“This Art Club Has a Problem!” — A Wholesome, Clumsy Love Story Hidden Beneath Everyday Chaos

This Art Club Has a Problem! (Japanese title: Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru!) is a charming slice-of-life school comedy anime based on the manga by Imigimuru, which aired in 2016.
Affectionately known by fans as KonoBi, the series takes place in an ordinary middle school art club where extraordinary personalities collide.

The story’s biggest charm lies in Mizuki Usami, a hardworking and emotional girl who struggles with her crush on Subaru Uchimaki — a genius artist obsessed only with drawing his “perfect 2D waifu.”
Their cute, awkward, and hilariously mismatched dynamic creates a delightful blend of romance, frustration, and laughter.

With its vibrant art style, sharp humor, and endearing characters, This Art Club Has a Problem! captures the essence of youth — a mix of creativity, unspoken feelings, and everyday chaos in the art room.

During one afternoon in the school art club, Subaru Uchimaki asks Mizuki Usami to pose for him — sitting curled up on a chair for a sketch.
Embarrassed but secretly happy, Mizuki agrees… only to realize that Subaru’s focus is entirely on his art, not on her!

As their lively club president joins the scene, the art room becomes a place of laughter, misunderstandings, and unexpected warmth.

Between daydreams, doodles, and unrequited love, these quirky club members turn every day into a colorful masterpiece of comedy.

This Art Club Has a Problem! may look like a simple slice-of-life comedy at first glance, but beneath its lighthearted tone lies a surprisingly warm and sincere story about unrequited love, individuality, and growing up.

The series follows Subaru Uchimaki, a talented but eccentric artist obsessed with drawing his “perfect 2D waifu,” and Mizuki Usami, the only normal member of the art club who secretly loves him. Their interactions are full of misunderstandings, frustration, and laughter—but somehow, it all feels heartwarming and real.

Subaru is a caricature of the modern otaku dreamer—disinterested in real people, yet passionate about his art. But rather than ridiculing his obsession, the anime treats it as a form of creative devotion. His “ideal girl” isn’t an escape; it’s his pursuit of perfection.

Mizuki, meanwhile, embodies the opposite: grounded, sincere, and full of emotion. She blushes, worries, and overthinks every little thing Uchimaki says or doesn’t say. Her unguarded reactions—half embarrassment, half affection—make her one of the most endearing heroines in recent anime.

Their love never truly progresses, but that stasis becomes the charm of the show. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, the beauty of love lies not in its fulfillment, but in the moments we spend trying to reach it.

While the story is labeled a “romantic comedy,” it leans closer to the iyashikei (healing slice-of-life) genre. Each episode balances light humor with genuine emotion. The jokes never feel forced; they arise naturally from the characters’ quirks.

The supporting cast adds delightful color: the sleepy club president, the eccentric Colette, the chuunibyo genius Imari, and the slightly chaotic advisor Yumeko-sensei. Together, they form a dysfunctional yet lovable little family.

What makes the comedy so effective is Mizuki’s perfect timing—her sighs, her exasperated retorts, her subtle shifts in expression. She grounds the chaos, turning absurdity into warmth. The animation, handled with care, captures every nuance of her emotions.

The relationship between Uchimaki and Mizuki never “goes anywhere,” and that’s exactly what makes it special. The anime doesn’t rush toward confession or closure. Instead, it lingers in the sweet, awkward in-between—where every glance feels monumental, and every misunderstanding is both painful and funny.

Through Mizuki’s quiet persistence, the series captures the essence of young love: messy, uncertain, but deeply human. You root for her, even though you know the outcome won’t change. You laugh with her, feel for her, and remember your own clumsy adolescence.

This Art Club Has a Problem! is not a story about great drama or grand romance. It’s about small joys—the laugh shared between friends, the warmth of a crush, and the beauty of imperfection.

In a world full of intense stories, this anime is a gentle breeze. It reminds us that even if love doesn’t bloom, it can still brighten our days.

Spend an afternoon with Usami and her chaotic clubmates—you’ll find that this “problematic” art club has exactly what the world needs most: kindness, laughter, and a touch of innocent love.

• Mizuki Usami — Voiced by Ari Ozawa
• Subaru Uchimaki — Voiced by Yusuke Kobayashi
• Colette — Voiced by Sumire Uesaka
• Club President — Voiced by Kentaro Tone
• Maria Imari — Voiced by Nao Toyama
• Yumeko Tachibana — Voiced by Nana Mizuki

• Original Work: Imigimuru
• Director: Kei Oikawa
• Series Composition: Toshiki Arakawa
• Character Design: Mai Otsuka
• Music: Gin (BUSTED ROSE)
• Animation Studio: feel.

（C）2016 いみぎむる／ＫＡＤＯＫＡＷＡ　アスキー・メディアワークス刊／この美製作委員会

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