Daisuke Hagiwara, the acclaimed artist behind the popular manga series Horimiya, is set to launch a brand-new original manga on October 10. The new series will debut in Square Enix’s Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine’s November issue, marking Hagiwara’s first entirely original work.
While the official title and detailed plot synopsis are yet to be revealed, an evocative image shared by Hagiwara on their X (formerly Twitter) account accompanied by the text, “It’s too bittersweet to be called admiration, and too meager to be called love. What should I call this feeling?” offers a glimpse into the thematic direction of the upcoming serialization. This teaser suggests a narrative delving into complex emotions, potentially in the realm of romance or character drama, a genre where Hagiwara has previously excelled.
Daisuke Hagiwara’s Return to Monthly Shonen Gangan
The decision to publish the new manga in Monthly Shonen Gangan brings Hagiwara back to a familiar publishing house. The artist’s previous work, Horimiya, an adaptation of HERO’s four-panel webcomic Hori-san to Miyamura-kun, was serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly G Fantasy magazine from 2011 to 2021. The success of Horimiya, which garnered over 10 million copies in circulation and inspired two anime adaptations, has set high expectations for Hagiwara’s next venture.
Fans are eager to see if Hagiwara will continue with a romance-centric story or explore a different genre, given the widespread acclaim received for their ability to develop relationships beyond the initial confession in Horimiya.
The Legacy of Horimiya
Horimiya captivated audiences with its depiction of high school students Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, who discover each other’s hidden sides and form a deep, evolving relationship. Unlike many romantic comedies that conclude once the main couple gets together, Horimiya explored the nuances of maintaining and growing a relationship, earning significant critical and fan praise.
The manga’s popularity led to multiple adaptations, including a television anime series by CloverWorks that premiered in 2021, and Horimiya: The Missing Pieces anime in 2023, which animated previously unadapted stories from the original manga. Yen Press has also localized the manga for North American audiences, publishing all 16 volumes and an additional epilogue chapter.
With a strong track record and a devoted fanbase, Daisuke Hagiwara’s new manga is highly anticipated, promising another compelling story crafted with the artist’s distinctive style and emotional depth. The full details, including the official title, are expected to be unveiled closer to the October 10 release date.
