- The CD connection: The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All opens in a record store where Aya first falls for Mitsuki.
- Music as language: Rock CDs and shared playlists become the bridge between the two leads.
- Identity twist: Aya mistakes Mitsuki's shop persona for a boy, launching the central misunderstanding.
- Award winner: The manga won the Web Manga category at the 2023 Next Manga Awards.
- Anime ahead: An anime adaptation is slated to premiere on Crunchyroll in 2027.
Why the CD Store Matters in The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All
In The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All (Japanese title: Kinihito datta no ni, Otoko ja Nakatta — officially 気になってる人が男じゃなかった), the CD store is far more than a backdrop. It is the place where Aya Oosawa, a fashionable high-school girl, first becomes fascinated by a cool, stylish employee — without realizing that person is her quiet classmate Mitsuki Koga. The manga by Sumiko Arai, published by KADOKAWA in Japan and Yen Press in English, uses physical music culture to build its entire romantic premise.
Video Highlights:
- Official anime teaser confirming the adaptation is in production
- First animated look at the record store atmosphere and the two leads
- Confirmation of a planned 2027 premiere window
The store functions as a third main character of sorts. Album covers, headphones, CD racks, and listening habits define how Aya and Mitsuki present themselves — and how they misread each other. Music gives them a way to communicate before they can talk honestly.
If you are new to the series, pay close attention to every scene set inside the CD shop. Visual details — album art, fashion choices, and body language — carry as much romantic meaning as the dialogue itself.
CD Culture and Rock Music Themes
Rock music shapes every layer of the story. Mitsuki works at the record store and expresses herself through deep knowledge of alternative music, while Aya is drawn first to the cool image surrounding the shop before developing her own genuine interest in the sound.
The Record Store as Meeting Place
- Introduces Aya to Mitsuki's alternate shop persona
- Connects romance with physical CD culture
- Creates a recurring setting outside the classroom
Rock Music as Atmosphere
- Album covers and headphones define the visual identity
- Adds texture to quiet romantic scenes
- Separates the series from standard school romance
Music Taste as Identity
- Aya's curiosity grows through listening and observation
- Mitsuki's taste reveals her private inner life
- Shared CDs become the couple's emotional language
| Music Element | Role in the Story | What It Reveals |
|---|---|---|
| CDs and vinyl racks | The meeting point between the leads | Mitsuki's connection to the shop |
| Headphones | Aya's entry into the music world | Her growing, sincere curiosity |
| Album artwork | Visual shorthand for mood and taste | The series' fashion-forward identity |
| Shared playlists | Communication before honesty | The slow build of romantic trust |
In an official interview with Sumiko Arai published by uDiscover Music, the author discusses how her own music interests shaped the record-store setting, explaining why rock culture feels inseparable from the romance rather than decorative.
Where to Buy the Official Volumes
The English edition is published by Yen Press, and the Japanese edition by KADOKAWA. Follow publication order starting from Volume 1 to experience the identity misunderstanding as it was intended to unfold.
| Edition | Publisher | Where to Find | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Vol. 1 | Yen Press | Official Volume 1 page | Introduces Aya, Mitsuki, and the CD store |
| English Vol. 2 | Yen Press | BOOK☆WALKER listing | Continues the relationship development |
| English series listing | Yen Press | Series page | Tracks future volume releases |
| Japanese edition | KADOKAWA | KADOKAWA product page | Original language release |
Stick to the publisher pages and authorized digital storefronts listed above. Unofficial scan sites do not support the creator and often carry poor translations that lose the manga's music-culture nuance.
Beginner Steps: Reading Through the Music Lens
Start with the central premise
Aya falls for a stylish record-store employee she assumes is a boy — who is actually her female classmate Mitsuki. This misunderstanding drives the early tension.
Track the CD scenes closely
Notice how each record-store encounter shifts the relationship. The shop is where both characters reveal sides of themselves that school hides.
Watch the fashion and styling
Aya's gyaru-inspired look contrasts with Mitsuki's androgynous shop style. The visual contrast reinforces the identity theme without dialogue.
Read the school scenes as counterpoint
Classmates, corridors, and part-time work ground the romance in slice-of-life reality, balancing the stylized music atmosphere.
Decide if it fits your taste
The series suits readers who enjoy yuri, school romance, music-centered settings, and relationships built through small emotional steps.
The series won first place in the Web Manga category of the 2023 Next Manga Awards and has sold more than 2.25 million copies worldwide — a strong signal of its quality for first-time readers.
Awards, Anime, and Fan Checklist
The manga's combination of a distinctive yuri premise, strong visual identity, and music-centered storytelling earned it the top award at the 2023 Next Manga Awards in the Web Manga category. The official anime adaptation is currently scheduled for 2027, with official anime sites tracking announcements.
| Milestone | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Next Manga Awards 2023 (Web Manga) | Winner | AniTrendz coverage, Aug 2023 |
| Global copies sold | 2.25M+ | Official anime site |
| Social media followers | 2M+ | Official anime site |
| Anime premiere | 2027 (Crunchyroll) | Official teaser trailer |
Fan Checklist:
- Read Volume 1 in publication order
- Rewatch the record-store scenes for music details
- Follow the author on X (@agu_knzm)
- Track the 2027 anime announcements
- Join r/TheGuyShesInterested for discussion
FAQ
Q: Why does the CD store matter so much in The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All?
The record store is where Aya first meets Mitsuki's stylish shop persona and mistakes her for a boy. It also serves as the couple's shared space, where music knowledge replaces conventional conversation and slowly builds their bond.
Q: Is the manga available in English?
Yes. Yen Press publishes the official English edition, starting with Volume 1, which is available through the publisher's site and authorized digital storefronts like BOOK☆WALKER.
Q: When does the anime premiere?
The official anime adaptation is expected to premiere in 2027 on Crunchyroll, according to the official teaser trailer and anime website announcements.
Q: Is the series only about music?
No. While rock and CD culture define the atmosphere, the core is a yuri romance between Aya and Mitsuki, blending school life, slice-of-life moments, and an identity misunderstanding into a character-driven story.