Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! has carved out a unique space in the yuri genre with its mix of expressive comedy, emotional honesty, and a grounded workplace setting. Centered on the dynamic between the outwardly composed but internally passionate Ayaka and her reserved senior Hiroko, the story explores romance in a way that feels both playful and deeply personal.
For creator Sal Jiang, that emotional core comes from lived observation. “I was able to witness these different experiences,” Jiang shared in a written interview provided to OtakuKart, reflecting on the wide range of relationships and identities that influenced the story’s foundation.
Unlike many Girls’ Love stories that focus on school settings, the manga shifts its attention to adult relationships, where emotional restraint, social expectations, and personal identity create a different kind of tension. That contrast has helped the series resonate with readers globally as the yuri genre continues to grow.
Through the written interview, Jiang opened up about the inspirations behind Ayaka and Hiroko, the challenges of writing nuanced characters, and what lies ahead for the pair as their relationship continues to evolve.
OtakuKart: Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko has a very high energy dynamic. What was the inspiration for these two characters and the story?
Sal Jiang: From the time I was a student until my early twenties, the young women around me who were enjoying romantic relationships were spirited and full of energy. Before I became an adult and many more things became clear to me, I felt drawn to them, pursuing romance drawn by nothing more than a simple, pure, unmistakable emotion of “I like this person.”
Simultaneously, I also observed firsthand the struggles of those who navigated the world of romance while contending with and coming to terms with having a minority sexual orientation. I think, perhaps, I was able to witness these different experiences because I moved through a variety of spaces, school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, bars, and various hobby groups, interacting with communities that were heterosexual, homosexual, or even those that didn’t have any strong attachment to romance. For me, the desire to depict those women came naturally and was something I never questioned.
OtakuKart: Why did you choose a professional office environment as the stage for Ayaka and Hiroko?
Sal Jiang: Because I thought the workplace, specifically the office, would be the most likely place for someone to fall in love with a working woman, due to seeing her at work looking cool and poised as she does her job.
OtakuKart: Ayaka is a cool beauty on the outside but very emotional on the inside. How do you balance her internal monologues to keep her character both funny and relatable?
Sal Jiang: To Ayaka, showing her emotions to others, even to the point of offering a fake smile to fit into an occasion, was never a priority until she met Hiroko. I thought the idea of her with a stiff facial expression while burning with passionate love from the inside was adorably awkward, so I made it my mission to create as wide a contrast between her outward expressions and inner emotional state as possible.
OtakuKart: Hiroko plays the straight “man” to offset Ayaka’s intensity. At what point in the story do you think Hiroko will begin to see Ayaka as more than just a dedicated colleague?
Sal Jiang: Perhaps this isn’t appropriate for the workplace, but Ayaka properly conveyed through words and actions her interest in Hiroko as an individual. Meanwhile, Hiroko is aware that many women represent possible romantic partners, but she’s also aware that her status as a lesbian puts her in a minority, and she keeps a certain level of reservation. Ayaka pushed past those reservations and boldly closed the distance between them.
OtakuKart: How do you feel the relationship between these two women will evolve from the opening manga volume as the series progresses?
Sal Jiang: In the final volume of the series, Ayaka came to realize her fledgling feelings had become true devotion to Hiroko, while Hiroko realized that she, including the parts she kept hidden, was truly loved by Ayaka, so the two began a life together. I think that even after this point, they’ll continue to change into the future. I’d love it if you looked forward to seeing what happens next.
OtakuKart: Your art is very expressive, especially Ayaka’s reactions. Do you find the comedy is driven more by the visual expressions or the written dialogue?
Sal Jiang: This is a manga, so I believe, of course, that both are essential. However, specifically regarding dialogue, while I do come up with ideas and think “I want to express it this way,” my writing ends up sounding too explanatory, so I end up relying on my editor to help refine and smooth things out for readability.
OtakuKart: Both characters have very distinct professional styles. Were there any specific fashion inspirations you used to develop their appearance?
Sal Jiang: I’ve worked at several places myself, so I drew most of my inspiration from women working in administrative offices and public institutions. The one exception is Ayaka’s outfits. I deliberately went out of my way to make her clothes exaggeratedly flashy to ensure she stands out from other characters. After all, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an employee wear a frilly off-the-shoulder dress like hers.
OtakuKart: What have been the most challenging aspects of the story to create so far and what made those aspects notable?
Sal Jiang: It’s because this is a story about young women that I had to ensure that men and people of older generations didn’t come off as antagonistic. If they hurt Ayaka and Hiroko, it wasn’t out of a sense of intentional maliciousness, rather the result of friction arising from differences of cultures and generations in which they grew up. It’s due to that I recall having a particularly rough internal conflict when working on the narrative behind Hiroko’s backstory.
OtakuKart: The Girls’ Love genre has grown rapidly around the world. What do you hope your work contributes to the current landscape of yuri stories?
Sal Jiang: I believe there are many types of yuri stories out there, but I hope seeing working women who outwardly look like career-focused professionals awkwardly play games of romance might allow readers to relax and enjoy themselves. The yuri genre is usually rooted in themes such as relationships between cute school girls or forbidden love, but I feel it’s because of this genre’s openness that I was able to depict lesbians with their sexuality full on.
OtakuKart: Without giving too much away, what is one word or theme you would use to describe the future of Ayaka and Hiroko’s journey?
Sal Jiang: Chigai (Difference).
OtakuKart: Can you provide a little background on your career as a manga-ka? What inspired you to become one?
Sal Jiang: I like drawing, so a job where I get to draw as much as I like was my ideal. I originally tweeted “Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko” to get a reaction from those who like the same things I do; however, a publisher happened to find it and allowed me to continue the story the way I wanted. So in short, I was lucky.
OtakuKart: How does it feel to know that international readers are connecting with your characters?
Sal Jiang: It makes me incredibly happy that people of different cultures and backgrounds are enjoying my work. I’m emotionally moved to live in an age where different creative works cross country borders freely.
OtakuKart: For aspiring manga artists, what is one piece of advice you wish you had received early in your career?
Sal Jiang: Take care to watch your lifestyle! This job comes with a lack of exercise, worsening eyesight, and a lack of sleep due to all-nighters!
Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! is available via TokyoPop.
Copyright: AYAKA CHAN WA HIROKO SENPAI NI KOISHITERU ©️ 2021 by Sal Jiang / Futabasha Publishers Ltd.
