Kiss Him, Not Me Manga Reading Order (Vols 1–14)

Kiss Him, Not Me Manga — Complete Reading Order (Volumes 1–14)

There’s no alternate timeline, no prequel, no companion volumes to worry about. Kiss Him, Not Me is a single, linear manga series. Here’s your reading order:

1. Volume 1 — Introduces Kae Serinuma, her dramatic transformation, and the suitors who suddenly notice her
2. Volume 2 — The reverse-harem dynamic takes shape as rivalries begin forming
3. Volume 3 — Each suitor’s personality comes into sharper focus through comedic competitions
4. Volume 4 — The group dynamic deepens and Kae’s otaku obsessions create new complications
5. Volume 5 — Character development intensifies as the romantic stakes start to rise
6. Volume 6 — Individual suitors get spotlight moments that flesh out their backstories
7. Volume 7 — Shifting alliances and growing emotional weight beneath the comedy
8. Volume 8 — Kae’s own feelings begin evolving in surprising directions
9. Volume 9 — The rivalries reach new heights with genuine tension
10. Volume 10 — Key turning points that set up the series’ final stretch
11. Volume 11 — The romantic threads start converging toward resolution
12. Volume 12 — Character growth takes center stage alongside the comedy
13. Volume 13 — The story builds toward its emotional climax
14. Volume 14 — The series reaches its full conclusion with a satisfying romantic payoff

No branching paths, no “read this side story between volumes 7 and 8” complications. Junko wrote a complete story across these 14 volumes. The English edition is a direct, volume-for-volume match with the Japanese release — meaning each English volume covers the same chapters as its Japanese counterpart, with nothing rearranged, split differently, or left out. The series is finished and fully available in English, so you can read the whole thing without waiting for new releases.

There are no known spin-off manga or required side-story chapters outside the main 14 volumes. The main series is the full story.

How the Story Arcs Progress Across 14 Volumes

One of the nicest things about Kiss Him, Not Me is how well-structured it is across its run. Without spoiling specific plot points, here’s a general sense of how the story flows — useful if you want to know what you’re getting into or if you’re wondering whether the series maintains momentum (it does).

The groupings below are informal — they aren’t official arc names, just a helpful way to think about how the story develops across its 14 volumes.

Early Volumes (Roughly Volumes 1–4): The Setup

The series opens with Kae Serinuma, a devoted fujoshi — a term for a girl who’s a passionate fan of BL (boys’ love), a genre of romantic fiction depicting relationships between male characters, typically created for a female audience. Kae is happily invisible at school until a dramatic weight loss triggered by grief over losing her favorite anime character suddenly attracts the attention of four boys — and, later in the story, a fifth suitor who is a girl.

These early volumes establish the reverse-harem dynamic that drives the series. Each suitor gets introduced and starts vying for Kae’s attention, while Kae herself is far more interested in “shipping” the boys with each other — that is, imagining them as romantic couples — than in being romanced herself. It’s a fantastic comedic setup. The humor comes from the gap between what a typical harem story (where a main character is surrounded by admirers) would look like and what actually happens when the protagonist would rather watch her suitors together than pick one.

Expect lots of otaku humor (comedy rooted in the culture of devoted anime and manga fans), BL references, and the foundations of each character’s personality and relationship with Kae.

Middle Volumes (Roughly Volumes 5–10): Deepening Rivalries

This is where the series really hits its stride with character development. The rivalries among Kae’s suitors intensify, and what starts as a mostly comedic competition develops genuine emotional weight. Each love interest gets story arcs — self-contained narrative sections within the larger series — that flesh them out beyond their initial character types.

Kae herself evolves during this stretch too. Her feelings start to shift and develop in ways that go beyond her initial “I just want to watch you all be together” stance. The comedy stays strong, but there’s a growing undercurrent of real romantic tension.

These volumes reward reading in order. The relationships build cumulatively — inside jokes develop, alliances shift, and small moments early on pay off later. Skipping around would undermine the gradual way Junko layers the romantic stakes.

Later Volumes (Roughly Volumes 11–14): Resolution and Growth

The final stretch brings the romantic threads to a resolution. Without giving away the ending, the series commits to its conclusion in a way that feels earned by everything that came before. Character growth takes center stage alongside the romantic payoff.

This is why reading order matters for Kiss Him, Not Me even though the premise sounds lighthearted. The comedy builds on recurring jokes and character dynamics that only land if you’ve been following along, and the emotional resolution in the later volumes depends heavily on your investment in the earlier ones. It’s a series designed to be read front to back.

Which Edition Should You Buy

English Single Volumes by Kodansha Comics

The English edition of Kiss Him, Not Me was published by Kodansha Comics and consists of 14 volumes — a complete, volume-for-volume match with the Japanese run. The original Japanese edition was serialized — published chapter by chapter — in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Friend, a Japanese manga magazine aimed at a young female readership.

If you’re buying physical copies, you’re looking at 14 individual volumes. These are widely available through major retailers and are the standard way to collect the series in English.

Digital vs. Physical

Both physical and digital editions are available for the series. A few things worth considering:

• Physical volumes are great if you like collecting manga on a shelf. At 14 volumes, the series takes up a manageable amount of space — it won’t dominate an entire bookshelf the way longer-running series can.
• Digital editions are available on major manga platforms and are convenient if you want to start reading immediately or prefer reading on a tablet or phone.

What About Omnibus or Special Editions?

As of now, there are no known omnibus editions or special collector’s editions for the English release. The standard single volumes are your only option, which keeps things simple — you don’t need to cross-reference different edition formats or worry about which version has bonus content.

Guidance for First-Time Readers

Embrace the Otaku Humor

Kiss Him, Not Me is a romantic comedy deeply rooted in otaku culture — the world of passionate, dedicated anime and manga fans — and BL (boys’ love) fandom humor. Kae is a devoted fujoshi, and a huge portion of the comedy comes from her perspective. She sees potential BL pairings everywhere, has exaggerated comedic reactions when her male classmates interact (the manga uses the classic anime visual gag of nosebleeds to show her excitement), and references anime and manga constantly.

You don’t need to be deeply familiar with BL or fan culture to enjoy the series, but knowing the basics helps. If you understand that Kae would rather write her own romantic stories about her suitors than actually date them, you’ve got the core joke. The series does a good job of making its humor accessible even if you’re not in on every reference.

The Reverse-Harem Structure Keeps Things Fun

The series features multiple love interests all pursuing Kae simultaneously, which creates a dynamic where romantic tension and comedy feed each other. Each suitor brings something different to the table, and part of the fun is seeing how their personalities clash — both with each other and with Kae’s decidedly unconventional priorities.

If you’ve enjoyed other reverse-harem stories, this one stands out because of how self-aware it is about the genre’s conventions. Junko clearly has affection for these tropes while also poking fun at them.

The Anime Is a Companion, Not a Replacement

A TV anime adaptation of Kiss Him, Not Me aired in 2016. If you’ve watched it and are wondering whether you still need to read the manga — yes, absolutely. The anime covers approximately the first 8 volumes of the manga. The manga extends well beyond where the anime ends, and the later volumes contain some of the most significant character development and the full romantic resolution. If you want to pick up right where the anime leaves off, start around Volume 9, though reading from Volume 1 is recommended to catch details the adaptation condensed or skipped.

If you haven’t watched the anime, you can enjoy the manga perfectly well on its own. The anime is a fun companion that brings the comedy to life with voice acting and animation, but the manga is the definitive way to experience the complete story from beginning to end.

A Manageable Complete Read

At 14 volumes, this series is long enough to develop its characters and relationships thoroughly but short enough that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. If you’re looking for a complete romance manga that you can read from start to finish without a years-long commitment, this is a great pick. You could realistically read the whole series in a couple of weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kiss Him, Not Me finished?

Yes. The manga is complete at 14 volumes. It was originally published in Japan from 2013 to 2018. The English edition is also fully released, so you can read the entire story right now without waiting for future volumes.

Do I need to read any spin-offs?

No. There are no known spin-off manga or required side stories. The 14-volume main series is the full and complete story. You won’t miss anything by reading only the main series — because there’s nothing else to read.

Is there an anime adaptation?

Yes — a TV anime adaptation aired in 2016. It’s a fun watch and captures the comedy well, but it only covers approximately the first 8 volumes of the manga. The manga continues well beyond the anime’s endpoint, including the full romantic resolution and significant later character development. If you want the whole story, the manga is the way to go.

What genre is this series?

Kiss Him, Not Me is a shoujo romantic comedy — shoujo being a category of manga aimed primarily at a young female audience — with a reverse-harem setup. It was serialized in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Friend magazine, a shoujo publication. The humor leans heavily on otaku and fujoshi culture, which gives it a distinct flavor compared to more traditional shoujo romance.

Is this a good manga for beginners?

It’s a great choice if you’re new to manga and enjoy comedy. The premise is easy to grasp, the chapters are fun and quick to read, and the 14-volume length means you get a satisfying complete story without a massive time commitment. The otaku humor adds a layer that’s especially fun if you’re already into anime culture, but the core comedy and romance work even without that background.