Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia (Insomniacs After School)

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Japanese: 君は放課後インソムニア

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Type: Manga

Volumes: 14

Chapters: 125

Status: Finished

Published: May 20, 2019 to Aug 21, 2023

Genre: Romance

Theme: School

Demographic: Seinen

Serialization: Big Comic Spirits

Authors: Ojiro, Makoto (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.40¹ (scored by 18,202 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #244²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #320

Members: 59,689

Favorites: 1,821

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8.40

Ranked #244Popularity #320Members 59,689

MangaBig Comic SpiritsOjiro, Makoto (Story & Art)

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Volumes: /14

Chapters: /125

Insomniacs After School

Vol. 1
$10.99

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Synopsis

It all started with the death of one of the Astronomy Club's members. From this, the rumored ghost of the club came to life.

Grumpy insomniac Ganta Nakami stumbles across the moderately rebellious yet easygoing Isaki Magari in the Astronomy Club's abandoned observatory. Magari is jolted awake and tries to escape from the scene, only to have a broken door prevent that, forcing the two inside. The two forge an unlikely friendship, leading them to use the observatory as a safe space for them to interact.

Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia follows the insomniacs Nakami and Magari's time in the starlit observatory as they help each other cope with insomnia and the lasting effects it has on student life.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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BackgroundKimi wa Houkago Insomnia has been published in English as Insomniacs After School by VIZ Media under the VIZ Signature imprint since March 21, 2023. It was also simulpub through VIZ Manga. The series has been published in Polish by Kotori since May 26, 2023.

The series was adapted into a Japanese live-action movie that was released on June 23, 2023.

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More characters
Characters

Magari, Isaki

Main

Nakami, Ganta

Main

Shiromaru, Yui

Supporting

Ukegawa, Tao

Supporting

Anamizu, Kanami

Supporting

Kurashiki, Usako

Supporting

Kanikawa, Motoko

Supporting

Magari, Haya

Supporting

Nono, Mina

Supporting

Furukimi, Akane

Supporting

Reviews

Mar 14, 2026

OfficialBananas

Recommended

Kimi wa Houkago is a beautiful romance between two flawed characters who find their way to each other due to their insomnia. They discover each other at an unused observatory in their high school, find out that they both couldn't sleep at night, and connect with each other through this shared bond. This cute journey that they have from the beginning up until they confess, and I guess a volume or two after they become a couple. The bond that the characters share feel natural, realistic and I don't feel it forced at all which is what made reading it seem like reliving your first ... love. It's easy to share the same tensions during specific chapters with the MCs because everything felt so real - the anxiety, the nervousness, and the heart "thumping" moments during the night when nothing else exists except for you and the person you're next to.

I've seen reviews that mention that the side characters felt like "filler" between chapters, but I have to disagree. They do a good job of flushing out the vibe of being in high school with a bunch of friends, supporting each other, and makes it easy to root for them. Are they unique in that the characters are flushed out and given a deeper meaning to them more than other romance mangas? Probably not, but they didn't detract anything from enjoying the anime. If anything, they amplified the bond between the MCs even more since they provide such a good contrast between the intimacy at night vs the chaotic and sparky energy during the day.

Of course, the art in this manga is absolutely beautiful. There are a few pages during the most emotionally impactful moments, where you just have to stop and marvel at the art. It's definitely one of the best drawn mangas out there and you can tell the mangaka cared a lot for aesthetic presentation in this work.

If you enjoy romance anime/manga, and want a cozy read to follow a natural and beautiful story, you can't go wrong with this one. I will talk more about why I only gave the series a 7/10 if I speak so highly of it below, but everything I said above I stand by - up until the last 2 volumes and especially the ending. As long as you brace yourself that the last 1/4 of the manga isn't as good as the stuff leading up to it, you'll be fine. Its a matter of pacing in the last 2 volumes and an extremely vague ending that the author had to come clarify on an X post that came as a surprise to me... like the build up was so good, and you just had to end it like that? Of course, it's hard to give context without spoilers. I personally give the story leading up to the final arc a 9/10 and the ending a 6/10.

SOME VERY LIGHT SPOILERS BELOW:
I wanted to give some context to prospective readers who are a bit worried reading the other reviews saying the ending chapters are significantly lower quality than the rest. As I agree on this quite a bit, I want to talk about what the specific gripes many have on it are, and hopefully it helps you form a better opinion of whether you want to start this manga.

The main complaint is the ending - which takes place pretty much in the final chapter only. I'm not sure if this was the author's intention, but it's left EXTREMELY ambiguous and doesn't tie up ANY loose ends regarding any of the characters. You know when other stories usually have a few chapters in the end dedicated to something like "post graduation" and we get to see what the characters are up to now that they've grown up? You will get none of that here. It will leave you questioning - well, was this a happy ending or not. Not in the metaphorical sense where it's bittersweet. But more of so, you're not exactly sure what the author is trying to imply. The author has posted on X regarding the ending, but the last few pages seemingly make no sense at all if that was the author's intention in the first place. It seems like either: 1) the author was trying to tell us something in the last few pages, but it all went over our heads, or 2) the author was going for something else different from the X post but had to go back on it because it wasn't going to be received well by fans. 1) seems more likely, but that would make you question what the author is exactly trying to do when it should've been made in a straightforward and clear way like the 120+ chapters that came before it....

The other complaint is also how the last few arcs feels extremely rushed. Other posters have talked about how the male MC seemingly goes out of character, but I think that's justified considering the insecurities that he already has. My gripe is... why don't they have this arc placed in an earlier volume when absolutely nothing of substance was happening, so that we're able to see an adequate resolution afterwards. There were literally volumes upon volumes where nothing of substance or development happens towards the end, and it feels really unnatural when I praised the pacing so much in the beginning of this review. You're on the edge of your seat, when the two MCs are going through a conflict in the last 10 chapters, and then it gets resolved in maybe 5 pages.

In conclusion, this is a very good romance manga. But the last 1/4 of the series left an extremely bitter taste in my mouth that got better after the author's X post, but still left everyone confused as to why the ending had to look like that. For me, just the first half of the story is worth reading alone, so I definitely recommend this manga.

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Jul 23, 2025

midas123

Recommended

Insomniacs After School is one of the most quietly beautiful and emotionally resonant manga I’ve ever read. It starts simple; two high school students, both struggling with insomnia, find comfort in each other and in a quiet, abandoned observatory where they form an unlikely friendship. But from that premise blooms something truly special.

It’s hard to describe the feeling it gives without sounding like a broken record, but this series is just pure. Comforting, sweet, grounded, and full of heart. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t need grand stakes or constant drama because every little moment between its characters feels honest and earned.

The art itself ... is a huge part of the magic. It's one of the most beautiful and clean styles I've ever seen, fitting the calm atmosphere perfectly. The way Makoto Ojiro draws faces, expressions, and quiet moments feels incredibly real and human. It’s a style that says more in a single silent panel than most manga do in a page of dialogue.

The story is just as comforting. It follows two teens, Nakami and Isaki, who both suffer from the lonely burden of insomnia. They unexpectedly find a shared sanctuary in their school's abandoned observatory, but more importantly, they find it in each other. This is the core of the manga's brilliance. It’s not just about romance; it’s about two troubled kids finally finding a connection, a safe space where they can finally rest.

This is what really makes Insomniacs After School so special is its tone. It’s a romance, yes, but it never feels like a “typical” one. It doesn’t rush anything. It doesn’t build its tension around misunderstandings or forced drama. It doesn't follow the typical tropes. Instead it focuses on two people slowly finding joy, purpose, and calm in each other’s company. It’s about insomnia, yes, but more than that it’s about connection, growing up, and the kind of quiet intimacy that can heal you from the inside out.

The drama, when present, feels real, rooted in the genuine worries of Isaki's parents or the quiet sadness of family issues, not forced love triangles. The side characters are all wonderfully written, adding to the supportive community around the main duo instead of taking away from it. It’s a story about two people growing up, together.

That’s why the ending is so... disappointing. A manga this perfect for so long makes any stumble at the finish line feel that much worse. After investing over a hundred chapters in this beautiful, intimate journey, the final chapter feels rushed and leaves you with a frustratingly open ending. You get a glimpse of the future, but it denies you the closure you crave. Key details are intentionally hidden, and you don't get to see what became of the wonderful side characters you grew to love. It's not a bad ending, but for a story this special it feels like a definite letdown.

But even with that, the journey is so incredible that the destination doesn't ruin it.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best, if not the best and most unique romance manga I have ever read. It’s a story that is pure, joyful, and wholesome without ever feeling cheesy or fake. The disappointing final chapter is the only reason this isn't a perfect 10/10 for me. It’s a special manga that landed itself in my top three of all time.

If you want to read something that feels real, comforting, and will make you smile from beginning to almost-the-end, you need to read this. It’s a 9.5/10 gem.

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Oct 27, 2023

Pongo42

Mixed Feelings

Informative

Preliminary (63/125 eps)

Let me start this review by saying that I understand why people love this manga. Even though I personally did not enjoy it, "Insomniacs after school" has many elements that warrant it being one of the best romance stories in the eyes of so many people.

The biggest selling point of this manga is the characters. Romance as a genre likes to include eccentric and exaggerated characters, especially if it's targeted for younger audiences, but the cast of "Insomniacs after school" feels grounded and relatable. The problems that the characters face and the ways they react to them are interesting but not overly dramatic.

My first problem ... with this manga stems from the character chemistry, or rather from the lack of it. I read romance mainly for those sweet, tense, romantic or embarrassing moments between the characters and for the way the dynamic between them develops. I like when characters banter, when they have clashing character traits or personalities. I like to feel the tension when they talk to each other. I didn't find any of this in "Insomniacs after school". Sometimes I enjoy purely "wholesome" romance too, but I wouldn't call this manga particularly sweet either. Don't get me wrong, I understand why Isaki and Ganta ended up together and I don't think their relationship is unwarranted, but a working relationship doesn't automatically make romance interesting.

The art in "Insomniacs after school" is good, at times even great. The only complaint I have is that sometimes the level of detail randomly changes between pages and even panels, for no apparent artistic reason. Although this issue got better in later chapters.

The main problem I have with this manga is bad pacing/paneling. So many scenes in this manga either drag on for way too long or end too quickly. They destroy the structure of the story and leave me feeling either bored or confused. I think the underlying plot of this manga is good, but the way it is presented ruins the whole experience for me. And the paneling only exacerbates this problem. Weird angles, awkward poses and constant zooming in on characters' faces makes reading this manga an unpleasant experience.

Very subjective problem that I have with "Insomniacs after school" is bad attempts at "show, don't tell". I think manga is a prime medium for this "rule", so i commend author's efforts to create a more interesting way to present the narrative. But because of the art style and the paneling problems I talked about previously, most of these efforts fall short. In this regard "Skip to Loafer" handles the visual storytelling of romance much better.

Overall I found this manga to be disappointing. It has great ideas and interesting characters, but falls apart because of the execution. If you don't see the problems I've written about after reading this manga, then I can understand why you might have liked, or even loved it. But I have to leave it with a 6/10.

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People are so dumb nowadays, they just try to over complicate simple things [Ending]‼️ removed-user - Aug 12, 2025	14 replies	by Himitsu1237 »» Mar 9, 1:46 AM
Poll: Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia Chapter 125 Discussion ( 1 2 ) nushrathumaira - Aug 20, 2023	61 replies	by Himitsu1237 »» Mar 8, 7:45 PM
Poll: Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia Chapter 24 Discussion arcticmontys - Jul 30, 2020	2 replies	by Touka »» Jan 3, 8:47 AM
Poll: Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia Chapter 20 Discussion arcticmontys - Jul 30, 2020	6 replies	by anii_squid »» Jul 19, 2024 11:10 AM
Poll: Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia Chapter 124 Discussion MegamiRem - Jul 30, 2023	16 replies	by Rexnihilo »» Jul 5, 2024 8:16 AM

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