Is Urami Koi, Koi, Urami Koi. Worth Reading? Review & Where to Read
Quick Answer
If you want an action-comedy-romance built around a genuinely fun assassin-vs-target premise in a stylish zodiac-mafia setting, this is a satisfying, complete read.
Quick Verdict
“This gets real mileage out of pairing a reluctant assassin with her target, letting the comedy and the stakes escalate together instead of one undercutting the other.”
Best for: Readers who want a stylish action-romance with a yokai-assassin hook and a complete, self-contained story.
Not for: Readers who want a grounded, realistic crime drama rather than a supernatural zodiac-mafia setting played partly for comedy.
- Type
- Manga
- Genres
- Action, Supernatural
- Status
- Completed
- This review
- Minor Spoilers
- Author
- Akitaka
- Publisher
- Square Enix (Gangan Joker)
- Platform
- No official English release
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Format | Manga (shōnen), 62 chapters, 12 volumes |
| Run | 2014–2019 · completed |
| Community score | AniList 7.6 · MangaUpdates 7.6 |
Overview
Urami Koi, Koi, Urami Koi. is set in "Twelve City," a metropolis run by crime families named after the zodiac. Natsuho Nekogasaki, a shy, socially anxious cat-yokai assassin, is sent by her family to kill Kyouichi Nekuni, head of the Rat Family, over a grudge that predates her entirely. The problem is that actually carrying out the hit turns out to be a lot harder than Natsuho expected, especially once her feelings start getting in the way.
What it does well
The assassin-falls-for-her-target setup is a well-worn trope, but this manga finds real energy in pairing it with a genuinely anxious, reluctant protagonist rather than a cool, composed killer. Natsuho's discomfort with her own mission generates both the story's best comedy and its most effective tension, since every scene with Kyouichi carries the real possibility that she might actually have to go through with the job.
The zodiac-mafia setting is also a strong hook on its own, giving the manga a visual and structural identity beyond the central couple — Twelve City's family structure gives Akitaka plenty of room to build out a wider criminal underworld as the story goes. The shift from assassination plot to actual romance is handled with good pacing too, letting the relationship develop gradually rather than flipping a switch halfway through.
Where it falls short
The cover art and some promotional material lean harder into fanservice imagery than the story itself actually delivers, which is worth knowing going in if you're judging the book by its covers — the content itself is more focused on action and comedy than anything explicit. The large zodiac-family cast can also be a lot to keep straight in the early volumes, and a few of the more peripheral family members don't get as much development as the core cast. Readers who want their crime-family drama played with total seriousness may also find the comedic tone softens the stakes at points.
Verdict
Urami Koi, Koi, Urami Koi. takes a familiar assassin-and-target romance setup and gives it real personality through its anxious protagonist and distinctive zodiac-mafia setting. With a complete 12-volume run that builds out its world without overstaying its welcome, it's a solid pick for readers who want action, comedy, and romance handled together with genuine craft.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- The core premise is a great hook: a shy, socially anxious cat-yokai assassin is sent to kill the head of a rival crime family over an inherited grudge, and the manga mines real tension and real comedy out of her struggling to actually go through with it.
- The zodiac-named mafia-family setting gives the story a distinctive visual and worldbuilding identity that separates it from more generic urban-fantasy action series.
- The slow shift from assassination mission to reluctant romance is well-paced, letting Natsuho's feelings complicate things gradually rather than switching tone abruptly.
- At a complete 12 volumes, the story has room to build out its setting and supporting cast without ever feeling padded.
Weaknesses
- The cover art and some early marketing lean into fanservice-adjacent imagery that oversells how risque the actual story is; the content itself stays comedy-and-action-focused rather than explicit.
- The large cast of zodiac-family members can be a lot to track early on, and a few side characters get less development than the central leads.
- Readers who want their crime-family action played completely straight may find the comedic tone undercuts the stakes at times.
Similar Titles
A different premise, but a similar high-stakes, stylish energy around a dangerous social hierarchy.
Shares a comparable blend of supernatural action and dark comedy, albeit with a very different tone.
For readers who want another urban setting where a hidden supernatural underworld collides with a reluctant protagonist's conscience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Urami Koi, Koi, Urami Koi. finished?
Yes, it's complete at 12 volumes and 64 chapters, including two bonus one-shots, published between 2014 and 2019.
How long is Urami Koi, Koi, Urami Koi.?
At 12 volumes, it's a moderate-length read that tells a complete story without excessive padding.
Where can I read Urami Koi, Koi, Urami Koi. in English?
There's no official English release yet; it was serialized in Square Enix's Gangan Joker magazine with no confirmed Western licensor at this time.
Is there an anime adaptation?
No anime adaptation has been announced for this series.
