Kiss Yori Saki ni Chikaimasu #1

Kiss Yori Saki ni Chikaimasu (I Promise You Before a Kiss) is a shojo manga series created by manga artist Ayu Watanabe. It was serialized in Bessatsu Friend magazine beginning in 2011, emerging during a period when the magazine was heavily focused on emotional, character-driven romance narratives targeted at teenage girls. The debut issue introduced readers to the series' central premise of complex romantic developments, firmly rooted in the high-school setting typical of the genre.

Watanabe’s design for the series emphasizes delicate line work and expressive character features, which were carefully curated to capture the nuanced feelings of the protagonists. Upon its initial release, the first volume was well-received by fans of Watanabe's work for its accessible storytelling and the earnest, romantic aesthetic that characterizes much of her portfolio. It remains a representative title of early 2010s shojo manga, appreciated for its consistent tone and visual clarity.