Finished the My First Girlfriend is a Gal anime and now you’re completely lost on where to continue? You’re not alone; the anime’s unique ending leaves fans wondering exactly where to pick up the my first girlfriend is a gal manga after anime without missing a single beat of the story.
The definitive starting point for the My First Girlfriend is a Gal manga after finishing the anime is Chapter 37. This chapter picks up immediately after the emotional climax of the first kiss, which the anime used as its finale. Reading from here ensures you continue the main story with all canonical events intact.
Leveraging a direct comparison of the anime and its source material, this guide provides the exact starting point you need. We’ll break down the major manga-exclusive arcs the anime skipped and explain why starting at Chapter 37 is the only way to get the true story of Jun’ichi Hashiba and Yukana Yame.
Where Should You Start the My First Girlfriend is a Gal Manga After the Anime?
If you’re looking for the simple, direct answer, here it is: you must start reading at Chapter 37 of the manga. This is the crucial point where the hajimete no gal manga continuation truly begins after the events the anime covered. The anime’s tenth and final episode adapts the first kiss scene from the end of Chapter 36, making Chapter 37 the very next canonical event in the storyline. A common point of confusion is the anime original ending and timeline. The adaptation by Studio NAZ significantly rearranged, condensed, and even skipped entire arcs from the original manga by Meguru Ueno. Because of this, trying to match episodes to chapters is a frustrating and fruitless task. Starting at Chapter 37 ensures you bypass all the confusing rearranged chapters and dive straight into the authentic story progression.
7 Major Manga-Exclusive Arcs & Events You Missed After the Anime
Simply starting at Chapter 37 is just the beginning. The real reason to pick up the manga is the massive amount of unadapted manga content that provides deeper character development and entire story arcs the anime never had time to show. From the immediate fallout of the first kiss to hilarious group trips, the manga offers a far more complete and rewarding experience. This isn’t just about seeing what happens next; it’s about experiencing the story as it was truly meant to be told, with richer backstories for characters like Nene Fujinoki and Ranko Honjo, and plotlines that significantly expand the world. Here are seven of the biggest manga-exclusive events you’ll get to enjoy.
1. Explore the Immediate ‘First Kiss’ Fallout (Chapters 37-40)
Pin this crucial starting point to your ‘Must-Read Manga’ board!
While the anime ends on the high note of the first kiss chapter, it completely skips the awkward, funny, and heartfelt aftermath. The manga vs anime difference is immediately apparent here. The manga dedicates several chapters to exploring how this pivotal moment changes the dynamic between Jun’ichi and Yukana, something the anime’s abrupt ending couldn’t cover.
Key Characters & Context
- Jun’ichi Hashiba: Grappling with the reality of his first kiss and what it means for his relationship.
- Yukana Yame: More reserved and shy than her usual gyaru fashion style suggests, revealing a vulnerable side.
- Context: The manga’s version of the kiss happens during a more private, emotionally charged moment compared to the public spectacle in the original anime ending.
Plot Summary & Key Events
- The Awkward Morning After: See how Jun’ichi and Yukana struggle to talk to each other at school, creating a mix of comedy ecchi genre tension and sweetness.
- Friends’ Interference: Nene, Ranko, and Yui notice the change in atmosphere and begin meddling, leading to hilarious misunderstandings.
- A Private Conversation: The two finally get a moment alone to discuss their feelings, a crucial conversation the anime omits entirely.
- Defining the Relationship: Their conversation solidifies their status as a genuine couple, moving beyond the initial dare.
Pro-Tip: Pay close attention to the subtle changes in Meguru Ueno art style during these chapters. The artist uses nuanced facial expressions to convey emotions that the anime’s pacing couldn’t capture, a prime example of narrative restructuring for different media.
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2. Uncover Ranko Honjo’s True Feelings (Chapters 41-45)
Save this guide to understand one of the manga’s best character arcs!
In the anime, Ranko Honjo is mostly portrayed as a protective, slightly aggressive friend. The manga, however, delves deep into her character, revealing her true motivations and feelings in a dedicated arc that makes her a fan-favorite. This is a prime example of manga exclusive content that adds significant emotional depth to the cast.
Key Characters & Context
- Ranko Honjo: The protective “childhood friend” figure to Yukana.
- Jun’ichi Hashiba: Becomes an unwilling confidant and learns about Ranko’s past.
- Context: In the anime, Ranko is mostly a gag character. The manga expands upon her motivations and feelings for Yukana, adding a layer of drama.
Plot Summary & Key Events
- A Surprising Confession: Ranko reveals her deep, protective, and complicated feelings for Yukana to Jun’ichi.
- Flashback Arc: The manga delves into Ranko’s past, showing how she and Yukana met and why she is so protective.
- The Confrontation: Ranko challenges Jun’ichi, testing his resolve and commitment to Yukana in a way the anime never showed.
- A New Dynamic: The resolution of this arc changes the dynamic between Jun’ichi, Yukana, and Ranko, leading to significant character growth.
Pro-Tip: This arc is a classic example of how a manga’s longer format allows for deeper exploration of shonen romance manga tropes. What seems like a simple harem element in the anime is given genuine emotional weight here.
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3. Experience the Unadapted School Cultural Festival Arc (Chapters 50-56)
You won’t believe what you missed! Pin this manga-exclusive arc now.
One of the biggest omissions from the anime is the entire School Cultural Festival arc. This is a staple storyline in any high school setting romance, and the manga delivers a hilarious and heartwarming version packed with character moments. This block of unadapted manga content is a major reason why the manga story after the anime feels so much richer.
Key Characters & Context
- The Main Cast: Everyone gets involved in the class play and festival preparations.
- New Side Characters: The festival introduces classmates who add to the story’s comedic texture.
- Context: The school festival is a cornerstone event in the high school setting romance genre, and its complete omission from the anime is a major manga vs anime difference.
Plot Summary & Key Events
- The Class Play Decision: The class decides to put on a play, leading to chaotic casting choices with Jun’ichi and Yukana in the lead roles.
- Costume Hijinks: Expect plenty of comedy ecchi genre moments as the characters get measured for and try on their costumes.
- The Main Performance: The play itself is a hilarious and heartwarming climax to the arc, strengthening the bond between the main couple.
- Festival Date: Jun’ichi and Yukana get to experience the festival together, culminating in a romantic moment that builds on their relationship.
Pro-Tip: The concept of a media mix strategy often means anime adaptations have to cut arcs like this for time. Reading this arc shows how much more slice-of-life world-building the ongoing manga contains.
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4. Meet the New Characters the Anime Ignored (Chapters 57+)
Pin this to keep track of the full manga cast!
The world of Hajimete no Gal expands significantly in the manga with the introduction of new characters who were never shown in the anime. These new faces shake up the group dynamic, introduce new romantic tensions, and pave the way for fresh storylines, proving that the story completion is far from over.
Key Characters & Context
- New Additions: Introduce (spoiler-free) new female and male characters who join the main social circle.
- The Main Cast: Their relationships are tested and reshaped by the arrival of new personalities.
- Context: The introduction of new characters is a clear sign that the story continuation in the manga moves far beyond the static endpoint of the anime.
Plot Summary & Key Events
- A New Transfer Student: A new character arrives at the school, immediately shaking up the established social dynamics.
- Rivalries and Alliances: The new character(s) form new rivalries and friendships, adding complexity to the group’s interactions.
- New Romantic Tension: The addition of new potential love interests (a key harem element) challenges the stability of Jun’ichi and Yukana’s relationship.
- Expanding the World: These characters open up new plot possibilities, from new part-time jobs to different school clubs.
Pro-Tip: The introduction of new characters is a common technique in ongoing manga to keep the narrative fresh. Observing how they integrate is key to understanding the long-term direction of the serialization.
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5. Follow the Group Trip to the Hot Springs (Chapters 60-65)
A classic rom-com trip the anime missed! Pin this for your reading list.
While the OVA episode gave us a beach trip, the manga delivers the quintessential shonen romance manga experience: a group trip to a hot spring. This arc is filled with the comedy ecchi genre moments the series is known for, but it also provides a backdrop for significant relationship development that goes far beyond simple fan service.
Key Characters & Context
- The Entire Group: The trip involves the full main cast, maximizing opportunities for comedic and romantic interactions.
- Context: While the OVA had a beach theme, the manga delivers the highly anticipated hot springs trip, a staple for any romance comedy tropes series.
Plot Summary & Key Events
- Trip Planning: The chaotic process of the group planning and getting ready for a trip together.
- Ryokan Shenanigans: The group stays at a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan), leading to classic rooming mix-ups and late-night talks.
- The Hot Springs Scenes: The arc delivers the expected comedy ecchi genre moments, but also uses the setting for private, heartfelt conversations.
- A Step Forward: The trip culminates in a significant moment that pushes Jun’ichi and Yukana’s relationship to a new level of intimacy and trust.
Pro-Tip: Compare this arc to the OVA. You’ll notice the manga uses these trips not just for fan service, but for genuine character and plot progression, showcasing the depth of the source material.
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6. Delve into Yui Kashii’s Deeper Storyline (Chapters 70-75)
There’s more to Yui than the anime showed. Save this guide to her story!
Yui Kashii is another character who receives significant development in the manga. While the anime portrays her largely as a one-note rival, the manga provides a dedicated arc that explores her motivations and backstory. This plot clarification adds a surprising layer of sympathy and complexity to her character.
Key Characters & Context
- Yui Kashii: The seemingly perfect, honor student who harbors a secret.
- Jun’ichi Hashiba: Becomes entangled in Yui’s personal life, leading to a new understanding of her.
- Context: In the anime, Yui’s attempts to seduce Jun’ichi are played for laughs. The manga provides the crucial “why,” adding a layer of sympathy and complexity.
Plot Summary & Key Events
- A Private Request: Yui asks Jun’ichi for an unexpected and personal favor, revealing a side of her he’s never seen.
- Yui’s Secret Life: The story explores Yui’s family situation and the pressures she faces as an honor student.
- A Moment of Vulnerability: Yui lets her guard down, explaining the true reason behind her pursuit of Jun’ichi in the early arcs.
- Resolution and Friendship: This arc resolves the romantic tension between Yui and Jun’ichi, transitioning their relationship into a genuine friendship.
Pro-Tip: This is a prime example of manga character development. The manga takes a character who could be a simple trope (the “seductive honor student”) and gives her a believable and compelling backstory.
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7. Witness Jun’ichi’s True Growth and Maturity (Ongoing)
See the hero he becomes! Pin this to follow his journey.
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of reading the ongoing manga is witnessing the genuine jun’ichi hashiba character development. The anime leaves him as a mostly pathetic and lucky protagonist. The manga, however, chronicles his slow but steady transformation into a more confident and dependable boyfriend who is truly worthy of Yukana’s affection.
Key Characters & Context
- Jun’ichi Hashiba: The protagonist, evolving from a nervous wreck into a dependable boyfriend.
- Yukana Yame: Her unwavering faith in Jun’ichi is a catalyst for his growth.
- Context: The anime ends with Jun’ichi still being relatively hapless. The manga’s greatest long-term payoff is seeing him genuinely mature.
Plot Summary & Key Events
- Standing Up for Yukana: Unlike his early cowardice, the manga shows numerous instances of Jun’ichi publicly defending Yukana’s reputation.
- Navigating Adult Themes: The manga doesn’t shy away from more mature relationship challenges, forcing Jun’ichi to confront them head-on.
- Making Real Sacrifices: He makes genuine sacrifices for the sake of his relationship, proving his love is more than just lust.
- Becoming a “Man”: The overarching theme of the manga is Jun’ichi’s journey to become a man worthy of Yukana’s love, a journey the anime only begins.
Pro-Tip: The slow-burn development of a protagonist is a hallmark of long-running serialization in magazines like Monthly Shonen Ace. It’s a reward for dedicated readers who follow the story month after month.
Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Reading Hajimete no Gal After the Anime
- Start at Chapter 37: This is the definitive, non-negotiable starting point to continue the story immediately after the anime’s version of the first kiss chapter.
- The Anime Rearranged Everything: The anime adaptation by Studio NAZ significantly altered the timeline and created an original anime ending. Do not try to find a 1-to-1 chapter for each episode; it doesn’t exist.
- You Missed Major Character Arcs: The manga provides significant, manga-exclusive development for characters like Ranko Honjo and Yui Kashii, turning them from tropes into complex individuals.
- Entire Storylines Were Cut: Huge, important arcs like the School Cultural Festival and the Hot Springs Trip were completely absent from the anime, meaning there is a wealth of unadapted manga content to enjoy.
- The Manga is Still Ongoing: The story of Jun’ichi and Yukana continues far beyond the anime, with new characters, challenges, and relationship milestones appearing in the ongoing manga serialization.
People Also Ask About My First Girlfriend is a Gal
What chapter of My First Girlfriend is a Gal do I read after the anime?
You should start reading at Chapter 37. This chapter follows the pivotal first kiss scene that the anime used for its finale. Starting here ensures you transition directly into the canonical story without missing the immediate aftermath of that event.
Is the My First Girlfriend is a Gal manga finished?
No, the manga is not finished as of 2026. It is an ongoing manga status series written and illustrated by Meguru Ueno. New chapters are released periodically in Japan in the Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine.
Should I read My First Girlfriend is a Gal manga from the beginning?
It is highly recommended, but not mandatory. The anime rearranged and skipped so much content that reading from Chapter 1 will provide a richer, more coherent experience. However, if you only want to see new content, you can safely start at Chapter 37.
What are the biggest differences between the Hajimete no Gal anime and manga?
The biggest differences are the rearranged timeline, skipped story arcs, and an original ending in the anime. The manga has significantly more character development for the side cast, entire unadapted arcs like the school festival, and a story that continues long after the anime’s conclusion.
Is there a My First Girlfriend is a Gal Season 2?
There has been no official announcement for a Season 2 of the anime. Given the time that has passed since Season 1 aired in 2017 and the anime original ending, it is considered unlikely. The only way to continue the story is by reading the manga.
Which chapter is the first kiss in the manga?
The first kiss occurs at the end of Chapter 36. This is the event that the anime’s final episode adapts, which is why the recommended starting point for post-anime reading is the very next chapter, Chapter 37.
Is the Hajimete no Gal anime canon?
The anime is a loose adaptation and contains significant non-canon and rearranged material. While the characters and basic premise are the same, its unique timeline and original anime ending mean it is not a faithful representation of the manga’s canon story.
How many volumes of Hajimete no Gal are there?
As of late 2026, there are over twenty-one collected tankōbon volumes of the manga released in Japan. The English translation may be slightly behind this number, so always check with the official publisher for the latest release.
Does Jun’ichi end up with Yukana in the manga?
Yes, as of the current chapters in 2026, Jun’ichi and Yukana are still in a committed relationship. The ongoing manga focuses on the evolution of their relationship as they face new challenges and grow together, moving far beyond the “will they/won’t they” stage of the anime.
Where can I read the Hajimete no Gal manga?
You can read the officially licensed English translation by purchasing physical or digital volumes from major booksellers. For the latest untranslated chapters, you would need to reference the Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine from the Japanese publisher, Kadokawa Shoten.
Final Thoughts on Continuing with the My First Girlfriend is a Gal Manga
Navigating the transition from an anime to its source material can be confusing, but for My First Girlfriend is a Gal, the path is clear. Starting at Chapter 37 is your gateway to the true, unabridged story. The Anime Adaptation serves as a fun but ultimately abbreviated introduction. It’s in the manga where the characters gain real depth, the relationships evolve meaningfully, and the story continues to unfold with new challenges and hilarious scenarios.
By picking up the manga, you’re not just getting a sequel; you’re getting the complete, authentic narrative as Meguru Ueno intended. You’ll finally see the significant character growth in Jun’ichi, understand the complexities of the supporting cast, and enjoy entire arcs that were left on the cutting room floor. Happy reading
Last update on 2026-02-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
