Kadokawa's Hit Light Novel 'Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive?' Wraps Up After Four Years

The popular Japanese light novel series, Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive?, has officially reached its conclusion. The final installment, Volume 12, was shipped on November 9, 2025. This significant milestone was confirmed by the creative team, author Nana Nanana and illustrator Parum, through their official X (formerly Twitter) account. The narrative, which began in January 2021, has successfully concluded its four-year run.

The series has garnered a dedicated readership by offering a deeply nuanced and relatable examination of maturation, romantic relationships, and the inherent complexities of platonic bonds.

Exploring the Core Dynamic

At its core, Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? meticulously tracks the evolving dynamic between Himari Inuzuka and Yū Natsume. These two characters have been inseparable since their middle school days. Their solid relationship faces an intense challenge when Yū’s high school life introduces the reappearance of his first romantic interest. This external pressure immediately throws their familiar closeness into emotional disarray, necessitating a profound, yet gradual, shift in their dynamic.

The narrative excels in its exploration of themes such as the difficulty of unrequited affection, the necessity of personal self-discovery, and the often-indistinct border dividing deep friendship from burgeoning romance. This focus on character development and emotional authenticity has been a powerful draw for readers.

Franchise Success Across Mediums

The success of the franchise extends beyond print, having impressively crossed the threshold of 550,000 copies in circulation across all mediums. A highly anticipated television anime adaptation debuted in April 2025 and is currently accessible to international audiences through Crunchyroll. While the anime adaptation is generally lauded for its fidelity to the source material, discussions among the fandom have noted varied reactions regarding its narrative pace and handling of romantic progression.

Furthermore, the world of Himari and Yū has been expertly translated into a manga series by Kamelie. This adaptation is serialized in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh and currently spans five compiled volumes.

The publication of the final volume represents a pivotal moment for both the creators and the global fanbase. It successfully closes the arc on a story that has actively fueled conversations surrounding the viability of close opposite-sex friendships in adolescence and the trials inherent in navigating young love. With the anime continuing to stream and the manga still reaching new readers, the enduring legacy of Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? is firmly cemented within contemporary Japanese popular culture.