Kowloon Generic Romance

Kowloon Generic Romance

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, anime, film
Founded	November 7, 2019 (2019-11-07)
Founder	Jun Mayuzuki
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, anime, live-action film

is a Japanese manga series created by Jun Mayuzuki, which has been serialized in Shueisha's seinen publication Weekly Young Jump since November 2019. By April 2025, the series has released 11 volumes. The narrative is set within Hong Kong's Kowloon Walled City and combines elements of mystery, romance, and science fiction.

An anime adaptation consisting of 13 episodes, produced by Arvo Animation, was broadcast from April through June 2025. Additionally, a live-action movie produced by Robot Communications is planned for release in theaters in August 2025.

Synopsis

Located in the Kowloon Walled City—the most densely inhabited area on Earth with over 33,000 people packed into just —the Wong Loi Realty Company serves as the backdrop for this story. The plot centers on an office romance between two colleagues: the outspoken Hajime Kudou and the quiet Reiko Kujirai, who has harbored feelings for him since their initial encounter. Although their interactions are often marked by tension, they maintain a close connection and frequently share meals together. Their shared affection for Kowloon Walled City strengthens their relationship, even as a mysterious element lingers beneath the surface.

Characters

A 32-year-old real estate agent residing alone within Kowloon Walled City. She maintains a professional rapport with Hajime Kudou but is unaware that they were once engaged and that she previously served as his mentor at work. Despite suffering from amnesia, she retains feelings of love toward him, which he does not return. She embraces Kowloon's urban lifestyle and is known for her unusual habit of smoking while eating watermelon.

A 34-year-old real estate agent who was relocated from Japan to Kowloon's small office alongside Reiko. He shares her appreciation for Kowloon's culture and cuisine. Once her junior colleague and fiancé, he refrains from mentioning their past due to her memory loss. Although conscious of Reiko’s affection, he does not reciprocate it and often teases her.

A young woman employed part-time at various shops and cinemas throughout Kowloon. Petite in stature and commonly dressed in traditional Chinese attire, she is acquainted with both Reiko and Hajime.

A 27-year-old seamstress specializing in doll-making within Kowloon who struggles with unsold stock until receiving assistance from Reiko, Hajime, and Shaohei. Upon discovering Reiko’s amnesia, they develop a friendship. She claims to have undergone physical reconstruction to escape her past and is later revealed to be the daughter of a renowned actress, which leads to an identity crisis.

The president of Hebinuma Pharmaceutical, a leading company in beauty and pharmaceuticals. After inheriting the business, he expanded it significantly and runs a popular beauty counseling service targeted at women. He becomes unusually intrigued by Reiko after she visits his clinic using a promotional coupon.

A former waiter at Goldfish Tea House who informs Reiko about her previous engagement to Hajime (known as "Kujirai B"). After mysteriously disappearing, he continues aiding Reiko and Yaomay in exploring Kowloon's secrets following his breakup with Miyuki.

An associate of Miyuki investigating the enigmatic Second Kowloon phenomenon. Initially unable to perceive or enter Kowloon himself, he discovers that "regret" is essential for access.

A young man employed by Miyuki's father who serves as the original version of the female Xiaohei character. Unlike his female counterpart, he can enter Kowloon without vanishing.

A deceased woman resembling Reiko, named by Yaomay. She was two years older than Hajime, served as his senior at Wong Loi Realty Company, and was once engaged to him.

Production

While still working on After the Rain, Mayuzuki developed the concept for a series centered around Kowloon Walled City. Her fascination with this setting originated from her early exposure to Kowloon's Gate during her childhood.

Media

Manga

Kowloon Generic Romance, both written and illustrated by Jun Mayuzuki, commenced its serialization in Shueisha's seinen manga publication Weekly Young Jump on November 7, 2019. The manga entered its concluding story arc in April 2025. Shueisha has released the chapters compiled into volumes, with the inaugural volume debuting on February 19, 2020. As of April 17, 2025, eleven volumes have been made available.

In North America, the manga was licensed by Yen Press in January 2022, with the first English volume published on August 9, 2022.

Anime

An anime adaptation was announced in October 2024, produced by Arvo Animation and directed by . The series composition and screenplay duties are handled by Jin Tanaka, with character designs by , art direction led by Yūji Kaneko, and music composed by . The broadcast period spanned from April 5 to June 28, 2025, airing on TV Tokyo and its affiliated stations.

The opening theme, titled , is performed by Wednesday Campanella, while the ending theme , is sung by .

International streaming rights are held by Crunchyroll. In South and Southeast Asia, Medialink licensed the anime, making it available via Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.

Episodes

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Live-action film

A live-action movie adaptation was revealed in October 2024. The production is managed by Robot Communications, with direction by . The film is slated for theatrical release in Japan through Bandai Namco Filmworks on August 29, 2025. Its theme song, "Haze," is performed by the band .

Reception

By December 2024, circulation of the manga surpassed 1.2 million copies. It was nominated among the top 50 contenders for the sixth edition of the Next Manga Award in 2020 and secured third place on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! ranking for best manga aimed at male readers in 2021. Furthermore, it received a nomination for the 14th Manga Taishō in 2021, achieving ninth place with a total of 46 points.