Who Created The Kiss Him Not Me Manga And Characters?

There’s something delightfully chaotic about how the characters in 'Kiss Him Not Me' click, and I think that’s the core of why fans fell so hard for them. Kae’s over-the-top fujoshi brain is a joy to follow — she’s loud in her imagination, wildly expressive, and yet she’s also strangely relatable in her awkwardness and insecurity. Watching her shrink into herself and then blossom when she loses weight (and still clings to her BL fantasies) gives the story both humour and heart. The boys around her aren’t flat archetypes either. Each has distinct quirks: the gentle, doting type, the aloof cool guy who secretly cares, the mischievous friend who stirs the pot, and the earnest one who just wants to be seen. That variety fuels shipping wars, but more importantly it creates real chemistry. The manga mines comedy from misunderstandings while also surprising readers with sincere moments of support and growth. I find myself laughing at the exaggerated reactions one moment and then tearing up at a small, quiet gesture the next — that swing keeps me invested every chapter.

If you like rom-coms that flip typical tropes on their head, you'll probably already know this one — the original manga 'Kiss Him, Not Me' (Japanese title 'Watashi ga Motete Dousunda') was written and illustrated by Junko. I first bumped into the series late-night while skimming manga recommendation threads, and the author credit caught my eye because Junko uses such expressive character designs and comedic timing that you can practically hear the punchlines. Junko serialized the story in Kodansha's magazines from 2013 until 2018, and it was collected into a run of volumes that wrapped up the larger arc while leaving plenty of goofy, heartwarming moments intact. As someone in my late twenties who devours rom-coms the way some folks inhale coffee, I fell for the premise pretty quickly: Kae Serinuma, a hardcore fujoshi, loses weight and suddenly becomes the object of affection for several boys — but her own romantic fantasies are much more BL-centric. Junko balances the satire of otaku culture with genuinely tender character beats. The art is playful, the facial expressions are gold, and the comedic pacing is sharp. I adored how Junko didn't just play up the gag of a fan-girl suddenly popular, but also explored Kae's identity and what she actually wants from relationships, all while keeping the manga light and laugh-out-loud funny. Beyond authorship, Junko’s work on 'Kiss Him, Not Me' helped it earn an anime adaptation in 2016, which brought even more people into the fandom and gave the characters a whole new energy through voice acting and music. If you're hunting down the manga volumes, you'll find the full story spans multiple collected editions, and Junko’s style evolves a bit across them — the early chapters are particularly hyperactive and gag-heavy, while later entries let quieter feelings breathe. For anyone tempted to start, I’d recommend reading a few chapters to get the rhythm; Junko's comedic beats land best when you're in the right mood (late evening snacks and a cozy nook, ideally). Personally, Junko’s blend of humor and heart is exactly what I turn to when I want something upbeat but not vacuous — it's a series that makes me laugh, then go, "Huh, that's actually kind of sweet."

Junko's 'Kiss Him, Not Me' totally caught me off guard—I picked it up expecting a typical shojo rom-com, but wow, did it deliver something wilder! The mangaka, Junko, has this knack for blending absurd humor with heartfelt moments. Kae Serinuma's otaku-fueled transformation and her chaotic reverse harem had me cackling. Junko’s art style nails expressive faces, especially when Kae spirals into fangirl mode. What’s cool is how the story pokes fun at fandom culture while celebrating it. I binge-read it during a rainy weekend, and now I recommend it to anyone who loves meta humor. Junko’s other works, like 'Oresama Teacher,' share that same energetic vibe—definitely worth checking out if you dig her style!

Kiss, marry, kill? Oh, that's a classic! You can't go wrong with having some fun with those characters from 'One Piece'. I mean, first up has to be Zoro. Kissing him would definitely spark an adventurous thrill, wouldn’t it? He’s got that mysterious vibe, and I can just imagine it being a bit intense! Now, for marriage, it’s got to be Nami. I mean, she’s clever, strong-willed, and can manage the finances of a pirate crew — that’s a win in my book. Can you imagine all the adventures we’d embark on together? Plus, her sass would keep life interesting. Then there’s Sanji, and as much as I love him, the truth is he’d be my kill. He’s charming and all, but the whole over-the-top romance thing can be a tad too much sometimes, and I wouldn’t want to deal with that on a daily basis. It’s a tough decision, but hey, those are the rules! Switching gears, let’s chat about 'My Hero Academia'. How cool would it be to kiss Bakugo? Talk about a fiery experience! He’s a super interesting character, and his explosive personality would definitely make it a moment to remember. For the one I’d marry, that’s a no-brainer: Albeit his quirks, I’d pick Midoriya. I mean, come on! His drive to be a hero and his kind-hearted nature just make him perfect husband material. As for the kill part, sorry but I’d have to say All For One. He’s a villain through and through, and I’d love to see him taken down while I cheer on my favorite heroes! Oh boy, thinking about this makes me realize how many characters create such rich narratives. Imagine a cross-universe game where we throw characters from 'Naruto' into the mix! Kiss Naruto, marry Hinata (who wouldn’t want such a supportive partner?), and sorry, but I guess I’d have to kill Sasuke. Not because I dislike him, but because his brooding can be a lot to handle! It’s all in good fun, and honestly, characters are so multi-dimensional sometimes it feels criminal to pick just one! Lastly, let’s not forget about the iconic 'Attack on Titan'. Kissing Levi sounds like a dream come true; he’s the epitome of cool! Marrying Mikasa though? Yes, please! She’s fierce and loyal — you could sense the depth of her character just through her actions. Now, killing Eren is a tough call since he goes through some intense character development, but sometimes you’ve got to make those difficult choices based on growth. Ultimately, the fun lies in how we engage with these characters and the memorable stories they bring to life!

It's wild how a goofy premise can turn into something so sticky in the best way. For me, what made 'Kiss Him, Not Me' blow up was the perfect cocktail of absurd comedy, a genuinely sweet main character, and that delicious chaos of reverse-harem attention. Kae Serinuma starts out as an obsessive fangirl mourning her favorite ship, then suddenly loses weight and the boys notice — but the manga keeps the focus on her personality and her fujoshi brain, not just her looks. The pacing and panel comedy are huge factors. The author uses reaction faces, dramatic inner monologues, and quick visual gags that are just begging to be screencapped and circulated. That made the series memeworthy early on. Add in well-differentiated love interests (you actually get distinct personalities rather than “hot guy 1, hot guy 2”), some surprisingly tender slices of character growth, and occasional meta jokes about BL and fandom, and you have something that sparks both laughs and sincere feels. I found myself recommending it to friends who don’t usually read manga because it’s so charming and accessible — plus the anime adaptation gave it another big push, bringing in watchers who then discovered the manga and the fandom chatter online.

Ever stumbled upon a manga where the protagonist's obsession takes a hilariously unexpected turn? That's 'Kiss Him, Not Me' for you! The story follows Kae Serinuma, a fujoshi (yaoi fangirl) who loses weight after a traumatic event and suddenly becomes the center of attention for four handsome guys. But here’s the twist—she’d rather ship *them* with each other than get involved herself. The manga’s a riot, blending romance, comedy, and otaku culture in a way that feels fresh and self-aware. What really hooked me was how it subverts typical shojo tropes. Instead of swooning over the male leads, Kae’s busy fantasizing about them as BL couples, which leads to some priceless fourth-wall-breaking moments. The art’s vibrant, the humor’s sharp, and the characters—especially Kae—are endearingly flawed. It’s a love letter to fandom while poking fun at it, and that balance is why I couldn’t put it down. Plus, the eventual emotional growth of the characters adds depth beneath all the laughs.

Creating engaging characters in manga starts with a genuine understanding of their motivations and backgrounds. Each character should feel like they have a life outside the panels. For instance, I love how 'One Piece' crafts its characters, each with a unique goal and deeply personal backstories. This makes every member of the Straw Hat crew not just a collection of abilities but fully fleshed-out individuals who resonate with readers. I always suggest crafting a backstory that informs their motivations. For example, what struggles have they faced? What are their dreams? Furthermore, consider their relationships with other characters. Doesn’t it feel rewarding to see how interactions can change a character's arc? Pay attention to how these dynamics shift over time and affect character growth. Conflict, friendship, and rivalry can all lead to rich storytelling. And, of course, physical design plays a role, too. A striking visual can often encapsulate a character's essence, like how Sasuke's brooding demeanor is mirrored in his color palette. Combining all these elements creates a lively, engaging personality that will stick with readers long after they turn the page.