Love Stage!! Manga Reading Order for Beginners
Love Stage!! Manga Reading Order — The Complete List
Here’s the full reading order. Love Stage!! is a completed BL romance manga with 7 volumes and 33 chapters. It was originally published chapter by chapter in CIEL, a Japanese manga magazine — a process called serialization, where individual chapters appear in a magazine over time and are later collected into book-format volumes. The series began serialization in CIEL in July 2010, with the seventh and final volume released in November 2016. The story is entirely linear — one continuous narrative from beginning to end.
Reading order:
- Love Stage!! Vol. 1
- Love Stage!! Vol. 2
- Love Stage!! Vol. 3
- Love Stage!! Vol. 4
- Love Stage!! Vol. 5
- Love Stage!! Vol. 6
- Love Stage!! Vol. 7
That’s it. There are no prequels and no sequel manga to the main Love Stage!! story. The story that begins in volume 1 wraps up completely in volume 7. (A spin-off manga series called Back Stage!! does exist in Japan — focused on side characters Shogo and Rei — but it has not been licensed in English and is not required reading.) No loose ends, no “you have to read this other series first” caveats for English readers.
If you’ve ever dealt with a franchise that has multiple spin-offs or stories running in parallel, Love Stage!! is a breath of fresh air. One series, seven books, done.
Why This Manga Reading Order Is So Straightforward
A lot of manga reading-order guides exist because a franchise has gotten complicated — side stories published out of order, prequel series that launched years later, or multiple manga running at the same time. Love Stage!! doesn’t have any of that.
One continuous story. The manga ran in CIEL magazine as a single, uninterrupted series. The 33 chapters across 7 volumes tell one romance from its quirky beginning to its satisfying conclusion. There’s no point where you need to pause and go read something else to understand what’s happening.
No required spin-off reading in English. The creators — story by Eiki Eiki (影木栄貴) and art by Taishi Zaou (蔵王大志) — have worked on other BL titles in their careers, but those are completely separate works. A spin-off manga series called Back Stage!! does exist in Japan, set in the same universe and following side characters Shogo and Rei — but it has not been licensed in English and is not required reading to understand Love Stage!!. If you enjoy the creative duo’s style and want to explore more of their work afterward, that’s a fun bonus — but it’s not part of this reading order.
Coming from the anime? An anime adaptation of Love Stage!! exists, and it’s a common entry point for readers looking to pick up the manga. If that’s you, the simplest approach is to start at volume 1. The manga is the original version of the story — the anime was adapted from it. Reading from the beginning gives you the complete experience, including details and scenes that the anime didn’t cover. The manga also continues well beyond where the anime’s story ends, so even if you feel like you already know the early chapters, you’ll be reaching new territory soon enough.
The bottom line: your reading order is volumes 1 through 7 in order. No detours needed.
Which Edition Should You Buy
Love Stage!! has a 7-volume English edition published by SuBLime, a Viz Media imprint that specializes in BL manga. The English release matches the Japanese edition volume for volume. All seven books are available, and since the series is complete, you can buy the full set without worrying about waiting for future releases.
Physical Singles
The standard physical edition consists of seven individual volumes — the same format you’ll find for most manga at bookstores and online retailers. These are the most widely available option and the easiest to find both new and secondhand. Each volume has a typical manga retail price, so picking up all seven is a manageable investment for a complete series.
Since the series is complete, you have the nice advantage of being able to pick up all seven at once if you want to read the whole thing in one go. No waiting months between releases.
Love Stage!!, Vol. 7 (final volume)
Digital Editions
Digital versions of Love Stage!! are available through various manga and e-book platforms such as Kindle, Kobo, and BookWalker, among others. If shelf space is a concern or you just prefer reading on a tablet or phone, digital is a solid choice. The convenience factor is especially nice for a compact series like this — you can have all seven volumes ready to go instantly.
Is There an Omnibus or Special Edition?
An omnibus edition — where multiple volumes are collected into a single, thicker book — is not available for the English release of Love Stage!!. The seven individual volumes are the standard path, both physical and digital. This is pretty common for BL manga titles — omnibus reprints tend to happen for the biggest-selling series, and most BL titles stick with their original volume format.
Quick Edition Comparison
| Format | Volumes | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Physical singles (EN) | 7 volumes | Widely available new and secondhand |
| Digital (EN) | 7 volumes | Available on platforms like Kindle, Kobo, BookWalker |
| Omnibus (EN) | Not available | — |
For most readers, the physical singles are the way to go unless you have a strong digital preference. Either way, you’re getting the same complete story.
What to Know Before Reading Love Stage!!
Picking up your first volume? Here are a few things worth knowing going in.
It’s a Lighthearted Romantic Comedy
Love Stage!! leans heavily into romantic comedy territory. The premise — involving a college student from a famous entertainment family who gets roped into the spotlight and crosses paths with a popular actor — plays out with a lot of humor and warmth. If you’re expecting something heavy or angsty, this series is lighter in tone than you might think. It’s genuinely fun.
Accessible for BL Newcomers
If Love Stage!! is your first BL (boys’ love) manga, it’s a pretty friendly starting point. The romantic comedy tone keeps things approachable, and the entertainment-industry setting gives the story a lively, colorful backdrop that goes beyond just the central relationship. You get a cast of entertaining side characters, family dynamics, and showbiz chaos mixed in with the romance.
That said, the manga does include some sexually explicit content between the male leads — this is common in BL manga aimed at an older audience and is part of the genre’s conventions. Nothing extreme, but if you’re picking up a BL title for the first time, it helps to know that romantic scenes can go beyond kissing. The series is rated for mature readers accordingly.
A Great Binge Read
At just 7 volumes, Love Stage!! is one of those series you can realistically finish in a weekend — or even a long afternoon if you’re a fast reader. There’s no padding, and no storylines that lose momentum. The story knows where it’s going and gets there at a satisfying pace.
For readers who find longer series intimidating or who want something complete without a massive time commitment, this is an ideal pick.
The Entertainment Industry Setting Is a Highlight
A lot of romance manga — BL and otherwise — are set in schools or offices. Love Stage!! stands out by dropping its characters into a world of actors, celebrities, and TV production. It’s a fun setting that creates unique comedic situations and gives the story a spark of energy that keeps each volume feeling fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Love Stage!! finished?
Yes — Love Stage!! is a completed series. It began serialization in CIEL magazine in July 2010 and ran until November 2016, spanning 33 chapters collected in 7 volumes (the first volume was released in June 2011). The English edition is also fully published, so you can read from start to finish without any gaps or waiting.
Do I need to watch the anime before reading?
Not at all. The manga is the original version of the story and tells everything on its own. You don’t need any prior context from the anime to enjoy the manga. In fact, the manga includes content and story developments that go beyond what the anime covers, so reading the manga gives you the fuller experience.
If you’ve already watched the anime and loved it, the manga is still absolutely worth reading — you’ll get more story, more detail, and you’ll see how the romance plays out past where the anime ends.
Are there any spin-offs I need to read?
Not for the main story. A spin-off manga series called Back Stage!! exists in Japan, set in the same universe and following side characters Shogo and Rei — but it has not been licensed in English and is not required reading. The 7-volume Love Stage!! series is the complete story. The creators have other works in the BL genre as well, but those are entirely separate titles with different characters and stories.
Your reading list is just volumes 1 through 7. Nothing else needed.
Who created Love Stage!!?
Love Stage!! is written by Eiki Eiki (影木栄貴) with art by Taishi Zaou (蔵王大志). The two have collaborated on multiple BL manga titles together. The series was published by KADOKAWA — a major Japanese publishing company — in Japan through CIEL magazine, and the English edition is published by SuBLime (a Viz Media imprint).
How long does it take to read?
With only 7 volumes, most readers can finish Love Stage!! in a few hours to a weekend depending on reading speed. It’s a very binge-friendly length — short enough to feel manageable, long enough to tell a complete and satisfying romance.
