Hit Rom-Com ‘More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers’ Goes on Indefinite Hiatus

Fans of the romantic comedy More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers (aka Fuukoi) are in for disappointing news—manga creator Yuki Kanamaru has placed the series on an indefinite hiatus. The announcement came just ahead of the May issue of Young Ace magazine, leaving fans uncertain when the story of Jiro and Akari will continue.

The publisher, Kadokawa Shoten, issued a formal statement on social media, noting that the break began with the April 4 issue. Kanamaru followed up with her own heartfelt message, expressing gratitude for the continued support and apologizing for the unexpected pause. “I’m truly sorry for making you wait,” she wrote, directly addressing the series’ loyal fanbase.

Kanamaru’s Creative Reset for Fuukoi’s Final Arc

Unlike many hiatuses caused by creator burnout or health concerns, Kanamaru clarified that her decision is purely creative. She’s using this break to thoughtfully map out the story’s conclusion. “This decision comes from my renewed desire to cherish the fact that each monthly story becomes part of one, grand narrative,” she shared. Fortunately, she assured fans that she’s in good health and still deeply committed to the project’s future.

More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers launched in March 2018 and steadily grew a passionate following thanks to its twist on the “forced proximity” and “opposites attract” tropes. The story follows introverted gamer Jiro Yakuin and fashionable gyaru Akari Watanabe, two high school students partnered in a school program where they must live like newlyweds. What starts as pretend slowly turns real, especially after a complicated love triangle forms involving Jiro’s longtime crush, Shiori.

Anime Success Keeps Fans Engaged Despite Manga Delay

The manga’s growing popularity eventually led to a 2022 anime adaptation by Studio Mother, featuring Junichi Yamamoto and Takao Kato in key directorial roles. Scriptwriting duties were handled by Naruhisa Arakawa, whose past work includes Spice & Wolf. The anime, which ran for 12 episodes during the Fall-Winter 2022 season, was well received by fans of romance and slice-of-life genres. However, as of March 2025, there’s still no word on a second season.

Fans can still experience Fuukoi through legal English editions published by Udon Entertainment and stream the anime via Crunchyroll. While the indefinite hiatus may be frustrating, Kanamaru’s commitment to crafting a strong, satisfying ending shows she’s prioritizing quality storytelling over rushing the finish.

Stay tuned for updates as more news becomes available on Fuukoi’s future.

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