Kōtsugō Semi-Friend Explained

is a Japanese four-panel manga series written and illustrated by Minori Chigusa. The series began serialization in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara magazine in May 2023. Two tankōbon volumes have been released as of October 2024.

Plot

The series follows Suuna Kuruma, a high school student who has just moved into a new dorm. Upon arriving at her new room, she discovers a girl, Ruka Hamanasu, flirting with another girl. Suuna is surprised to see this happen, to which Ruka claims that they were not going out. She claims the other girl was her, which she says is short for "semi-friend". As Suuna has no other friends, Ruka offers to be her semi-friend.

Characters

A high school student and Ruka's roommate. She has a very shy personality and thus had been unable to make any friends prior to meeting Ruka. She is conscious of her name as it its kanji is hard to read.

Suuna's roommate, whom she saw flirting with another girl during their first meeting. She claims the other girl is her sefure, but as Suuna is unfamiliar with the term, she claims it is short for "semi-friend". She has a gyaru personality.

Release

The series is written and illustrated by Minori Chigusa. It was originally released as a guest series on Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara magazine, before beginning serialization in May 2023.^[1] The first tankōbon volume was released on December 26, 2023.^[1] To commemorate the volume's release, selected Gamers outlets featured a pop-up section selling series merchandise.^[2]

Reception

The series has been nominated for the 10th Next Manga Awards in 2024 in the print category.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Web site: まんがタイムきららから生まれた"せふれ"がテーマのガールズラブ4コマ1巻 . . August 3, 2024 . Japanese . December 26, 2023.
2. Web site: 『好都合セミフレンド』コミックス1巻発売記念POP UPを2023年12月26日(火)よりゲーマーズにて開催致します！ . PR Times . August 3, 2024 . Japanese . December 11, 2023.
3. Web site: Mateo . Alex . Voting Opens for Next Manga Awards 2024 . Anime News Network . August 4, 2024 . August 4, 2024.