The publisher square enix announced that the illustrator of Horimiya, Daisuke Hagiwarawill launch a new manga titled Hardly Enough to Call It Love, But… (Koi to Yobu ni wa Sasayaka desu ga) in the November issue of the magazine Monthly Shonen Gangan. The project was presented as a romantic comedy with age differencealthough many additional details have not yet been revealed.
The story follows Umi Sayamaa young woman whose mother must be away for work and leaves her in the care of the neighboring family, the Hiori. Umi cannot hide her excitement at living with Shouya Hiorithe eldest son, whom she has admired since she was little. However, upon meeting again, he discovers that the former model student is now dedicated to creating adult manga. From there, Umi must decide if her feelings can overcome the surprise of Shouya's new life.
This new manga marks the Hagiwara's return after almost a year without publishing a solo work. The author is known for illustrating the popular manga Horimiyain addition to participating in the adaptations Horimiya: Piece and Hori-san to Miyamura-kun. He has also worked on titles such as Ne Ne Ne and collaborated in anthologies such as Daily Lives of High School Boys and Touken Ranbu Online.
His most recent works include the one-shot Raise wa Bishoujopublished in December 2024 in the magazine GFantasyand Inu to Watashi no Kazoku Jijoupublished in 2013 in Sylph. With Hardly Enough to Call It Love, But…Hagiwara returns to the romantic comedy with a new perspective on relationships and emotional maturity.
Can this story reach the popularity of Horimiya among new generation readers?
