The popular Boys’ Love manga series, Sasaki and Miyano, is making a highly anticipated return to serialization this spring, much to the delight of its global fanbase. The news was officially confirmed in the February issue of Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Gene magazine, released on January 15th. This announcement marks the end of a hiatus that began in February of last year, leaving fans eager for the continuation of the beloved story.
Return to Serialization
Irregular Updates
The series creator, Shō Harusono, initially announced the manga’s return via their X (formerly Twitter) account on January 1st, stating that it would be resuming as an irregular serialization this spring. While the exact schedule for new chapters remains to be seen, this news confirms that fans can look forward to new content in the coming months. The last chapter of the manga was released on February 23, 2024, making the return all the more exciting for readers.
Health Concerns
The delay in the manga’s serialization and the postponement of the 10th compiled book volume, initially scheduled for December 2023, were due to Harusono’s poor health since the end of 2023. Harusono explained that recovery took longer than expected, causing a delay in completing the volume. The 10th volume was eventually released in March 2024.
What is Sasaki and Miyano?
Story and Themes
Sasaki and Miyano is a slice-of-life, boys’ love manga that follows the budding relationship between two high school students. Miyano, a self-proclaimed expert in boys’ love manga, finds himself the subject of a real-life romance when he attracts the attention of his senior, Sasaki. The manga is known for its heartwarming and wholesome portrayal of their relationship, focusing on the characters’ gradual understanding and acceptance of their feelings for each other. The series is serialized on the pixiv Comic website since 2016.
Manga Adaptations
The series has been collected into ten tankōbon volumes by Media Factory. It has also inspired a two-volume novel adaptation by Kotoko Hachijō. The English version of the manga is published by Yen Press. The popularity of the main series led to the creation of a spin-off manga, Hirano and Kagiura, which focuses on two side characters.
Anime Adaptations
The Sasaki and Miyano manga was adapted into a 12-episode television anime series, which premiered in January 2022. It was produced by Studio Deen. The anime adaptation is available for streaming on platforms such as Crunchyroll and Funimation. Additionally, a movie titled Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation, was released in February 2023, further expanding the franchise.
Hirano and Kagiura Spinoff
Monthly Serialization
Adding to the good news for fans, the Hirano and Kagiura spinoff manga has also begun its new schedule as a monthly serialization in Monthly Comic Gene, starting January 15th. This means fans will be able to enjoy more content from this beloved side story, which further explores the world of Sasaki and Miyano.
Spin-off Success
The Hirano and Kagiura manga, launched in 2019, has gained its own dedicated following, with four volumes currently published. Like the main series, it is also licensed in North America by Yen Press. The popularity of the spin-off series has also resulted in its own novel adaptation.
Author and Creative Team
Shō Harusono
Shō Harusono is the author and illustrator behind both the Sasaki and Miyano manga and its spin-off, Hirano and Kagiura. Harusono is a Japanese manga artist specializing in the Boys’ Love genre and has gained recognition for their heartwarming storytelling and engaging character development. Besides these two works, Harusono also created the manga Butai ni Sake!
Kotoko Hachijō
Kotoko Hachijō is the author of the novel adaptations for both Sasaki and Miyano and Hirano and Kagiura.
Where to Read
Official English Publisher
For fans in North America, Yen Press is the official English publisher of both the main Sasaki and Miyano manga and its spin-off, Hirano and Kagiura. They offer both digital and physical copies of the series, allowing fans to enjoy the story in their preferred format.
Availability
Volume 10 of the Sasaki and Miyano manga was released by Yen Press on January 21, 2025. Fans who are eager to catch up on the series can find the latest volumes at various retailers.
Controversy and Challenges
Banned in Florida
Despite the series’ popularity, Sasaki and Miyano has faced some controversy. In August 2024, the Brevard County School Board in Florida banned the manga from its district libraries. While the board claimed the ban was not related to the romantic relationship between two male characters, they cited the manga’s unconventional format and the portrayal of a same-sex relationship as inappropriate for students. This decision sparked debate and criticism, highlighting the ongoing challenges that LGBTQ+ content faces in some regions.
Fan Anticipation
Volume 11 Speculation
With the resumption of serialization, fans are now eagerly anticipating the release of the 11th volume of the Sasaki and Miyano manga. While there is no official release date yet, the return of new chapters this spring suggests that a new volume might be released sometime in the near future. Fans are actively following the author’s social media accounts for updates, eagerly awaiting more content from this beloved series.
Community Engagement
The Sasaki and Miyano community remains highly engaged, with discussions and fan theories appearing on various social media platforms and forums. The series has a dedicated following that continues to grow, as the manga’s positive representation of LGBTQ+ themes resonates with readers worldwide.
The return of Sasaki and Miyano this spring is an exciting development for fans of the series. The continued serialization of both the main manga and its spin-off, Hirano and Kagiura, means more heartwarming content to come. Despite facing some challenges, the series continues to be a beloved and important voice in the Boys’ Love genre, and its return is eagerly anticipated by its global fanbase.
