Synopsis
Two high school girls are hopelessly obsessed with the same classmate in this chaotic comedy, Kirio Fan Club, about crushes, delusion, and the strangely intimate bond formed through mutual obsession. Somewhere between rivalry and friendship, Aimi and Nami spend their days dissecting every tiny detail about the aloof Kirio whether he notices them or not.
Spoilers: Volume 1 | Content Warnings: Limerence
The Story
Have you ever been so infatuated with someone that you spend all your time obsessing and learning silly facts about them, acting as if every small crumb of information is a sacred treasure? Have you ever spent hours constructing elaborate fantasies out of absolutely nothing, collecting flimsy evidence that a crush might like you back as if you’re a conspiracy theorist trying to decode hidden messages?
Well, Kirio Fan Club understands you fully.
Aimi and Nami are two high school girls hopelessly obsessed with their classmate, Kirio. Technically, they should be rivals. They both like the same boy, after all. And they are rivals, well, sort of. But more than anything, they’re the only people who truly understand each other’s level of emotional derangement when it comes to their deep affection for this boy. They spend their time debating hypothetical scenarios, psychoanalyzing Kirio’s every action, and even taking turns pretending to be him so they can practice talking to him. Their obsession becomes its own ecosystem, and strangely enough, it’s through loving the same boy that they form such a strong bond with each other.
You might be wondering what’s so special about Kirio?
He’s just a guy. He’s just an average kid struggling at soccer practice and dealing with seasonal allergies. But through Aimi and Nami’s eyes, he becomes this mythic, untouchable figure onto whom they project endless meaning. The series understands something really funny and painfully true about teenage crushes. Sometimes the fantasy matters more than the actual person. Relatable AF.
This is generally a low-stakes story. It isn’t fast paced and not a whole lot happens. But this volume is genuinely hilarious, largely because it commits so fully to the girls’ embarrassing behavior instead of trying to soften it, and the way the story explores how the characters feel is as humorous as it is satisfying. Volume one is an instant classic, and touches on a topic not often explored in manga. While unrequited love is a well trodden path, stories about two girls bonding through mutual obsession with the same mediocre boy? Surprisingly rare.
Whether you can relate to being head over heels for someone you’ve barely talked to, or you’re just entertained by first-love shenanigans, Kirio Fan Club is a hit. While I can see some readers being put off by just how obnoxious and truly cringe Aimi and Nami can be, I think if you can tolerate the secondhand embarrassment, then you’re sure to enjoy this one.
The Art
*Chefs Kiss* honestly.
Is the art highly detailed? No. Does every page look like a beautiful illustration you want hanging on your wall? No. Does the artwork elevate the story and take the comedy to a whole new level? Yes, absolutely.
The artwork is perfect for the story being told here. The characters have excellent emotive range and the panels flow expertly from joke to joke. Even the mangaka’s use of lighting and shadows helps to emphasize the melodrama and emotional theater at work here. I also absolutely love the decision to never show Kirio’s face, because at the end of the day, this story was never really about him.
The Details:
Kirio Fan Club is a manga series written and illustrated by Chikyū no Osakana Ponchan. It’s a 6 volume series with a 1 volume spin-off that wrapped up in 2025. The English publication is brought to readers by Kodansha. Volume 1 is currently available, with volume 2 set to release June 23, 2026. An anime adaption and a live action drama are also currently available for fans to enjoy.
Pros
- Hilarious Characters
- Painfully Relatable Cringe
- Unique Friendship Dynamic
Cons
- Could Become Repetitive
