Is Himeno-chan ni Koi wa Mada Hayai Worth Reading? Review & Where to Read
Quick Answer
If you want a gentle, low-stakes comedy about elementary-schoolers fumbling through their first crushes, this is a sweet, undemanding read, as long as that specific kid-logic humor is what you're after.
Quick Verdict
“This manga mines real charm out of pint-sized overconfidence, never losing sight of the fact that its leads are still just kids figuring things out.”
Best for: Readers who want a gentle, comedic look at elementary-schoolers' first clumsy crushes, played for laughs.
Not for: Readers who want a teen or adult romance rather than a comedy centered on young children's crushes.
- Type
- Manga
- Genres
- Romance, Comedy
- Status
- Completed
- This review
- Minor Spoilers
- Author
- Yuzuchiri
- Publisher
- Shinchosha
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Format | Manga (shōnen), 86 chapters, 7 volumes |
| Run | 2018–2021 · completed |
| Community score | AniList 6.9 · MangaUpdates 7.3 |
| Content | All central characters are elementary-school-age children; the romance is a same-age kids' crush comedy, not a teen or adult relationship. |
Overview
Himeno is an elementary schooler with a plan: convinced that acting more mature will finally get her crush Ouji to notice her, she sets out to seem older and cooler than she actually is. Naturally, her attempts at sophistication keep running into the reality that she's still just a kid, and the gap between her ambitions and her actual age is where the series finds its comedy.
What it does well
Himeno-chan ni Koi wa Mada Hayai works because it takes its young characters' feelings seriously without ever losing sight of the fact that they're still children. Himeno's overconfident schemes to seem grown-up are funny precisely because the manga understands how kids actually think and perform maturity, rather than mocking her from a distance. The comedy comes from mutual misreading between classmates working through their first crushes, which keeps the tone warm and genuinely funny instead of uncomfortable.
Himeno's determination also gives her real presence as a lead — she's proactive and funny rather than a passive comedic prop, and that energy carries the series through its episodic structure. At seven complete volumes, it's a manageable, well-paced read that knows not to overstay its premise.
Where it falls short
The episodic format means there isn't much plot momentum beyond the central question of whether Himeno and Ouji will ever actually connect, so readers looking for more narrative development may find it thin. Because the humor is so specifically rooted in childhood logic and classroom dynamics, it's also a fairly slight read for anyone who prefers their romantic comedy aimed at teens or adults. And with no official English release, you'll need to rely on fan translation to read it.
Verdict
Himeno-chan ni Koi wa Mada Hayai is a gentle, genuinely funny comedy about kids fumbling through their first crushes, treated with warmth rather than irony. If that specific brand of elementary-school rom-com appeals to you, it's a sweet, complete read.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- The 'too early for romance' premise is played with real affection for how kids actually think, mining comedy from Himeno's overconfident attempts to seem more grown-up rather than mocking her.
- The humor comes from mutual misreading between same-age classmates, keeping the tone light and genuinely funny rather than awkward.
- Himeno's determination gives her a likable, proactive energy that's rare for this kind of low-key comedy lead.
- It's a complete, manageable series that doesn't overstay the premise's welcome.
Weaknesses
- The episodic, low-stakes structure means there's not much plot momentum beyond the central will-they-notice-each-other dynamic.
- Because the humor leans so specifically on childhood logic and classroom dynamics, it may feel slight to readers who prefer teen or adult romance.
- There's no official English release, so reading it means relying on fan translation.
Similar Titles
Shares a similar gentle, episodic comedic sensibility, though with a broader slice-of-life focus rather than a single central crush.
Another series centered on young children, handled with warmth rather than played for anything beyond age-appropriate comedy.
A different age bracket, but a similar interest in the comedy of two people who like each other and can't quite say so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Himeno-chan ni Koi wa Mada Hayai finished?
Yes. It ran from 2018 to 2021 and is complete at 7 volumes, so you can read the whole thing without waiting on new chapters.
How long is this series?
It's a manageable read at 7 volumes and 86 chapters, with short, episodic chapters that move quickly.
How old are the main characters?
Himeno and her crush Ouji are both elementary-school-age children, and the series is a same-age kids' comedy rather than a teen or adult romance.
Is there an anime adaptation?
No, there's no anime adaptation — the manga is the only version of this story currently available.
