 10 OVAs and a 26-episode TV series between 2012 and 2017. Combined, the two manga series have over 16 million copies in circulation. [edit]