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How Much Heavy Dumbbells Can You Lift?

Alternative titles

ダンベル何キロ持てる？
Nan-Kilo Moteru Dumbbell?

Synopsis

"Hibiki...have you gained weight again?"
These cruel words pierced the heart of Hibiki Sakura, a high school student who loves to eat. Hibiki is determined to diet and get back in shape before summer break. However, she soon realizes she can't do it alone—she needs a workout partner! Luckily, she stumbles upon a gym, and better yet, her school's cool and charismatic student council president and classmate, Akemi Soryuin, is also training there! Hibiki takes her first steps into the intense but enjoyable world of bodybuilding!

Background

How Many Heavy Dumbbells Can You Lift? began as a manga series written by Yabako Sandrovich and illustrated by MAAM, which has been serialized on Shogakukan's Ura Sunday website and the MangaONE app since 2016. As of January 2019, six tankobon volumes have been published. The manga is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.

An anime adaptation was announced in January 2019 and will premiere in July. The anime is directed by Mitsue Yamazaki at Doga Kobo, with Fumihiko Shimo serving as series composer and Ai Kikuchi as character designer.

Characters

Sakura Hibiki (Voiced by: Ai Fairouz)

Hibiki is a second-year student at Kouyo Girls' Academy who loves to eat. She is a cheerful and innocent girl. She joins a gym to lose weight after her friend Ayaka points out that she has gained weight. She is currently looking for a boyfriend.

Akemi Soryuin (Voice of: Sora Amamiya)

Hibiki's classmate, Akemi, is the charismatic student council president and has been elected queen of Kouyo Girls' Academy for two years in a row. She comes from a very wealthy family, is top of her class, excels in sports, is polite, kind—basically perfect. But there's one thing: she has a real penchant for muscles.

Zina the Void (Voice of: Nao Toyama)

A second-year student at Kremlin West High School, Zina is originally from Russia, where she studied self-defense. She has both the reputation and the skills to back it up, having placed fifth in the Moscow Arm Wrestling Championship. She is well-versed in Japanese culture and speaks the language fluently, but she can also be very stubborn.

Ayaka Uehara (Voice of: Shizuka Ishigami)

A close friend of Hibiki, Ayaka is friendly and reasonable. After school, she often spends time with Hibiki trying different restaurants or going to movies. She is a big fan of Dogegen Chonegger, just like Hibiki.

Satomi Tachibana (Voice of: Yui Horie)

Satomi is 29 years old and teaches world history at Kouyo Girls' Academy. She possesses a keen intellect and striking beauty. However, she worries about gaining weight and begins attending a gym near the school. However, she still fears being discovered and having her secret exposed.