Datte mō Suki ni Natchattashi #1

Datte mō Suki ni Natchattashi was serialized in the long-running Japanese shōjo manga magazine Bessatsu Friend, beginning in 1996. Created by the mangaka Ai Morinaga, the series emerged during a period when the genre was exploring increasingly comedic and lighthearted subversions of traditional school romance tropes. As the inaugural volume of this series, the first issue establishes the foundational premise of Morinaga's distinctively humorous and chaotic narrative style.

Ai Morinaga was well-regarded for her ability to blend slapstick comedy with genuine emotional arcs, a signature approach that defined her work throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. The design of this debut volume follows the standard tankōbon format of the era, prioritizing clean, expressive line work that highlights the protagonist's relatable dilemmas. Upon its release, the series was received as a charming addition to the shōjo landscape, cementing Morinaga's reputation as a reliable voice in contemporary teen romance manga.