Title: Junjou Romantica Volume 27: Maturity, Milestones, and the Lingering Ghosts of the Past
Rating: 4.5/5
Review:
Shungiku Nakamura’s Junjou Romantica has been a cornerstone of the Boys’ Love (BL) genre for nearly two decades. With Volume 27, the series proves it is far from stagnant. This volume, continuing the signature three-couple format, delivers a satisfying blend of emotional payoff, slow-burn progression, and the trademark blend of comedy and angst that fans have come to love.
However, Volume 27 also signals a subtle shift: the characters are aging, and their problems are maturing. Gone are the days of pure melodrama; in its place is a thoughtful exploration of domesticity, career pressure, and the quiet anxieties that come with long-term commitment.
Couple 1: Usagi & Misaki (Junjou Romantica)
The flagship couple continues to be the heart of the volume. This installment focuses heavily on Misaki’s struggle with his career path. Now in his mid-twenties, Misaki faces the pressure of deciding whether to pursue graduate school or fully commit to his publishing career—all while feeling inadequate next to the wildly successful (and eccentric) Usagi-san.
Nakamura handles this beautifully, showcasing a Misaki who is less prone to panicked outbursts and more prone to quiet, internal doubt. Usagi, for his part, is still possessive and teasing, but there’s a newfound restraint. A key scene involving a late-night conversation on their balcony highlights how their communication has improved over 27 volumes. The romance is no longer about chasing; it’s about supporting. The volume ends on a warm, hopeful note for them, but not without a classic, hilarious misunderstanding involving a stray cat.
Couple 2: Nowaki & Hiroki (Junjou Egoist) junjou romantica volume 27
This is arguably the strongest arc in Volume 27. Hiroki, now a seasoned university professor, faces a professional crisis that threatens his self-worth. Meanwhile, Nowaki, having achieved his goal of becoming a pediatrician, grapples with a different kind of emptiness: the feeling of having climbed his mountain only to find the view less satisfying than expected.
The conflict is refreshingly adult. There are no jealous ex-boyfriends here. Instead, Hiroki’s sharp tongue masks a fear of becoming irrelevant, and Nowaki’s relentless affection is challenged by his own unrecognized burnout. Their physical intimacy, depicted in Nakamura’s signature expressive but not overly graphic style, feels like a reconnection rather than just a release. Their final chapter in this volume contains one of the most tender dialogues about aging and love in the entire series.
Couple 3: Shinobu & Miyagi (Junjou Terrorist)
This couple remains the wildcard. Shinobu’s relentless, almost aggressive pursuit of the older, more cynical Miyagi can sometimes wear thin, but Volume 27 adds depth. Miyagi is forced to confront his past when a family obligation arises, and Shinobu’s reaction is unexpectedly mature.
Instead of a jealous tantrum, Shinobu quietly supports Miyagi, leading to a moment of vulnerability from Miyagi that fans have been waiting years to see. The power balance between them shifts slightly, making their dynamic feel less predatory and more like a genuine partnership. Their story ends on a cliffhanger involving a promise ring—a small but significant step for the commitment-phobic Miyagi.
Art & Presentation
Nakamura’s art is as distinctive as ever. While some may critique her character designs as same-face, she compensates with masterful use of screen tones and expressive eyes. Volume 27 features some of her best background work, using seasonal imagery (autumn leaves and winter coats) to mirror the characters’ internal states. The comedic chibi panels remain a highlight, perfectly breaking tension without undermining serious moments.
Final Verdict
Junjou Romantica Volume 27 is not a revolutionary entry, nor is it a good starting point for new readers. But for those who have followed this journey, it is a rewarding, mature chapter. Nakamura respects her characters’ history while pushing them gently into new emotional territory. The anxieties are realistic, the humor is intact, and the love stories feel earned.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens after the “happily ever after,” this volume shows that the real romance lies in choosing each other through the mundane, the stressful, and the quiet moments in between.
Recommended for: Long-time fans, readers who enjoy slow-burn adult romances, and anyone who wants to see a BL series handle aging and commitment with sincerity.
When Volume 27 drops, expect exclusive editions. Kadokawa frequently releases Junjou Romantica volumes with bundled drama CDs (featuring the legendary voice actors), art books, or acrylic stands.
If you are a collector in the West, pre-ordering the Sublime release is essential. Sublime has been re-releasing the series with new covers and translations. Volume 27 will ship with a reversible cover and likely a short story insert exclusive to the English market.
Volume 27 primarily focuses on the two main pairings of the series, with a brief appearance from the third.
Junjou Romantica (Usagi & Misaki): The flagship couple remains the heart of the volume. Misaki Takahashi is now a university senior, facing the very real pressures of graduation and job hunting. His relationship with the famous (and notoriously temperamental) novelist Akihiko “Usagi” Usami is more stable than ever, but new challenges arise from this maturity. Usagi’s overprotectiveness clashes with Misaki’s desire to build his own career. One chapter features a classic Junjou setup: Usagi’s jealous imagination runs wild when Misaki receives career advice from a charming, handsome professor. The humor comes from Misaki’s exasperation and Usagi’s theatrical sulking, but the underlying theme is about trust and allowing your partner to grow independently.
Junjou Egoist (Nowaki & Hiroki): This couple gets significant, and emotionally heavy, page time. Hiroki Kamijou, the prideful and short-tempered academic, continues his work as a researcher. Nowaki Kusama, now a successful pediatrician, remains as devoted and gentle as ever. Volume 27 explores a quieter but profound crisis: Hiroki’s struggle with professional jealousy and insecurity. A younger, brilliant colleague threatens Hiroki’s sense of self-worth. Nowaki, in his patient way, must help Hiroki navigate these feelings without bruising his ego. The volume delivers some of Nakamura’s best subtle character work, showing how love isn’t just about grand gestures but about being a mirror that reflects your partner’s best self. Title: Junjou Romantica Volume 27 : Maturity, Milestones,
Junjou Terrorist (Shinobu & You) : The younger couple—Shinobu Takatsuki, the headstrong university student, and You Miyagi, his much older, weary professor—appears only briefly. Their scene provides comedic relief: Shinobu is as passionately clingy as ever, while Miyagi longs for a quiet evening with a beer. Their dynamic remains unchanged, serving as a lighter counterpoint to the more introspective arcs of the other two couples.
In Junjou Romantica, the story is divided into different pairings. Volume 27 primarily shifts focus between Junjou Romantica (Misaki & Usagi) and Junjou Egoist (Hiroki & Nowaki), with a touch of Junjou Terrorist (Miyagi & Shinobu).
Junjou Romantica isn't just a manga; it is a historical artifact. Volume 27 represents the resilience of the BL genre. When many long-running series end or go on indefinite hiatus, Nakamura continues to write the lives of these characters into middle age.
This volume is particularly significant because it will likely be the first volume released entirely in the "post-2023 BL boom." With the rise of manhwa and webtoons, Junjou Romantica remains a proud standard-bearer for traditional page-by-page Japanese manga. Volume 27 will remind readers why physical tankoubons matter—the slick covers, the bonus 4-koma comics, and the author’s notes that feel like letters from an old friend.
Is Junjou Romantica ending with Volume 27? No. Shungiku Nakamura has stated in multiple interviews (most recently in The Ruby 2024) that she intends to write the series until the characters "grow old." Volume 27 is a continuation, not a conclusion.
Where can I read the chapters of Volume 27 before release? The raw chapters are serialized monthly in The Ruby magazine (digital edition accessible via BookWalker Japan). Unofficial scanlations exist, but to support the author—who has faced health issues—purchasing the official Japanese magazine or waiting for the official Sublime release is highly encouraged.
Will there be a Season 4 of the anime? While not directly related to Volume 27, a new season of the anime typically follows a surge in manga sales. If Volume 27 breaks sales records upon release, Studio Deen may finally greenlight Junjou Romantica Season 4.