What is "Chunibyo"?

As we are returning to the wonderful world of Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions! with the upcoming Rikka movie release, we thought we’d take a look at the condition known as “Chunibyo”.

What is “Chunibyo”?

Chunibyo is a colloquial term used in Japan, which translates as “Delusions of Grandeur”, or “Middle-school 2nd Year Syndrome”; that’s Year 9 for us Brits. Although, in the original Japanese, the word uses the character for “syndrome” or “disease”, it does not relate to an actual medical condition. Being a “Chunibyo” is to, generally, be around the age of fourteen and to act like a know-it-all adult or pretend one has special powers, possibly with a backstory.

A now discontinued book published in Japan in late 2008, The Chunibyo User’s Manual posits there are three individual types of people that show traits of chunibyo; these are DQN, Subcultural, and Evil Eye. DQN, which is slang for “antisocial person”, refers to those who pretend to be antisocial or a delinquent, even when they cannot become like either of these. They will weave tales of fiction rooted in gang/crime subculture, and act as if they know all about it. Subcultural refers to those who prefer trends in opposition of the mainstream in order to establish themselves as “special” compared to the majority rather than because of a genuine love for the subculture. Evil Eye refers to those with a deep admiration for mystical powers, believing that they too have a hidden power within them. This type is that which can involve creating an alias to express one’s hidden power, and is also known as the delusional type.

In Love, Chunibyo, and other Delusions the majority of the main characters are, in some way, affected by Chunibyo.

About Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions
Yuta spent most of his middle school years living in a complete fantasy world. But that’s not his major problem now, as with a lot of work and effort, he’s finally managing to overcome his delusions to the point where thinks he’s ready to start high school with all his cards in order. No, his BIG problem is the girl he first encounters climbing on his balcony. It seems that his own efforts to rid himself of his chunibyo have attracted the attentions of another sufferer, and she’s decided that this makes him her soul mate. And since Rikka’s just moved in upstairs, now he’s being sucked into her fantasy world! Can a formerly wild and crazy guy handle being the focus of a completely delusional girl? Or will his own chunibyo return with a vengeance?

Pick up a copy of Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions! The Movie: Rikka Version on July 30!

Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions! Heart Throb Trailer