What is Girl Crush?#
Girl Crush is a vibrant series centered around the high-energy world of idols. Based on the manga by Midori Tayama, the story dives into the competitive and glittering realm of K-Pop. The source material has already garnered significant acclaim, including winning a 2nd Rakuten Kobo e-Book Award in 2024 and being licensed for North American audiences by Viz Media.
If you are a fan of music-driven narratives and the idol industry, this is a series tailored for you. You can buy the Girl Crush manga to experience the original storytelling and art style that sparked the anime adaptation.
Is the Anime Finished?#
When deciding whether to commit to the series, the biggest question is usually: will I get a satisfying conclusion?
Girl Crush began as a manga serialized on LINE Manga in November 2020. The TV anime adaptation was announced in late 2025, with releases continuing into 2026. Because the anime is an adaptation of a pre-existing manga, viewers who watch only the anime may find themselves wanting more. To get the full, definitive conclusion of the story, you will likely need to continue with the source material.
Ready to start your journey? Watch the anime on Prime Video (available via Crunchyroll collaboration in select regions).
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Depending on how much of the story you want to consume and in what format, we recommend the following paths. For a visual representation of how these versions connect, please refer to the relationship tree provided below the article.
The Release Order#
For those who want to experience the franchise as it arrived in the world:
- Girl Crush Manga (Serialized starting 2020)
- Girl Crush Anime (Released 2025/2026)
The Completionist Order#
If you want every single detail and the original vision of the author, start with the manga. This allows you to appreciate the nuances of the K-Pop themes before seeing them brought to life with music and animation. After finishing the manga, watch the anime to see your favorite scenes animated.
The “Anime-First” Path#
If you prefer animation over reading, start with the anime. Once the series reaches its stopping point, you can jump back into the manga to see where the story goes from there. This is the best route for those who aren’t sure if they like the series yet.
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Final Tips for Fans#
Whether you are following the idols through the manga or the anime, there are plenty of ways to show your support for the series. You can find official Girl Crush merchandise here to bring a piece of the K-Pop world into your own home.
Girl Crush • manga • 2020-11-20 (serialized on LINE Manga)
└─(adaptation)→ Girl Crush • anime • 
