Akira Failing in Love, Vol. 2

百瀬アキラの初恋破綻中。 [Momose Akira no Hatsukoi Hatanchuu.] #2

by Shinta Harekawa

Akira returns to the countryside for high school with a foolproof plan to win the heart of her childhood crush Hajime. Too bad they’re both fools in love… It’s an epic match made in awkwardness!

Genres: Manga

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 12, 2026

Reviews

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was even better than the first one, and I hope it'll only keep going up from here! It's still just as lighthearted but cozy and warm, making this romantic comedy a perfect spring/summertime read. 🌺 Akira and Hajime are still oblivious most times, but finally are making some progress in their relationship. Although, just as Hajime thought, it's just as nice going slow and enjoying every moment.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shinta Harekawa and VIZ Media for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. 百瀬アキラの初恋破綻中。 2 aka "Akira Falling in Love" Vol.2 will be out 12th of May 2026!

[Jack Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHHHHH!!!

This one was even better than the first one. I love these characters so much. I love how hopeless both of them are at communicating and how things go so comically awry. But I also like that things work out for them, too. This is such a fun story. In this volume we continue with our two main characters and their overly complicated schemes to get closer to one another. We even have a festival scene in this one! My favorite kind of comedy is physical comedy and this volume continues to deliver. I was up at the desk at the library reading this and having to hold back my laughter. I am really hoping that this eventually gets an anime because amazing.

The art continues to shine. Expressive, delicate linework, all of those beautiful full spreads and close up panels with those romance manga bubbles and sparkles. Perfection.

Thanks to Netgalley and VIZ Media for the DRC! I hope they put up the next one soon because I need it. I need it desperately. (Especially with that ending! *happy squealing*)

[liz gopsill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by thanking NetGalley, Shinta Harekawa and Viz Media for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Akira Failing in Love, Vol. 2 will be out May 12, 2026!

Such an improvement from Vol. 1! Harekawa has really strengthened the set up of each short story and has found a much better balance between the main couple while also fleshing out some of the finer details of their friend group. Super cute and tropey with a gorgeous art style!

Interested to see how Harekawa adapts in the next volume and if this series will grow from short and silly vignettes to a tighter plot line. Love how silly both the main characters are and how each chapter opens with a short story about indigenous species in their small town.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this title so that I can give an honest review.

Volume 2 of Akira Failing in Love keeps the same light-hearted rom-com energy going! The dynamics between Hajime and Akira are as funny as ever--with new settings providing the perfect opportunity for some humor and romance. Overall, volume 2 was filled with endearing relationships, wholesome characters, and charmingly awkward humor.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the early access reading.

I enjoyed reading the first volume, seeing two hopeless students who crush on each other and awkwardly interact each other. It's always very cute seeing them in love when they assume the worst. This one just made it CHEFS KISS. Things are starting to coming together for the two of them and I can't wait to see the two of them grow and be continue to be awkward.

[Kait W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so silly and adorable. It reminds me a bit of School Rumble, but in a softer way that's a bit more realistic. It makes me smile, I love both of our oblivious main characters, and I'm enjoying their friends and the way those side characters are being utilized and given their own personalities. This is a very quick read, and it's not very dramatic, so it's a perfect cozy read.

[Mityl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable manga set in the countryside with the young adult main characters like each other but end up in comic situations as they struggle to confess their feelings to each other. It is a fun quick read. I will look into other volumes of this manga when I get a chance.
*I received an ARC from Edelweiss+ for my honest review. All the best to the team!

[c. a. · Rating 5 out of 5]

PEAK romance I loved that ending!!!