Kasukabe Hayato returns from Tokyo to his hometown following the death of his grandmother, Sachiko, who raised him. He has inherited the Familia Café Terrace, the café she ran, but has no intention of continuing the family business. Instead, he plans to demolish the building and construct a parking lot. However, upon arriving, he discovers that Sachiko had hired five beautiful girls to help run the café, and they still live there. Makuzawa Ouka, Hououji Akane, Tsukishima Riho, Ono Shiragiku, and Tsuruga Ami had formed a deep bond with Sachiko and strongly oppose Hayato’s plan.
As Hayato begins to recall the time he spent with his grandmother, he realizes how much she truly cared for him—more than he had remembered. After a few days, he decides to take over the business and turn it into a thriving enterprise, with the help of the girls Sachiko had trusted.
Megami no Cafe Terrace (2023+) – Audiovisual Design
Video
The visual quality is quite high. The backgrounds are pleasing to the eye, and the character designs faithfully capture how they appear in the source material. Of course, it’s hard to replicate the way Seo Kouji draws his characters and the level of detail he achieves in his works. Close-ups of faces are particularly detailed, and the shading is impressive. While there are occasional moments where the animation could be critiqued, these instances are so rare that nitpicking them seems unwarranted.
Audio
The main cast includes several well-known names, such as Seto Asami, Waki Azumi, and Suzushiro Sayumi. Supporting and secondary characters are also voiced by prominent actors, including Uesaka Sumire, Takahashi Rie, Serizawa Yuu, Hanazawa Kana, Ueda Reina, Kitou Akari, and Katsuki Masako. That said, the less famous actors also delivered noteworthy performances—Aoki Ruriko as Ouka, for instance, was exceptional. Each character sounded exactly as I had imagined while reading the manga.
The soundtrack complements both the atmosphere of individual scenes and the overall visual presentation. However, it doesn’t stand out in a way that would make me want to revisit it after finishing the series.
Megami no Cafe Terrace (2023+) – Plot and Characters
Introduction
When I first heard that another work by my favorite mangaka, Seo Kouji, was getting an adaptation, I was skeptical. Almost every adaptation of his works has been a disaster. Essentially, only Suzuka received a decent adaptation, though it’s a shame it wasn’t complete. Every subsequent attempt to bring his stories to life has either misrepresented or oversimplified the source material. However, after the second season concluded, I decided to give this adaptation a chance. I’d seen plenty of positive feedback about it, including from people who had read the manga.
A Brief Overview of the Megami no Cafe Terrace (2023+)
Kasukabe Hayato returns to his hometown from Tokyo after the death of his grandmother, Sachiko, who raised him. Inheriting the Familia Café Terrace, he initially plans to demolish the building and build a parking lot. Upon arrival, he learns that Sachiko had hired five beautiful girls to run the café, and they are still living there. Makuzawa Ouka, Hououji Akane, Tsukishima Riho, Ono Shiragiku, and Tsuruga Ami had developed a strong bond with Sachiko and firmly oppose Hayato’s plans.
As Hayato starts to reminisce about his time with his grandmother, he realizes that she cared for him far more than he had remembered. After a few days, he decides to take over the business and, with the girls’ help, turn it into a flourishing café once again. The early days are tough, as Hayato’s more rigid approach to running the business contrasts with his grandmother’s style. However, he soon realizes that he has a lot to learn himself. Seeing his genuine effort, the girls willingly cooperate with him. Together, they reopen the Familia Café Terrace, carrying on Sachiko’s legacy.
What is the series about
Megami no Cafe Terrace hearkens back to the early 2000s trend of stories featuring one male protagonist living with multiple girls. However, what sets this title apart from classics like Love Hina, Mahoraba, and Ai Yori Aoshi is its unique main character. Kasukabe Hayato is direct and assertive yet possesses a soft heart, caring for the heroines in his own way. Over the course of its two available seasons, the series introduces a plethora of characters, each contributing meaningfully to the narrative.
What stands out is the depth of storytelling and characterization. The residents of Familia Café Terrace share strong, sometimes surprising, connections. Each character is given ample screen time, allowing the audience to delve into their pasts and familial backgrounds. The heroines’ distinct personalities are shaped by their individual upbringings, adding to their appeal and believability.
The hallmark of Seo Kouji’s storytelling style is unmistakable, with Megami no Cafe Terrace exuding the same charm found in his earlier works.
Seo Kouji leans more into fanservice in this series compared to his previous works. While his other manga included their fair share of such moments, Megami no Cafe Terrace undeniably features more. However, this is not a drawback—especially since the fanservice is integrated seamlessly into the plot and isn’t the sole focus. It enriches the viewing experience without detracting from the story.
It’s worth noting that the anime adaptation stays remarkably true to the source material, avoiding unnecessary censorship for a so-called modern audience. This fidelity is refreshing and appreciated by fans of the original manga.
Characters
Megami no Cafe Terrace is rich in supporting characters. If I were to write about every one of them, this already lengthy review would turn into an in-depth analysis and contain plenty of spoilers. Therefore, I will focus solely on the main traits of the primary characters.
Kasukabe Hayato
Kasukabe Hayato is not another shy and uncertain protagonist (although I’ve never particularly minded that type of character). On the contrary, his confidence sometimes borders on narcissism, and his uncompromising nature can often be overwhelming. What truly sets this character apart is how it breaks the common mold for protagonists of this genre. Hayato is fully aware of the feelings the café’s residents have for him but consciously prioritizes the promise he made to his late grandmother over them.
A particularly intriguing aspect of his character is the contrast between his seemingly cold demeanor and his warm heart. Raised by his grandmother, Sachiko, to whom he was deeply attached, he can be equally caring toward others, albeit in his own unusual way. His initially indifferent attitude toward running the café eventually transforms into genuine passion. This is where Seo Kouji’s hand is evident, crafting a protagonist who defies genre stereotypes without trying to reinvent the wheel.
Ono Shiragiku
Shiragiku is one of the girls I’d place at the top of my ranking. A twenty-year-old with dark green hair styled in a hime cut (one of my favorite hairstyles). She’s a childhood friend of the main character. Her father, a Michelin-starred chef, was a pupil of Hayato’s grandmother, creating another interesting link between the characters.
Shiragiku fits the archetype of a shy and modest heroine, but Seo Kouji gave her character an interesting quirk. Typically calm and helpful, she becomes an entirely different person under the influence of alcohol, almost to the point of being an exhibitionist. This aspect of her personality adds depth to her character and often leads to humorous situations, especially in her interactions with Hayato.
The story of her feelings for Hayato is fairly classic. One day during their childhood, he stood up for her during an unpleasant situation. This made her see him as her fairy-tale prince. She returned to Familia Café Terrace as an adult to follow in her father’s footsteps by learning from Sachiko while secretly hoping to reconnect with Hayato.
Tsukishima Riho
Riho is a character with an intriguing backstory. Beneath her flirtatious nature lies a history of personal drama. As a former child actress and the granddaughter of a famous actress from the Shouwa era, she has endured significant hardships related to the entertainment industry and her family’s disintegration.
On the surface, she exhibits typical tsundere traits—trying to deny her feelings for Hayato. However, she represents the modern tsundere archetype: initially aloof but quickly shifting from tsun to dere. At the same time, she is hardworking and competent in her duties. She is another heroine I’d place near the top of my ranking (which I’ll elaborate on later in the review).
Riho’s past has shaped her into someone who obsessively strives to prove herself useful and dependable to avoid rejection. Hayato helps her confront these fears, resulting in genuinely moving moments.
Makuzawa Ouka
Ouka represents an interesting take on the tsundere character type. She is a 19-year-old student studying fashion design. At first, she seems like yet another character with a sharp tongue and a cold attitude toward men. However, Seo Kouji once again approaches his characters creatively.
Ouka comes from a family of Tokyo U graduates but broke away from the family tradition to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. This showcases her strong will and determination to follow her passions.
What truly distinguishes this character is her role as the café’s moral guardian, a position that perfectly complements her personality type. Interestingly, Ouka embodies the more traditional tsundere archetype, which contrasts nicely with Riho’s modern interpretation. Hayato astutely observes that beneath her gruff exterior lies the most caring individual in the group. This is particularly evident in scenes where she defends her designs or ensures the café rules are followed—not out of malice but genuine concern for her family.
Hououji Akane
A 19-year-old vocalist and guitarist, Akane sports short, dyed blond hair and initially comes across as cool and aloof. Among the main heroines, her emotional maturity stands out, creating a stark contrast to the rebellious facade she displays at first. She prefers to observe and analyze situations rather than participate directly, a trait that enables her to notice problems others overlook.
A turning point for her character occurs during a confrontation with her mother, which Hayato also takes part in. This event sparks an internal transformation in Akane, changing her from an indecisive girl into someone certain of her goals and emotions. One outcome of her growth is that she is the first to openly express her feelings.
Unfortunately, she didn’t appeal to me personally. I know she has plenty of fans, but her cunning and scheming nature, combined with her single-minded pursuit of winning the protagonist’s heart, just doesn’t resonate with me.
Tsuruga Ami
Ami, a 17-year-old high school student, brings a lot of energy and innocent yet somewhat childish humor to the series. She often engages in comedic antics involving novelty glasses or masks, and her impulsiveness and naivety (she even attempts a Hadouken, believing it’s possible) create plenty of charmingly funny moments. Over time, however, this behavior can become a bit tiresome.
Once again, Seo Kouji surprised me by giving this trait a solid narrative foundation. Flashbacks featuring Ami in the second season provide context for her actions. The author balances these traits with her passion for karate and impressive athletic skills. Her dreams of being a justice enforcer frequently clash with her daily responsibilities, adding depth to her otherwise whimsical character.
My Heroine Ranking
I won’t elaborate too much here. This ranking reflects my personal preferences, combining both character traits and appearance:
Shiragiku = Riho > Ouka >>>>> Akane = Ami.
Choosing just one favorite heroine would be a significant challenge for me, and I probably won’t attempt it until the manga is completed.
Megami no Cafe Terrace (2023+) – Evaluation and Summary
I feared that another manga by Seo Kouji might suffer the same fate as Kimi no Iru Machi or Fuuka. Thankfully, I was very wrong. Both in terms of technical quality and content, the series is simply excellent.
This is a passion-driven adaptation, free from unnecessary censorship or pandering to a mythical modern audience. I sincerely hope that Tezuka Productions—or more precisely, the producers—will decide to complete Megami no Cafe Terrace in anime form and that news of a third season will surface soon. For now, I can confidently say this is a must-watch for fans of this genre and similar series mentioned earlier in the review.
Finalny werdykt
Final evaluation
Which translation do I recommend to watch Megami no Cafe Terrace?
- Crunchyroll (official) – Fortunately, the series was assigned to one of CR’s best translators (based on the translation style, as CR unfortunately does not provide the names of translators). I can wholeheartedly recommend the official translation.