This Highly Anticipated Anime Is Setting Viewers Up for Disappointment

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With Winter 2025’s anime season wrapping up, enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming Spring collection, filled with returning anime hits and fresh adaptations. One of the year’s most significant anime events, AnimeJapan 2025, provides insights into numerous forthcoming titles, such as Kowloon Generic Romance. This animation project by Arvo Animation is inspired by Jun Mayuzuki’s acclaimed manga, the same author behind After the Rain. The ongoing manga is published weekly in Weekly Young Jump, a publication known for hosting popular seinen series like Oshi no Ko and Kingdom, among others. The anime will premiere in April, as part of the Spring 2025 lineup. Moreover, a live-action version will simultaneously be unveiled to boost manga interest, generating even more excitement among fans.

These two series are generating a lot of buzz on social media because they’re both set to premiere in the same year. However, during AnimeJapan 2025, the creators of Kowloon Generic Romance anime shared some disappointing news: the story will be concluded within 13 episodes. As per their official Twitter account for the TV anime and live-action film, “The anime adaptation of Kowloon Generic Romance will wrap up in 13 episodes.” Unfortunately, the manga has over 80 chapters and is still ongoing, which means that the ending may not be fully resolved. The manga started serialization in 2019, and there are currently ten volumes available worldwide for purchase.

What Is the Plot of Kowloon Generic Romance?

The narrative unfolds within the enigmatic, maze-like urban jungle of Kowloon Walled City, a densely populated district in Hong Kong that was famously chaotic. Even though it was torn down in the 1990s, those who cherish the traditional lifestyle continue to inhabit and consider it their home. Reiko Kujikari, a real estate agent, craves the vibrancy of modern urban areas, contrasting sharply with her colleague Hajime Kudou, who holds onto the past and resists any contemporary changes that infiltrate the city.

In spite of their frequent disagreements and squabbles, these two individuals frequently find enjoyment in each other’s presence. However, when a joke backfires one day, Hajime takes an unexpected romantic step towards Reiko. Although he quickly offered an apology, Hajime’s puzzling actions prompted Reiko to delve into the reason behind them. Surprisingly, she gradually uncovered a forgotten past that she had no recollection of.

AnimeJapan 2025’s Latest Update Suggests the Show Will Undermine the Manga’s Slow Burn

This romance unfolds gradually, focusing on intricate character growth and unveiling its secrets bit by bit. Packing all of this into only 13 episodes risks a hurried pace, overlooked details, and diminished emotional resonance. The anime may need to truncate scenes to accommodate additional storylines. A wiser choice might have been to extend the series to 24-26 episodes or even adopt a split-cour format to allow the narrative room to unfold at a leisurely pace. One of the manga’s key assets lies in its ability to gradually immerse readers into Kowloon’s world.

The tale unfolds gradually, filled with subtle yet impactful instances like the friendly banter between Kudou and Kujirai, the nostalgic, everyday ambiance of the city, and the unveiling of intricate mysteries. Hurrying through the narrative could rob us of the tranquil, immersive scenes that bring Kowloon to life. Moreover, it remains to be seen how the animation team will approach the concluding chapters.

Many Manga Have Suffered From Such Adaptations

I’ve found that anime adaptations which deviate from the critically acclaimed source material of a popular manga often meet with less than favorable reception. For instance, the original adaptations of classics like Fullmetal Alchemist, Claymore, The Promised Neverland, Tokyo Ghoul: Re, and numerous others were marred by studio changes, falling short of the original tales’ impact. Even though Fullmetal Alchemist received a reboot in 2009 that ranks among the genre’s finest productions, it remains an exception rather than the rule for series with dedicated fanbases to get a second chance. As an enthusiast, I can’t help but wish that more anime could capture the essence of their beloved manga origins!

Despite Arvo Animation’s intriguing and distinctive animation style, there’s a strong possibility that the development of characters and unraveling of mysteries could suffer in this series due to their approach.

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2025-03-26 21:10