As the anime season of Fall 2025 approaches its conclusion, fans eagerly await the upcoming Spring anime lineup, featuring sequels to popular series and new adaptations. One of the major events in the anime community this year, AnimeJapan 2025, has just shared the latest updates on many upcoming titles, including “Kowloon Generic Romance.”
This anime adaptation by Arvo Animation is based on the award-winning manga by Jun Mayuzuki, the creator of “After the Rain.” The manga is currently being serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump. The anime is set to premiere in April as part of the Spring 2025 lineup. Additionally, a promotional film is expected to be released simultaneously, generating even more excitement among fans.
Both series are generating significant buzz on social media as they will be released within the same year. However, the anime has recently announced that it will cover the entirety of the storyline in just 13 episodes.
According to the official X account of the anime’s production team, “Kowloon Generic Romance will be completed in 13 episodes.” Unfortunately, the manga currently has over 80 chapters, and the story is still ongoing, which means the conclusion will be quite rushed. The manga has been serialized since 2019 and the latest volume is available globally.
What is the story of Kowloon Generic Romance?
The story unfolds in the Kowloon Walled City, a notorious maze-like enclave in Hong Kong known for its dense population and hidden secrets. Although it was demolished in the 1990s, those who cherish its unique lifestyle still view it as home. Reiko Kujikari, a specialist, yearns to experience the excitement of the present in the city, unlike her nostalgic counterpart, Hajime Kudou, who often reminisces and struggles to adapt to the city’s modernity.
Despite their differences, the two are often attracted to one another. However, one fateful day, Hajime accidentally collides with Reiko. Although he quickly apologizes, his awkward actions leave Reiko confused and searching for answers. To her astonishment, she uncovers a long-forgotten secret that she had never intended to reveal.
The latest updates from AnimeJapan 2025 reveal that the anime will downplay the depth of the manga’s narrative.
This is a romantic tale focusing on the gradual development of characters and the unveiling of hidden secrets. Compressing the narrative into just 13 episodes may lead to a loss of emotional depth, detail, and character development. The anime might also have to cut various aspects to fit into this limited format.
It would be better if there were at least 24-26 episodes or even a more gradual approach to allow the storyline to unfold naturally. One of the manga’s strong points is its ability to immerse the reader in the atmosphere of Kowloon.
The manga takes its time to illustrate the story, capturing moments that convey meaning, contrasting the light-heartedness of Kudou and Kujirai with the city’s nostalgic ambiance and the deeper secrets that lie beneath. If the anime rushes the plot, we might lose the tranquil scenes that evoke the essence of Kowloon. Furthermore, it remains uncertain how the animated version will handle the narrative conclusion.
