Love Me, Love Me Not (Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare) is a poignant and thought-provoking shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Io Sakisaka, the acclaimed author of Ao Haru Ride (Blue Spring Ride) and Strobe Edge.
Published in Japan by Shueisha in the Bessatsu Margaret magazine from June 2015 to May 2019, the series was compiled into 12 tankōbon volumes. It has been officially translated into English by Viz Media under the Shojo Beat imprint and is fully available in English.
The story follows two high school girls, Yuna and Akari, who have very different views on love. Through a web of misunderstandings, friendships, and evolving relationships with two male protagonists, the manga explores the complexities of young love, identity, self-doubt, and human connections with emotional depth and realism.
Key Highlights:
- Awards: Winner of the Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category in 2018.
- Sales: Over 5.5 million copies sold worldwide.
- Adaptations: A 2020 anime film and a live-action film were released.
The series is particularly praised for its nuanced and relatable characters, beautiful artwork, and realistic portrayal of teenage relationships and emotional struggles. While many readers love the depth and emotional intelligence of the story, some criticize certain plotlines (especially Akari and Kazuomi’s arc) for being overly prolonged with repetitive misunderstandings, and a few found the ending slightly underwhelming.
Overall, Love Me, Love Me Not is highly recommended for fans of mature shōjo romance with dramatic and introspective elements.
Sources for further reading:
- MyAnimeList: Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare
- Wikipedia: Love Me, Love Me Not (manga)
- Reddit discussions (r/shoujo): Various threads with mixed but mostly positive feedback from readers.
