My First Girlfriend Is a Gal Manga Goes on Hiatus: Author Meguru Ueno Takes Paternity Leave
A short wait awaits fans of the popular romantic comedy series Hajimete no Gal (My First Girlfriend Is a Gal). The series' author and illustrator, Meguru Ueno, has announced that he is taking paternity leave to spend time with his newborn child and focus on his family. Following this development, the manga has been temporarily paused in the Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine where it is serialized. According to the official announcement, the series is scheduled to resume in late July 2026.
Starting its publication in November 2015, Hajimete no Gal follows the fun events that begin when Junichi Hashiba, who cannot find the love he is looking for in high school, asks the class's popular and stylish girl, Yukana Yame, out on a date as a result of a dare. The series gained worldwide popularity, especially with the 10-episode anime adaptation produced by NAZ studio in 2017 and the subsequent OVA episode. Published under Kadokawa, the manga has reached readers with over 18 volumes to date, becoming one of the longest-running modern examples of the genre.
In the manga industry, authors taking breaks to spend time on their personal lives has become a situation met with more understanding by publishers and fans in recent years. Family reasons, especially paternity leave, are of critical importance for author health and motivation, considering the intense working pace in the industry. Meguru Ueno, in his social media posts, stated that he is excited to spend this time with his family, while not forgetting to thank his fans for their patience and support.
In the series, which will return at the end of July, it is expected that the story extending to the characters' university years and new turns in their relationships will continue to be explored. Hajimete no Gal has a loyal following beyond being just a romantic comedy, thanks to its character development and the perspective it brings to the "gal" subculture. Readers are eagerly waiting to see how the author will carry the story toward its finale with a fresher energy after this short break.
