If you are wondering whether the popular shojo manga Say I Love You (Sukitte Ii Na yo) is finished, the short answer is yes. Written and illustrated by Kanae Hazuki, the series finished its serialized run in July 2017 after a six-year run in Kodansha's Dessert magazine. It spans 18 collected tankobon volumes, bringing the main romance between Mei Tachibana and Yamato Kurosawa to a definitive narrative conclusion.
Even though the final chapter was published years ago, confusion often persists among anime viewers and international readers. This stems from the gap between English omnibus releases, spin-off chapters, and how the 2013 anime adaptation left off. Let's look at the complete publication history, how the story ends, and what came after the final volume.
Understanding the Completion of Say I Love You
The manga concluded with volume 18, which hit shelves in Japan in late 2017. Kanae Hazuki wrapped up the central plot threads surrounding Mei and Yamato, moving past their high school years into their early adult lives and career paths.
Unlike many long-running romance series that end abruptly or drag out unnecessary drama after the couple gets together, Say I Love You takes time to show the characters growing up. The final chapters address higher education, career choices, and what it takes to maintain a committed relationship beyond the school gates.
Volume Breakdown and Final Chapter Details
The series progressed steadily through distinct stages of adolescent development, tracking Mei's transformation from an isolated loner to a confident young woman with a strong support system.
- Volumes 1–5: Focus on Mei breaking out of her shell, meeting Yamato, and navigating her first genuine friendships and romantic feelings.
- Volumes 6–12: Introduce secondary characters with complex personal struggles, testing the strength of Mei and Yamato's bond against jealousy, family pressures, and past trauma.
- Volumes 13–18: Transition into the characters' futures, culminating in a clear resolution for the core cast.
For readers tracking official English translations, Kodansha USA published the series in 9 omnibus volumes (2-in-1 editions). The final English omnibus volume was released in late 2019, making the complete English print run readily available.
How the Manga Differs From the Anime Adaptation
Many fans search for completion details because they finished the 13-episode anime series produced by Zexcs and wanted to know where to pick up the story.
The anime adaptation aired in late 2012 and covered roughly the first 8 volumes of the manga. However, because the anime ended while the manga was still actively serializing, it wrapped up with an anime-original emotional climax that resolved the immediate arc but left the broader narrative wide open.
If you watched the anime and want to read the rest of the story, don't start from the beginning. You can pick up the manga around Volume 9, where the printed narrative expands significantly on characters like Kai Takemura and introduces new conflicts that the anime omitted or altered.
Epilogue Chapters and Spin-Offs
While the main story concluded in Volume 18, Kanae Hazuki returned to the universe briefly through special content.
In 2016 and 2017, around the time the main series was wrapping up, bonus side stories were published in Dessert magazine. These chapters focus on supporting characters, offering glimpses into their futures and tying up smaller narrative threads that didn't fit into the main epilogue. You can find these collected in late-stage special chapters or digital-exclusive extras depending on your region's platform (such as Kodansha).
Common Misconceptions About the Ending
Because romance manga often spawn endless sequels or alternate universes, readers frequently look for non-existent follow-ups. Here is what you need to know about common points of confusion:
- Is there a sequel series? No. Kanae Hazuki moved on to other projects after finishing Say I Love You. There is no ongoing sequel following Mei and Yamato's married life.
- Was the series canceled? No. The ending was planned by the author and allowed to conclude naturally on her own terms.
- Did it receive a live-action adaptation? Yes. A live-action film adaptation directed by Hirokanu Hyuga was released in Japan in 2014, covering the early arcs of the manga. It has its own standalone conclusion separate from the manga's final volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Say I Love You have a happy ending?
Yes. The final volumes provide a satisfying, definitive conclusion for Mei and Yamato, showing their long-term commitment and growth into adulthood.
How many volumes of Say I Love You are there in total?
The Japanese release consists of 18 standard tankobon volumes. The English release from Penguin Random House / Kodansha is packaged into 9 omnibus volumes.
Where can I read the official English translation?
You can find the series digitally through platforms like BookWalker, ComiXology, and Kindle, or purchase the physical omnibus paperbacks from major bookstores and comic shops.
Did the author write any other major manga?
Yes, Kanae Hazuki has worked on other short-form manga and romance titles, though Say I Love You remains her most internationally recognized and longest-running work to date.
