Beloved Workplace Romance Manga 'My Awkward Senpai' Reaches Emotional Climax with Volume 11 Finale

After six years of serialization, the highly regarded manga, My Awkward Senpai, known in Japan as Bukiyō na Senpai, is officially concluding its run. The eleventh volume is slated to be the definitive final installment, a detail confirmed via listings on Amazon Japan. Creator Makoto Kudo, who handles both the writing and illustration, initially launched this story on their Twitter account in March 2019. The series quickly gained attention before being officially serialized in Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine starting in December 2019. The physical release of the final volume, concluding the journey of Yuu Kamegawa and Azusa senpai, is scheduled for February 25, 2026.

Narrative Focus and Character Dynamics

The central premise revolves around Azusa Kannawa, a highly competent professional whose technical skills are exceptional within her office environment, but who struggles significantly with social interaction. Beneath her professional facade is a reserved and timid personality. The dynamic of the series begins when she is assigned to mentor Yuu Kamegawa, a junior colleague who is characterized as charming and somewhat nerdy, possessing an ease in communication that Azusa lacks. As they share professional experiences, Azusa gradually begins to overcome her emotional barriers, leading to feelings that evolve beyond professional guidance into genuine romantic interest. The series is recognized for its effective balance of the awkwardness inherent in budding romance with slice-of-life comedy, while exploring themes of personal development, vulnerability, and the connections formed in a workplace setting.

For the international audience, the manga has been made available through digital platforms such as Comikey and Square Enix's Manga UP! Global application. This success naturally led to an anime adaptation produced by Studio Elle, directed by Ayumu Kotake, and featuring character designs by Kenro Tokuda. The television series began its broadcast run on October 2, 2025, airing on Tokyo MX, BS NTV, and AT-X. Immediate streaming access was provided via Crunchyroll, U-NEXT, and Anime Hōdai. Fans globally can access new episodes every Thursday through Crunchyroll, coinciding with the manga’s final chapters.

A Legacy in Seinen Romance

The conclusion of the manga arrives amid the increasing popularity of its anime adaptation, which is currently translating Azusa’s progression into animated form. Square Enix previously released Volume 10 on September 25, 2025, setting the stage for this final volume. The series’ combination of relatable character dynamics and lighthearted humor has cemented its place within the seinen romance genre, appealing to readers who appreciate narratives similar to Kaguya-sama: Love is War. As the final pages are prepared for release, attention shifts to how the anime production will handle the remaining story arcs, potentially indicating future seasons or special releases. Makoto Kudo’s storytelling has resonated widely, demonstrating the journey toward self-acceptance and affection, even for a socially hesitant senpai.