Megumi Morino announced on X/Twitter that the A Condition Called Love (Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai) manga’s side story series will conclude in three chapters. The revelation adds a bittersweet note for fans who have followed Hotaru and Hananoi-kun since the original series launched, and comes after the main manga’s recent conclusion and continued success overseas.
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What the Announcement Means
The creator Megumi Morino took to X to reveal that the ongoing side story series for A Condition Called Love will reach its end in three chapters. While the main series concluded in July 2025 after running since December 2017, this side story has allowed readers to revisit beloved characters and enjoy new scenes beyond the original ending. The update confirms a definitive wrap-up for that supplemental storyline, giving readers a clear timeline for its closure.
Quick Recap: A Condition Called Love
Originally serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Dessert magazine beginning December 2017, A Condition Called Love follows 16-year-old Hotaru, a girl who has always been wary of romance and content with a lively life among family and friends. That changes after she meets Hananoi-kun—an awkwardly charming classmate who asks her out in a classroom scene that kickstarted the slow-burn romance. The series blends classic shōjo tropes with grounded character work, which helped it grow a strong fanbase.
Notable Achievements
- The manga has surpassed 4 million copies in circulation (including digital sales).
- It won the Best Shōjo Manga award at Kodansha’s 45th Manga Awards in 2021.
- The main series concluded in July 2025, with Kodansha publishing the 18th compiled volume on October 10.
Side Story: Context and Expectations
Side stories for popular manga often serve multiple purposes: offering epilogues, exploring secondary characters, or presenting alternate-perspective chapters. In the case of A Condition Called Love, Morino’s side story has been a vehicle to extend the emotional arcs fans care about—whether by deepening relationship beats, giving more slice-of-life moments, or tying up smaller narrative threads.
Morino’s X post that announced the three-chapter end gives readers a short but clear runway to expect a finale. While the specifics of those final chapters haven’t been revealed, fans can reasonably expect a focus on character resolution and emotional continuity with the tone of the original series.
Anime Adaptation and International Reach
The manga received an anime adaptation that premiered in April 2024. The show was streamed as it aired by Crunchyroll, expanding the series’ international audience and driving new readers to the manga. Anime adaptations often renew interest in a source title, and A Condition Called Love benefited from this increased exposure both in Japan and overseas.
English Publication Details
Kodansha USA Publishing began releasing the manga digitally in 2020 and later moved into physical releases—publishing the first English volume in January 2023 and continuing with subsequent volumes (the 16th English volume was released on April 8). For English-speaking readers looking to collect or continue the series, Kodansha USA remains the primary publisher.
Why Fans Care: Themes and Emotional Appeal
A Condition Called Love resonates because of its careful handling of character growth and the slow, realistic development of romance. Hotaru’s ambivalence about love and Hananoi-kun’s earnest awkwardness create a dynamic that feels authentic rather than manufactured. Morino balances humor and poignancy, allowing the relationship to develop organically while still delivering satisfying emotional payoffs.
Side stories are particularly important for series like this because they can provide quieter, reflective moments after a dramatic conclusion. They give readers additional time with characters they’re invested in, which is often valued more than major plot twists.
Where to Read and Watch
English readers can access the manga through Kodansha USA’s releases and digital platforms. The anime is available for streaming via Crunchyroll, which simulcast the show during its broadcast run. For Morino’s original announcement about the side story’s ending, see her X post here (source): Megumi Morino on X.
What to Expect Next
With only three chapters remaining in the side story, readers can expect a relatively swift wrap-up. Common possibilities include:
- Final emotional resolutions for Hotaru and Hananoi-kun.
- Closure for secondary characters introduced in the side story arc.
- Short epilogue-style scenes that reinforce the main series’ themes.
While details remain scarce, the announcement gives fans a set endpoint to anticipate rather than an open-ended run—often a welcome clarity for long-term followers.
Final thoughts
The confirmation that A Condition Called Love’s side story will end in three chapters marks the closing of another chapter in a series that has already left a big mark on shōjo manga readers. Between its award-winning main run, the anime adaptation, and steady international releases, the series has proven its staying power. Fans should prepare for an emotional but well-earned finish, and those new to the series have plenty of volumes and the anime to enjoy while the side story reaches its conclusion.
