Mai Matsuda’s popular manga series, Hōkago Kitaku Biyori (放課後帰宅びより), also known as A Fine Day for Going Home After School or Journey Home After School, is set to receive an anime adaptation. The announcement was made on Thursday, March 27, 2025, via the official X (formerly Twitter) account for Futabasha’s Web Action service, coinciding with the release of the manga’s fourth volume. While details regarding the anime’s format, release date, cast, staff, and studio remain undisclosed, the news has already generated excitement among fans of the romantic comedy and slice-of-life manga.
What We Know About Hōkago Kitaku Biyori So Far
The Story
Hōkago Kitaku Biyori centers around Shun Satō, a first-year high school student and former soccer player. Shun’s promising athletic career was cut short due to an injury, leaving him disillusioned and uninterested in joining any school clubs. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Naoki Satō, a classmate with the quirky nickname “Go Home” or “Chokki-chan” (直帰ちゃん), who is known for her desire to go home immediately after school. Naoki invites Shun to join her unofficial “Hyper Going Home Club,” and despite his initial reluctance, he finds himself drawn into her whimsical after-school adventures.
The series explores the evolving relationship between Shun and Naoki as they bond over their daily journeys home, discovering new facets of each other and experiencing the joys of youth. As Shun spends time with Naoki, his world gradually regains color, and he begins to move forward from his past disappointment.
Key Characters
- Shun Satō (佐藤 瞬, Satō Shun): The protagonist, a former junior high school football player whose injury prevents him from playing. He’s initially annoyed by constant club invitations but gets drawn into Naoki’s “Hyper Going Home Club.”
- Naoki Satō (佐藤 希望, Satō Naoki): Shun’s classmate and the founder of the “Hyper Going Home Club.” Known for her catchphrase “I want to go home,” she is nicknamed “Chokki-chan” (直帰ちゃん).
Manga Details
- Author and Illustrator: Mai Matsuda
- Genre: romantic comedy, Slice of Life
- Magazine: Manga Action (Futabasha)
- Serialization: August 2023 – Present
- Volumes: 4 (as of March 2025)
Production
The manga is published by Futabasha under the Action Comics imprint. As of March 2025, four tankobon volumes have been released. The series began serialization in Futabasha’s Manga Action magazine on August 1, 2023.
Reader Reception
Hōkago Kitaku Biyori has garnered positive attention for its wholesome, drama-free romance and relatable characters. Reviewers on MyAnimeList have praised the manga’s cute, high-quality art, compelling chapters, and subtle character development. Readers appreciate the series’ ability to capture the feeling of youth and the charm of everyday life. Some have described it as a “gem of a series” and one of their favorite ongoing slice-of-life romance manga, while others eagerly anticipate hearing Chokki-chan’s voice in the upcoming anime adaptation.
About the Author: Mai Matsuda
Mai Matsuda is a manga artist from Chiba, Japan. Besides Hōkago Kitaku Biyori, her notable works include Hikaru in the Light! and Kinshi-chou Night Survive. Hikaru in the Light! a manga about middle school students competing to become pop stars, has been licensed by Azuki and released in English. Matsuda launched Hikaru in the Light! in Manga Action in May 2021, and ended it in August 2022. Futabasha published four compiled book volumes for the manga.
Anticipation for the Anime Adaptation
The announcement of the Hōkago Kitaku Biyori anime adaptation has been met with enthusiasm from manga fans. Many are eagerly awaiting further details about the project, including the release date, cast, and animation studio. Given the manga’s heartwarming story and charming characters, the anime adaptation has the potential to capture a wide audience and become a beloved series in its own right. The positive reception and anticipation surrounding the anime highlight the manga’s strengths and its potential for success in a new medium.
