Tokimeki Tonight

Tokimeki Tonight
Cover of the 25th tankōbon volume
ときめきトゥナイト (Tokimeki Tunaito)
Genre	Romantic comedy, supernatural[1]
Manga
Written by	Koi Ikeno
Published by	Shueisha
Imprint	Ribon Mascot Comics
Magazine	Ribon
Original run	July 3, 1982 – October 3, 1994
Volumes	30
Anime television series
Directed by	Hiroshi Sasagawa
Music by	Kazuo Otani
Studio	Group TAC
Original network	NTV
Original run	October 7, 1982 – September 22, 1983
Episodes	34
Manga
Tokimeki Midnight
Written by	Koi Ikeno
Published by	Shueisha
Magazine	Cookie
Original run	2002 – 2009
Volumes	9
Manga
Tokimeki Tonight: Sore kara
Written by	Koi Ikeno
Published by	Shueisha
Magazine	Cookie
Original run	May 26, 2021 – present
Volumes	4

Tokimeki Tonight (Japanese: ときめきトゥナイト, Hepburn: Tokimeki Tunaito; lit. 'Exciting Tonight') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Koi Ikeno. It was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Ribon from July 1982 to October 1994 and became a huge commercial success. The manga series had a circulation of 30 million copies in total, making it one of the best-selling manga series.^[2] An anime television series directed by Hiroshi Sasagawa was adapted from the manga and was broadcast on Nippon Television from October 7, 1982, to September 22, 1983.

The story is structured in three parts, each focusing on one of the three main protagonists: Ranze Etō, Narumi Ichihashi, and Aira Makabe. It was published in a total of 31 volumes (30 volumes for the main story and a final volume titled Hoshi no Yukue or Where the Star Goes) and 16 volumes in bunkoban (compact paperback) format. Starting in November 2011, a new 12-volume edition (covering only Part 1) was released.

In its early stages, the story had strong gag comedy elements, but as the mystery surrounding the prince of the demon world became more involved in the plot, the comedic elements gradually lessened and the story adopted a more serious tone.

Even after the original series ended, extra side stories from Part 1 continued to be published about every year and a half (the Makabe couple's honeymoon and the Makabe family's return home belong to Part 2).

Additionally, beginning in 2002, a remake series titled Tokimeki Midnight—with significantly changed character names and settings—was serialized and concluded in 2009 with 9 volumes (6 in bunkoban format).

Since 2013, both a colorized digital version and the standard monochrome version have been available for download as e-books.^[3] As of March 2021, the total number of copies in circulation for the series, including digital editions, has surpassed 30 million.^[4]

On August 9, 2013, Tokimeki Tonight: Shun Makabe's Circumstances was released; on April 24, 2015, Tokimeki Tonight: Mōri Etō's Elopement; and on July 18, 2019, Tokimeki Tonight: Ranze Etō's Treasure Box. Tokimeki Tonight: Shun Makabe's Circumstances ranked 2nd in the 2014 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga is Amazing!) Women's Edition by Takarajimasha.

15-year-old Ranze Eto lives in an isolated castle in Japan with her werewolf mother, vampire father, and younger brother, Rinze. Despite her lineage, she has yet to demonstrate any special powers of her own, and her parents are worried she might be a normal girl. One day, Ranze's innate power finally manifests itself when she, quite by accident, discovers that she can change herself into a carbon copy of any object she bites, whether it be a person or an inanimate object like a piece of bread, and can return to her normal self only by sneezing. Her parents are overjoyed, but Ranze's new powers make it difficult to continue living life as a normal teenage girl.

On Ranze's first day at her new school in junior high, she meets and falls in love with the brash yet handsome young athlete, Shun Makabe. The chief problem with this is that Ranze's parents will not allow her to date a human - although there may be much more to Shun than meets the eye. On top of this, she also has a bitter rival in the pretty but spiteful Yoko Kamiya (the daughter of a yakuza boss) who also likes Shun and doesn't take kindly to Ranze's intruding on her turf.

Early Part of Part 1 – Akebono Junior High Arc (Volumes 1–4)

Ranze Eto (江藤蘭世) is a girl from the demon world, born to a vampire father and a werewolf mother. She's got a huge crush on her classmate, Shun Makabe (真壁俊). Using her natural ability to transform, she tries to get closer to him. But things don't go smoothly: she's constantly interrupted by Shun's childhood friend, Youko Kamiya (神谷曜子); warned by her parents not to fall for a human; and ends up living with a demon world prince named Aron (アロン), who's fallen head over heels for her at first sight.

Ranze keeps throwing herself at Shun, but he just says things like "I'm not really interested in girls right now," and keeps her at arm's length. She finds herself constantly butting heads with her rival Youko. Meanwhile, Aron, determined to win Ranze's heart, starts interfering—he sends out underlings from the demon world to act on his royal orders, brings in a succubus named Sari (サリ) to hypnotize Shun through dreams and make him fall for her, and so on. Ranze's love life is anything but easy.

Just as Ranze is swept up in her unrequited love, her parents receive an order from the Great King of the Demon World, Lord Redruf (レドルフ): "Find the lost prince who's supposed to be in the human world." The only clue? A star-shaped birthmark on his left arm.

Mid Part of Part 1 – Prince Reincarnation Arc (Volumes 4–7)

The search for the prince hits a wall. But then, Ranze's father Mori (望里), a struggling novelist, wins the Kontake Prize for his book Supermant, which quickly becomes a bestseller and is turned into a movie. The film's lead role requires a boy with a star-shaped mark on his left arm, and Keigo Tsutsui (筒井圭吾) is cast. He falls for Ranze instantly and actively pursues her. Youko, always scheming, spreads fake rumors that Ranze and Keigo are an item, and soon the media is all over them.

During their school's culture festival, Keigo falls from the stage and is taken to his family's hospital. While he's being treated, Ranze finds herself alone with Shun and finally confesses her feelings. Meanwhile, Ranze's little brother Rinze (鈴世) meets a hospitalized girl named Narumi Ichihashi (市橋なるみ), who suffers from a serious heart condition. She confides that she might not survive her surgery, but Rinze encourages her with kindness.

On Christmas Eve, Shun gives Ranze a star-shaped pendant, marking a major step in their relationship. But their happiness is cut short when a grim reaper named George (ジョルジュ) informs Ranze that Shun's name is on the death list for December 25, 1983. However, Shun doesn't die—he's reincarnated as a baby.

It's then revealed that Shun is the long-lost prince of the demon world. Because of a prophecy that he would bring about the destruction of the demon realm, the Great King now wants him eliminated. Determined to protect baby Shun and his mother, Queen Tana (ターナ), Ranze decides to flee with them.

With help from Aron and the grim reaper George, they escape, and Shun gradually grows. But before he's fully matured, Queen Tana is captured by the king. Shun returns to the demon world to rescue her, and in a fierce battle with the king, he miraculously regains his 16-year-old form. At that moment, the sun rises over the demon world—an unheard-of phenomenon—and the witch Mevious's (メヴィウス) crystal signals an omen of a new era. The misunderstanding that Shun was a harbinger of doom is finally cleared, and peace is made with the king.

Late Part of Part 1 – Resurrection of the Dark King Arc (Volumes 8–12)

Now officially recognized as the prince of the demon world, Shun returns to the human world to live with the Eto family. He and Ranze are now mutually in love. On Christmas, when Ranze asks, "How do you really feel about me?" Shun almost kisses her in response.

As they spend more time together, Shun becomes preoccupied with recurring strange dreams. Curious and worried, Ranze secretly enters his dream—only to be grabbed and captured by a mysterious voice calling out to Shun (later revealed to be the Dark King). When Shun wakes up, Ranze is left trapped alone in the dream world, wandering through a blank white space. Eventually, she stumbles into a dream belonging to a man named Dark Carlo (ダーク=カルロ)—who looks exactly like Shun.

It turns out Dark is a descendant of Jean Carlo (ジャン=カルロ), a demon prince from 2,000 years ago. Shun is Jean's reincarnation, and Ranze is the reincarnation of Jean's lover, Lanze Eturian (ランジェ=エトルリアン).

Meanwhile, back in the demon world, a legendary hero named Zone (ゾーン) has returned. But the truth is, Zone was actually the one who manipulated one of the twin princes into starting the ancient war—he is none other than the resurrected Dark King, Noze (ノーゼ).

Having learned the truth from Jean's old writings, Ranze and Shun set off to the underworld with help from their allies Mori, George, and Dark. They narrowly defeat the Dark King—but at great cost. Dark dies, and Shun loses all his demon powers. Now basically human, Shun leaves behind a letter in his room and disappears from Ranze's life, unaware that the Dark King has survived and is planning a second conquest.

Shun ends up in Romania, impersonating the gang leader Dark (due to their identical looks). Ranze finds him, but gets caught in a gang war with Dark Carlo's enemies. With help from the Eto family, Shun saves her and returns to Japan.

Volumes 12–15

Having defeated the Dark King—for now—Ranze, Shun, Aron, Aron's fiancée Phila (フィラ), and the ever-present Youko enroll at Saint Paulia High School, hoping to live normal lives. Shun starts a boxing club but breaks his right hand before a big match due to foul play from the rival team. Despite the injury, he wins the match as a human, without any demon powers.

Having made up his mind to live as a human, Shun tells Ranze goodbye. Heartbroken, she collapses and faints, and Shun kisses her before leaving. Later, she chooses to become human herself to follow him.

But the Dark King is gathering the five elemental stones needed to control the world. He believes Shun holds the Water Stone and ambushes him. Ranze, sensing danger, arrives just in time to save him. The two reconcile and share a passionate kiss.

Summoned to the heavenly realm, Ranze and Shun meet the gods and the original couple, Jean and Lanze. They are tasked with saving the world from the Dark King and regain their powers as demons.

Final Arc (Volumes 15–16)

Soon after, Aron withdraws from school to return to the demon world and claim the throne. At his farewell party, he reveals that to officially inherit the crown, he must retrieve a symbolic stone. With Shun and Ranze's help, he succeeds.

But the Dark King reappears at Aron's coronation, having secured four of the five stones. In a climactic battle, Shun and Ranze are protected by King Redruf—who is killed in the process. Furious at the loss of his father, Shun joins forces with Aron to challenge the Dark King.

Just then, Ranze steps between them and the Dark King—and the Goddess of Life (生命の神) appears, bringing an end to the Dark King once and for all. Ranze's selfless love becomes the key that finally brings peace to the demon world.

Volumes 17–22

Narumi Ichihashi (市橋なるみ), a human girl, had been in love with Rinze (鈴世), Ranze's younger brother, ever since they were children.

After drinking tea made from a flower bouquet she received at Ranze and Shun's wedding, Narumi unexpectedly awakens supernatural powers. Around the same time, Rinze suddenly falls into a coma. Though he recovers thanks to the power of the Moon Tear, a mischievous plan by the spirit of the Moon Flower, Chipple (チップル), temporarily causes Rinze to develop a second personality—though he eventually returns to normal.

Meanwhile, a popular idol named Futaba Anzai (安西二葉) transfers to their school and quickly takes an interest in Rinze. Soon, reporters and media crowd the school and their surroundings. A photographer trying to get candid shots of Futaba ends up capturing some very strange images of Rinze—ones that either show a wolf or fail to show him at all. These photos catch the attention of a paranormal research institute. Realizing Rinze isn't human, they plot to use his powers for world domination.

Using the media and other means, the researchers corner Rinze and the others, and eventually, the truth about their inhuman nature is exposed to the public. To protect themselves, Rinze and his group erase the memories of all humans—except for Narumi—and return to the demon world.

Later, they return to the human world on a new mission: to track down someone connected to the "other world"—a mysterious realm that had been revealed due to abnormalities in the Moon Flower. The people they're looking for turn out to be Chipple and Mana (マナ), Narumi's stepsister. It's discovered that both are members of the royal family of the white fairies from the fairy realm.

Narumi and the others face off against the black fairies, who had once destroyed the white fairies. During the battle, Rinze takes a magical hit from their king, Dusa (ドゥーサ), to protect everyone. As a result, he loses all memories of Narumi.

Upon awakening, Rinze is deemed worthy to be the next king and becomes engaged to Princess Coco (ココ). But Rinze's unstable state begins to affect not just the demon and human worlds, but the entire planet. In the end, through Narumi's unwavering love, Rinze regains his memories and once again confronts the black fairies in battle.

Bonus Story

After the final battle, Narumi and the others advance to high school, just as the first semester is about to end. One day during lunch, Futaba reveals to the group that she'll soon begin filming a movie in which she stars. The plot involves aliens—but Futaba herself doesn't actually believe in UFOs.

Once summer break begins, filming kicks off. On location, Futaba is hit on by her co-star—a notorious playboy known for stealing kisses from every actress he works with. One night while out on a walk, Futaba is suddenly engulfed in a blinding light. Terrified that she's being abducted by aliens, she's shocked to instead meet a girl who looks exactly like her—an alien.

Futaba explains her situation and how demanding her job is, but the alien girl offers to help by transforming into her and handling the filming herself.

So the alien girl, now disguised as Futaba, returns to the inn at the filming location. Unaware of the swap, the playboy co-star makes a move on her—only to get punched in the face with brutal force. Furious, he screams, "I'm gonna sue you for assault!" But the alien girl fires back, "If you do something like that, I'll get pregnant!!" Because on her planet, kissing is equivalent to reproduction.

The entire production staff, who had witnessed the chaos, is thrown into panic.

The next day, the entertainment news explodes: "Futaba Anzai Assaults Co-Star!" Meanwhile, a boy named Kota Aoyagi (青柳幸太) is watching the news at home, stunned. He'd secretly been a huge fan of Futaba for a long time. Outraged at the co-star, he's even more shocked to learn the man had his teeth knocked out in the incident.

After the co-star quits, a new actor is cast, and filming resumes. The big scene involves the heroine defeating multiple villains with laser-eyed intensity. Kota, worried for Futaba, visits the set—only to instantly feel something's off. That's not the Futaba I know, he thinks.

Just then, the real Futaba shows up, and Kota confronts her: "You're hiding something, aren't you?" Though she tries to explain, Futaba herself doesn't believe in aliens, so Kota is left only half-convinced.

During a break, the disguised alien Futaba is called over by the director, who notices she's acting strangely. Suddenly, a suspicious man attacks her, slashing her arm. Staff tackle and unmask the attacker—it's the disgraced former co-star. When they try to treat the alien girl's injury and roll up her sleeve, blue blood spills out.

She's rushed to the hospital, but while asleep, her transformation wears off, revealing her true identity. The doctors are stunned. Later, Futaba sneaks into the hospital and helps the alien girl escape. When the medical team finds "Futaba" still in bed, they're even more confused.

The next morning, tabloids scream: "Is Futaba Anzai an Alien!?"

Sometime later, a concert is held to coincide with the film's release. Narumi and her friends are in the audience. As Futaba sings, a massive spaceship suddenly appears and beams up both Futaba and Kota.

Onboard, they meet aliens who look just like them. Kota confesses his love to Futaba, and the two share a kiss.

When they return to Earth, they're met by headlines blaring: "Alien Rumors Strike Again!" "Secret Romance Exposed!"

Volumes 23–30

On the day Ranze and Shun's daughter Aira Makabe (真壁愛良) was born, a legendary prophecy flower—one that only blooms once every thousand years—blossomed. The flower declared, "This girl will bring love to all living things and save the world." Aira was born holding a radiant, rainbow-colored gem.

Once Aira began attending kindergarten, the powers foretold by the prophecy began to emerge. When she cried, it rained; when she laughed, everyone around her felt peaceful and happy. Not long after, Narumi began working as a teacher at Aira's kindergarten. On the surface, she and Rinze —now an elementary school teacher—seemed to be living happily together. But Narumi's name appeared on a death list held by a shinigami. Her previously treated heart condition had returned. When Narumi collapsed at school and was hospitalized, Rinze proposed to her, vowing, "We'll live together no matter what." Through the combined powers of Aira and Rinze, Narumi's life was saved—but Rinze became fully human in the process.

One day, Aira encountered a mysterious boy named Kairiku Minakami (水上開陸), who possessed a pendant identical to hers. Several years passed, and by the time Aira was in third grade, she awakened a new magical power. A powerful sorceress named Mevious (メヴィウス)' proclaimed that Aira would one day become the Grand Witch of the demon world and began training her.

During this time, Aira had a dream where she met Kairiku again—he was imprisoned in a place known as the "Void Realm," a dimension from which no one ever returns. He was trapped there along with his father and sister. Though he was a demon, Kairiku harbored hatred for his own kind due to this traumatic experience. Wanting to uncover the truth, Aira journeyed to the demon world with her older brother Taku Makabe (真壁卓).

They discovered that Kairiku's father was Aldo (アルド), a royal advisor wrongfully imprisoned for allegedly attempting to assassinate the then Prince Redruf (Shun's father and the former king). Opening a portal to the past, Aira learned the truth and cleared Aldo's name. Though their names were cleared, Kairiku and his family chose not to return to the demon world and instead moved overseas. Aira and Kairiku parted with a promise to meet again.

When Aira entered middle school, she met Akimizu Shinjo (新庄彬水), the coach of Taku's soccer team. They initially clashed, but Aira gradually found herself falling for him. However, as a witch, she was forbidden from falling in love—doing so would destabilize her magical powers. Despite Mevious's warnings, Aira couldn't accept the rule.

Meanwhile, Princess Coco struggled with her feelings for Taku and came to visit the Makabe household to clear the air. Neither of them could be honest, and when Coco ran off, Taku chased after her—only for her to collapse. Taku and Aira entered her dreams to save her and found Coco trapped in ice. Taku desperately tried to melt the ice but failed. Only when he cried and admitted he should've been honest from the beginning did the ice break. When Coco woke up, Taku confessed his love.

Refusing to accept the bonds between Coco and Taku, or Aira and Akimizu, Mevious confronted Aira. But Aira, having fully awakened, defeated Mevious. Though she was banned from entering the demon world, she finally earned the right to love freely.

Where the Stars Lead

Now a high school student, Aira's relationship with Akimizu was going well. But one day, curious about his past, she traveled to the demon world for answers—only to discover something shocking. Akimizu was actually Kairiku. Years ago, the ship carrying the Minakami family had capsized, and Kairiku had lost his memory and time-traveled into the past. Taken in by an orphanage, he was renamed Akimizu and adopted by the Shinjo family.

When Kairiku began reverting to his true self, Aira became emotionally shaken—she felt like she was losing Akimizu. Meanwhile, strange phenomena began occurring in the human world. Mevious visited the Makabe family and delivered a prophecy: only Aira and Kairiku—each born with the rainbow-colored gem—could save the world.

Struggling to accept that Akimizu was Kairiku, Aira ran away from home. Kairiku chased after her, and it was his actions—not his identity—that reminded Aira of who he truly was. She realized it was precisely because he was Kairiku that she had fallen in love with him. Reunited in heart and soul, the two joined forces to save the Earth.

Shun Makabe's Story

This arc focuses on Shun himself. The early half covers his childhood up to elementary school, while the latter half reveals a behind-the-scenes look at Part 1 and an epilogue after Volume 16.

It all began when Tana was banished from the demon world with her infant son and awoke in a human convent with no memory. A kindly sister, struck by their resemblance to her late sister and nephew, named them Hanae (華枝) and Shun. Wanting to be useful to others, Hanae enrolled in nursing school. The nun adopted them, giving them the Makabe surname.

When Shun was three months old, Hanae had a fateful encounter at the hospital with a woman named Shira (椎羅)—who was about to give birth. Baby Shun fussed, while Shira's unborn child (Ranze) kicked wildly in response from the womb.

The Elopement of Mori Etō

This bonus story reveals how Ranze's parents, Mori Etō (江藤望里) and Shira Etō (江藤椎羅), first met, fell in love, and eventually had Ranze.

On the eve of Ranze's wedding, her parents reminisced about their youth. Decades earlier, Mori—then a young vampire named Mōri Etour (モーリ=エトゥール)—who questioned the hostility between vampires and werewolves. One day, he saw a werewolf girl, Sheila Cléry (シーラ=クレリー), nearly assaulted by her own pack. He rescued her, and they bonded over their outsider status.

They began secretly meeting in a hideaway at the village's edge. But Sheila confessed a terrible truth: once a month, she lost control and became violently feral—so much so that her own pack had to isolate her. Believing herself unworthy of love, she wept. Mori comforted her, but her brothers found their hideout and dragged her back.

During a full moon, Sheila went berserk. Even Mori couldn't calm her—until he bit her. His vampire bite broke her curse, transforming her from a monstrous half-wolf into a beautiful young woman.

Their love faced more barriers. Sheila had a fiancé, and their union broke an ancient taboo: long ago, a vampire woman and a werewolf man fell in love, married, and had a child who was born monstrous and devoured its parents. Since then, their union had been forbidden.

Despite knowing the risks, Sheila vowed to die if she couldn't be with Mori. The two chose to elope, abandoning their families and homeland.

They fled to Japan in the human world and married. A royal envoy named 'Sand (サンド)" found them and warned they had violated demon law. However, the king granted them a pardon—but as penance, some of their relatives volunteered to be sealed away in exchange for the young couple's freedom. Mori and Sheila were also made guardians of the portal between the human and demon worlds, given human names "Mori Etō" and "Sheila Etō," and started a new life. Sheila eventually became pregnant—and despite fears, gave birth to a perfectly normal girl: Ranze.

Ranze's Restless Thoughts

Ranze had finally been proposed to by Shun. Giddy with happiness, she couldn't stop smiling as she recalled the moment. But then she began to worry about how to tell Yōko Kamiya, who had loved Shun even longer. When Yōko visited the supermarket where Ranze worked, Ranze froze—she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

That night, she tried to explain things over the phone, but she and Shun ended up in a huge fight. He later called to apologize and asked Ranze to meet him—and to wear her engagement ring. They visited a nursing home to meet the nun who had once saved Shun and his mother. The nun, Sister Makabe (シスター真壁), smiled as she held their hands and said, "You two were married in a past life, weren't you?"

As they left, Ranze was still crying from joy—when they ran into Yōko. She saw the ring and ran away. Chasing after her, Ranze and Shun caught up at a park. Shun checked to make sure no one was around, muttered a spell... and turned Yōko into a dog.

Ranze, biting her lip while trying to hold the canine Yōko, confessed that she and Shun were engaged. Both the girl and the dog burst into tears, leaving Shun completely exasperated.

Later, Yōko returned to her human form, unsure of how. But seeing Ranze's tearful face replay in her mind made her cry all over again.

As they walked home together, eyes still puffy, Ranze asked what would happen to Yōko. Shun said, "She'll find the right one someday. Maybe she'll even get back with her ex—Kazama Riki (風間力)." Then, turning suddenly, he kissed Ranze and asked, "Satisfied now?"

They strolled down the moonlit street together.

Ranze Eto (江藤蘭世) (Voiced by: Eriko Hara)

The lead character, a 15-year-old girl (born July 27, 1968), Ranze originally manifests no supernatural powers until she bites Yoko Kamiya and discovers she has vampiric powers that let her "metamorph" into whatever she bites a certain way.

Rinze Eto (江藤鈴世) (Voiced by: Sanae Miyuki)

Ranze's 5-year-old (born December 24, 1976) younger brother, appears to not have any supernatural powers but seems to be the only one that can tell who Ranze is when she is transformed.

Mori Eto (江藤望里) (Voiced by: Yoshito Yasuhara)

Ranze's father, a vampire. He was born on March 3, 1863

Shiira Eto (江藤椎羅) (Voiced by: Noriko Ohara)

Ranze's mother, a werewolf. She forbids Ranze from liking human boys. She was born on June 26, 1799.

Peck (ペック) (Voiced by: Takashi Taguchi)

A talking parrot born in the Spirit World. The Eto Family's pet.

Shun Makabe (真壁俊) (Voiced by: Yū Mizushima)

The boy Ranze and Yoko fight over. He is training to be a professional boxer. Born April 13, 1968

Hanae Makabe (真壁華枝) (Voiced by: Yuri Nashiwa)

Shun's mother, her real name was Tana (ターナ).

Taku Makabe (真壁卓)

The eldest son of Ranze and Shun. Born February 14, 1991. Aquarius. Blood type O. He is said to be the reincarnation of Dark Carlo, who appeared in Part 1. Appears in Volume 20. He met his mother before he was born. He inherited his hair from his grandmother and uncle. When Shun saw his son right after he was born, he remembered Dark's existence and named him "Taku". Even though he is not yet one year old, he speaks important keywords to Narumi and the others several times. He is gruff and foul-mouthed like his father. In elementary school, he played in Little League baseball, but he didn't want to have a shaved head so he switched to the soccer club in middle school. Later, he fell in love with Coco, who had grown into a beautiful woman, and they began living together after graduating from high school. When she became pregnant, they got married.

Yoko Kamiya (神谷曜子) (Voiced by: Miina Tominaga)

Ranze's romantic rival, the spoiled daughter of a yakuza boss.

Tamasaburo Kamiya (神谷玉三郎) (Voiced by: Junpei Takiguchi)

Yoko's father. An enormous, bulky man who develops a crush on Shun's mother.

Narumi Ichihashi (市橋なるみ)^[5]

The protagonist of Part 2. She is Rinzō's girlfriend. Born on March 1, 1977. Pisces. Blood type O.

She lost her mother at a young age and lives in a family of three with her father and grandmother. When she was told she had only a short time left to live due to a heart condition, she met Rinzō. She was fated to die during surgery, but Ranze and Rinzō pleaded with the shinigami (death god) Georges, and her life was saved. At that time, a small portion of a powerful soul—one that could not be killed even if someone tried (Yōko's soul)—was fused with hers.

Originally an ordinary human, she gained special abilities after consuming a flower from the Lake of Longing (she drank tea with its petals floating in it). As a result, she developed the ability to talk with non-human beings, control objects she kisses, and read human thoughts.

She is childhood friends with Rinzō and loves him deeply. A romantic at heart, she is cheerful and optimistic. In middle school, she was in the drama club. In her first year, she worked behind the scenes, but in her second year, she was chosen by Futaba to perform onstage during recruitment for new members, and she played the lead role in Romeo and Juliet twice for the school cultural festival.

She is also skilled at drawing and once sketched a wanted poster of the Black Fairy Dusa (explained later), whose image appeared in a movie frame.

As an adult, she became a kindergarten teacher, but her heart condition relapsed. Although she once again faced a life-threatening crisis, she was saved thanks to the efforts of Rinzō and Aira. After marrying, she became the mother of two sons, and in Where the Star Goes, her powers returned. Aira Makabe (真壁愛良)

The main character of the third part of the manga. Daughter of Ranze and Shun. Born on September 9, 1994. Virgo. B. It is said that she will become the Great Witch of the Demon World. A bright girl who is not good at studying, but is versatile in sports. He has the ability to change the weather locally depending on his emotions (mainly to rain, to generate lightning, and to turn back time when he is in a good mood).

Kunihiko "Shuusai" Takaba (國彦「酒斎」高場) (Voiced by: Yoku Shioya)

A bookworm who has a crush on Ranze.

Aron (アロン=ルーク=ウォーレンサー) (Voiced by: Hirotaka Suzuoki)

Prince of Demon World. He is in love with Ranze.

Sand (羅々) (Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka)

The infamous "womanizer" who typically accompanies Aron.

Mr. Mitsuki (みつきさん)

Ranze's homeroom teacher.

There are 30 volumes in the original release of the manga series in Japan. By 2006, they sold 26 million copies, making Tokimeki Tonight the sixth best-selling shōjo manga.^[6] The manga was released in Italian by Star Comics^[7] under the title Tokimeki Tonight – Ransie The Witch (Tokimeki Tonight – Ransie La Strega) from 10 October 2002 to 14 March 2005.

In 2002, a second manga series called Tokimeki Midnight (ときめきミッドナイト) lit. 'Exciting Midnight', also by Koi Ikeno, began serialization in Shueisha's magazine Cookie. The manga is an alternate retelling where the roles are reversed. The series was completed in 2009 with nine volumes.

On May 26, 2021, a sequel, Tokimeki Tonight: Sore kara (ときめきトゥナイト それから; lit. Exciting Tonight: From Then), which takes place after the third arc where Ranze and Makabe's daughter Aira saves the world from crisis and centers on the lead protagonist Ranze as her 40s, began serialization in Cookie magazine starting from July 2021 issue.^[47][48]

There are several additional stories set in the Tokimeki Tonight universe that have been collected in the following volumes:

• Tokimeki Tonight: Hoshi no Yukue (ときめきトゥナイト—星のゆくえ—) (2000, 1 volume, Ribon Mascot Comics, Shueisha, ISBN 4-08-856201-1).^[53] Contains:
  • Tokimeki Tonight: Hoshi no Yukue
  • Hoshi no Yukue (Kamiya-ke Hen) (星のゆくえ（神谷家編）)
  • Hoshi no Yukue (Etō-ke Hen) (星のゆくえ（江藤家編）)
  • Hoshi no Yukue (Ichihashi-ke Hen) (星のゆくえ（市橋家編）)
  • Hoshi no Yukue (Aoyagi-ke Hen) (星のゆくえ（青柳家編）)
• Tokimeki Tonight: Makabe Shun no Jijō (ときめきトゥナイト 真壁俊の事情) (August 2013, Ribon Mascot Comics, Shueisha, ISBN 978-4-08-867290-8)^[54]
• Tokimeki Tonight: Etō Mōri no Kakeochi (ときめきトゥナイト 江藤望里の駆け落ち) (April 2015, Ribon Mascot Comics, Shueisha, ISBN 978-4-08-867370-7)^[55]
• Tokimeki Tonight: Etō Ranze no Takarabako (ときめきトゥナイト 江藤蘭世の宝箱) (July 2019, Ribon Mascot Comics, Shueisha, ISBN 978-4-08-867557-2)^[56]

Additional books released about the series include:

• Tokimeki Manga Road: Ikeno Koi 40th Anniversary Book (ときめきまんが道 池野恋40周年本, Tokimeki Manga Michi: Ikeno Koi 40 Shūnen Hon) (July 2019, 2 volumes, Shueisha)
  • Volume 1 (ISBN 978-4-08-792052-9)^[57]
  • Volume 2 (ISBN 978-4-08-792053-6)^[58]

A 34-episode anime television series adaptation, directed by Hiroshi Sasagawa and produced by Group TAC and Toho, aired in Japan between October 7, 1982, and September 22, 1983, on Nippon TV. Its opening theme is "Tokimeki Tonight" and its ending theme is "Super Love Lotion". Since Group TAC closed its doors as a studio, Toho has been the sole rights-holder of the series. In July 2009, a DVD box set was released containing all 34 episodes of the television series and two compilation episodes.^[59]

Since the anime series ended years before the manga, the staff had to craft their own conclusion. In the final episode it's revealed Shun has a star-shaped birthmark that proves he is the long lost prince of the Demon World. However, Shun denies this, saying it's actually a bruise and not a birthmark. The door to the Demon World is sealed, with the Eto family banished until they are able to locate the lost prince. Sometime later, Shun's mother reveals the star-shaped mark is in fact a birthmark. The following morning Shun tries to tell Ranze the truth but is interrupted by Yoko. The series closes with a special version of "Super Love Lotion" featuring the main cast.

The manga had a circulation of 30 million copies in 2021.^[2]

On Anime News Network, Justin Sevakis said the anime was "a thirty year-old comedy that's still funny, with a setup that's still plausible and interesting, and animation that's still serviceable".^[60]

• Tokimeki Tonight (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia