More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers manga is set to enter a sudden long hiatus, according to the latest update from mangaka Yuki Kanamaru and Kadokawa’s Young Ace magazine on their respective X (formerly Twitter) accounts on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The rom-com manga will not publish a new chapter in the magazine’s upcoming issue as Kanamaru prepares for the story’s final part.
The manga has been serialized in Young Ace since March 2018, with its chapters compiled into 13 tankobon volumes. Kanamaru had previously confirmed that the series would enter its final arc with the 14th volume. However, the author has not disclosed how many chapters remain before the series concludes.
Plot overview
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers follows Jiro Yakuin, a high school student who is paired with Akari Watanabe as part of a school program called the Marriage Practical. In this program, students must live together and act like married couples to earn points. Jiro and Akari initially aim to accumulate enough points to exchange partners with their respective crushes. However, as they reluctantly perform their roles, genuine feelings start to develop between them.
The series explores the complexities of teenage romance, emotional growth, and the blurred lines between friendship and love. Jiro and Akari’s evolving relationship forms the heart of the story, combining humor and heartfelt moments.
Hiatus details
「夫婦以上、恋人未満。」長期休載のお知らせ。
急ではありますが、４月４日発売のヤングエース５月号より、「夫婦以上、恋人未満。」はしばらくの間休載させていただきます。
連載を楽しみにお待ちいただいている読者の皆様には大変申し訳ございません。… pic.twitter.com/DbIEqxYSYH— ヤングエース (@YA_henshubu) March 25, 2025
On March 25, 2025, Young Ace magazine’s official X handle, @YA_Henshubu, released a statement from the editorial department announcing the hiatus. According to the announcement, the manga will go on break starting with the May issue of Young Ace, which will be released on April 4, 2025.
The statement clarified that the break is intended to give Yuki Kanamaru sufficient time to plan and develop the final arc at a steady pace. Kanamaru also released a personal message apologizing to fans for the break, expressing their desire to ensure that the story’s conclusion is handled with care and consistency. The author reassured readers about their health and expressed gratitude for the ongoing support.
The editorial team apologized to readers who were anticipating the next chapter and confirmed that the manga’s return date would be announced through the magazine and its official X account.
Anime adaptation and popularity
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers gained widespread recognition following its anime adaptation. Produced by Studio MOTHER, the anime aired 12 episodes from October 2022 to December 2022. Crunchyroll streamed the episodes globally, contributing to the series’ growing international fanbase.
The anime adaptation helped expand the manga’s reach, introducing Jiro and Akari’s story to a wider audience. The combination of romance, comedy, and emotional depth has made the series a fan favorite in both manga and anime communities.
