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夜のまにまに [Yoru no Manimani] #1
Our Aimless Nights, Volume 1
Who says love can’t bloom in the dark? Two teen opposites fall for each other during quiet nights at a convenience store in this popular digital manga — now in print for the first time in English. A sweet romance perfect for fans of Skip and Loafer.
Peppy high school girl Chika and quiet boy Waya seem like they have nothing in common. However, they share a secret. They meet every week outside the convenience store where Waya works. Slowly, the two start learning more about each other. Before either of them knows it, something begins to bloom between them in the moonlight.
Peppy high school girl Chika and quiet boy Waya seem like they have nothing in common. However, they share a secret. They meet every week outside the convenience store where Waya works. Slowly, the two start learning more about each other. Before either of them knows it, something begins to bloom between them in the moonlight.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
June 4, 2026
This really scratched the You and I Are Polar Opposites, Vol. 1 and Skip and Loafer, Vol. 1 itch for me. It was seriously so cute and very well-written. I really liked all the characters inside and the pacing of the story.
My two favorite small aspects of this:
1. The female lead kabedons the male lead in this, and frankly, it was amazing, I loved it!
2. There's a side character in this who appears to be missing his two front teeth -- he is like a manga character you'd see with fang-teeth, but instead of fangs they're just regular teeth, and I gotta say, this design choice is SO ADORABLE. Every time this boy was on screen I wanted to 100% adopt him because he was so precious. I love all the main characters but he was especially my favorite!
I also want to comment on the physical book's quality. I think it's beautiful and that this book is really worth buying. I really like that the two characters on the cover & the title text are glossy while the rest is matte. The manga also has gorgeous colorful color flaps that give it a really fancy feel, and I love the little binding lines (not sure what these are technically called) on the front and back cover. I also really love the dimensions of this manga and the quality of the print and paper. Also, I'm beginning to really love it when manga has page numbers, which this one does. This was my first time buying a book published by Ink Pop (which I never heard of before now) and I was really impressed with the quality, so I felt like pointing it out.
My two favorite small aspects of this:
1. The female lead kabedons the male lead in this, and frankly, it was amazing, I loved it!
2. There's a side character in this who appears to be missing his two front teeth -- he is like a manga character you'd see with fang-teeth, but instead of fangs they're just regular teeth, and I gotta say, this design choice is SO ADORABLE. Every time this boy was on screen I wanted to 100% adopt him because he was so precious. I love all the main characters but he was especially my favorite!
I also want to comment on the physical book's quality. I think it's beautiful and that this book is really worth buying. I really like that the two characters on the cover & the title text are glossy while the rest is matte. The manga also has gorgeous colorful color flaps that give it a really fancy feel, and I love the little binding lines (not sure what these are technically called) on the front and back cover. I also really love the dimensions of this manga and the quality of the print and paper. Also, I'm beginning to really love it when manga has page numbers, which this one does. This was my first time buying a book published by Ink Pop (which I never heard of before now) and I was really impressed with the quality, so I felt like pointing it out.
June 4, 2026
Despite its general lack of shocking new developments in the realm of romance manga, I am very close to giving this five stars because of how insanely adorable it was. Every time I think I’m burning out on manga, something like this reminds me why I love it.
We start off a year into the story of the popular and friendly Chika, who spends her Wednesday nights talking to a fellow classmate, Waya, at the local convenience store where he works.
Then, the entire volume turns into a flashback that explains exactly how we got to the scene that ends the first chapter. Much as I love to gripe about flashbacks, they can be employed well and this whole volume-long narrative that also functions as a character introduction is neatly done.
These two are so cute together and that’s despite them having pretty typical personalities - Chika is outgoing and friendly, in contrast to Waya’s quiet and withdrawn nature (especially when he’s at school).
I like that this relationship springs forth from Waya and Chika having common ground to meet on - both are children whose parents divorced. Waya shows that he gets what Chika’s feeling about it, kindred spirit style, and the friendship blossoms from there.
Mind you, it’s a bit of a stretch to say friendship, since the romance starts almost immediately. Well, the feelings do. It turns out that Chika’s inability to face up to her feelings and Waya’s wall of ‘nobody could be interested in me’ makes for a big problem when it comes to actually getting together.
Even when Waya turns out to be a nice guy and helps his classmates, he can’t help but tell them off when they start to assume that he and Chika are dating. Not because he isn’t interested; he just assumes she won’t be. And he forgets to tell her that.
The other big tweak that helps is that we alternate perspectives between our two leads and that gives this a robust characterization that a lot of shojo lack. You often learn what the male lead is like, but having Waya’s inner thoughts revealed makes him so much more interesting.
There are others whose perspectives take over for a chapter and that gives this a little more variety in terms of its storytelling, which is partly why it feels new even though it is truly anything but. It’s just smarter about it.
So, even though Chika gets jealous when another girl talks to Waya, and there’s a sports day and all that usual stuff, watching them grow more comfortable around one another and come to terms with their feelings doesn’t feel stale.
When things get awkward, and rest assured they will get plenty awkward, you really feel the torture they’re putting one another through. And that interiority we had earlier twists the knife on it just a little more.
I’m very rarely against stories of two people who want to be together, but that doesn’t mean they’re all great. This one, I have to say, is pretty great and the title is a misnomer because it is on a mission. One that it accomplishes with aplomb.
4 stars - as mentioned, I’m so close to giving this an even higher ranking, but it’s not quite there for me. Still, I loved this and it shakes up the usual vibe for these sorts of stories in all the right ways to make it feel fresh. Strong start.
We start off a year into the story of the popular and friendly Chika, who spends her Wednesday nights talking to a fellow classmate, Waya, at the local convenience store where he works.
Then, the entire volume turns into a flashback that explains exactly how we got to the scene that ends the first chapter. Much as I love to gripe about flashbacks, they can be employed well and this whole volume-long narrative that also functions as a character introduction is neatly done.
These two are so cute together and that’s despite them having pretty typical personalities - Chika is outgoing and friendly, in contrast to Waya’s quiet and withdrawn nature (especially when he’s at school).
I like that this relationship springs forth from Waya and Chika having common ground to meet on - both are children whose parents divorced. Waya shows that he gets what Chika’s feeling about it, kindred spirit style, and the friendship blossoms from there.
Mind you, it’s a bit of a stretch to say friendship, since the romance starts almost immediately. Well, the feelings do. It turns out that Chika’s inability to face up to her feelings and Waya’s wall of ‘nobody could be interested in me’ makes for a big problem when it comes to actually getting together.
Even when Waya turns out to be a nice guy and helps his classmates, he can’t help but tell them off when they start to assume that he and Chika are dating. Not because he isn’t interested; he just assumes she won’t be. And he forgets to tell her that.
The other big tweak that helps is that we alternate perspectives between our two leads and that gives this a robust characterization that a lot of shojo lack. You often learn what the male lead is like, but having Waya’s inner thoughts revealed makes him so much more interesting.
There are others whose perspectives take over for a chapter and that gives this a little more variety in terms of its storytelling, which is partly why it feels new even though it is truly anything but. It’s just smarter about it.
So, even though Chika gets jealous when another girl talks to Waya, and there’s a sports day and all that usual stuff, watching them grow more comfortable around one another and come to terms with their feelings doesn’t feel stale.
When things get awkward, and rest assured they will get plenty awkward, you really feel the torture they’re putting one another through. And that interiority we had earlier twists the knife on it just a little more.
I’m very rarely against stories of two people who want to be together, but that doesn’t mean they’re all great. This one, I have to say, is pretty great and the title is a misnomer because it is on a mission. One that it accomplishes with aplomb.
4 stars - as mentioned, I’m so close to giving this an even higher ranking, but it’s not quite there for me. Still, I loved this and it shakes up the usual vibe for these sorts of stories in all the right ways to make it feel fresh. Strong start.
June 23, 2026
This was just the cutest! I was shipping these two hardcore! Two people from the same class don't really interact but she visits him all the time at his work at a conbini. And so they fall in love. It was just so cute and I was just hoping that both of them would say their feelings out loud!
July 8, 2026
This is very cute! I’m a big fan of stories that give young characters dignity and their feelings respect. No offense but a lot of stories in the shoujo genre can be fairly reductive. So, it’s nice when there is clear consideration that went into not only crafting a sweet romance but also into crafting young characters with nuance and care.
THIS story definitely does that.
Chika and Waya are high school students crushing on each other—but trying to keep it from each other as well (badly, might I add).
How they interact and the choices they make are so endearing—because they are so legible! This story really tries to celebrate what it means to be a teenager navigating their first crush.
Love is equal parts sweet and embarrassing.
So, if you’re looking for a cute, contemporary romance manga that genuinely seems to like its characters, I’d recommend this one! It definitely had me kicking my heels at points~
THIS story definitely does that.
Chika and Waya are high school students crushing on each other—but trying to keep it from each other as well (badly, might I add).
How they interact and the choices they make are so endearing—because they are so legible! This story really tries to celebrate what it means to be a teenager navigating their first crush.
Love is equal parts sweet and embarrassing.
So, if you’re looking for a cute, contemporary romance manga that genuinely seems to like its characters, I’d recommend this one! It definitely had me kicking my heels at points~
June 10, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book, although it is out now. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was the cutest story!! It perfectly encapsulated the feeling of developing a high school crush. Waya is exactly the type of love interest that teenage me would have been absolutely obsessed with, and Aiyama is very relatable. I appreciated that the story was grounded in reality and realistically portrayed different emotions such as social anxiety, jealousy, embarrassment, and friendship. Could this be the start of my manga era?
This book is PG enough for all ages who would appreciate a cute high school romance, but as it is serialized it is not a full story. I found it did wrap up nicely plot wise while leaving me excited to read the next volume. I will happily fall down this rabbit hole.
This was the cutest story!! It perfectly encapsulated the feeling of developing a high school crush. Waya is exactly the type of love interest that teenage me would have been absolutely obsessed with, and Aiyama is very relatable. I appreciated that the story was grounded in reality and realistically portrayed different emotions such as social anxiety, jealousy, embarrassment, and friendship. Could this be the start of my manga era?
This book is PG enough for all ages who would appreciate a cute high school romance, but as it is serialized it is not a full story. I found it did wrap up nicely plot wise while leaving me excited to read the next volume. I will happily fall down this rabbit hole.
June 10, 2026
Really cute to start, and I like how their relationship develops a lot more than in other romance manga. Only tricky thing with this one is it bounces around a bit of the first year of the main characters developing a crush on each other, so it might be hard to know when things happened in their timeline because its not in chronological order. I actually do want to read this as it comes out because I think it has potential, and won't be disgustingly pervy.
Read
June 5, 2026a very cute and quick read! it was nice to read a physical manga after a while :) i also loved the art, so i'm looking forward to continuing this when volume 2 comes out
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the ARC!!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the ARC!!
June 27, 2026
this was way way way too cute and I absolutely adore it. I cannot wait to see where this manga goes.
March 16, 2026
Our Aimless Nights is such a tender look at a first love, and it will have you reliving the awkward romantic tension from the early days of your own first crushes. Chika and Waya are both precious characters who seem to have a hard time really connecting with the people around them, but they find themselves drawn to each other in a way that neither can quite understand. I loved getting to see their sweet, almost bumbling attempts at forming a romantic connection, and I really enjoyed just how shocked both characters seemed by their own interest in the other. The side characters are also funny and already fairly nuanced for volume 1.
I really appreciated the care Kumori took in creating such a wholesome introduction to Shoujo for younger teens, and the relationship dynamic and their friendships all feel so fitting for the intended age group. It's one of the more accurate portrayals I've seen in manga of the early days of a relationship, and I think that the realistic nature is just so invaluable for teens as they start to explore their own romantic connections. Waya shows his affection through small, thoughtful acts rather than dramatic gestures, and Chika simply seeks out time with Waya once she starts to feel interest. There's not a lot of drama, and that's such a nice change of pace from other shoujos.
My only concern, really, was the inclusion of calorie counting/weight loss concern from an arguably thin character. In a time when teens are already facing a lot of that on social media, it was worrisome to see that included so early on. It's possible it will be developed in a way that addresses it thoughtfully in future volumes, but the brief inclusion currently just felt jarring.
Very fun read, and I would recommend it to most of the teens I work with. I look forward to seeing future installments as they're published. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the advanced copy. 4/5 stars.
I really appreciated the care Kumori took in creating such a wholesome introduction to Shoujo for younger teens, and the relationship dynamic and their friendships all feel so fitting for the intended age group. It's one of the more accurate portrayals I've seen in manga of the early days of a relationship, and I think that the realistic nature is just so invaluable for teens as they start to explore their own romantic connections. Waya shows his affection through small, thoughtful acts rather than dramatic gestures, and Chika simply seeks out time with Waya once she starts to feel interest. There's not a lot of drama, and that's such a nice change of pace from other shoujos.
My only concern, really, was the inclusion of calorie counting/weight loss concern from an arguably thin character. In a time when teens are already facing a lot of that on social media, it was worrisome to see that included so early on. It's possible it will be developed in a way that addresses it thoughtfully in future volumes, but the brief inclusion currently just felt jarring.
Very fun read, and I would recommend it to most of the teens I work with. I look forward to seeing future installments as they're published. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the advanced copy. 4/5 stars.
June 23, 2026
Likable and relatable protagonists, in a romance that's more cozy than exciting.
June 6, 2026
I’ve not read a manga in a long while (I was probably in college, and it was even so few back then). It’s refreshing for once to read a graphic novel! This English-translated Advance Reader Copy of a digital manga series is about a high school girl liking a boy from school that works at a convenience store. It’s a simple and cute story that has a grumpy/sunshine trope. It was fun interpreting the artwork along with the dialog. This is the kind of anime my son loves to watch, so I’m sure he will enjoy this. 3.5 stars.
April 29, 2026
Because I've read so many shoujo manga, I felt this one gets lost in the sea of generic.
July 27, 2026
Our Aimless Nights is the first volume in a slice-of-life manga series. The book follows Chika, a bubbly high school student, and her stoic classmate, Waya, as the two begin a friendship after school. Waya works an afterschool job at a convenience store that’s on Chika’s route home from school, and they encounter each other one Wednesday night after his shift. Although the two are too shy to interact with each other at school, they find that their Wednesday night meetings are the perfect place to chat. Despite Waya’s reluctance to engage as much, Chika perseveres in trying to talk and develop a friendship with him. The first volume of this series follows these two over the course of a year, as they get to know each other better, and their feelings deepen. The book is set in a Japanese school, and all characters are coded as being Japanese.
This was a cute book! This manga is rated 12+ on the back, so it’s appropriate for a wide range of tween and teen readers, and is a good pick for kids who are curious about starting to read manga. I liked the characters a lot, and thought that their dynamic was paced well over the course of the first volume. I loved Chika’s obsession for a blind box character, Cat Boss, and how devoted she was to collecting every version of that character that she could find (figurines, stickers, bags, charms, etc.). This also served as a cute plot point between Chika and Waya, as he brings her a limited-edition CatBoss item that she was worried would sell out before she could purchase one. Waya is such a huge softie, and I liked how the author portrayed his shyness compared to Chika’s more extroverted nature. Instead of coming off as mean or hostile, his quiet nature represents a more introverted demeanor, and reading chapters that feature his inner thoughts were helpful in his character development. This book is on the lighter side, while still maintaining some more emotional themes, and I can’t wait to read the next volume! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This was a cute book! This manga is rated 12+ on the back, so it’s appropriate for a wide range of tween and teen readers, and is a good pick for kids who are curious about starting to read manga. I liked the characters a lot, and thought that their dynamic was paced well over the course of the first volume. I loved Chika’s obsession for a blind box character, Cat Boss, and how devoted she was to collecting every version of that character that she could find (figurines, stickers, bags, charms, etc.). This also served as a cute plot point between Chika and Waya, as he brings her a limited-edition CatBoss item that she was worried would sell out before she could purchase one. Waya is such a huge softie, and I liked how the author portrayed his shyness compared to Chika’s more extroverted nature. Instead of coming off as mean or hostile, his quiet nature represents a more introverted demeanor, and reading chapters that feature his inner thoughts were helpful in his character development. This book is on the lighter side, while still maintaining some more emotional themes, and I can’t wait to read the next volume! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was SO cute!!
I was deeply touched by the opening message from the editor and their sharing how something is missing for younger YA readers because I definitely agree! I do believe, though, this manga can help fill that gap!
I was honestly surprised by how sweet and wholesome this was! I don’t remember feeling too interested when it was physically announced, but seeing it on NetGalley made me want to give it a try because I remember a friend being super stoked about it.
Honestly, I’m debating buying a physical copy because of how much I enjoyed seeing our leads slowly grow not only in their feelings for one another, but also more confident as individuals, especially Waya. Seeing him smile was SO cute, and Chika’s smile completely lights up a room!
They definitely don’t seem like two characters who would run in the same circles, but I wonder if that’s what made their story feel special? I really loved seeing Chika ask Waya random questions because she wanted to get to know him better, especially after we found out that Waya doesn't even use LINE because he made it known he liked talking face-to-face with people. Talk about refreshing!
I didn’t think I would want to read the next volume when starting this, but I definitely want to now! I liked the main characters and all the side characters, and am cheering for another hopefully soon-to-be couple as well as our main "couple"!
I think if you like short, wholesome slice-of-life romances, this is one I would definitely check out!
*(I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)
I was deeply touched by the opening message from the editor and their sharing how something is missing for younger YA readers because I definitely agree! I do believe, though, this manga can help fill that gap!
I was honestly surprised by how sweet and wholesome this was! I don’t remember feeling too interested when it was physically announced, but seeing it on NetGalley made me want to give it a try because I remember a friend being super stoked about it.
Honestly, I’m debating buying a physical copy because of how much I enjoyed seeing our leads slowly grow not only in their feelings for one another, but also more confident as individuals, especially Waya. Seeing him smile was SO cute, and Chika’s smile completely lights up a room!
They definitely don’t seem like two characters who would run in the same circles, but I wonder if that’s what made their story feel special? I really loved seeing Chika ask Waya random questions because she wanted to get to know him better, especially after we found out that Waya doesn't even use LINE because he made it known he liked talking face-to-face with people. Talk about refreshing!
I didn’t think I would want to read the next volume when starting this, but I definitely want to now! I liked the main characters and all the side characters, and am cheering for another hopefully soon-to-be couple as well as our main "couple"!
I think if you like short, wholesome slice-of-life romances, this is one I would definitely check out!
*(I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an absolutely sweet manga of how a quiet boy and a talkative, popular girl get to know each other through special moments in short snatches of time–not in school, but in private moments afterward.
The manga is told in short chapters, but each one is thorough in its storytelling as we see how Waya and Chika find their way to each other. It starts off when Chika discovers Waya working at a konbini, and starts spending about ten minutes of her time talking to him when he is at work. Waya is very quiet and doesn’t say much at first, but the two open up to each other as their meetings continue.
Waya is also a little bit awkward–he doesn’t understand why Chika would even spend time talking to him–but through her, he seems to grow in confidence, especially when it comes to doing things like asking for her LINE.
The only thing holding the two back is school–they do not acknowledge each other there; only at the convenience store. The reason for this is further explained at the end of the manga, and I’m not going to spoil it here, but it comes out in a confession that ends up being quite sweet.
Sweet. I know I keep using that word over and over again, but I can’t think of any other way to describe this manga. I wouldn’t use the word romantic, necessarily, as to me, that speaks to a more sweeping, dramatic story, but this is a slow, quiet tale of love slowly blooming.
I was engaged the entire time and rooting for Chika and Waya the whole way through. I can’t wait to see how their story further develops in volume two, which will release in the fall.
Thank you to Netgalley, Ink Pop, and Random House Children's Books for the digital ARC.
The manga is told in short chapters, but each one is thorough in its storytelling as we see how Waya and Chika find their way to each other. It starts off when Chika discovers Waya working at a konbini, and starts spending about ten minutes of her time talking to him when he is at work. Waya is very quiet and doesn’t say much at first, but the two open up to each other as their meetings continue.
Waya is also a little bit awkward–he doesn’t understand why Chika would even spend time talking to him–but through her, he seems to grow in confidence, especially when it comes to doing things like asking for her LINE.
The only thing holding the two back is school–they do not acknowledge each other there; only at the convenience store. The reason for this is further explained at the end of the manga, and I’m not going to spoil it here, but it comes out in a confession that ends up being quite sweet.
Sweet. I know I keep using that word over and over again, but I can’t think of any other way to describe this manga. I wouldn’t use the word romantic, necessarily, as to me, that speaks to a more sweeping, dramatic story, but this is a slow, quiet tale of love slowly blooming.
I was engaged the entire time and rooting for Chika and Waya the whole way through. I can’t wait to see how their story further develops in volume two, which will release in the fall.
Thank you to Netgalley, Ink Pop, and Random House Children's Books for the digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Random House and InkPop for the eARC!
5/6
Super cute story about a boy and a girl slowly starting to get to know each other and, maybe, falling in love!
This is a 2 volume series, and (so far) I think it would do well with a middle-grade to YA audience. Very wholesome and sweet story in this volume, I can’t imagine it becoming crazy or inappropriate. The two characters bond over everyday things and develop crushes. There are some side characters that have their own personalities, they’re not just background characters to prop the MCs up. I hope Waya gets over his past bullying, or at least can honestly talk to Chika about it, and why he’s afraid to talk to her in school. And I hope Chika gets the courage to talk to Waya in school too! She’s the “outgoing” character of the pair, so hopefully next volume, they can decide at the konbini to talk to each other at school, but I think Chika would have to start the conversation in front of the classmates. Anyway, super cute, looking forward to the second volume!
In a foreword, the editor says they wanted to make the manga section “less scary” for children to find things in, and that was their goal with the imprint. So I thought it was strange, when I was doing research to see how long this series is, that everywhere was saying this was “seinen” which is the demographic “older male” manga. Though from what I’ve seen idk why it has that label. It’s super wholesome (so far) so I think it might just be who the Japanese publisher was.
5/6
Super cute story about a boy and a girl slowly starting to get to know each other and, maybe, falling in love!
This is a 2 volume series, and (so far) I think it would do well with a middle-grade to YA audience. Very wholesome and sweet story in this volume, I can’t imagine it becoming crazy or inappropriate. The two characters bond over everyday things and develop crushes. There are some side characters that have their own personalities, they’re not just background characters to prop the MCs up. I hope Waya gets over his past bullying, or at least can honestly talk to Chika about it, and why he’s afraid to talk to her in school. And I hope Chika gets the courage to talk to Waya in school too! She’s the “outgoing” character of the pair, so hopefully next volume, they can decide at the konbini to talk to each other at school, but I think Chika would have to start the conversation in front of the classmates. Anyway, super cute, looking forward to the second volume!
In a foreword, the editor says they wanted to make the manga section “less scary” for children to find things in, and that was their goal with the imprint. So I thought it was strange, when I was doing research to see how long this series is, that everywhere was saying this was “seinen” which is the demographic “older male” manga. Though from what I’ve seen idk why it has that label. It’s super wholesome (so far) so I think it might just be who the Japanese publisher was.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was so cute. I was giggling the entire time. It brought me right back to those awkward early crush moments where you suddenly realize you like someone and have no idea what to do about it. It felt very real in that way.
The story follows Chika, who is outgoing and social, and Waya, who is much quieter and keeps to himself. At school, they barely acknowledge each other, but outside of it, they have this secret connection through the convenience store where Waya works. That dynamic alone made the story really fun to watch unfold.
What stood out to me the most is how accurate the characters feel for their age. Everyone is a little awkward, a little unsure, and trying to figure themselves out. It never felt overdramatic or forced. It just felt honest.
The artwork is super sweet and soft, and it really adds to those fluffy, heartwarming moments. It matches the tone of the story perfectly.
The only thing that threw me off was a scene involving calorie counting and weight loss for a side character. It felt really out of place and kind of jarring, especially since it wasn’t given much context. I am not sure if it will become more relevant later, but it stood out in a weird way in this first volume.
Overall, this was a really charming and relatable read, and I am definitely interested in continuing the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC copy.
The story follows Chika, who is outgoing and social, and Waya, who is much quieter and keeps to himself. At school, they barely acknowledge each other, but outside of it, they have this secret connection through the convenience store where Waya works. That dynamic alone made the story really fun to watch unfold.
What stood out to me the most is how accurate the characters feel for their age. Everyone is a little awkward, a little unsure, and trying to figure themselves out. It never felt overdramatic or forced. It just felt honest.
The artwork is super sweet and soft, and it really adds to those fluffy, heartwarming moments. It matches the tone of the story perfectly.
The only thing that threw me off was a scene involving calorie counting and weight loss for a side character. It felt really out of place and kind of jarring, especially since it wasn’t given much context. I am not sure if it will become more relevant later, but it stood out in a weird way in this first volume.
Overall, this was a really charming and relatable read, and I am definitely interested in continuing the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Our Aimless Nights in exchange for an honest review.
Our Aimless Nights is a sweet school romance starring two teenagers with completely opposite personalities. While the story premise and plot points are not unique if you are someone who has read a lot of shojo romance, where this story really shines is that it is one of the few times where the characters really felt their age. They had enough nuance to their personalities to make them more then their tropes, they acted like teenagers in that they still seemed to be growing into themselves, but weren't acting like mini adults or clueless children.
The forward mentioned that something that seems to be lacking in the market for translated romance manga are age appropriate stories. The term "clean romance", or anything disparaging titles that do contain adult themes is usually a huge red flag for me. After all, if you think that teenagers never have sex or have to deal with "adult" topics, then I don't think you actually know teenagers or forget how it was at that age. However, I do think that having more variety is always a good thing and this story really did balance what it feels like to be a teen well.
The art was cute, it suited the story wonderfully.
I plan on continuing with this series as I would love to see how their relationship develops and how some of the plots hinted at with other characters are developed.
Our Aimless Nights is a sweet school romance starring two teenagers with completely opposite personalities. While the story premise and plot points are not unique if you are someone who has read a lot of shojo romance, where this story really shines is that it is one of the few times where the characters really felt their age. They had enough nuance to their personalities to make them more then their tropes, they acted like teenagers in that they still seemed to be growing into themselves, but weren't acting like mini adults or clueless children.
The forward mentioned that something that seems to be lacking in the market for translated romance manga are age appropriate stories. The term "clean romance", or anything disparaging titles that do contain adult themes is usually a huge red flag for me. After all, if you think that teenagers never have sex or have to deal with "adult" topics, then I don't think you actually know teenagers or forget how it was at that age. However, I do think that having more variety is always a good thing and this story really did balance what it feels like to be a teen well.
The art was cute, it suited the story wonderfully.
I plan on continuing with this series as I would love to see how their relationship develops and how some of the plots hinted at with other characters are developed.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review: 4.75 stars
Thank you, Penguin Teen for the eARC via Netgalley.
Golden retriever girl x black cat boy romance - yessss!!!
Ok, this is tots adorable!
Our Aimless Night features Chika, a bubbly and social girl who has a secret friendship with Waya, a quiet, introverted boy in her class. In school, they never associate with each other but they actually know each other due to Waya’s work at the convenience store Chika frequently visits near her house. Vol 1 speaks to how their friendship begins despite some mis-understandings along the way.
I really enjoyed the care the author took depicting first love in the YA teen setting - the awkwardness, the sweet and cutesy moments and the tiny moments are beautifully captured in all the drawings - even the blushes - heh! The friendship scenes and the school setting is also on point! I appreciate the build up of their relationship from friendship to eventually sweet love - the emotional stakes here were realistic!
The artwork was on point and super sweet with some fluffy moments. Reading this brings a smile to my face and I cannot wait for Vol 2.
My only small nitpick is how there is already calorie counting featured in teens and the teen that depicted this is noted as thin in the drawings. It also feels a bit too young for them to be thinking about this…?
Thank you, Penguin Teen for the eARC via Netgalley.
Golden retriever girl x black cat boy romance - yessss!!!
Ok, this is tots adorable!
Our Aimless Night features Chika, a bubbly and social girl who has a secret friendship with Waya, a quiet, introverted boy in her class. In school, they never associate with each other but they actually know each other due to Waya’s work at the convenience store Chika frequently visits near her house. Vol 1 speaks to how their friendship begins despite some mis-understandings along the way.
I really enjoyed the care the author took depicting first love in the YA teen setting - the awkwardness, the sweet and cutesy moments and the tiny moments are beautifully captured in all the drawings - even the blushes - heh! The friendship scenes and the school setting is also on point! I appreciate the build up of their relationship from friendship to eventually sweet love - the emotional stakes here were realistic!
The artwork was on point and super sweet with some fluffy moments. Reading this brings a smile to my face and I cannot wait for Vol 2.
My only small nitpick is how there is already calorie counting featured in teens and the teen that depicted this is noted as thin in the drawings. It also feels a bit too young for them to be thinking about this…?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our Aimless Nights
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Our Aimless Nights was such a sweet and comforting read. If you're looking for a light, romantic manga that feels like a warm late-night conversation, this is absolutely the perfect palate cleanser.
Chika and Waya were an adorably shy pair, and I couldn’t get enough of their quiet chemistry. Watching them slowly open up to one another was the heart of the story. Their interactions felt genuine and tender, and the writing beautifully captured those small, intimate moments that make early romance feel so special.
The pacing did feel a bit fast in the beginning, but I appreciated that it slowed down toward the end. It allowed the relationship to breathe and avoided leaning too heavily into the instant-love trope. While the miscommunication trope did disrupt the flow slightly, it didn’t take away from the overall charm of the story.
What I’m hoping for in future volumes is deeper character and plot development. The foundation is strong, and I’d love to see the emotional stakes and supporting cast explored more fully as the series continues.
Overall, Our Aimless Nights is soft, fluffy, and filled with lovable characters. It’s the kind of manga you finish with a small smile on your face — and immediately wish there was more of.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Our Aimless Nights was such a sweet and comforting read. If you're looking for a light, romantic manga that feels like a warm late-night conversation, this is absolutely the perfect palate cleanser.
Chika and Waya were an adorably shy pair, and I couldn’t get enough of their quiet chemistry. Watching them slowly open up to one another was the heart of the story. Their interactions felt genuine and tender, and the writing beautifully captured those small, intimate moments that make early romance feel so special.
The pacing did feel a bit fast in the beginning, but I appreciated that it slowed down toward the end. It allowed the relationship to breathe and avoided leaning too heavily into the instant-love trope. While the miscommunication trope did disrupt the flow slightly, it didn’t take away from the overall charm of the story.
What I’m hoping for in future volumes is deeper character and plot development. The foundation is strong, and I’d love to see the emotional stakes and supporting cast explored more fully as the series continues.
Overall, Our Aimless Nights is soft, fluffy, and filled with lovable characters. It’s the kind of manga you finish with a small smile on your face — and immediately wish there was more of.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
❀ Book Review of 'Our Aimless Nights: Volume 1' by Kou Mori ❀
❀ Genre: Slice of Life Romance
❀ Age Range: 12 years old and up recommend
❀ Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆
To all future readers who want to know what someone felt while reading this.
You will immediately start feeling an immense connection to our main characters, Chika and Waya, with how they interact with people around them and most importantly, with each other. I like how the manga starts where we get introduced straight away to both of them and showing how this love starts to bloom for our debut into the series. Chika is an extrovert school girl who loves to be surrounded by her friends, yet a run in with asocial classmate Waya has her wanting to know more about him. When she frequents a corner store and finds out he works there, they start meeting every Wednesday at 9PM. What starts as her being curious starts having something blossom between our characters. We get to see more into Waya as well in volume 1 and why he is not very social amongst his classmates. It left me on a bit of a cliffhanger to where I am ready to pre-order the next volume in the series!
Thank you to Random House, Netgalley, and Koumori for letting me read this book in advance.
❀ Genre: Slice of Life Romance
❀ Age Range: 12 years old and up recommend
❀ Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆
To all future readers who want to know what someone felt while reading this.
You will immediately start feeling an immense connection to our main characters, Chika and Waya, with how they interact with people around them and most importantly, with each other. I like how the manga starts where we get introduced straight away to both of them and showing how this love starts to bloom for our debut into the series. Chika is an extrovert school girl who loves to be surrounded by her friends, yet a run in with asocial classmate Waya has her wanting to know more about him. When she frequents a corner store and finds out he works there, they start meeting every Wednesday at 9PM. What starts as her being curious starts having something blossom between our characters. We get to see more into Waya as well in volume 1 and why he is not very social amongst his classmates. It left me on a bit of a cliffhanger to where I am ready to pre-order the next volume in the series!
Thank you to Random House, Netgalley, and Koumori for letting me read this book in advance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy!
This is so stinking cute. I love the opposites attract trope this has going on. Waya is a quiet, introverted boy while Aiyama is an outgoing, extroverted girl. They really bring each other out of their comfort zone in the best ways. The cutesy art style is perfect for this type of story.
I love how supportive their classmates are. Its nice to not start out a manga series with someone trying to get in between the possible couple. Something that feels right with this story is how age appropriate things feel. Nothing feels too "adult" about the story and i really appreciate that given they are high school students. They way they interact is very much how teenagers would treat someone they have a crush on.
I am excited to see how the story develops. Will we find out more about Aiyama's parents divorcing? Will that play into the story on a deeper level or just be something they have in common? I cannot wait to read more of this story and absolutely recommend it!
This is so stinking cute. I love the opposites attract trope this has going on. Waya is a quiet, introverted boy while Aiyama is an outgoing, extroverted girl. They really bring each other out of their comfort zone in the best ways. The cutesy art style is perfect for this type of story.
I love how supportive their classmates are. Its nice to not start out a manga series with someone trying to get in between the possible couple. Something that feels right with this story is how age appropriate things feel. Nothing feels too "adult" about the story and i really appreciate that given they are high school students. They way they interact is very much how teenagers would treat someone they have a crush on.
I am excited to see how the story develops. Will we find out more about Aiyama's parents divorcing? Will that play into the story on a deeper level or just be something they have in common? I cannot wait to read more of this story and absolutely recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌟 3.5 stars 🌟
A very charming and endearing story of two high schoolers and their blossoming romance.
Chika, an outgoing and friendly girl, falls for the reserved Waya. Waya has difficulty speaking to others, always feeling like he doesn’t know the right things to say. They find themselves only speaking at night when Waya works at his part time job. While at school, neither of them knows what to say to the either. Stolen glances and secret conversations are abundant as they slowly fall for each other in this sweet romance.
Both Waya and Chika are adorably relatable. There’s a certain awkwardness that comes with talking to a crush that the author captured perfectly in their story and art. Young readers will definitely enjoy this story. I can see this being a great addition to a classroom or school library.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the advanced copy.
A very charming and endearing story of two high schoolers and their blossoming romance.
Chika, an outgoing and friendly girl, falls for the reserved Waya. Waya has difficulty speaking to others, always feeling like he doesn’t know the right things to say. They find themselves only speaking at night when Waya works at his part time job. While at school, neither of them knows what to say to the either. Stolen glances and secret conversations are abundant as they slowly fall for each other in this sweet romance.
Both Waya and Chika are adorably relatable. There’s a certain awkwardness that comes with talking to a crush that the author captured perfectly in their story and art. Young readers will definitely enjoy this story. I can see this being a great addition to a classroom or school library.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly, I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the advanced copy..
Onto the story, it's gives off the same vibes as "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" but aimed more towards students and there's no smoking involved so that's good. Onto the story itself, it's a pretty feel good story and some of the characters are a bit immature but that's to be expected and makes it feel somewhat realistic. The story seems to take place in the future with a timeskip to the back and then back to the present which makes the story feel a bit rushed and it feels like there are some gaps to their overall development.
However, I am still looking forward to their developments and want to see how they take it from here. It doesn't take itself too seriously and it's quite laid back so if you are into some feel good reads then this one is a good read and given the target audience as well, I think they will like it too.
Onto the story, it's gives off the same vibes as "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" but aimed more towards students and there's no smoking involved so that's good. Onto the story itself, it's a pretty feel good story and some of the characters are a bit immature but that's to be expected and makes it feel somewhat realistic. The story seems to take place in the future with a timeskip to the back and then back to the present which makes the story feel a bit rushed and it feels like there are some gaps to their overall development.
However, I am still looking forward to their developments and want to see how they take it from here. It doesn't take itself too seriously and it's quite laid back so if you are into some feel good reads then this one is a good read and given the target audience as well, I think they will like it too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Read: March 31st - March 31st
Format: E-Book
Rating: 4 Stars
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was honestly just adorable. Maybe not super deep or anything, but Chika and Waya were just so eeeeep >///< I love the way these two bond, and how Chika slowly helps Waya gain confidence in himself. Poor kid just expects to bring others lives down while being an absolute sweetheart 😭 So glad that he's just a shy goofball and not a too-cool-for-you cold boi (even if I love them as well).
Also, maybe weird take, but the art style actually looks better to me in black and white. It looks more bubbly/childish on the cover than I think it did in the book, even if it was also a pretty similar style there.
This would be a great cute introductory romance manga for preteens, I think. You get the cutesy art (loved one of the characters having a sort of half-dog form), blushy hijinks of first crush, and just an overall fun time.
Format: E-Book
Rating: 4 Stars
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was honestly just adorable. Maybe not super deep or anything, but Chika and Waya were just so eeeeep >///< I love the way these two bond, and how Chika slowly helps Waya gain confidence in himself. Poor kid just expects to bring others lives down while being an absolute sweetheart 😭 So glad that he's just a shy goofball and not a too-cool-for-you cold boi (even if I love them as well).
Also, maybe weird take, but the art style actually looks better to me in black and white. It looks more bubbly/childish on the cover than I think it did in the book, even if it was also a pretty similar style there.
This would be a great cute introductory romance manga for preteens, I think. You get the cutesy art (loved one of the characters having a sort of half-dog form), blushy hijinks of first crush, and just an overall fun time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Random House Children's Books, Ink Pop, and NetGalley for providing a free review copy of this book! All opinions in my review are completely my own.
This manga was really cute! There has such a sweet innocence to it with a strong "high school crush" feeling. Waya was a very relatable character for me since I am also a quiet person who doesn't like to draw attention. It was nice to see Chika and Waya go from basically strangers to friends. I liked seeing Waya open up and even start to interact with other classmates a bit. The story in Volume 1 covers about a year, which surprised me. The time jumps weren't always super obvious, but the setting indicated the changing seasons. A couple chapters were from the points of view of other characters, which felt a little random, but then again it's probably setting up storylines for a series. I liked the artwork and was able to read the whole volume in a single sitting. This is a manga that I was like to continue reading.
This manga was really cute! There has such a sweet innocence to it with a strong "high school crush" feeling. Waya was a very relatable character for me since I am also a quiet person who doesn't like to draw attention. It was nice to see Chika and Waya go from basically strangers to friends. I liked seeing Waya open up and even start to interact with other classmates a bit. The story in Volume 1 covers about a year, which surprised me. The time jumps weren't always super obvious, but the setting indicated the changing seasons. A couple chapters were from the points of view of other characters, which felt a little random, but then again it's probably setting up storylines for a series. I liked the artwork and was able to read the whole volume in a single sitting. This is a manga that I was like to continue reading.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First and foremost, I want to thank Koumori and their team. It is so hard to find a decent shoujo for young teens. Thank you for writing a solution and writing it well.
This was a cute shoujo—two young high school students with budding crushes. Blushing and eye contact, it was so cute. I love how Koumori focuses on both characters. I love how you introduce real-world problems and real-world decisions. Ugh, so good.
While Chika is like most girls, I feel like most readers could relate to her. Waya is so special. I feel like some readers will see themselves in quiet and sometimes sad Waya. I see his somber outward appearance in many kids and think this is a perfect summarization of them. In short, the characters are relatable to readers.
My library will be buying this and hopefully the rest in this series.
This was a cute shoujo—two young high school students with budding crushes. Blushing and eye contact, it was so cute. I love how Koumori focuses on both characters. I love how you introduce real-world problems and real-world decisions. Ugh, so good.
While Chika is like most girls, I feel like most readers could relate to her. Waya is so special. I feel like some readers will see themselves in quiet and sometimes sad Waya. I see his somber outward appearance in many kids and think this is a perfect summarization of them. In short, the characters are relatable to readers.
My library will be buying this and hopefully the rest in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Ink Pop for an arc. All opinions are my own.
★ Rating: 4/5
Genre: romance manga
Are There Gay People in this?*: ❌
This is such a sweet manga series. The art is really cute, and the relationship between the protagonists is believable. Pretty much this whole volume is a flashback (we start and end on the same scene) which I think is a fun choice.
Overall, I could definitely see myself recommending this to anyone looking for a cozy low stakes romance manga.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
★ Rating: 4/5
Genre: romance manga
Are There Gay People in this?*: ❌
This is such a sweet manga series. The art is really cute, and the relationship between the protagonists is believable. Pretty much this whole volume is a flashback (we start and end on the same scene) which I think is a fun choice.
Overall, I could definitely see myself recommending this to anyone looking for a cozy low stakes romance manga.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
April 3, 2026
Aiyama has always been surrounded by friends, she’s outgoing and has no problem showing it. When she runs into Waya, a classmate who is introverted, who stays away from conversation with his classmates, she forms a bond that grows stronger as the days go by. But their friendship is a bit unusual they keep to themselves at school while talking to their content at their met up spot.
This was such a cute read, I’m excited to see what the future volumes will have. We have two MCs who seem to blind quite well with each other despite being the complete opposites. While being around each other they try to understand their conflicting feelings, and as young as these two MCs are we can understand why they feel is a pretty strong and confusing. Can’t wait for what’s next. A great start to this series.
This was such a cute read, I’m excited to see what the future volumes will have. We have two MCs who seem to blind quite well with each other despite being the complete opposites. While being around each other they try to understand their conflicting feelings, and as young as these two MCs are we can understand why they feel is a pretty strong and confusing. Can’t wait for what’s next. A great start to this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Ink Pop for this ARC.
This is such a super cute story about a golden retriever girl, Aiyama, meeting a black cat boy, Waya, Waya is more of an introvert, so when he is at school he tried to avoid conversation with his classmates. However, when Aiyama sees him working at her local convenient store, she test her luck to talk to him. I can already tell you that any big shojo reader will jump for this as their next grab. It's not really a cringe clique romance, but a sweet slice of life of two people having their first crush and navigating through those awkward periods together. I feel like with the rate of the first volume, I would recommend this to even fourth and fifth graders. It's very simple, age appropriate, and a lot of fun overall.
Definitely a series I will be keeping a close eye.
This is such a super cute story about a golden retriever girl, Aiyama, meeting a black cat boy, Waya, Waya is more of an introvert, so when he is at school he tried to avoid conversation with his classmates. However, when Aiyama sees him working at her local convenient store, she test her luck to talk to him. I can already tell you that any big shojo reader will jump for this as their next grab. It's not really a cringe clique romance, but a sweet slice of life of two people having their first crush and navigating through those awkward periods together. I feel like with the rate of the first volume, I would recommend this to even fourth and fifth graders. It's very simple, age appropriate, and a lot of fun overall.
Definitely a series I will be keeping a close eye.
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