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First Love Monster
First Love Monster
First Love Monster
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First Love Monster
Cover of the first Japanese volume
初恋モンスター
(Hatsukoi Monsutā)
GenreRomantic comedy[1]
Manga
Written byAkira Hiyoshimaru
Published byKodansha
English publisher
Magazine
  • Aria (28 January 2013 – 28 November 2016)
  • Pixiv Comics (3 March 2017 – present)
Original run28 January 2013 – present (on hiatus)
Volumes8
Anime television series
Directed byTakayuki Inagaki
Produced by
  • Suzuki Renta
  • Yohei Ito
Written by
Music byGo Sakabe
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
Original networkAT-X, Tokyo MX, KBS, Sun TV, BS11
English network
Original run 2 July 2016 – 17 September 2016
Episodes12 + OVA
Novel
Written byMakoto Nohara
Illustrated byAkira Hiyoshimaru
Published byKodansha
ImprintKC Deluxe
PublishedMarch 2, 2017

First Love Monster (初恋モンスター, Hatsukoi Monsutā) is a Japanese manga series written by Akira Hiyoshimaru. It was first published in Kodansha's shōjo manga magazine Aria from 2013 to 2016 and later on the Pixiv Comics starting in 2018. An anime television adaptation aired from July to September 2016.

Plot

[edit]

The story follows 15-year-old Kaho Nikaidō as she leaves home to live in a high school dormitory. Almost getting hit by a truck, she is saved by a boy named Kanade Takahashi. She falls in love with him, only to discover that he is her landlord's son and a fifth grader.[3]

Characters

[edit]
Kaho Nikaidō (二階堂 夏歩, Nikaidō Kaho)
Voiced by: Yui Horie[4] (Japanese); Bryn Apprill[5] (English)
The main protagonist of the series. Kaho is a 15-year-old girl and falls in love with Kanade after he saves her from an accident.[4] As the spoiled daughter of an elderly rich couple, she has found it difficult to make friends. Whilst she is a perfectly pleasant person she is used to never being criticised or spoken to harshly due to everyone in her home kneeling her family. This is why making true friends not those just interested in her status was hard for her. She is attracted to Kanade initially as he very loudly and angrily tells her off for her carelessness at nearly being run over. This took her aback as it had never happened before. She is not at all boastful despite her wealth and tries to live as normally as possible.[6]
Kanade Takahashi (高橋 奏, Takahashi Kanade)
Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai[4] (Japanese); Eric Vale[5] (English)
A fifth grader and the object of Kaho's affections. He is 10 years old, but looks significantly older.[4] Although he mostly behaves his age, he at times shows mature behaviour, passed on from his deceased mother who serves as his role model.
Tomu Kaneko (金子 十六, Kaneko Tomu)
Voiced by: Showtaro Morikubo[4] (Japanese); Austin Tindle[5] (English)
One of Kanade's friends and a delinquent.[4] Like Kanade he's also considerably tall for his age.
Ginjirō Sannomiya (三宮 銀次郎, Sannomiya Ginjirō)
Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita[4] (Japanese); Chris Ryan[5] (English)
A grade schooler and another of Kanade's friends.[4] Like Kanade he's also considerably tall for his age. His father is an OB/GYN where he is groomed to follow his father's profession.
Kazuo Noguchi (野口 一男, Noguchi Kazuo)
Voiced by: Ayumu Murase[4] (Japanese); Dallas Reid[5] (English)
Another of Kanade's friends, but of normal size.[4] Contrary to his age, he is far more mature, level-headed and insightful than his peers, to the point that it surprises Kaho and Kanade's circle consider him their leader. He disapproves of their relationship due to their age difference and believing that Kanade only clings to her out of lack of a maternal figure. Despite this he still addresses Kaho respectfully. Since he has a butler it is hinted he comes from a rich family.
Jōji Takahashi (高橋 譲二, Takahashi Jōji)
Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura[4] (Japanese); Anthony Bowling (English)
Kanade's cousin.[4] He has a strong kansai dialect and is one year older than Kanade. Both him and Kanade get along very well. He has an interest on Kaho.
Kōta Shinohara (篠原 耕太, Shinohara Kōta)
Voiced by: Nobuhiko Okamoto[4] (Japanese); Chris Burnett[5] (English)
A first-year high schooler who was in love with Kaho.[4] He's one of the residents of Kaho's dorm. Due to being a shy individual he's often the victim of many of Kanade's circles stunts, as well as being teased frequently by Chiaki due to his crush on Kaho and his inability to act and being easily scared on several matters. He hides an effeminate face under his bangs.
Atsushi Taga (多賀 敦史, Taga Atsushi)
Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa[4] (Japanese); Ian Sinclair[5] (English)
A college student and Kaho's rival.[4] He bears an extremely hostile attitude towards Kaho. He claims to be interested in Kanade though as the anime progresses he seems to develop feelings for Kaho.
Arashi Nagasawa (長澤 嵐, Nagasawa Arashi)
Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda[4] (Japanese); Newton Pittman (English)
Kaho's strange neighbor.[4] He likes and collects cute things and is a hardcore fan of the idol Renren. He dates Chiaki who accepts him as he is, although she is often annoyed with his otaku fanaticism.
Daikoku Nikaidō (二階堂 大谷, Nikaidō Daikoku)
Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa[4] (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum (English)
Kaho's older brother.[4] He went to America for some time. Despite calling himself a "doting brother" he in fact has a morbid obsession with Kaho, going as far as collect items she has used (such as chopsticks or leftovers) and place them in a plastic bag.
Chiaki Yokōchi (横内 千秋, Yokōchi Chiaki)
Voiced by: Mizuki Wai[7] (Japanese); Dawn M. Bennett[5] (English)
One of the residents at Kaho's dorm. She is serious and level-headed and often serves as a voice of reason. She finds the relationship between Kaho and Kanade to be amusing and frequently teases Shinohara for his personality. She dates and accepts Arashi despite his weird tendencies.
Mafuyu Hayashi (林 真冬, Hayashi Mafuyu)
Voiced by: Ai Kayano[7] (Japanese); Monica Rial (English)
One of the residents at Kaho's dorm. While she tends to be composed on the outside, deep down she has a morbid obsession with Shūgo, going as far as stealing his underwears and sniffing them. When noticed or denied her fetish by others, she can enter into a frenzy where she demonstrates animalistic behavior, which cannot be stopped unless she gets what she wants. When provoked she speaks on a deeply foul language.
Shūgo Takahashi (高橋 修吾, Takahashi Shūgo)
Voiced by: Shunsuke Takeuchi[7] (Japanese); Phil Parsons (English)
Kanade's father and the landlord of the dorm.
Yuki Fukaya (深谷 友基, Fukaya Yūki)
Voiced by: Iori Nomizu[7] (Japanese); Skyler McIntosh (English)
One of Kanade's classmates, who has a crush on him.
Munemitsu Makurazaki (枕崎 宗光, Makurazaki Munemitsu)
Voiced by: Takuya Eguchi[8] (Japanese); Alejandro Saab[5] (English)
A butler for Kazuo.
Renren (レンレン)
Voiced by: Shouta Aoi[8] (Japanese); Aaron Roberts[5] (English)
An androgynous boy, who is also a cross-dressing idol.[9] He's the object of fanaticism by Arashi, much to Chiaki's chagrin.

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]

First Love Monster is written by Akira Hiyoshimaru, who began publishing the manga in Kodansha's shōjo magazine Aria on 28 January 2013.[10] Its last chapter in the magazine was published on 28 November 2016.[11][12] On 3 March 2017, the manga started publishing on Pixiv Comics.[13]

The manga is licensed for English release in North America by Yen Press.

Volumes

[edit]
No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 5 July 2013[14]978-4-06-380638-021 July 2015[15]978-0-3163-4367-1
2 7 January 2014[16]978-4-06-380666-327 October 2015[17]978-0-316-34610-8
3 7 July 2014[18]978-4-06-380699-126 January 2016[19]978-0-316-34611-5
4 7 January 2015[20]978-4-06-380738-726 April 2016[21]978-0-316-31488-6
5 7 July 2015[22]978-4-06-380781-327 September 2016[23]978-0-316-54526-6
6 13 May 2016[24]978-4-06-358815-624 January 2017[25]978-0-316-50461-4
7 22 July 2016[26]978-4-06-380862-922 August 2017[27]978-0-316-47241-8
8 7 February 2017[12]978-4-06-358815-614 November 2017[28]978-0-316-44255-8

Audio drama

[edit]

The limited edition versions of volumes three, four, and five include an audio drama CD.[29]

Anime

[edit]

An anime adaptation of the series was announced in the August issue of Aria.[1][30][29] The cast of the audio dramas reprised their roles for the anime.[1][4] The series aired from July[31] to September 2016. Studio Deen produced the anime, with Takayuki Inagaki directed the series and Mariko Oka designed the characters.[32] The anime has been licensed by Funimation[33] and by Madman Entertainment[34] for streaming. Medialink licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia and streaming this anime in their YouTube channel.[35] The anime ran for 12 episodes, released over 6 Blu-ray and DVD volumes.[36] An OVA episode was bundled with the manga's 8th volume and released on 17 February 2017.[37]

Episodes

[edit]
No. Title[38] Original air date
1"So: I'm in Primary School. What Now?"
Transliteration: "... De, ore, shōgakuseidakedo dō suru ka?" (Japanese: ...で、俺、小学生だけどどうするか？)		2 July 2016 (2016-07-02)
2"Ah, Kasumi House"
Transliteration: "Ā Kasumi sō" (Japanese: あゝ華すみ荘)		9 July 2016 (2016-07-09)
3"It's My First"
Transliteration: "Hajimete no" (Japanese: 初めての)		16 July 2016 (2016-07-16)
4"Sought-After Undies"
Transliteration: "Nerawa reta pantsu" (Japanese: ねらわれたパンツ)		23 July 2016 (2016-07-23)
5"I Know--To the Bath House"
Transliteration: "Sōda, sentō ikou" (Japanese: そうだ、銭湯いこう)		30 July 2016 (2016-07-30)
6"Hula-Hoop Hullabaloo"
Transliteration: "Futte furafurafurafūpu" (Japanese: 振ってフラフラフラフープ)		6 August 2016 (2016-08-06)
7"Sending My Feeling's... (To the Bathroom)"
Transliteration: "Todoketai omoi... ... (Toireni)" (Japanese: 届けたい思い...... （トイレに）)		13 August 2016 (2016-08-13)
8"Kanade's Telephone Helpline"
Transliteration: "Sō denwa sōdan-shitsu" (Japanese: 奏電話相談室)		20 August 2016 (2016-08-20)
9"A Hushed and Crabby Love Song"
Transliteration: "Hiso ya kanirabusongu" (Japanese: ひそやカニラブソング)		27 August 2016 (2016-08-27)
10"A Proper Rom-Com For Once"
Transliteration: "Tamani wa mattōna rabu kome demo" (Japanese: たまにはまっとうなラブコメでも)		3 September 2016 (2016-09-03)
11"No Peeking! Kanade's Secret Diary"
Transliteration: "Micha dame! Kanade no himitsu nikki" (Japanese: 見ちゃダメ！奏の秘密日記)		10 September 2016 (2016-09-10)
12"Adorable/Abnormable"
Transliteration: "Rabunōmaru × abunōmaru" (Japanese: ラブノーマル×アブノーマル)		17 September 2016 (2016-09-17)
OVA (Japanese: もうちょっとだけ続くんじゃ)17 February 2017 (2017-02-17)

Novel

[edit]

A novel adaptation written by Makoto Nohara and with illustrations and supervision done by Akira Hiyoshimaru, was published by Kodansha on March 2, 2027. The novel also includes the short story Omae no Koto ga Suki Nan Da (おまえのことが好きなんだ) by doujin author Baku Yumemakurasaki.[39][40]

Stage play

[edit]

A stage play adaptation ran in Shinagawa Prince Hotel's Club eX from March 3 to March 12, 2017. Keita Kawajiri served as director and scriptwriter. The play featured Kokoro Okuda as Kaho Nikaidō, Yoshihiko Aramaki as Kanade Takahashi, Daiki Sagawa as Tomu Kaneko, Yūki Kamisato as Ginjirō Sannomiya, Shane as Kazuo Noguchi, Yūtarō as Kōta Shinohara, Kento Ono as Atsushi Taga, Ryōsei Tanaka as Arashi Nagasawa, Yūta Hoshino as Daikoku Nikaidō, and Naoya Goumoto as Shūgo Takahashi.[41]

Reception

[edit]

Rebecca Silverman, reviewing the first volume for Anime News Network, gave it an overall grade of C−. She criticized the series for its attempts at serious romance in what was essentially a comedy, and also found fault with author's skill at drawing people. She was most heavily critical of the age gap between the two romantic leads, commenting that upon examination, "First Love Monster's comedy is overwhelmed by its creepy factor." She did, however, praise the series' dialogue, stating that "the way Kanade talks is a fun mixture of childlike and more adult."[6]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

First Love Monster

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
First Love Monster (Japanese: 初恋モンスター, Hepburn: Hatsukoi Monsutā) is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Akira Hiyoshimaru. Serialized in Kodansha's monthly magazine from June 2013 to March 2017 before moving to online publication on pixiv Comic, the series was collected into eight volumes. The story centers on Kaho Nikaidō, a high school girl who relocates to and falls in love with Kanade Takahashi after he heroically saves her from a truck accident, only to learn that her handsome savior is actually a fifth-grade elementary school student living with his older sister, leading to a quirky and comedic exploration of their unconventional romance. The has been licensed in by , which began releasing English translations in July 2015, with the final volume published in November 2017. Adapted into a 12-episode television series produced by , the adaptation aired from July to September 2016 on networks such as and BS11, directed by Takayuki Inagaki with scripts by Deko Akao and character designs by Mariko Oka. licensed the for streaming and release in , including an uncensored Blu-ray edition that bundled an unaired 13th episode with the manga's eighth volume in . Known for its blend of and life—such as Kanade's precocious maturity and the series' lighthearted take on age-gap relationships—the work has garnered attention for its humorous premise while sparking discussions on its themes.

Story and characters

Plot

Kaho Nikaidō, a 15-year-old high school student from a wealthy family, moves to to attend and live in a , marking her first taste of independence away from her overprotective parents. Almost immediately upon arrival, she narrowly escapes being struck by a , only to be rescued by a strikingly handsome young man named Kanade Takahashi. Overwhelmed by gratitude and instant attraction, Kaho confesses her love to her savior on the spot. Kanade, however, hesitates before accepting her feelings, warning that his true identity might alter her perception of him. He reveals himself to be a fifth-grade elementary student, only 10 years old, despite his mature appearance, which stems from his precocious demeanor and physical growth. Undeterred by the shocking age disparity, Kaho insists on pursuing the relationship, leading to an unconventional arrangement where she moves into the same dormitory where Kanade works as a , allowing the pair to cohabitate under the watchful eyes of the building's residents. The core conflict of the series revolves around the vast emotional and experiential gap between the teenage Kaho and the childlike Kanade, whose immaturity often manifests in childish behaviors like difficulty with basic tasks or impulsive actions, creating both comedic and heartfelt tensions in their budding romance. Societal judgments on their age difference add layers of external pressure. As the narrative progresses, the couple navigates a series of romantic misunderstandings, such as jealous rivalries from peers and interventions by family members who question the viability of their union, forcing Kaho to confront her own growth and Kanade to mature beyond his years. These dynamics culminate in efforts to resolve the central romance, balancing with the challenges of young love in a constrained environment. Throughout, the story explores themes of first love's innocence and intensity, the journey toward emotional maturity, and the subversion of societal norms regarding age-appropriate relationships within the shōjo genre's framework of whimsical romance and self-discovery.

Characters

Kaho Nikaidō is the central protagonist, a 15-year-old first-year high from a wealthy landowning family who moves into the Hanazumiso to live independently. She is characterized by her petite stature, lack of self-confidence stemming from an overprotective upbringing, and a deeply negative thought process that often leads to impulsive romantic decisions. In the tradition, Kaho embodies the archetype of the relatable, emotionally vulnerable heroine whose growth is tied to budding romance and self-discovery. Kanade Takahashi serves as Kaho's primary love interest, a 10-year-old fifth-grade elementary student and the only son of the Hanazumiso . Despite his unusually tall of 173 cm and mature appearance, Kanade is kind-hearted yet mentally immature and childish, often wearing his school gym clothes as his signature outfit. He fits the shōjo trope of the unexpectedly charming younger male lead, whose innocence contrasts with his visual appeal to highlight themes of unconventional attraction. Among the supporting cast, Tomu Kaneko provides comic relief as a lively and mischievous fifth-grade elementary school student, known for his energetic personality and delinquent-inspired style featuring a pompadour hairstyle and modified school uniform. He is a close friend to Kanade and shares the group's tendency to appear older than their age, contributing to humorous subplots through his playful antics. Ginjirō Sannomiya acts as a reserved yet enigmatic friend and occasional rival figure within the group, another fifth-grader with a mature look who is passionate about occult topics like aliens and frequently reads related magazines. As a childhood friend of Kanade, he adds depth to the ensemble's dynamics with his thoughtful, introverted traits. Kazuo Noguchi functions as a stabilizing, father-like presence despite being a fifth-grade peer, hailing from a powerful conglomerate family and displaying an adult-like maturity that grounds the more eccentric members. At 146 cm, he is the only one with age-appropriate height, often offering practical advice in subplots involving the boarding house residents. The core relationships revolve around the budding romance between Kaho and Kanade, marked by her impulsive confession and their ensuing partnership despite the age gap. Kaho forms supportive friendships with the younger boys, particularly drawing from Tomu, while the male quartet—Kanade, Tomu, Ginjirō, and Kazuo—shares tight-knit bonds as childhood friends living in or connected to the Hanazumiso, fostering themes of found family in the shōjo context. These interpersonal ties emphasize loyalty and emotional support without overshadowing individual growth arcs.

Media

Manga

First Love Monster (初恋モンスター, Hatsukoi Monsutā) is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Akira Hiyoshimaru, a manga artist who debuted with this work in 2013. The series blends romantic comedy elements with exaggerated expressions and whimsical scenarios, characteristic of the genre. Hiyoshimaru's debut marked her entry into Kodansha's shōjo lineup, establishing her style focused on youthful romance and humorous interpersonal dynamics. The began in Kodansha's monthly shōjo magazine on January 28, 2013, running until November 28, 2016, for a total of approximately 48 chapters across the print run. In March 2017, it transferred to the digital platform , where new chapters continued sporadically until the series entered hiatus later that year; the series has been on indefinite hiatus since 2017, with no new chapters published as of November 2025, leaving it at eight volumes. This shift to online reflected a growing trend in for greater accessibility and fan engagement. Kodansha compiled the chapters into eight volumes between 2013 and 2017, with special editions including drama CDs for volumes 3, 4, and 5. The following table lists the Japanese release dates and ISBNs:
VolumeRelease DateISBN
1July 5, 2013978-4-06-380638-0
2December 5, 2013978-4-06-3806991
3May 2, 2014978-4-06-3807295
4January 7, 2015978-4-06-3807776
5August 7, 2015978-4-06-3827777
6May 13, 2016978-4-06-3924362
7October 7, 2016978-4-06-3925559
8February 7, 2017978-4-06-3809084
In , licensed the series for English release starting in 2015, translating and publishing all eight volumes by 2017, with some digital reissues in 2018–2019. The English editions maintain the original right-to-left format and include translator notes for cultural nuances. Release dates include: Volume 1 on July 21, 2015; Volume 2 on October 27, 2015; Volume 3 on January 26, 2016; Volume 4 on April 26, 2016; Volume 5 on September 27, 2016; Volume 6 on January 24, 2017; Volume 7 on August 22, 2017; and Volume 8 on November 14, 2017. Hiyoshimaru's artwork employs a classic shōjo aesthetic, with large expressive eyes, flowing hair, and soft, rounded features that emphasize emotional highs and comedic exaggeration, often set against detailed urban and school environments. As the original work, the forms the foundation for subsequent adaptations, including , novels, and stage plays.

Anime

The adaptation of First Love Monster was produced by and aired from to , 2016, consisting of 12 episodes. Directed by Takayuki Inagaki, the series was written by a team including Deko Akao, Sayuri Ōba, Takashi Aoshima, and Hiroko Kanasugi. Character designs were handled by Mariko Oka, with music composed by Go Sakabe. Key voice actors include as Kaho Nikaidō and as Kanade Takahashi, alongside supporting cast such as Iori Nomizu as Takanashi and as Mafuyu Hayashi. The English dub, produced by , featured as Kaho and as Kanade. In , the series broadcast on networks including AT-X, , KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, and BS11. Internationally, it was licensed by for with an English dub, for and , and for . The adaptation faithfully reproduces the manga's romantic comedy elements and character dynamics in a vibrant, expressive animation style typical of Studio Deen, though it condenses the source material into a standard 12-episode format with adjusted pacing to fit the television schedule.
No.TitleOriginal air date
1So: I'm in Primary School. What Now?July 2, 2016
2Ah, Kasumi HouseJuly 9, 2016
3It's My FirstJuly 16, 2016
4Sought-After UndiesJuly 23, 2016
5I Know--To the Bath HouseJuly 30, 2016
6Hula-Hoop HullabalooAugust 6, 2016
7Sending My Feelings... (To the Bathroom)August 13, 2016
8Kanade's Telephone HelplineAugust 20, 2016
9A Hushed and Crabby Love SongAugust 27, 2016
10A Proper Rom-Com For OnceSeptember 3, 2016
11No Peeking! Kanade's Secret DiarySeptember 10, 2016
12Adorable/AbnormableSeptember 17, 2016
An unaired 13th episode OVA, titled Mou Chotto dake Tsuzukunja, was bundled with the limited edition of the 's eighth and released on February 7, 2017.

Audio drama

The audio adaptation of First Love Monster consists of a series of promotional CDs released by in special limited editions of the volumes, beginning prior to the 2016 . The first such release accompanied 3's special edition on July 4, 2014, featuring dramatized scenes from early arcs centered on Kaho Nikaidō and her interactions with Kanade Takahashi. Subsequent volumes 4 (January 7, 2015) and 5 (May 7, 2015) included additional drama CDs with original stories written by creator Akira Hiyoshimaru, each containing one or two short dramatized episodes typically running 20-25 minutes, plus cast commentary tracks in some editions. A standalone drama CD, produced by Frontier Works and released on February 25, 2015, in both limited (two-disc) and regular (one-disc) editions, adapted Episode 1 from volume 1—focusing on Kanade and Kaho's initial encounter—alongside an original story. The voice cast for these audio dramas featured prominent actors who later reprised their roles in the anime, including as Kanade Takahashi, as Kaho Nikaidō, as Ginjirou Sannomiya, Shotaro Morikubo as Juuro Kaneko, as Kazuo Noguchi, as Kouta Shinohara, as Atsushi Taga, and as Otani Nikaido. Production for the manga-tied CDs was handled by in collaboration with audio specialists, while the standalone version was directed by Works with sound design emphasizing comedic timing and character dynamics from the source material. These releases served primarily to promote the by bringing its quirky romance and to life through audio, generating buzz ahead of the adaptation and encouraging fans to explore the original volumes. As of their initial distribution, the CDs were available exclusively as bundled with the special edition or sold separately via retailers like Animate; later compilations, such as a 2016 re-release of volumes 3-5 content in a volume 1 , extended accessibility for viewers.

Novel

The light novel adaptation of First Love Monster, titled Shōsetsu Hatsukoi Monsutā, was written by Makoto Nohara with illustrations by Akira Hiyoshimaru, the original manga's creator, and published by on March 2, 2017, under the KC Deluxe Ranobe Bunko imprint. This single-volume work consists of five original short stories supervised by Hiyoshimaru, expanding on the manga's universe through prose narratives that delve into side events and character perspectives. The stories maintain the series' core elements, focusing on the sheltered high school girl Kaho Nikaidō and her encounters with the enigmatic Kanade, while introducing additional emotional layers not emphasized in the visual format. Unlike the , which relies on illustrations to convey humor and tension, the novel prioritizes expanded descriptive passages and internal monologues to heighten the emotional depth of the characters' relationships and personal growth. For instance, scenes involving summer festivals and interpersonal conflicts are retold with greater , allowing readers to explore Kaho's anxieties and Kanade's secretive nature in more detail, alongside fresh side stories that complement the main plot arcs. This approach shifts the emphasis from visual gags to narrative intimacy, providing a prose-based retelling that enriches the conceptual understanding of the series' themes of first love and self-discovery. As of 2025, the novel remains available exclusively in Japanese, with no official English translation released or announced by or international publishers.

Stage play

A live-action stage play adaptation of First Love Monster was produced under the title TEEN×TEEN THEATER: Hatsukoi Monster, directed and written by Keita Kawajiri. The production ran for 13 performances from March 3 to 12, 2017, at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX in . The cast featured live actors portraying the manga's characters, with Yoshihiko Aramaki (age 26 at the time) as the fifth-grader Kanade Takahashi, Kokoro Okuda as the high schooler Kaho Nikaidō, Daiki Sagawa as Tomu Kaneko, Yuuki Kamisato as Ginjirō Sannomiya, and Naoya Gomoto as Shūgo Takahashi, among others in supporting roles. The script adapted key elements from Akira Hiyoshimaru's original , presented as a straight play without musical numbers, with a runtime of approximately 90–100 minutes. This stage production contributed to the franchise's expansion shortly after the 2016 anime , offering fans an interactive theatrical experience of the story's elements.

Reception

Critical response

The of First Love Monster received mixed reviews, with critics often highlighting the uncomfortable age disparity between protagonists Kaho Nikaidō, a high school freshman, and Kanade Takahashi, an elementary fifth-grader, as a major detractor from its comedic intent. Rebecca Silverman of awarded the first volume a C− grade, criticizing the series for portraying the romance too seriously amid Kaho's emotional trauma, which undermines the humor and makes side characters like the antagonistic feel unlikable and mean-spirited. However, Silverman praised the dialogue for effectively blending Kanade's childlike innocence with mature expressions, as well as the visual gags that play on his diminutive size and precocious behavior, though she noted inconsistencies in the art, such as anatomical issues and varying face proportions. The 2016 anime adaptation similarly elicited divided responses, with reviewers commending elements of satirical humor and character charm while decrying the premise's insensitivity toward the age gap and its potential to fetishize underage romance. In Anime News Network's preview guide, contributors like Nick Creamer appreciated the show's strong parody of shōjo romance tropes and Kanade's endearing childlike allure in visual gags, suggesting it could sustain interest through self-aware exaggeration. Conversely, Theron Martin and Rebecca Silverman faulted the crude, mean-spirited comedy and exploitative portrayal of the relationship, with Martin calling the depiction of bishōnen fifth-graders "hideous" and Silverman highlighting the 's stereotypical designs that fail to mitigate the discomfort. Jacob Chapman noted a cynical tone appealing to niche audiences but criticized the humor's undertones, while Paul Jensen viewed it as a failed with underwhelming that amplifies the unsettling dynamics. Later adaptations, including the 2017 novel and 2017 stage play, have been discussed in thematic critiques for extending the original's exploration of love and maturity, though they largely mirror the mixed reception of the source material by emphasizing character interactions amid ongoing debates over the central romance's maturity portrayal. Overall, First Love Monster has garnered a critical consensus of mixed reception, lauded for its witty dialogue and interpersonal dynamics but frequently condemned for the controversial handling of the age disparity, which many see as prioritizing shock over substantive commentary on romance and growth. This tension has sparked broader discussions on the portrayal of such relationships in shōjo media, with the series' strengths in humor and character chemistry often overshadowed by ethical concerns.

Commercial performance

The adaptation of First Love Monster, serialized in Kodansha's magazine from 2013 to 2017, spanned eight volumes, indicating a modest domestic circulation sufficient to complete its run but without entering major bestseller rankings. English-language editions were released by starting in 2015, with the eight volumes published between July 2015 and November 2017, contributing to its international reach in and other markets through bookstore distribution and digital platforms. No specific weekly or yearly rankings were achieved for the volumes, reflecting niche appeal within the shōjo genre rather than widespread commercial dominance. The 2016 anime adaptation, produced by and aired on networks including AT-X, achieved limited viewership success, with Blu-ray/DVD sales falling below the industry threshold of 5,000 units per volume, totaling approximately 750 units across releases—a figure that underscored challenges in for the series. Streaming performance on platforms like and showed steady but subdued engagement, garnering around 43,500 members and a 5.43/10 score on as of 2025, alongside a 2.5/5 user rating from over 2,500 reviews on , highlighting a dedicated but not blockbuster audience. Adaptations in other formats further evidenced targeted rather than mass-market viability. The 2016 stage play, performed at venues like Nisho Hall, drew attendance primarily from core fans but lacked reported figures exceeding typical small-scale productions for shōjo properties. Audio dramas were bundled as limited-edition with volumes 3–5 and a standalone drama release in 2015, distributed through specialty retailers like Animate, though exact units sold remain undisclosed. A , supervised by Hiyoshimaru and written by Makoto Nohara, was published as a single volume by in March 2017, contributing to the series' expanded media presence but with limited reported sales data. By , the series' popularity persisted through merchandise such as character stands and keychains available at events like Namja collaborations, alongside ongoing digital sales via platforms like , but the 2017 conclusion of the original run and absence of sequels impacted sustained growth. International licensing, including Taiwanese editions by Sharp Point Press, bolstered a global fanbase estimated in the tens of thousands based on metrics, though without the explosive metrics of top-tier titles.

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