is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Jun Mayuzuki. It has been serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Young Jump since November 2019, with its chapters collected in 11 volumes as of April 2025. The story is set in Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong.
A 13-episode anime television series adaptation produced by Arvo Animation aired from April to June 2025, and a live-action film adaptation produced by Robot Communications premiered in theaters in August of the same year.
Synopsis
Kowloon Walled City, the most densely populated place on Earth, houses over 33,000 residents within a labyrinth of interconnected high-rises spanning just . Within this urban enclave lies the Wong Loi Realty Company, where an office romance develops between two coworkers: the easygoing yet brash Hajime Kudou and the reserved Reiko Kujirai, who has been in love with him since first meeting him. Despite their contentious dynamic, the two share a close rapport, frequently having lunch together. Their mutual affection for Kowloon Walled City gradually deepens their bondâÂÂyet an underlying peculiarity lingers between them.
Characters
A 32-year-old real estate agent residing alone in Kowloon Walled City. She maintains a professional relationship with Hajime Kudo, unaware they were formerly engaged and that she once mentored him at their workplace. Despite her complete memory loss regarding their past, she is in love with him, though he does not reciprocate. She enjoys Kowloon's urban culture and has a peculiar habit of smoking while eating watermelon.
A 34-year-old real estate agent who transferred from the Japanese branch to work at a small Kowloon office with Reiko. Like Reiko, he deeply appreciates Kowloon's urban culture and cuisine. Though formerly Kujirai's junior colleague and fiancé, he never mentions their past relationship due to her complete memory loss. He is aware of the current Kujirai being in love with him, but does not feel the same way for her at all, and is often seen taunting her for it.
A young woman who works part-time at various establishments in Kowloon, including shoe stores and cinemas. Petite in stature, she typically wears her hair in a bun and dresses in charming Chinese-style outfits. She is acquainted with both Reiko and Hajime.
A 27-year-old doll-making seamstress residing in Kowloon Walled City, she struggles with excessive unsold inventory until Reiko, Hajime, and Shaohei assist her. Following a chance meeting where she learns of Reiko's amnesia, they form a friendship. She maintains she underwent complete physical reconstruction to abandon her past, though provides no further details about her history. She was later revealed to be the daughter of a famous actress, and grew tired of being compared to her mother, leading to an identity crisis.
President of Hebinuma Pharmaceutical, a major conglomerate specializing in beauty and pharmaceutical products. With his slicked-back hair, sharp serpentine eyes, and distinctive forked tongue, he presents a striking appearance. After inheriting his father's pharmaceutical company, he rapidly expanded the business and now personally operates a popular beauty counseling service for women. Miyuki develops an unusual fascination with Reiko when she visits his clinic using a promotional coupon, eventually surprising her with an unsolicited kiss at her workplace.
A former waiter at the Goldfish Tea House. He initially informs Reiko about her past engagement to Hajime (as "Kujirai B"). After mysteriously disappearing, he later recognizes that the current Reiko differs from the one he knew. Formerly the partner of Miyuki during their Kowloon investigations, he continues assisting Reiko and Yaomay in uncovering the city's mysteries after their abrupt breakup.
An associate of Miyuki who investigates the mysterious Second Kowloon phenomenon. Initially unable to perceive or enter Kowloon, he discovers that "regret" serves as the key requirement for access.
A young man who works for Miyuki's father. He is the original version of the female Xiaohei. Through unknown methods, Xiaohei can enter Kowloon without his female copy disappearing.
Kujirai B is a deceased woman who bore a striking resemblance to Reiko. The alias was given by Yaomay. Two years older than Hajime, she served as his senior at Wong Loi Realty Company and was formerly engaged to him.
Production
According to Mayuzuki, she had the idea of launching a series about Kowloon Walled City while her previous work After the Rain was still being serialized. She liked the topic of Kowloon Walled City and first learned about it from Kowloon's Gate when she was young.
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Jun Mayuzuki, Kowloon Generic Romance started in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Young Jump on November 7, 2019. The series is set to end on April 16, 2026. Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual volumes. The first volume was published on February 19, 2020. As of April 17, 2025, eleven volumes have been published.
In January 2022, Yen Press announced that it had licensed the manga for English release in North America. The first volume was released on August 9, 2022.
Volumes
Anime
In October 2024, it was announced that the series would receive an anime television series adaptation. It is produced by Arvo Animation and directed by , with series composition and episode screenplays by Jin Tanaka, character designs by , art direction by YÃ
«ji Kaneko, and music composed by . The series aired from April 5 to June 28, 2025, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. The opening theme song is , performed by Wednesday Campanella, while the ending theme song is , performed by .
Crunchyroll is streaming the series. Medialink licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.
Episodes
Live-action film
In October 2024, a live-action film adaptation was announced. It is produced by Robot Communications, distributed by Bandai Namco Filmworks and directed by . It premiered in Japanese theaters on August 29, 2025. The film's theme song is "Haze", performed by the band .
Reception
The manga had over 1.2 million copies in circulation by December 2024. In 2020, the manga was one of the 50 nominees for the sixth Next Manga Awards. It ranked third on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga of 2021 for male readers. It was nominated for the 14th Manga TaishÃ
 in 2021 and placed ninth with 46 points.
Notes
References
Further reading
External links