Good news for fans of slice-of-life comedy and Tokyo neighborhood love letters: Kodansha is listing the second and final volume of Hirochi Maki’s Soredemo Kichijōji dake ga Sumitai Machi Desu ka? (Even Still, Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live?) for shipment on February 19. This long-awaited follow-up arrives nearly five years after the first volume and wraps up a manga that celebrates offbeat neighborhoods, quirky real estate agents, and the enduring mythos of Kichijoji as Tokyo’s most desirable locale.
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Release Details: Volume 2 Ships February 19
Kodansha’s listing names February 19 as the official ship date for the second volume, which is also marked as the final installment of the series. The announcement will be welcome news to readers who picked up the first volume when it debuted in October 2021 and have been waiting for the conclusion. For fans who prefer to pre-order or confirm the product details, the publisher’s product page provides the official listing and cover information.
About the Manga
Premise: A Real Estate Comedy with Heart
Soredemo Kichijōji dake ga Sumitai Machi Desu ka? follows the Shigeta twins, who run a small real estate agency in the famously trendy neighborhood of Kichijoji. While the twins grumble about the changes sweeping through the area—hipster cafés, rising rent, and endless hype—their office remains surprisingly popular with young renters convinced Kichijoji is the best place to live in Tokyo. The core charm of the series lies in its apartment-hunting vignettes: each chapter introduces prospective tenants, explores lesser-known neighborhoods, and gently satirizes the myths surrounding urban desirability.
Format and Serialization
Hirochi Maki launched the series in Kodansha’s Young Magazine the 3rd in 2015 and concluded the serialization in 2018. Kodansha originally compiled the chapters into six volumes for the initial run, and Kodansha USA later published the English editions. The newly listed second volume (from the 2021 reissue) serves as a compact conclusion to this re-release, giving both returning readers and newcomers a tidy way to finish the story.
Hirochi Maki: Other Works and Style
Hirochi Maki has a track record of creating character-driven stories that translate well to live-action adaptations. Prior titles include Itsuka Tiffany de Chōshoku o, which inspired a television series in October 2015, and Sketchy, launched in Young Magazine the 3rd in 2019 and later moved to Monthly Young Magazine in 2021; Sketchy concluded in September 2022 and received a digital release from Kodansha USA. Maki’s style blends observational humor with low-stakes human drama—perfect for readers who enjoy grounded slice-of-life stories with a comedic twist.
Live-Action Adaptation and Cultural Resonance
The original run of Soredemo Kichijōji dake ga Sumitai Machi Desu ka? inspired a live-action adaptation in October 2016, underscoring the series’ relatable appeal. The show’s premise—real estate agents guiding clients toward homes and neighborhoods while revealing human stories—translates naturally to television and helps broaden the manga’s audience beyond typical readers. The live-action version also illustrates how urban myths (like Kichijoji’s reputation) influence lifestyle choices, making the series a small but insightful commentary on modern city living.
English Availability and Where to Read
Kodansha USA Publishing released the original manga in English and handled digital distribution of Maki’s other works. All six original volumes of the series were made available in English, and this reissue should make it simple for English-speaking fans to complete the series. For official product details or to place a pre-order, refer to the publisher’s product page or Kodansha USA’s site for regional availability and shipping information.
Official product listing: Kodansha product page
Publisher’s main site (for general Kodansha USA info): Kodansha USA
Why This Manga Matters: Themes and Appeal
At its core, Soredemo Kichijōji dake ga Sumitai Machi Desu ka? is a love letter to urban neighborhoods and the stories that make them feel alive. Instead of grand plots or high stakes, Maki focuses on the small moments—the excitement of finding the right apartment, the clash between expectation and reality, and the relationships formed in transient urban spaces. The manga resonates with readers who have moved cities, hunted for apartments, or simply wondered why certain neighborhoods become “cool” almost overnight.
Additionally, the comedic lens keeps the tone light while still offering incisive observations about gentrification, nostalgia, and how people construct place-based identities. The Shigeta twins act as both guides and skeptics—witty, exasperated narrators who help the reader view Tokyo’s neighborhoods more thoughtfully.
What to Expect in Volume 2
The second volume is billed as the final volume for this reissue, so readers can expect a satisfying wrap-up of the reprint run. While the original series spanned six volumes, this two-volume reissue condenses and curates the most essential episodes and themes for a modern audience—making it an ideal entry point for new readers and a neat closure for fans who enjoyed the first re-release volume in 2021.
Final Thoughts
Soredemo Kichijōji dake ga Sumitai Machi Desu ka? is a gentle, witty manga that celebrates the peculiarities of city life without romanticizing them. Hirochi Maki’s observational humor and warm character work make the series an enjoyable read for anyone intrigued by Tokyo neighborhoods, apartment-hunting anecdotes, or low-key slice-of-life comedy. With the second and final volume shipping on February 19, now is a great time to revisit Kichijoji—through the eyes of the Shigeta twins—and discover the lesser-known corners of the city that make urban life so interesting.
