Age 12

Lore & Background

The story centers on Hanabi Ayase and her best friend Yui Aoi, both sixth graders. Hanabi is paired with popular classmate Yuuto Takao for a test and falls in love, leading to their dating. Yui develops feelings for Kazuma Hiyama after he defends her from gossip, and they also start dating. The manga explores their relationships and the dynamics of their friend group, which includes Marin Ogura, who acts as a love adviser, and Cocoa Hamana, Hanabi's rival for Yuuto's affection.

Reader's Guide

Age 12 is significant as a representative work of the shōjo romance genre targeting preteen readers, earning critical recognition with a nomination for the 38th Kodansha Manga Awards and winning the 64th Shogakukan Manga Award for the children category in 2019. Its commercial success is reflected in Oricon chart placements for volumes 3, 4, and 5, which sold tens of thousands of copies each. The series' multiple adaptations—an OVA, a video game, and a 24-episode TV anime—demonstrate its broad appeal. The manga's focus on the emotional and social experiences of 12-year-olds, including first love and friendship, has made it a touchstone for young readers. Its legacy lies in its gentle portrayal of adolescent growth and its ability to resonate with audiences through relatable characters and everyday situations.

Did You Know?

• The manga was serialized in Shogakukan's Ciao magazine from August 2012 to October 2019.
• Volume 4 reached 20th place on the weekly Oricon manga chart, selling 53,162 copies as of July 13, 2014.
• The TV anime series is split into two seasons, with the first half airing in April 2016 and the second in October 2016.