Manga creator Mitsuba Takanashi’s popular series, Otome Tsubaki wa Warawanai (literally “Otome Tsubaki Never Laughs”), has officially entered its final arc, as announced by Takanashi herself on her X (formerly Twitter) account. While the series is approaching its conclusion, Takanashi also indicated that “the goal is still far off,” suggesting there’s still a significant portion of the story left to unfold.
The Story of Tsubaki Kanno
The Otome Tsubaki wa Warawanai manga centers on Tsubaki Kanno, a 25-year-old woman who works in a stationery shop. Her defining characteristic is her inability to laugh in public, a trait central to the narrative. The plot thickens when a man named Touma helps Tsubaki after she drops her glasses. It is revealed that Touma is a candidate for the prominent Katsuragi family and has been tasked by Tsubaki’s deceased mother, Yuriko, to make her daughter laugh. The story delves into Tsubaki’s past, revealing that she stopped laughing after discovering in high school that her mother, who she believed to be deceased, had been involved with another man. The manga explores themes of romance, slice of life, and family drama, with elements of love triangles and a serious female lead.
Publication Details
Mitsuba Takanashi launched Otome Tsubaki wa Warawanai in Shueisha’s Cocohana magazine in October 2018. Shueisha began publishing the compiled book volumes in March 2019, with the 10th volume released in July. The series is ongoing with at least 11 volumes in Japan. While the manga has gained a following, it has not yet been licensed for English publication.
Mitsuba Takanashi’s Notable Works
Mitsuba Takanashi is a seasoned Japanese manga artist, having made her debut in 1992 at the age of 17 in Bessatsu Margaret with “Koi nante nai.” She has a prolific career with several well-received titles, many of which have been published by Shueisha.
Among her most recognized works are:
- Akuma de Sōrō (The Devil Does Exist): Launched in 1999, this series was published in English by CMX Manga.
- Beniiro Hero (Crimson Hero): This sports-themed shojo manga, which began in 2003, was published in English by Viz Media and was one of the launch titles for their Shojo Beat magazine in 2005.
- Sumika Sumire: Serialized in Cocohana from August 2013 to June 2018, this series inspired an eight-episode live-action television adaptation in 2016.
Takanashi has continued to contribute significantly to the shojo and josei manga landscape throughout her career. In 2023, Takanashi took a hiatus from Otome Tsubaki wa Warawanai for surgery and treatment for breast cancer, resuming the manga in November of that year and providing positive health updates to her fans.
