He's My First Love

He's My First Love, originally titled Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu, was written and illustrated by Kaho Miyasaka and serialized in the shojo manga magazine Sho-Comi starting in 2005. The story centers on the poignant relationship between Takuma, who suffers from a heart condition, and his childhood friend Mayu, who is determined to support him despite the medical prognosis. Miyasaka, known for her emotive storytelling, crafted a narrative that explores the fragility of youth and the intensity of first love under the shadow of terminal illness.

The series became a significant commercial success in the mid-2000s, resonating deeply with readers through its dramatic tone and earnest depiction of adolescence. Its popularity eventually led to multiple adaptations, including a successful 2009 live-action film directed by Takehiko Shinjo. As a hallmark of the Sho-Comi magazine during that era, the manga is recognized for its ability to balance lighthearted school-life tropes with somber, tear-jerking emotional stakes that defined the genre at the time.