I’ll Forget You Starting Today, Senpai! Vol. 1 - Manga Recommendation

Kerstin (lostinmanga.de) Manga
07/06/2025 12:00pm 4 minute read

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I’ll Forget You Starting Today, Senpai! is a manga I only became aware of after it had already been released. The cover piqued my curiosity, and even though the premise sounded like a hit-or-miss title, I decided to give it a try. In Japan, the two-volume series was published under the original title “Kyou kara Senpai wo Wasuremasu” in the josei magazine Vanilove.

For mangaka Megumi Yamaguchi, it’s her first U.S. license to be released in print format. Other titles by her are available on the online service Coolmic.

So, how is I’ll Forget You Starting Today, Senpai!?

Hiromi is in her early 30s and, after many years of being single, decides to try her luck with a professional matchmaking service. But she’s in for a shock when her former high school crush Tsutsumi appears as her assigned counselor — and he doesn’t even recognize her!

The two share a complicated past: Hiromi once confessed her feelings to him, he seemed to respond positively, but then everything suddenly went wrong. Since then, Hiromi has never fully processed the experience, leading to a growing trauma that now burdens her adult life. All the more painful, then, that Tsutsumi doesn’t remember her. Despite the awkward situation, Hiromi decides not to give up and earnestly commits to the matchmaking process. And so begins the encounter between two adults who thought they had long since moved on.

The first volume of I’ll Forget You Starting Today, Senpai! is a pleasant surprise. What initially sounds like a typical second-chance romance develops into an emotionally nuanced story about coming to terms with the past, self-worth, and finding love as an adult.

A particular highlight is Hiromi herself: a woman who, despite her emotional baggage, moves through the story with courage, a healthy dose of pride, and sharp-tongued humor. Her development throughout the volume is tangible and believable. Rather than wallowing in self-pity, she actively confronts her past and isn’t too proud to set her pride aside when necessary. She’s angry, hurt, but also reflective and willing to grow. Her verbal sparring with Tsutsumi is one of the highlights of the volume.

Tsutsumi initially comes across as the typical charming yet emotionally distant male lead, but over time, it becomes clear that he’s more complex than he first appears. It’s especially compelling that we as readers get to see both Hiromi’s perspective (full of disappointment and old wounds) and slowly Tsutsumi’s own view of the past events.

Overall, the opening volume has a pleasantly grounded narrative style. Despite the dramatic premise, nothing is unnecessarily overdramatized. The characters’ problems feel authentic, relatable, and mature.

A major strength is the emotionally rich atmosphere. Hiromi’s inner turmoil, the underlying tension between the two main characters, and the slowly developing feelings create an enjoyable blend of melancholy and hope while reading. Again and again, you feel that bittersweet sense of missed chances and the possibility of a new beginning.

Of course, it’s not all perfect. The second potential love interest is dismissed rather quickly and a bit too conveniently. A more nuanced resolution that did justice to the character and his role would have been welcome. The pacing of the volume is also quite fast overall, which creates tension but also makes some developments feel a bit rushed. The story definitely had the potential for multiple volumes or a slower narrative. Nevertheless, the first volume feels self-contained and could almost pass as a one-shot.

Unfortunately, the supporting character of the aunt remains very one-dimensional and unlikeable. Her role as antagonist sometimes feels a bit too over-the-top and could have been portrayed with more nuance.

Seven Seas is publishing the two-volume series in a large format. The volume opens with a color page.

Is It Worth Reading?

I’ll Forget You Starting Today, Senpai! Volume 1 is a mature romance story that stands out pleasantly from many cliché-filled entries in the genre. The characters are relatable and likable, the conflicts believable and emotionally resonant. Minor weaknesses in plot structure and pacing hardly detract from the reading experience, making me look forward to how the mangaka will wrap up the story.