Spring—the season of new encounters—has arrived for 18-year-old Akashi.

Kind-hearted yet timid, Akashi steps into university life in his hometown of Kyoto with a heart full of both excitement and anxiety. Amid the rush of new experiences, he has a chance encounter in the city with a handsome young man named Touma—only to run into him again at university.

Before long, the two find themselves wandering the streets of Kyoto together. Though Touma carries an air of sophistication, he proves surprisingly down-to-earth. And when he casually says, “I like you,” Akashi’s heart is sent flying.

Drawn together by their differences, a faint spark begins to grow between them.

What is the name of this feeling…?

I really love this manga. I was in such a down mood before I picked up the digital galley from TOKYOPOP to read for this review, and it immediately lifted my heart…through the roof. This is one of the sweetest manga I’ve ever read.

It starts with an emotional scene, where Touma runs into a weeping Akashi.

Although the problem at hand is Akashi losing his wallet, he’s actually overwhelmed by starting university and trying to make friends, so he feels things harder than normal. When he explains to Touma what happened, he bursts into full-on sobbing.

Luckily, though, they find the wallet, and Akashi thinks that’s the end of it…until he finds out Touma shares a class with him, and a literature degree. The two become fast friends and as a reader it’s a joy to see them be honest with each other and grow closer. Much of the manga chronicles their outings and adventures together, including the sharing of great food, and I loved watching the two connect.

They’re adorable, to be honest. I love how Ocha depicts them, especially when they look excited together.

The story is heavy on the sweetness and light on the conflict. Actually the issue is Akashi himself–he’s his own worst enemy when it comes to confidence and trusting himself. That proves to create a brief rift between him and Touma, but all’s well that ends well.

If you want to feel good pretty much nonstop throughout an entire manga, I highly recommend this one. It’s a sweet romance with awakening love that blooms brightly. I felt so much better after reading this and it lightened my spirits. What a great manga!

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The Arrival of Spring and Love releases August 25, 2026. You can preorder it directly from the publisher and from a wide variety of booksellers online and in store.