More Than a Married Couple Manga: Romance, Fun & School Life
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers is a romantic comedy manga by Yūki Kanamaru featuring high school students in a marriage training program developing unexpected feelings.
What is More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers?
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers (夫婦以上、恋人未満。, Fūfu Ijō, Koibito Miman, often abbreviated as Fuukoi) is a Japanese manga series created by Yūki Kanamaru. The series began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten’s seinen manga magazine Young Ace in March 2018 and has been collected into thirteen tankōbon volumes as of March 2025.
The manga follows the story of high school students who participate in a “couples training” program designed to develop their social skills by pairing them as if they were married couples.
The manga has gained significant popularity for its engaging romantic comedy storyline and character development. In 2022, the series received an anime adaptation produced by Studio Mother, which aired from October to December 2022. As of March 2025, the manga has entered its final part, as announced by Kanamaru in the endnotes of the 13th volume.
Plot Overview
The story centers around Jirō Yakuin, an introverted high school student who prefers playing video games to socializing. Jirō has unrequited feelings for his childhood friend, Shiori Sakurazaka. However, his school implements a “couples training” program (夫婦実習, Fūfu jisshū) that pairs students together to develop their social skills by having them interact as if they were married.
Despite hoping to be paired with Shiori, Jirō finds himself matched with Akari Watanabe, a gyaru who is equally displeased with the arrangement. Akari would rather be paired with the popular school idol, Minami Tenjin. When they learn that couples who earn enough points can switch partners, Jirō and Akari agree to put aside their differences and work together to achieve this goal.
As the story progresses, what begins as a reluctant partnership evolves into something more complex. Jirō and Akari begin to develop genuine feelings for each other while “pretending” to get along, creating confusion as they struggle to distinguish between their real emotions and their act.
The situation becomes even more complicated when Shiori reveals that she also has feelings for Jirō. After Minami tactfully rejects Akari’s confession and helps her realize her true feelings for Jirō, both girls find themselves competing for his affection, leaving Jirō torn between them.
Characters in More Than a Married Couple Manga
The manga features a cast of well-developed characters, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations that drive the story forward.
Main Characters
Jirō Yakuin
Jirō is the main protagonist of the series. He’s portrayed as a shy, introverted high school student who prefers gaming to social interaction. At the beginning of the story, he harbors feelings for his childhood friend Shiori. However, as he spends more time with Akari as part of the couples training program, he begins to develop feelings for her as well, creating an internal conflict.
Jirō’s character development throughout the series shows his growth from a socially awkward teenager to someone who becomes more confident and self-aware of his emotions.
Akari Watanabe
Akari is a gyaru who initially finds Jirō repulsive and would rather be paired with the popular Minami Tenjin. She agrees to work with Jirō only to earn enough points to switch partners. However, as they spend more time together, she begins to see different sides of Jirō and gradually develops genuine feelings for him.
Akari is described as a sweetheart who can be naive at times. Her attempts to be clever and make plans often come across as childish, adding to her charm. Despite her growing feelings for Jirō, she struggles to accept them, especially given her initial pursuit of Minami.
Shiori Sakurazaka
Shiori is Jirō’s childhood friend and his initial love interest. She has clear feelings for Jirō but hasn’t been able to express them openly. Even when she hears rumors about Akari and Jirō being in a relationship, she trusts her instincts and continues to pursue him.
Shiori works hard to achieve the highest ranking in the couples training program to have Jirō as her partner. One of her notable traits is that she doesn’t show jealousy toward Akari, despite the latter’s closeness with Jirō.
Minami Tenjin
Minami is described as a popular school idol who is Akari’s initial love interest. When Akari confesses her feelings to him, he tactfully turns her down and helps her realize her true feelings for Jirō. His role in the story serves as a catalyst for Akari’s character development and her eventual pursuit of Jirō.
Manga Publication and Availability
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers has been published in various formats and languages, making it accessible to a wide audience of manga enthusiasts.
Publication History
The manga began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten’s seinen magazine Young Ace in March 2018. As of March 2025, thirteen tankōbon volumes have been published. The series is currently entering its final part, as announced by the author Yūki Kanamaru in the endnotes of the 13th volume released on March 4, 2025.
The publication schedule for the manga is monthly, with new chapters appearing in Young Ace magazine. This means that approximately 12 chapters are released each year, though there may occasionally be breaks in the publication schedule.
International Releases
Udon Entertainment publishes the series in English and describes it as “a pseudo-married couple romantic comedy between a popular girl and a loser in romance.” Their official synopsis emphasizes the unique premise of the story:
“Would you take an oath for a false romance, for the sake of true love? The pseudo-married couple romantic comedy between a popular girl and a loser in romance begins! Jiro Yakuin, a high school student who lacks romantic experience, is paired up with a completely opposite girl, Akari Watanabe, as part of a class called ‘Marriage Practical’. They are required to live together and act like a married couple in order to earn the right to exchange partners with their crushes. Reluctantly, they begin their performance as a married couple, but can they handle what awaits them…!?”
Fan Translations and Scanlations
Before official translations became available, fans of the series created their own translations, known as scanlations. These fan translations have been uploaded to platforms like MangaDex. However, it’s important to note that these are unofficial translations created by volunteers who dedicate their personal time to translate, redraw text bubbles, and typeset the manga.
The scanlation community has played a significant role in making the manga accessible to non-Japanese readers. However, fans are encouraged to support the official releases when they become available to ensure that the creator receives proper compensation for their work.
Anime Adaptation
The popularity of More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers led to an anime adaptation that further expanded the reach of the series.
Anime Production and Broadcast
The anime adaptation of More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers was produced by Studio Mother and aired from October 9, 2022, to December 25, 2022. The series consisted of 12 episodes and was broadcast on Sundays at 22:00 JST.
The production involved several companies, including Lantis, Rakuonsha, AT-X, KlockWorx, Exa International, Sun TV, Kadokawa, and Bandai Namco Music Live. This collaborative effort helped bring the manga’s characters and story to life in animated form.
Reception and Ratings
The anime adaptation has been well-received by viewers, earning a score of 7.59 on MyAnimeList based on ratings from 195,832 users. It is ranked #1616 on the site and has a popularity ranking of #692, with 366,196 members and 4,166 favorites. These statistics indicate that the anime has garnered a substantial following and positive reception from viewers.
The anime adaptation has helped to increase the visibility and popularity of the manga, introducing the story to a broader audience who may not have discovered it otherwise.
Themes and Appeal of the Manga
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers explores several themes that resonate with readers and contribute to its popularity.
Romance and Relationships
At its core, the manga is a romantic comedy that explores the complexities of relationships and feelings. The premise of the “couples training” program creates a unique situation where characters are forced to navigate the boundaries between pretending to be in a relationship and developing genuine feelings. This blurring of lines between act and reality creates compelling romantic tension and character development.
The love triangle between Jirō, Akari, and Shiori adds another layer of complexity to the romantic elements of the story. Each character has their own motivations and feelings, creating a nuanced portrayal of teenage romance and the confusion that often accompanies it.
Character Growth and Development
One of the most appealing aspects of the manga is the growth and development of its characters. Jirō evolves from a shy, introverted gamer to someone who becomes more confident and aware of his feelings. Akari transitions from seeing Jirō as repulsive to developing genuine feelings for him, showcasing her emotional growth.
The characters’ journeys are not linear or simple; they face setbacks, confusion, and internal conflicts that make their development feel authentic and relatable. This realistic portrayal of character growth is one of the reasons why readers become invested in their stories.
School Life and Social Dynamics
The high school setting of the manga allows for an exploration of school life and social dynamics that many readers can relate to. The “couples training” program serves as a microcosm of society, where individuals must learn to work together despite their differences.
The manga also touches on themes of popularity, social status, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. These themes add depth to the story and provide commentary on the social dynamics that many young people experience.
Fan Community and Reception
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers has developed a dedicated fan community that engages with the series in various ways.
Online Communities and Discussions
Fans of the manga have formed online communities where they discuss the series, share fan art, and speculate about future developments. Platforms like Reddit have dedicated subreddits, such as r/fuufuijou, where fans can connect with others who share their interest in the series.
These communities often serve as spaces where fans can ask questions about the manga, share their interpretations of events, and express their preferences for different character pairings. The active engagement of these communities reflects the impact that the manga has had on its readers.
Fan Support and Merchandise
Fans show their support for the manga in various ways, including purchasing official releases, merchandise, and supporting the creator through platforms like Fanbox. This support is crucial for the continued success of the series and demonstrates the connection that readers feel to the story and its characters.
The manga’s popularity has also led to the creation of merchandise and other related products that allow fans to express their appreciation for the series in tangible ways.
FAQs About More Than a Married Couple Manga
When did More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers manga begin?
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten’s seinen manga magazine Young Ace in March 2018. Since then, it has been collected into thirteen tankōbon volumes as of March 2025.
Is the manga still ongoing?
Yes, the manga is still ongoing but is entering its final part, as announced by author Yūki Kanamaru in the endnotes of the 13th volume released on March 4, 2025.
How often are new chapters of the manga released?
The manga is published monthly in Young Ace magazine, which means approximately 12 chapters are released each year. However, there may occasionally be breaks in the publication schedule.
Where can I read the manga in English?
Udon Entertainment publishes the official English translation of the manga. Before official translations became available, fan translations (scanlations) were uploaded to platforms like MangaDex.
What is the anime adaptation like?
The anime adaptation of More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers was produced by Studio Mother and aired from October 9, 2022, to December 25, 2022. The series consisted of 12 episodes and has been well-received by viewers, earning a score of 7.59 on MyAnimeList.
Which chapter should I start reading after watching the anime?
According to fan discussions, if you’ve watched the anime and want to continue the story in the manga, you should start from Chapter 26.
Is there a sequel or spin-off to the manga?
As of April 2025, there is no information about a sequel or spin-off to More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers. The main series is currently entering its final part.
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
