Renjuro Kindaichi, the creative force behind the beloved manga series Haré+Guu and Liar x Liar, is set to launch a brand new high school manga. Fans of Kindaichi’s signature blend of comedy, romance, and slice-of-life storytelling can look forward to this upcoming series.
Kimi wa Sekai no Chūshin Desu: A New “Marriage Story”
The new manga, titled Kimi wa Sekai no Chūshin Desu (You Are the Center of the World), is slated to debut in the May issue of Kodansha’s Kiss magazine, which will be released on April 25, 2025. The series is being described as a “marriage story,” focusing on the relationship between two childhood friends.
Nonoko and Yoichi: Rekindling a Childhood Promise
The story centers around Nonoko, a third-year high school student who has just turned 18. She attends the same school as her childhood friend, Yoichi, but the two haven’t had a proper conversation in years. One day, they unexpectedly remember a promise they made to each other when they were children, setting the stage for a rekindled connection. The promotional image released features the two lead characters holding a traditional Japanese marriage registration form, hinting at the romantic themes to come.
Renjuro Kindaichi: A Prolific Manga Creator
Renjuro Kindaichi is a highly accomplished manga artist known for a diverse range of works. Born on September 21, 1980, in Osaka, Japan, Kindaichi debuted professionally at the young age of 16. While using a pen name that sounds masculine, Kindaichi is a female manga artist.
Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu: A Breakthrough Success
Kindaichi’s career took off with the manga Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu, which launched in 1996. This popular series follows the adventures of a young boy named Hare who lives in the jungle with his mother and the mysterious girl Guu who comes to live with them. The manga’s success led to the creation of the Haré+Guu television anime series, as well as the Haré+Guu Deluxe and Jungle Wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu Final original video anime (OVA) series. AN Entertainment licensed the television anime and Haré+Guu Deluxe for distribution in North America.
Liar x Liar: A Deception-Filled Romance
Another of Kindaichi’s notable works is Liar x Liar, a manga series that began serialization in Kodansha’s Dessert magazine in 2010 and concluded in 2017. The series revolves around Minato, a college student who pretends to be a high schooler and ends up in a complicated romantic situation with her stepbrother. Liar x Liar gained significant recognition, ranking #10 in Takarajimasha Inc.’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! ranking in 2012 and receiving a nomination for the 39th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards in 2015. In 2021, Liar x Liar was adapted into a live-action film, further attesting to its popularity.
Other Notable Works by Kindaichi
In addition to Haré+Guu and Liar x Liar, Renjuro Kindaichi has created numerous other manga series, including:
- LaLaLa: Serialized in Square Enix’s Young Gangan magazine, LaLaLa ran until 2021.
- N to S (N & S): Published in Kodansha’s Dessert magazine from 2018 to 2023.
- Yūbe wa Otanoshimi Deshita ne (It Was Fun Last Night): This manga was serialized on both Gangan Online and in Young Gangan magazine, and it inspired a live-action series in 2019.
- Bokura wa Minna *ndeiru (We’re All *ing): A zombie-themed slice-of-life drama that launched in Young Gangan in 2022.
- Hareguu: A sequel to Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu.
Kindaichi has also worked on Mermaid Line, a collection of short mini-series that ran in Yuri Hime magazine, and collaborated with her younger sister, Imo Uto, on a collection of short stories about love.
Themes and Style
Kindaichi’s manga often explores themes of romance, comedy, and relationships, with a focus on character development and intricate storylines. Kindaichi is known to incorporate crossdressing, homosexuality, and incest into the works; however, these topics are handled with enough moderation to be considered slice-of-life. The manga artist has also been known to make many characters with big breasts.
Where to Read Renjuro Kindaichi’s Manga
Fans interested in exploring Renjuro Kindaichi’s works can find them on various platforms, including:
- MangaDex
- MangaPlaza
- Book☆Walker
- Amazon
- eBookJapan
Anticipation for Kimi wa Sekai no Chūshin Desu
With the upcoming release of Kimi wa Sekai no Chūshin Desu, fans eagerly anticipate another engaging and heartwarming story from Renjuro Kindaichi. The “marriage story” premise and focus on rekindled childhood connections promise a fresh and exciting addition to Kindaichi’s impressive body of work.
