Digital Releases of Kiriko Nananan's 'blue' and 3 Other Works Commence

Digital Releases of Kiriko Nananan's 'blue' and 3 Other Works Commence on May 29

Tokyo News Service, the publisher of the magazine 'TV Guide', has announced the start of digital distribution for Kiriko Nananan's works 'blue', 'Water.', 'Itaitashii Love' (Painful Love), and 'Tanpen-shu' (Short Story Collection) starting Friday, May 29. These titles are available for purchase at major e-book stores.

Kiriko Nananan has consistently created work with the aspiration to "draw pieces that will remain for 200 years." She captures the universal emotions and nuances of men and women living in the city through delicate, poignant, and beautiful line art. Following the first wave of digital releases in April 2026 (which included 'strawberry shortcakes', 'Candy Colors are Red', and 'Kiriko Nananan Commentary Collection'), this second wave launches on May 29.

The works released are 'blue', 'Water.', 'Itaitashii Love', and 'Tanpen-shu', which were published as new editions in 2020.

'blue', a masterpiece of coming-of-age manga, was adapted into a film in 2003 and remains highly regarded internationally. 'Water.', 'Itaitashii Love', and 'Tanpen-shu' are short story collections created from the artist's late teens, around the time of her debut, through her mid-career. A key highlight is witnessing the evolution of her art, reflecting the artist's stoic dedication to every single line.

Furthermore, the 'Halchin 1' and '2' series, as well as the 'Kiriko Nananan Unpublished Works Collection (Vol. 1 & 2)', which have yet to be digitized, are scheduled for future release.

### 'blue' Released in 1997 and adapted into a 2003 film starring Mikako Ichikawa and Manami Konishi, this early long-form masterpiece is set in a coastal girls' high school. It tells a bittersweet, beautiful story of the friendship and love between Kirishima and Endo, as well as the nuances of the girls around them.

### 'Water.' This collection contains 19 short stories drawn from the time of Kiriko Nananan's debut at age 20. Featuring prose and image pieces like 'flower', 'flame', 'sugar', and 'water', the composition provides a reading experience akin to that of a long-form novel.

### 'Itaitashii Love' An early-to-mid career collection containing 23 stories that capture the daily lives and poignant emotions of youth in the 1990s. The collection includes a prequel story featuring Satoko from 'strawberry shortcakes'.