- The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All: Sumiko Arai's award-winning yuri romance manga set around rock music and a record store.
- Core premise: Aya falls for a stylish record-store clerk who turns out to be her quiet female classmate, Mitsuki.
- Recognition: Winner of the Web Manga category at the 2023 Next Manga Awards, with over 2.25 million copies sold.
- Anime: A TV anime adaptation is scheduled to premiere on Crunchyroll in 2027.
- English editions: Published by Yen Press, starting with Volume 1.
Series Overview: Sumiko Arai's Music-Driven Yuri Romance
The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All (Japanese: 気になってる人が男じゃなかった) is a yuri romance manga by Sumiko Arai that blends school life, rock culture, and an identity misunderstanding into one of the most talked-about web manga of recent years. The series follows Aya Oosawa, a fashionable and expressive high-school girl, who becomes fascinated by a cool, stylish employee at a record store — not realizing that the person behind the shop persona is actually her quiet female classmate, Mitsuki Koga.
The story's appeal comes from how naturally it weaves music into its romance. Records, album artwork, headphones, and the record-store environment are not background decoration; they are the shared emotional language through which Aya and Mitsuki connect before they fully understand each other. According to the official anime site, the series has surpassed 2.25 million copies in circulation and counts more than 2 million social media followers, reflecting its remarkable rise from web manga to international hit.
Video Highlights:
- The official Crunchyroll teaser confirms the anime adaptation
- The premiere window is set for 2027
- The teaser introduces Aya and Mitsuki's core dynamic
A Chance Encounter
- Record-store meeting sparks the story
- Music becomes the bridge between two very different girls
- A stylish alternate persona hides a familiar classmate
Yuri Romance Focus
- Slow-building tension between Aya and Mitsuki
- Attraction, curiosity, and gentle misunderstandings
- Emotional development through small moments
Identity Twist
- First impressions drive the central conflict
- Neither character is reduced to a stereotype
- Self-presentation and music taste shape identity
This guide keeps major plot turns hidden. If you are starting the manga for the first time, you can read every section below without spoiling later volumes.
Main Characters and Relationship Dynamics
The contrast between the two leads is the engine of the series. Aya is outgoing, gyaru-inspired, and quick to fixate on someone who catches her eye. Mitsuki is reserved and androgynous, more comfortable expressing herself through music than through conventional social signals — a difference in presentation that directly enables Aya's initial misunderstanding.
| Character | Role | Personality | Music Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Oosawa | Outgoing high-school student | Fashionable, expressive, easily fascinated | Drawn to alternative and rock music through the record store |
| Mitsuki Koga | Quiet classmate and music enthusiast | Reserved, cool, understated | Deeply knowledgeable; works at the record store |
| Aya and Mitsuki | Central romantic pairing | Direct enthusiasm meets quiet reserve | Music acts as their shared language |
Their relationship develops across two overlapping spaces: the school corridor, where Mitsuki's everyday identity differs sharply from the image Aya formed, and the record store, where Mitsuki's alternate persona first captured Aya's attention. School life, part-time work, awkward conversations, and small behavioral shifts carry as much weight as major romantic beats.
The misunderstanding is not treated as a cheap gag. Arai uses it to explore how attraction forms around a curated persona, and what happens when the everyday person behind that persona turns out to be someone already close to you.
Reading Order and Where to Buy Official Editions
The manga began as a web manga and is collected in Japanese tankobon volumes published by KADOKAWA, with the English edition handled by Yen Press. Reading in numbered-volume order is the simplest path for English readers.
| Sequence | Volume | Content Focus | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vol. 1 | Introduces Aya, Mitsuki, the record store, and the identity misunderstanding | Official English (Yen Press) |
| 2 | Vol. 2 | Continues the developing relationship, school life, and romantic tension | Official English (Yen Press) |
| 3+ | Later volumes | Follow the official series listing for new releases | Yen Press series page |
Authorized channels for the English edition include the Yen Press series page, the Volume 1 listing, and digital storefronts such as BOOK☆WALKER. Availability and format vary by volume and storefront, so confirm the specific volume before purchasing.
Support the series by using publisher pages and authorized digital storefronts. Unofficial aggregator sites do not compensate Sumiko Arai or the publishers behind the work.
Beginner Guide: How to Start the Series
If you are new to the series, follow these steps to get the most out of your first read.
Start with the Central Premise
Understand the setup: Aya develops feelings for a cool person at a record store, unaware that this person is her female classmate Mitsuki in a different presentation. Knowing this premise is intentional — the title states it openly.
Understand the Yuri Romance
The emotional core is the developing relationship between the two girls. Expect attraction, curiosity, misunderstandings, and gradual discovery rather than fast-paced drama.
Savor the Slice-of-Life Details
School corridors, classmates, part-time work, fashion, and awkward exchanges build the mood. Ordinary moments matter as much as big developments.
Follow the Music Elements
Pay attention to rock references, records, and listening habits. Music is how the leads communicate before words come easily.
Decide If It Fits Your Taste
The series suits readers who enjoy yuri, school romance, character-driven storytelling, fashion-conscious design, and music-centered settings.
First-Reading Checklist:
- Read Volume 1 in full before looking up later plot details
- Note the record-store scenes and music references
- Track how Aya's perception of Mitsuki shifts over time
- Check the Yen Press series page for the newest English volume
- Bookmark the official anime site for 2027 adaptation news
This series works especially well for fans of gentle yuri romance, music culture, and character-driven school stories with a stylish visual identity.
Music, Themes, and Creative Background
Music defines the manga's identity. In interviews, Sumiko Arai has discussed how records, rock culture, and the record-store environment are integrated into the romance itself — a point emphasized in uDiscover Music's interview with the author.
| Theme | How It Appears | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and self-presentation | Mitsuki's store persona vs. school self | Drives the central misunderstanding with nuance |
| Music as connection | Shared records, listening habits | Gives the leads a language beyond words |
| Youth and everyday moments | School life, part-time work, fashion | Builds intimacy through small scenes |
| Quiet rebellion | Rock aesthetics, record-store culture | Distinguishes the series from standard school romance |
The uDiscover Music interview is one of the best English-language sources on Arai's creative motivations and the role music plays in the story's construction.
Awards, Reception, and the 2027 Anime
The manga's breakthrough recognition came at the 2023 Next Manga Awards, where it took the top prize in the Web Manga category — a signal of its exceptional digital readership. Reception has centered on three strengths: its distinctive yuri premise, its strong visual identity, and its music-centered storytelling, as covered by Anime Trendz's awards report.
The TV anime adaptation is tracked on the official anime site, with Crunchyroll's teaser pointing to a 2027 premiere. Keep manga content and adaptation news separate: animation announcements, trailers, staff, and broadcast details belong to the anime side, while character and volume information belongs to the manga.
Follow the author's official X account (@agu_knzm) and the official anime site for the latest announcements. Fan communities such as r/TheGuyShesInterested on Reddit also track news closely.
Q: Who is the author of The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All?
The manga is written and illustrated by Sumiko Arai, published in collected volumes by KADOKAWA in Japan and in English by Yen Press.
Q: When does the anime premiere?
The official anime site and Crunchyroll's teaser indicate a 2027 premiere window. Exact broadcast dates and staff details will come from official announcements.
Q: How many copies has the series sold?
According to the official anime website, the series has surpassed 2.25 million copies in circulation worldwide and over 2 million social media followers.
Q: Is the series worth reading for someone new to yuri manga?
Yes, it is frequently recommended as an approachable entry point. Its combination of school romance, slice-of-life pacing, stylish art, and music culture appeals both to yuri readers and to fans of character-driven romance generally.