That's Not Love

Two former classmates meet again as adults: in this raw, deeply personal drama manga, old wounds are reopened – and slowly healed. Based on real experiences, the Japanese #MeToo discourse, and the reflections of the creator of 1122: For a Happy Marriage, That's Not Love was honored in the industry survey Kono Manga ga Sugoi! as one of the best works of the year. Japanese title: Koi janee kara.

The 40-year-old Akane attends the opening of an art exhibition by her former tutor Mr. Imai, who now works as a sculptor. His new sculpture bears a striking resemblance to Akane's former best friend Yukari – even down to a particular scar that only the two of them knew about. Disturbed, Akane contacts Yukari and learns that more happened back then than she had ever suspected. Was Yukari only a muse – or is something more unsettling at play?

• Intimate friendship drama about memory, guilt, and healing
• Timely themes: power imbalances, the art world, and invisible forms of violence
• By Peko Watanabe, inspired by real events