TenPuru: No One Can Live on Loneliness Manga
TenPuru: No One Can Live on Loneliness (Manga)
Genre: Romantic Comedy / Harem
Japanese Title: てんぷる (Tenpuru); lit. ”Temple”
Year of Release: 2018 – 2026 (continues) (14 volumes)
Writer: Kimitake Yoshioka
Original Publisher: Kodansha (Eng.: Kodansha USA)
TV: TenPuru Anime Series 2023 (12 episodes & 2 OVAs)
Anime Movies: –
Facts: TenPuru: No One Can Live on Loneliness has seen decent success — surpassing one million copies in circulation by the end of 2021.
Setting
“TenPuru: No One Can Live on Loneliness” is primarily set within a temple, specifically a nunnery known as Minazuki Temple. The protagonist, Akemitsu Akagami, initially intends to become a monk to escape the legacy of his womanizing father. However, he discovers that the temple is inhabited by several attractive women, which complicates his aspiration to renounce worldly desires.
Plot
Akemitsu Akagami is resolved to distance himself from his father’s notorious reputation as a womanizer. Following an instance of love at first sight with Yuzuki Aoba, he decides to become a monk in an effort to purge his desires. Upon his arrival at the temple, he learns that it is, in fact, a nunnery and that his father is significantly indebted to it.
To settle this debt, Akemitsu undertakes various duties at the temple while striving to uphold his vow of celibacy. Despite his endeavors, he frequently finds himself enticed by the appealing women residing there, resulting in comedic and romantic scenarios. The story explores themes of love, desire, and personal development as Akemitsu navigates his emotions and obligations.
Main Characters
Akemitsu Akagami — Believing himself tainted by his womanizing father’s legacy, he becomes a monk at the male-only Mikazuki Temple only to discover a resident girl there; he ends up doing most of the temple’s work because his father owes a large debt.
Yuzuki Aoba — Seventeen and determined to become Mikazuki Temple’s next head priestess to prevent its closure; clumsy and earnest, she quickly attracts Akemitsu’s feelings and often finds herself in awkward, risqué situations.
Tsukuyo Aoba — Yuzuki’s younger sister who practices archery at school; calm and supportive in the siblings’ efforts to save the temple.
Kurage Aoba — The youngest Aoba sister with surprising insight; insecure about her developing body, she repeatedly proposes marriage to Akemitsu despite his rejections.
Mia Christoph — A foreign girl who fled her family for reasons similar to Akemitsu’s; traveling with her friend Kagura, she is unaware of her true paternal identity.
Kagura Baldwin — Mia’s loyal companion whose family serves the Christophs; outwardly helpful, she secretly works to elevate Mia’s status by manipulating situations around Akemitsu.
Kiki — Temporary caretaker of Mikazuki Temple who trains Akemitsu, Yuzuki, and Mia in priestly duties.
Nyagosuke — Kurage’s pet cat.
Tsukina Aoba — Head priestess of Ryukoku-ji Temple and mother to Yuzuki, Tsukuyo, and Kurage; the family’s spiritual leader.
