There’s No Way a Side Character Like Me Could Be Popular, Right? (友人キャラの俺がモテまくるわけないだろ?, Yūjin Kyara no Ore ga Motemakuru Wakenai Daro?) is a Japanese romantic comedy light novel series written by Sekaiichi and illustrated by Tomari (first two volumes) and Tom Osabe (from third volume). The series was initially launched as a web novel on May 15, 2018, on Shōsetsuka ni Narō. Overlap released a revised version of the series with illustrations on July 25, 2019, under its Overlap Bunko imprint. The series began publishing in English by Tentai Books from May 29, 2020. A manga adaptation illustrated by Harumare began serialization in Ichijinsha‘s Manga 4-koma Palette magazine on February 22, 2021 before being moved to Ichijinplus on March 26, 2022.

Plot

Yuuki Tomoki, a second year high school student, is shunned by everyone because of his somewhat intimidating appearance with large scars under his eyes and strangely pale skin. One day, Touka Ike, the younger sister of Yuuji’s best friend, confessed to him when they hadn’t seen each other for long. Yuuji refused however Touka proposed a “fake lover” relationship to draw his brother’s attention to her.

The light novel series is written by Sekaiichi and illustrated by Tomari (first two volumes) and Tom Osabe (from third volume). The series was published as a web novel from May 15, 2018, on Shōsetsuka ni Narō. Overlap released an illustrated version on July 25, 2019, under its Overlap Bunko imprint. The English version was published by Tentai Books from May 29, 2020.

A manga adaptation illustrated by Harumare was serialized in Ichijinsha‘s Manga 4-koma Palette magazine from February 22, 2021 to February 22, 2022, and began serialization in Ichijinsha’s Ichijinplus manga website on March 26, 2022. Its manga chapters have been collected in a single tankōbon volume as of July 2021.

There’s No Way a Side Character Like Me Could Be Popular, Right?
Cover of light novel volume 1 published by Overlap
友人キャラの俺がモテまくるわけないだろ？ (Yūjin Kyara no Ore ga Motemakuru Wakenai Daro?)
Genre	Romantic comedy
Novel series
Written by	Sekaiichi
Published by	Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run	May 15, 2018 – present
Light novel
Written by	Sekaiichi
Illustrated by	Tomari (first 2 volumes) Tom Osabe (from volume 3)
Published by	Overlap
English publisher	NA Tentai Books
Imprint	Overlap Bunko
Demographic	Male
Original run	July 25, 2019 – present
Volumes	5 (List of volumes)
Manga
Written by	Sekaiichi
Illustrated by	Harumare
Published by	Ichijinsha
Magazine	Manga 4-koma Palette (February 22, 2021–February 22, 2022) Ichijinplus (March 26, 2022–present)
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	February 22, 2021 – present
Volumes	1 (List of volumes)