- The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All is a yuri romance manga by Sumiko Arai
- The premise: Aya falls for a stylish record-store employee who turns out to be her female classmate Mitsuki
- Music is central: rock records and shop culture drive the relationship, not just the setting
- Award winner: took first place in the Web Manga category of the 2023 Next Manga Awards
- Anime coming: an official adaptation is slated for 2027, streaming on Crunchyroll
What Is The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All About?
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 written and illustrated by Sumiko Arai, serialized digitally and published in print by KADOKAWA in Japan, with an official English edition from Yen Press. The story follows Aya Oosawa, a fashionable, outgoing high-school girl who becomes fascinated by a cool, androgynously stylish employee at a record store — not realizing that the person behind the shop persona is actually Mitsuki Koga, a quiet girl in her class.
The misunderstanding at the heart of the title drives the early tension. Aya believes she has a crush on a boy; in reality, the "guy" is her female classmate presenting a different side of herself at work. Rather than playing the twist for shock value, the series uses it to explore identity, self-presentation, and how two very different people find a shared language through alternative and rock music.
This overview keeps major plot turns vague. You can read on safely before starting Volume 1 — only the premise revealed in official blurbs is discussed.
Main Characters and Their Dynamic
The series is built on contrast: Aya's loud, expressive energy against Mitsuki's understated cool. Their different social positions at school — and the gap between Mitsuki's school self and her record-store persona — create the emotional engine of the romance.
| Character | Role | Personality | Connection to Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Oosawa | Outgoing high-school student | Fashionable, expressive, quick to fixate | Newly drawn to the alternative/rock scene around the shop |
| Mitsuki Koga | Quiet classmate, record-store employee | Reserved, cool, expresses herself through music | Deeply knowledgeable; the shop is her territory |
| Aya and Mitsuki | Central romantic pairing | Enthusiasm meets quiet reserve | Music is their shared language and bridge |
Aya Oosawa
- Gyaru-inspired style
- Emotionally direct and curious
- Falls first, misunderstands longest
Mitsuki Koga
- Androgynous shop look
- Speaks fluently through records
- Hides a softer side at school
Their Dynamic
- Opposites attracting
- Identity confusion fuels tension
- Small moments over big drama
Aya's direct enthusiasm and Mitsuki's quiet reserve complement each other: one chases, one opens up slowly. Neither is reduced to a stereotype, which is a large part of the manga's appeal.
Themes: Identity, Music, and Youth
Music is not background decoration here — it defines the setting, shapes character identity, and gives Aya and Mitsuki a way to connect before they fully understand each other. In an interview with uDiscover Music, Sumiko Arai discussed how records, rock culture, and personal listening habits are woven into the story's emotional world.
- Identity and first impressions: how we present ourselves in different spaces, and how wrong snap judgments can be
- Music as connection: shared taste becomes intimacy before words do
- Youth and self-expression: fashion, headphones, and album artwork carry emotional weight
- Slow-burn romance: the relationship develops through small emotional steps rather than dramatic confessions
Fans of record-store culture and alt-rock aesthetics will find genuine payoff in the details — album covers, listening habits, and shop scenes — beyond the romance itself.
Reading Order and Where to Read
The English edition from Yen Press is easiest to follow in numbered-volume order. Start with Volume 1 to meet Aya, Mitsuki, and the record store, then continue with Volume 2.
| Order | Volume | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vol. 1 (Yen Press) | Introduces Aya, Mitsuki, the record store, and the identity misunderstanding |
| 2 | Vol. 2 (Yen Press) | Continues the relationship; deepens school life, music, and romantic tension |
| 3+ | Series listing | Follow the official Yen Press series page for later volumes |
Official channels include:
| Platform | Format | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Yen Press Vol. 1 | Print/digital listing | Volume 1 |
| BOOK☆WALKER | Authorized digital edition | Volume 2 |
| KADOKAWA | Japanese volumes | Original editions |
Support the creator by using official storefronts. Unlicensed scan sites don't compensate Sumiko Arai or the publishers.
Start with the premise
Read Volume 1 knowing only the setup: Aya likes a record-store "guy" who is actually her classmate Mitsuki.
Watch the relationship build
Focus on school-life details, awkward conversations, and music moments rather than expecting big plot twists.
Follow the music thread
Pay attention to records, playlists, and listening scenes — they signal emotional shifts between the leads.
Catch up on awards context
Knowing the series won the 2023 Next Manga Awards (Web Manga category) helps explain its popularity.
Anime Adaptation and Reception
An official anime adaptation has been announced, with the official anime site confirming a planned 2027 premiere and streaming on Crunchyroll. The series has sold more than 2.25 million copies worldwide and counts over 2 million social followers.
Video Highlights:
- Official teaser for the anime adaptation
- Confirms the 2027 release window on Crunchyroll
- First animated look at Aya and Mitsuki's dynamic
| Recognition | Details |
|---|---|
| Next Manga Awards 2023 | Winner, Web Manga category |
| Global sales | 2.25M+ copies (per official anime site) |
| Social reach | 2M+ followers across official accounts |
| Anime | Announced, 2027, Crunchyroll |
New Reader Checklist:
- Read Volume 1 from Yen Press
- Understand the identity-misunderstanding premise
- Note the record-store and rock-music themes
- Follow the official anime site for 2027 updates
- Check the Yen Press series page for new volumes
Whether you arrive from yuri, school romance, or music manga, the series is accessible from multiple genre backgrounds — that crossover appeal is a big reason it broke out.
FAQ
Q: What is The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All about?
It is a yuri romance manga by Sumiko Arai. High-school girl Aya Oosawa develops a crush on a stylish record-store employee, not realizing the person is her female classmate Mitsuki Koga. The story follows their slow-building relationship through shared music.
Q: Is it a yuri (girls' love) series?
Yes. The central romance is between Aya and Mitsuki, blending yuri with school romance, slice-of-life, and music-manga elements.
Q: Where can I read the official English version?
Yen Press publishes the official English edition. Volume 1 and Volume 2 are available through the Yen Press website and authorized digital storefronts such as BOOK☆WALKER.
Q: When does the anime come out?
The official anime site and Crunchyroll teaser indicate a planned 2027 premiere on Crunchyroll. Follow the official anime accounts for confirmed dates and staff announcements.