Shinta Harekawa’s Akira Failing in Love has surpassed 1 million copies in circulation worldwide, marking a major milestone for the romantic comedy manga. The announcement was made in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday combined issue No. 42/43, published September 16, 2026.
The series, also known as Momose Akira no Hatsukoi Hatan-chū, began serialization in Weekly Shonen Sunday in August 2024. Shogakukan released the first collected volume in December 2024, while the eighth volume arrived on September 16, the same day as the circulation milestone announcement.
Akira Failing in Love Continues Its Rapid Rise
Akira Failing in Love follows Akira, a high school student who returns to the countryside determined to win over her childhood crush. However, her romantic ambitions become complicated because the feelings between the two characters are not as one-sided as she believes.
VIZ Media, which publishes the manga in English, describes the story as one involving two “fools in love,” with Akira failing to recognize that her crush also has feelings for her. The series has steadily expanded its international readership since its debut.
VIZ released the manga’s fourth English volume on September 8, 2026, giving overseas readers another opportunity to follow Harekawa’s ongoing romantic comedy.
Harekawa previously created Senpai, This Can’t Be Love! and its sequel Sempai! Danjite Koi de wa! Brush up. The former also received an eight-episode live-action adaptation in 2022.
The creator has also worked on Three Exorcism Siblings, which concluded with its seventh volume in September 2023. With Akira Failing in Love now crossing the 1-million-copy milestone, Harekawa’s latest series has become another notable success in the creator’s career.
