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The Tatami Galaxy

Tomihiko Morimi

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for The Tatami Galaxy. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: unnamed protagonist, disaffected student, antihero, unlikable protagonist, self-deprecating narrator, aimless young adult, socially awkward, mischievous friend, obnoxious friend, eccentric supporting cast, frenemy, mischief-maker, self-pitying, morally messy

Relationships labels used: friendship, rivalry, frenemy relationship, crush, romantic tension, campus community, male friendship, mentor figure, student clubs, love-hate friendship

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization + relationships embeddings are close.

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The Tatami Time Machine Blues

Tomihiko Morimi · 2023 · 四畳半シリーズ

A summer heatwave, a broken AC remote, and a time machine pull a Kyoto student crew into paradox-fueled hijinks.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: slacker protagonist · deadpan narrator · anxious student · pessimistic lead · frenemy · love interest · ensemble cast · distinct voices · colorful characters · selfish characters · relatable protagonist · troubled students

Relationships labels: friend group · frenemy dynamic · unspoken crush · romantic tension · college camaraderie · best friend dynamic · ensemble banter · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1518

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Elanus

Ursula Poznanski · 2016

A gifted but abrasive teen uses his homemade drone to spy on others, then uncovers secrets that turn dangerous.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: gifted teen · arrogant protagonist · unsympathetic lead · socially awkward · technically gifted · moral ambiguity · character development · outsider

Relationships labels: friendship · gast family · student relations · crush · romantic pursuit · social rejection · trust

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1586

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The Definitions

Matt Greene · 2025

After a memory-wiping illness, nameless adults relearn language and identity inside a suspicious seaside center.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: unnamed protagonist · blank slate · adult students · memory-wiped residents · intelligent narrator · gender-ambiguous narrator · adolescent-like adults · conformists · resistant characters · brainwashed residents

Relationships labels: friendship · romantic tension · same-sex desire · peer dynamics · power imbalance · institutional authority · community formation · cliques · coercive dependence · careful intimacy · budding love

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1609

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Stranger Things: Rebel Robin

A.R. Capetta · 2021 · Stranger Things

A queer 1980s teen tries to fit in, then realizes the only escape she needs is becoming herself.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: intelligent teen · sarcastic narrator · misfit · unpopular outsider · queer teen · overthinker · relatable protagonist · dorky charm · witty character · loner · self-questioning · bookish · music kid · nerdy · sensitive

Relationships labels: friend group · female crush · best friends · teacher mentor · peer tension · family support · future friendship · platonic bond · social exclusion · school rivalry · unrequited interest

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1628

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Be More Chill

Ned Vizzini · 2005

An awkward teen swallows a tiny supercomputer that promises coolness, popularity, and a shot at his crush.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: male teen protagonist · socially awkward protagonist · outcast protagonist · low self-esteem · crush-driven motivation · morally flawed characters · bully peers · one-dimensional female characters (claimed) · teen boy interiority · best friend

Relationships labels: crush · friendship strain · peer pressure · romantic pursuit · male friendship · social hierarchy · sexual double standards · objectification

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1647

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Crave

Maria Llovet · 2024

An elite-campus app promises to grant desires, but its seductive help spirals into chaos, lust, and danger.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: top student · scholarship student · flawed characters · messy characters · one-dimensional characters · one-note characters · privileged students · horny students · college students · friends group · love triangle · crush-driven · immature · reckless · morally compromised

Relationships labels: hookup · seduction · love triangle · romantic rivalry · friend group · friendship · breakup · jealousy · student-teacher relationship · queer relationship · bullying · outsider status · dependency · sexual tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1663

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An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

Hank Green · 2018 · The Carls

A young woman’s viral video of a strange sculpture thrusts her into global fame and a worldwide first-contact mystery.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · unlikable protagonist · messy · self-centered · ambitious · attention-seeking · snarky · relatable · human · female narrator · young adult protagonist · supporting cast thin · scientist character · best friend

Relationships labels: friendship · romantic relationship · love triangle · girlfriend · best friend · sabotaged relationships · community · global cooperation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1670

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The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson · 2014 · Rithmatist

A chalk-based magic-school mystery follows a boy who can’t do the magic but knows it better than anyone.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: underdog · obsessive learner · nonmagical protagonist · quirky heroine · mentor figure · ambitious student · social outsider · flawed protagonist

Relationships labels: friendship · mentor-student · rivalry · found friendship · class divide · peer partnership

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1681

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Blühender Verrat

Marie Graßhoff · 2022 · Spring Storm

A lucky outsider enters a power academy where cosmic abilities, rivalries, and a looming war reshape her future.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: socially awkward protagonist · introverted protagonist · underestimated protagonist · self-doubting protagonist · strong female leads · rival mentor figure · mysterious character · ambitious student · loyal side characters · animal companion

Relationships labels: enemies to lovers · rivalry · mentor-mentee · friend group · found family · queer romance · women loving women · classroom rivalry · protective bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1683

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All Those Explosions Were Someone Else's Fault

James Alan Gardner · 2017 · Dark/Spark

Four college roommates gain superpowers in a weird alternate Canada and must stop a mad scheme while becoming heroes.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: college student protagonists · female-led ensemble · genderqueer protagonist · queer protagonist · science student protagonists · geology student · young adults · mad scientist · rich elite antagonists · newbie heroes · relatable narrator · nerdy protagonists · supportive friends · powered by accident · identity-seeking

Relationships labels: roommates · friend group · team dynamics · ex-boyfriend · romantic tension · rivalry · supportive friendship · mentor-student · power imbalance · elite vs ordinary · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1715

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Redemption Prep

Samuel Miller · 2020

At an elite remote prep school, a missing girl sparks a web of secrets, suspects, and a mystery that turns strange.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: gifted students · prodigy students · high achievers · creepy stalker · obsessive boy · addicted boyfriend · genius best friend · science-minded student · popular girl · underdeveloped characters · unlikable characters · two-dimensional characters · flat characters · socially awkward character · analytical mind

Relationships labels: best friends · boyfriend-girlfriend · roommates · stalker-target · class alliances · peer suspicion · betrayal · codependency · friendship under pressure · teacher-student power · group partnership

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1761

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Warp

Lev Grossman · 1997

A drifting recent graduate in 1990s Boston spends two uneasy days half-living in reality, half inside his head.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: disaffected youth · slacker · aimless protagonist · unemployed graduate · privileged youth · underachiever · listless · apathetic · unmotivated · self-absorbed · pretentious · nerdy · sci-fi fan · fantasy fan · alienated · overeducated · unlikable characters · male friendship group · manic pixie dream girl · mysterious woman · ex-girlfriend

Relationships labels: male friendship · ex-girlfriend · romantic longing · peer group · friendship strain · romantic uncertainty · sexual tension · power imbalance · family support · landlord conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1778

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