A Star Brighter Than the Sun

Kazune Kawahara launched A Star Brighter Than the Sun in June 2021 through Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret magazine. The series follows Sae Iwata and Koki Kamishiro, childhood friends who have known each other since elementary school. Sae presents a tough exterior and physical strength that often makes her feel out of place among her peers, while Koki carries a gentle demeanor that hides his own vulnerabilities. Their dynamic shifts when they enter high school, forcing them to confront feelings that have grown from friendship into something deeper.

The narrative explores how these two navigate the complexities of young love without relying on dramatic tropes. Kawahara uses subtle facial expressions and body language to convey emotional weight rather than heavy dialogue. Key story arcs involve Koki's soccer commitments and the social rumors that ripple through their school, adding realistic pressure to their budding romance. A pivotal moment occurs when Sae works as reception staff and learns Koki plans to confess his love to someone, creating tension about whether his affections are directed at her or another person.

Viz Media brought the English translation to North America under their Margaret Comics imprint, releasing collected tankōbon volumes regularly. By late 2025, seven volumes had been published, with the latest installment focusing on Christmas plans complicated by Koki's sports schedule. The story has resonated internationally with translations available in Spanish, Italian, Korean, Thai, Polish, Ukrainian, and Chinese. [edit]