Nezumi's First Love Volume 11 Launches September 4 With Its New Cover Revealed

Nezumi's First Love (ねずみの初恋) by Riku Oseto will release Volume 11 on September 4, 2026 in Japan. The series' official account has now revealed the new cover, placing Nezumi at the center of an image filled with splashing water.

The new volume arrives as Nezumi and Ao's story is already in its final arc. Kodansha is publishing the Japanese edition under Young Magazine KC Special for ¥869.

> Light spoiler notice: The following section references the official Kodansha synopsis for Volume 11 without revealing how its central conflict is resolved or discussing developments beyond the publisher's description.

Quick Summary

• Title: Nezumi no Hatsukoi
• Japanese title: ねずみの初恋
• Official English title: Nezumi's First Love
• Format: Manga
• Creator: Riku Oseto / 大瀬戸陸
• Japanese publisher: Kodansha
• Magazine: Weekly Young Magazine
• Imprint: Young Magazine KC Special
• Status: Ongoing
• Current story phase: Final arc
• Serialization began: November 2023
• Latest volume: Volume 11
• Volume 11 release: September 4, 2026
• Japanese price: ¥869 including tax
• Book format: B6
• Pages: 224
• ISBN-10: 4065447534
• ISBN-13: 978-4-06-544753-6
• Japanese edition language: Japanese
• Volume 11 cover reveal: August 28, 2026
• Cover: Nezumi looks back amid splashing water
• Protagonist: Nezumi
• Other central character: Ao
• Series premise: Nezumi was raised by the yakuza as a killer before falling in love with Ao
• Volume 11 focus: Events after Nezumi reunites with Ao aboard a container ship
• Buta: Rescued according to the official Volume 11 synopsis
• Next objective: Nezumi, Ao, and Buta attempt to return to port
• New complication: An unexpected incident awaits them at the harbor
• Circulation: More than 1.5 million copies based on the latest confirmed milestone
• Official English genres: Romance / Thriller
• English edition rating: 16+
• English publisher: Kodansha USA
• English formats: Print and digital
• English volumes available: Four at the time of writing
• Gamers Volume 11 bonus: Newly drawn bromide
• Gamers online bonus status: Listed as ended on the online shop
• Amazon Japan: Physical edition available for preorder

Volume 11 Cover and Official Announcement

Nezumi Takes Center Stage on the New Cover

The latest announcement places Nezumi alone at the center of the Volume 11 artwork.

She looks back through a burst of water while visible injuries and blood remain part of the composition. The image preserves the series' defining contrast between tender romantic imagery and the violence surrounding Nezumi's life.

The volume launches in Japan on September 4.

The Story Returns to Nezumi and Ao

Kodansha's official synopsis brings Volume 11 back to the series' central relationship.

After pursuing the group that abducted Buta onto a container ship, Nezumi finally reunites with Ao. The pair survive the ensuing battle, rescue Buta, and begin making their way back toward land.

Their ordeal is not over, however. Someone waiting at the harbor triggers another unexpected situation as they try to return.

The Manga Has Entered Its Final Arc

Weekly Young Magazine announced in May 2026 that Nezumi no Hatsukoi had entered its final arc.

The transition follows a long stretch of events testing Nezumi and Ao's relationship as her history as a killer becomes increasingly difficult to separate from the ordinary life she wants to share with him.

Volume 11 therefore arrives during the manga's march toward its climax, although no final chapter date or final volume count has been announced.

Circulation Has Passed 1.5 Million Copies

Alongside the move into the final arc, the manga was confirmed to have exceeded 1.5 million copies in circulation.

The series had already received several notable placements, including No. 12 in the Comics category of the Next Manga Awards 2024 and No. 9 on the male-reader list of Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2025.

Kodansha has also expanded the series internationally through an official English edition.

Nezumi's First Love Is Officially Available in English

Kodansha USA publishes the manga as Nezumi's First Love in both print and digital formats.

Its English description retains the central premise of a girl raised by the yakuza as a killing machine who first encounters ordinary happiness after meeting Ao at an arcade.

At the time of writing, Kodansha USA lists four English volumes with a 16+ rating.

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Gamers Offered a Newly Drawn Bromide

Gamers previously listed Volume 11 with a newly drawn bromide as a purchase bonus.

Its current benefits page marks the online-shop allocation as ended, so availability at physical locations or other retailers may differ and remain subject to stock.

The standard Japanese edition remains available for preorder through retailers including Amazon.co.jp.

Why This Matters

1) Volume 11 arrives during the final arc

The manga is now approaching its closing phase, making every new collected volume increasingly important to the conclusion of Nezumi and Ao's story.

2) The cover captures the manga's central contrast

Nezumi's soft expression amid injuries and blood visually reflects the combination of romance and brutality that has defined the series from the beginning.

3) The series continues expanding outside Japan

In addition to surpassing 1.5 million copies in circulation, Kodansha has established an official English print and digital release.

Manga Information

Additional confirmed information currently includes:

• Volume 11 launches in Japan on September 4, 2026
• the official Japanese price is ¥869 including tax
• the physical edition uses B6 format
• Amazon lists a length of 224 pages
• ISBN-10 is 4065447534
• ISBN-13 is 978-4-06-544753-6
• the manga is created by Riku Oseto
• Kodansha publishes it through the Young Magazine line
• serialization began in November 2023
• the official digital serialization is available through Yanmaga Web
• Yanmaga Web continues to list regular chapter updates
• the manga entered its final arc in May 2026
• the latest confirmed circulation milestone is more than 1.5 million copies
• Volume 10 previously launched on June 5, 2026
• Volume 10 was also priced at ¥869
• Volume 11 directly continues the container-ship conflict
• the official synopsis confirms Nezumi and Ao have reunited
• Buta has been rescued at the start of the Volume 11 synopsis
• another incident occurs as the group attempts to return to port
• no manga ending date has been announced
• no final volume count has been announced
• Next Manga Awards 2024 ranked it No. 12 in the Comics category
• Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2025 ranked it No. 9 for male readers
• Gachi! Manga Fair 2024 ranked it No. 2 in the seinen manga category
• the official English title is Nezumi's First Love
• Kodansha USA lists Romance and Thriller as its genres
• the English edition carries a 16+ rating
• English releases are available in print and digital formats
• the official Japanese series page is available through Kodansha
• chapters can be read through Yanmaga Web
• the Volume 11 cover announcement is available through Nezumi no Hatsukoi Official X
• English publication information is available through Kodansha USA
• the Volume 11 retailer benefit is listed through Gamers
• the physical edition can be preordered through Amazon.co.jp

Closing

Nezumi's First Love Volume 11 launches on September 4, 2026, carrying Nezumi and Ao beyond the container-ship conflict and toward another problem waiting for them at the harbor.

With the manga now in its final arc, the next major question is how much longer their journey will continue. Kodansha has not announced a final chapter date or the number of volumes that will complete the series.