Fans of the heartwarming boys’ love (BL) manga series, Sasaki and Miyano, have reason to rejoice. After a hiatus, the series is confirmed to resume serialization this spring, bringing the beloved characters back to the forefront. The announcement comes as welcome news to the manga’s dedicated following, who have eagerly awaited the continuation of Sasaki and Miyano’s endearing story.
The Announcement
The official confirmation arrived in the February issue of Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Gene magazine. The announcement, made on January 15, 2025, revealed that Shō Harusono’s Sasaki and Miyano manga will be making its comeback this spring. This news follows Harusono’s initial statement on X/Twitter on January 1, hinting at the manga’s return as an irregular serialization.
Hiatus and Health Concerns
The Sasaki and Miyano manga had been on hiatus, with the last chapter published on February 23 of the previous year. This break also led to the postponement of the release of the manga’s 10th compiled book volume, which was initially slated for December 2023 but has been moved to March 2024. Harusono cited health concerns as the primary reason for the delay, explaining that recovery had been a longer process than initially anticipated.
What to Expect
The return of Sasaki and Miyano promises to deliver more of the heartwarming interactions and romantic developments that have captivated readers. While the serialization is expected to be irregular, the continuation of the story is the main thing the fans are looking forward to.
Yen Press
Yen Press, which publishes the series in English, describes the story as follows: “It all started like a typical old-school boys’ love plotline—bad-boy senior meets adorably awkward underclassman, one of them falls in love, and so on and so forth. But although Miyano is a self-proclaimed boys’ love expert, he hasn’t quite realized…he’s in one himself. Which means it’s up to Sasaki to make sure their story has a happily ever after…!”
“Hirano and Kagiura” Spinoff
Adding to the excitement, Harusono’s Hirano and Kagiura spinoff manga has also begun a new schedule as a monthly serialization in the magazine, starting on January 15. This spinoff focuses on two side characters from the main series, offering fans a deeper dive into their stories and relationships.
Spinoff Success
The Hirano to Kagiura spinoff manga launched in Monthly Comic Gene in 2019, further expanding the Sasaki and Miyano universe. Kadokawa published the spinoff manga’s fourth volume in February 2023. Yen Press also releases the manga in English. The spinoff manga has, in turn, inspired its own novel.
A Beloved Series
Sasaki and Miyano has garnered a significant following since its launch on the pixiv website in 2016. Its endearing characters, heartwarming storyline, and exploration of BL tropes have resonated with readers worldwide.
Anime Adaptation
The popularity of Sasaki and Miyano led to a television anime adaptation that premiered in January 2022 and aired for 12 episodes. The anime, streamed by Funimation, further broadened the series’ reach and introduced new fans to the world of Sasaki and Miyano.
“Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation”
In March 2022, it was announced that Shō Harusono’s Sasaki and Miyano manga would receive a new anime after the anime series aired its final episode. In July of that year, it was announced that it would be an anime film, with key staff and cast members returning to their respective positions from the television series for the film; Shinji Ishihira directing the film at Studio Deen, screenplay by Yoshiko Nakamura, character designed by Maki Fujii, and music composed by Kana Shibue. The film was released in theaters in Japan on February 17, 2023.
The Impact of Sasaki and Miyano
Sasaki and Miyano has made a significant impact on the BL landscape, offering a refreshing and relatable portrayal of young love and self-discovery. The series’ success has been attributed to its ability to subvert common tropes while maintaining a heartfelt and genuine narrative.
Representation and Inclusivity
The series has been praised for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ relationships and its exploration of themes such as identity, acceptance, and self-love. Through its endearing characters and relatable storylines, Sasaki and Miyano has resonated with a diverse audience and has contributed to greater visibility and understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences.
Manga
The term “manga” refers to Japanese comics or graphic novels. Manga encompasses a wide range of genres, styles, and target audiences, making it a diverse and influential form of media.
History of Manga
The history of manga can be traced back to the late 19th century, with influences from both Western and Japanese art forms. However, it was in the post-World War II era that manga truly flourished, with artists like Osamu Tezuka, often referred to as the “God of Manga,” pioneering new styles and storytelling techniques that would shape the future of the medium.
Characteristics of Manga
Manga has several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from Western comics. These include:
- Reading Direction: Manga is typically read from right to left, following the traditional Japanese writing direction.
- Art Style: Manga art often features exaggerated expressions, large eyes, and dynamic panel layouts.
- Themes and Genres: Manga covers a wide range of themes and genres, including action, adventure, romance, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and slice-of-life. There are manga series aimed at readers of all ages and interests.
Influence of Manga
Manga has had a significant influence on global popular culture, inspiring countless artists, writers, and filmmakers. Its impact can be seen in various forms of media, including:
- Anime: Many popular anime series are based on manga titles. Anime adaptations often bring manga stories to life with animation, music, and voice acting.
- Video Games: Manga-inspired art styles and storytelling techniques are commonly used in video games.
- Fashion and Design: Manga aesthetics have influenced fashion trends, graphic design, and other creative fields.
Notable Manga Series
There are countless notable manga series that have achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. Some of the most popular and influential manga series include:
- Dragon Ball: A classic action-adventure series that follows the journey of Goku as he trains to become the strongest martial artist in the world.
- One Piece: A long-running adventure manga about a group of pirates searching for the ultimate treasure.
- Naruto: A coming-of-age story about a young ninja who dreams of becoming the leader of his village.
- Attack on Titan: A dark and intense series set in a world where humanity is threatened by giant humanoid creatures.
- Death Note: A psychological thriller about a high school student who discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name in it.
The Manga Industry
The manga industry is a multi-billion dollar market, with a global audience of dedicated fans. Manga is published in a variety of formats, including:
- Tankōbon: These are collected volumes of manga chapters, similar to graphic novels.
- Magazines: Manga magazines, such as Weekly Shōnen Jump and Monthly Comic Gene, serialize multiple manga series simultaneously.
- Digital Manga: Digital manga platforms allow readers to access manga series online or through mobile apps.
Boys’ Love (BL)
Boys’ Love (BL) is a genre of manga, anime, and other media that focuses on romantic relationships between male characters. BL stories are typically created by and for female audiences and often explore themes of love, intimacy, and relationships from a female perspective.
Characteristics of Boys’ Love
BL stories have several distinct characteristics that set them apart from other genres. These include:
- Focus on Romance: BL stories prioritize the romantic relationship between the male characters, often depicting emotional and intimate moments.
- Female Gaze: BL stories are typically created from a female perspective, exploring the dynamics of male relationships through a female lens.
- Emotional Depth: BL stories often delve into the characters’ emotions, vulnerabilities, and personal growth.
- Genre Conventions: BL stories often incorporate specific genre conventions, such as the “seme” (dominant) and “uke” (submissive) roles.
Themes Explored in Boys’ Love
BL stories often explore a variety of themes, including:
- Love and Relationships: BL stories delve into the complexities of love, intimacy, and commitment between male characters.
- Identity and Self-Discovery: BL stories often explore themes of sexual orientation, gender identity, and self-acceptance.
- Social Norms and Expectations: BL stories may challenge societal norms and expectations regarding gender roles and relationships.
- Emotional Vulnerability: BL stories often portray male characters expressing their emotions and vulnerabilities in ways that challenge traditional masculine stereotypes.
Popularity and Influence of Boys’ Love
BL has become a popular and influential genre, with a dedicated global fan base. The genre has had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring artists, writers, and filmmakers.
Criticism and Controversy
Like any genre, BL has faced criticism and controversy. Some common criticisms include:
- Stereotypical Portrayals: Some BL stories have been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Objectification: BL stories have been accused of objectifying male characters for the pleasure of female audiences.
- Lack of Representation: Some critics argue that BL stories often lack diverse representation of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences.
Looking Ahead
As fans eagerly await the return of Sasaki and Miyano, the series’ enduring appeal and positive impact on the BL community are undeniable. The resumption of serialization promises to deliver more of the heartwarming moments, relatable characters, and meaningful explorations of love and identity that have made Sasaki and Miyano a beloved series. The series is set to resume sometime this spring.
