A Sign of Affection

Yuki Itose is a deaf college student whose world quietly revolves around sign language, text messages, and the comfortable routines of daily life. That changes when she meets Itsuomi Nagi, a hearing upperclassman who is kind, curious, and eager to communicate with her on her own terms. Written and illustrated by suu Morishita, A Sign of Affection (Japanese: Yubisaki to Renren, lit. “Fingertips and Affection”) is a romance manga that follows Yuki and Itsuomi as they navigate the tender, sometimes awkward early stages of a relationship. Morishita’s art captures small gestures and expressions with warmth, making every touch or glance feel significant.

The series began serialization in Kodansha’s Dessert magazine on July 24, 2019. The first tankōbon volume dropped in Japan on December 13, 2019. As of May 2026, fourteen volumes have been published, with an English edition from Kodansha USA that started releasing on January 19, 2021. An anime television series adaptation produced by Ajiado aired from January to March 2024, and a live-action film from Toho Studios is in the works. The story stands out for its gentle, nuanced portrayal of deafness and the ways love can bridge different sensory experiences.

Critical reception has been strong. On MyAnimeList the manga holds an 8.4/10 rating. It won the 2022 Electronic Manga Award for Best Romance and topped the 2023 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guide for female readers. In 2025 it took home the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material, Asia. More than 2.5 million copies are in print worldwide as of early 2024, with volumes regularly hitting the New York Times Manga Best Sellers List.[edit]