R-15 (あーるじゅうご, Āru Jūgo) is a Japanese light novel series written by Hiroyuki Fushimi and illustrated by Takuya Fujima. The first volume was published by Kadokawa Shoten in July 2009 and eight volumes have been released as of July 2011. A manga adaptation illustrated by Hayato Ōhashi started serialization in the June 2010 issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine. An anime TV series adaptation began airing in Japan in July 2011.
R-15 is about a boy, Taketo Akutagawa, who attends a school for geniuses: Inspiration Academy Private High School. Taketo is a genius novelist and writes erotica. Despite negative perceptions many people have of him, he aims to be at the top of his class and be recognized as the world's greatest writer.
In this series, most of the names of the characters have some connection to that particular characters' field of interest.
Taketo Akutagawa (芥川 丈途, Akutagawa Taketo)Voiced by: Aya GōdaA genius at writing erotic fiction. He is looked down upon by most of the other students, especially the girls who consider him a pervert. He also works on the academy's newspaper as a reporter and interviewer. He often gets
nosebleeds whenever he finds himself in a state of sexual arousal. As time passes by people's thoughts about him change and he attracts some admirers like Utae, Raika, and Fukune. Taketo's love interest is Fukune. The name Akutagawa can also mean "river of garbage", referring to the flood of erotic writing Taketo is producing when he is inspired.
Fukune Narukara (鳴唐 吹音, Narukara Fukune)Voiced by: Yurina FukuharaA genius clarinetist. She is a shy girl who forms a close relationship with Taketo after he attempts to interview her and helps her in times of need. Although she knows Taketo is an author, she does not know he writes erotic fiction. Fukune is an awkward person to talk to because she doesn't reply often. Fukune has a tendency to read things aloud whenever she sees them, even repeating what she hears while asleep. Fukune's father is also a famous clarinetist. She tries her best to live up to his expectations; she constantly practices, leaving little time to go out. This changes when she's with Taketo and she seems to develop feelings for him. Her given name "Fukune" means "sound of a wind instrument".
Raika Meiki (名機 来夏, Meiki Raika)Voiced by: Mana KomatsuA genius photographer. She often works with Taketo on the academy's newspaper. She likes taking photographs of Taketo during his most embarrassing moments. Because Taketo is her most useful model, she helps him in difficult situations so she can stay with him and take more photos. Raika also seems to have some kind of feelings for Taketo to the point that she doesn't mind Taketo thinking about her in a perverted way; she also stated that they're both ugly creatures and they would make a good match-up. Raika's given name is derived from
Leica, a brand of cameras.
Kurumi Kuroki (黒樹 繰美, Kuroki Kurumi)Voiced by: Yui ArigaThe Newspaper Circle Chief. She runs the academy's newspaper for which Taketo writes articles and Raika takes photos. She is a first-rate genius even by the standards at Inspiration Academy. She is normally seen protected by two bodyguards and wearing a latex uniform with her top open, exposing her breasts. The chief has a lot of secrets; secrets that should not be browsed by people because some things in this world should not be revealed.
Utae Sonokoe (園声 謡江, Sonokoe Utae)Voiced by: Nanami KashiyamaA genius
pop idol. She is one of the most popular girls in the academy. She is also one of the few people who does not mind Taketo's erotic writing, admiring the fact he works in a difficult genre. Utae harbors feelings for Taketo ever since he helped her overcome a problem. She tries to go on date with Taketo but failed because of her shyness that people might find out. Her name can also mean "sing with that voice".
Ran Musen (霧線 蘭, Musen Ran)Voiced by: Kayoko TsumitaA genius computer programmer. She looks down on Taketo the most out of all the students, often calling him a porno writer. With her skills she is able to hack into government satellites and computers. Ran's hacking abilities are so superior that she can hack anything. Ran is shown to be only interested in girls and hates Taketo, but this changes after Taketo helps rescue Fukune from Beni Botan. Her name means "wireless LAN". Musen means Wireless and Ran is as it sounds.
Tsukuru Kagaku (香学 創, Kagaku Tsukuru)Voiced by: Midori TsukimiyaA genius inventor. She is scientist who has invented several machines and devices; most of these malfunction in some capacity, usually causing Taketo chagrin. She is normally seen wearing a white lab coat. Her name means "building science".
Ritsu Enshū (円周 律, Enshū Ritsu)Voiced by: Madoka MurakamiA genius mathematician. He is Taketo's closest friend and the one who tries to defend Taketo's work. He often gets aroused when Taketo talks innocently during conversation. Taketo makes him calm down by getting him to recite
π. His name means
π in Japanese.
Botan Beni (紅 牡丹, Beni Botan)Voiced by: Iori NomizuA genius
avant-garde artist. She is known for painting people's bodies and using other students as her canvases. Her family name "Beni" means "crimson"; a pigment.
The R-15 light novels are written by Hiroyuki Fushimi, with illustrations by Takuya Fujima. The first volume was published in July 2009 under Kadokawa Shoten's Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint; as of July 1, 2011, eight volumes have been released.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Hayato Ōhashi began serialization in the June 2010 issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Shōnen Ace manga magazine. The first tankōbon volume was released on November 26, 2010; the third volume will be released on July 26, 2011. A four-panel comic strip spin-off manga titled Chima R-15 (ちまR-15) and illustrated by Nenga Ninomiya began serialization in volume one of Kadokawa Shoten's 4-koma Nano Ace magazine sold on March 9, 2011.
An anime TV series adaptation produced by AIC and directed by Munenori Nawa began airing in Japan on July 10, 2011, with opening theme "Maji Yaba Mōsō LOVE" (マジヤバもーそうLOVE♥) by R-15 and ending theme "HIRAMEKI! Peace (≧▽≦)v (HIRAMEKI！ピース(≧▽≦)v)" also by R-15. An OAD episode was released with the 10th novel volume on December 13, 2011.
