Crossed Hearts, a newly established global English publisher based in California, announced on Wednesday that it has officially licensed Mai Ando’s romantic comedy manga, ‘You’re Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun!’ (Namaiki sugiru yo, Chigaya-kun). The company plans to release the series in English in May 2026, marking its first foray into Japanese manga titles, having previously focused on Korean webtoons and web novel series.
Crossed Hearts Expands Portfolio with First Manga Acquisition
The acquisition of ‘You’re Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun!’ signifies a notable expansion for Crossed Hearts, which debuted as a publisher with a focus on Korean webcomics, Japanese manga, and Asian novels for English distribution. While the publisher has previously announced licenses for Korean novel series like Dodo’s ‘The Abandoned Villainess Became A Zombie’ and the manhwa ‘The Archduke’s Adopted Saint’, Mai Ando’s work represents their initial venture into the Japanese manga market. This move aligns with their stated goal to broaden their offerings across various Asian comic and novel formats.
Diving into ‘You’re Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun!’
Mai Ando originally launched ‘You’re Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun!’ on the GANMA! app and website in November 2024. The first volume was published in Japan on June 1, 2025, with the second volume set for release on November 1, 2025. The series has quickly garnered attention for its engaging high school romance narrative.
A Synopsis of Teasing and Romance
Crossed Hearts describes the manga’s plot as a charming and heart-fluttering high school romance. The story revolves around Natsune, a usually composed senior, and her junior, Chigaya, an observant and persistently teasing archer. From their initial meeting, Chigaya consistently targets Natsune with his playful words, smiles, and relentless jabs. Despite her efforts to brush him off, Natsune frequently finds herself flustered and defenseless against Chigaya’s antics, leading her to question if there’s a deeper meaning behind his teasing.
The Growing Presence of Crossed Hearts
Since its debut on social media in August 2025, Crossed Hearts has actively sought to engage with the English-speaking manga and webtoon community. The publisher has opened a form to collect licensing suggestions for manga, manhwa, manhua, and light novels, indicating a responsive approach to reader interests. The licensing of ‘You’re Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun!’ is a direct result of their ongoing efforts to bring diverse and appealing Asian content to a global audience. This shoujo title offers a different flavor compared to some of their earlier fantasy/villainess-leaning manhwa licenses, suggesting a broad taste in their acquisitions.
