Gathering popularity in 2021, “Horimiya” is a beloved rom-com anime and manga series that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Just like most anime series out there, the adaptation is based on a manga under the same title.
However, what some might not be aware of is that there are actually two manga versions and two anime adaptations of this endearing story. Prior to the anime series in 2021, there was already a 6-episode adaptation in 2012, and before the manga began its serialization in 2018, the original manga was actually beginning in 2006 in the form of a webcomic (web-manga).
Manga Versions
Horimiya originally started as a webcomic titled “Hori-san to Miyamura-kun”. It was created by the author known as HERO. In the year of 2006, this webcomic was initially self-published online on HERO’s personal website and became a sensation due to its relatable characters of Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura and its heartwarming storytelling about their hidden sides and personalities.
The popularity of this webcomic then reached a mangaka, Daisuke Hagiwara, who was impressed by the story. This moment led to a “spin-off” manga adaptation that was initiated and later drawn by Hagiwara himself with the writings of HERO as the original mangaka. The manga’s title came as an abbreviation of the two characters’ names “Horimiya”, and it was published in the Monthly G Fantasy magazine from 2011 to 2018.
Anime Adaptations
Continuing the exploration of the original webcomic success, a 6-episode anime adaptation was then green-lit and came in the form of an original video animation (OVA) in 2012 by Hoods Entertainment. While it was brief, it gave fans and introduced general audiences a glimpse into the lives of Kyoko who was originally voiced by Kana Hanazawa, and Izumi who was originally voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya.
Nearly a decade after the first attempt, a full-fledged anime adaptation came once again in 2021. The anime adapted Hagiwara’s manga version, and it was produced into a 13-episode TV series, and later in the summer of 2023, another 13-episode side-story TV series labeled “Horimiya: Piece”.
CloverWorks is in charge of adapting the whole story, and the studio successfully captures the essence of the manga beautifully in a total package since many viewers praise its faithfulness to the material source and constant animation quality. This time, the cast members are totally different as Kyoko is voiced by Haruka Tomatsu, while Izumi is voiced by Kouki Uchiyama.
The case of Horimiya is quite rare in the anime and manga industry. The series has had two manga versions and two anime adaptations, each contributing its unique charm to the story. Whether you prefer the originals or the later iterations, it can’t be denied that Horimiya has become a heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery for years.
For more interesting anime and manga articles, check out our news, episode reviews, and rankings!
