The first part of the WataNare manga has wrapped — and the girls’ love comedy that won over Crunchyroll fans across Southeast Asia is getting a second act. Shueisha confirmed on 17 August that There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… (わたなれ) will continue in 2027 with a brand-new artist and a fresh manga chapter starting on Young Jump+.
Manga Part 1 Completes on Young Jump+
The manga adaptation drawn by Musshu published its final chapter on Young Jump+ on 31 July 2026, closing out the story that had run on Shueisha’s digital platform. The collected run reached eight volumes under the Young Jump Comics label. For fans following in English, Seven Seas Entertainment handles the translated manga release.
Part 2 Brings a New Pencil — Eru Kudō Steps In
Shueisha announced that illustrator Eru Kudō will take over art duties for the manga’s second part, officially titled Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Naijan, Muri Muri! Muri Janakatta!? ~Second Season. The new series launches on Young Jump+ in January or February 2027. Eru Kudō brings a fresh visual approach to Renako and Mai’s story as it moves deeper into Teren Mikami’s original light novel source material.
The change in artist isn’t out of the ordinary for the franchise — original creator Teren Mikami writes the light novels with illustrations by Eku Takeshima, while Musshu drew the first manga arc. Eru Kudō becomes the third artist to contribute visuals to the WataNare world. For more manga and anime updates, head to the Manga Anime section.
Where the Franchise Stands
WataNare started as a Shueisha Dash X Bunko light novel before expanding into manga and anime. Studio Mother’s anime adaptation aired from July to September 2025 and streamed on Crunchyroll — Singapore included — making it one of the more accessible yuri titles for Southeast Asian viewers. The show follows awkward high schooler Renako Amaori as she gets tangled in a fake-dating arrangement with school superstar Mai Ouzuka, with predictably chaotic and heartfelt results.
The theatrical sequel WataNare ~Next Shine~ (covering episodes 13–17) opened in Japan cinemas from 21 November 2025. A proper anime Season 2 has also been confirmed for production, though no air date has been set. The franchise held a special fan event — Sweet Summer Memory — at Nissho Hall in Tokyo on 16 August 2026, just two days before this Part 2 announcement.
For Singapore Fans: What’s Available Now
The WataNare anime Season 1 (12 episodes) is streaming now on Crunchyroll Singapore. English manga volumes are available through online retailers that carry Seven Seas Entertainment titles. When Part 2 begins serialisation in early 2027, chapters will land on Young Jump+, accessible globally. No Singapore theatrical window for Next Shine has been confirmed, so streaming via Crunchyroll remains the most reliable way to keep up with the series.