Manga enthusiasts can mark their calendars: Koumori’s beloved series, Our Aimless Nights (original title: Yoru no Manimani), is slated for its official print release in paperback and hardcover editions in Summer 2026. This announcement, made by Random House’s Ink Pop imprint, signifies a significant milestone for fans who have followed the romantic drama digitally.
The Journey of Our Aimless Nights
Originally serialized on Futabasha’s Web Action website from July 2022 to April 2024, Our Aimless Nights has captivated readers with its unique blend of school life, drama, romance, and slice-of-life elements. The series concluded its digital run with 25 chapters. Azuki, a digital manga service, brought the English digital version of the manga to a wider audience, exclusively publishing it starting in early 2024. The upcoming print editions will utilize Azuki’s established English translation and lettering, ensuring consistency and quality for print readers.
Synopsis and Core Appeal
Our Aimless Nights centers on the unlikely connection between two high school students: the cheerful and energetic Chika, and the shy and reserved Waya. Despite their differing personalities, they share a secret: weekly meetings every Wednesday after 9 PM outside the convenience store where Waya works. Under the moonlight, their unique bond gradually develops into an enchanting coming-of-age love story. Reviewers have praised the manga as a “slow burn” romance that delicately explores the curiosity and subtle growth of feelings between the protagonists. It offers a light, cute read that captures the tenderness of Chika and Waya’s relationship through these brief yet meaningful encounters.
The narrative’s charm lies in its simplicity and focus on the evolving relationship, rather than dramatic plot twists. While some may find its slice-of-life approach lacks a distinguishing “angle,” it effectively portrays the ambiguity and quiet pining often found in real-life teenage relationships. The manga avoids rushing the emotional progression, allowing readers to witness the characters’ gradual realization of their feelings.
About the Creator: Koumori
Koumori, also known as Kou Mori, is both the author and artist behind Our Aimless Nights. While not having an extensive background in manga, Koumori is known for romantic works, having previously illustrated stories on Pixiv and a three-volume josei series titled Kogare Ai (Yearning Love) published by Shueisha. Their artistic style is described as straightforward and aesthetically pleasing, drawing inspiration from shojo/josei manga, with the ability to transition between soft, shiny visuals and more cute, blobby expressions within the same page. Koumori debuted Our Aimless Nights on Futabasha’s Web Action website in July 2022.
The Significance of a Print Release
The transition from digital to print for Our Aimless Nights highlights the manga’s growing popularity and the sustained demand for physical copies within the Western market. Ink Pop, a new imprint from Random House Graphic, focuses on manga, manhwa, and webtoons for young readers, indicating a strategic move to reach a broad demographic. This print release allows readers to own a tangible collection of the series, offering a different reading experience than its digital counterpart. It also signifies the continued collaboration between digital platforms like Azuki and traditional publishers to expand the accessibility and reach of Japanese manga globally.
Fans eagerly anticipating the Summer 2026 release can look forward to holding Koumori’s tender tale of adolescent romance in their hands, complete with the trusted translation that has already resonated with its digital audience.
