What is Tokyo Tarareba Girls?#
Tokyo Tarareba Girls (also known as Tokyo Tarareba Musume) is a blend of comedy, drama, and romance that centers on the lives of three women—Kaori, Rinko, and Koyuki. All around 30 years old, these friends find themselves in a position they didn’t anticipate: still single. As the Olympics approach, the trio grapples with their romantic frustrations and wonders what they can do to change their circumstances.
If you are looking to dive into this story, you can watch the anime on Prime Video to get started.
Is the anime really finished?#
Whether the anime provides a satisfying conclusion depends on how much of the story you want to experience. While the anime offers a great introduction to the characters and their dilemmas, the story continues significantly in the printed material.
If you want the full narrative arc, you will need to transition to the manga. The original source material is followed by a sequel and a spinoff, meaning there is a wealth of additional content beyond the initial anime adaptation. To ensure you don’t miss any character growth or resolutions, we highly recommend buying the manga.
Who is this series for?#
This series is best suited for viewers and readers who enjoy character-driven stories about adult life, dating struggles, and the anxiety of hitting certain age milestones. Its appeal lies in the relatability of its protagonists—women navigating the pressures of society and their own expectations in their 30s. The mix of comedy and drama makes it a balanced watch for anyone who likes romance with a realistic edge.
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Recommended Order of Consumption#
Depending on your goals, there are different ways to experience the Tokyo Tarareba Girls universe. You can refer to the relationship tree on this page for a detailed breakdown of how the titles connect.
For the Casual Viewer (Release Order)#
If you prefer to experience the series as it was released to the general public, start with the anime and then move into the manga series in order of their publication.
For the Completionist (The Full Story)#
To get every single detail and the complete ending, follow this path:
- Tokyo Tarareba Girls (Anime/Manga): Start here to establish the core plot and characters.
- Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns (Manga): This is the direct sequel to the original story.
- Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns 2 (Manga): This spinoff provides further expansion on the universe.
For Manga Lovers#
If you don’t mind skipping the anime, you can go straight to the original manga and follow the sequence of the original, the sequel (Returns), and the spinoff (Returns 2). You can find the manga volumes here.
Useful Extras#
For those who want even more content, keep an eye out for the live-action adaptation of Tokyo Tarareba Girls, which is available to stream on Netflix.
Additionally, if you’ve fallen in love with the characters, you can browse for official merchandise to celebrate the series.
Tokyo Tarareba Girls • manga • 2014-03-24 to 2017-04-25 (serialized in Kiss, May 2014 - Jun 2017)
└─(sequel)→ Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns • manga • 2018-10-25 to 2018-12-25 (serialized in Kiss, Dec 2018 - Feb 2019)
└─(spinoff)→ Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns 2 • manga • 2019-04-25 to 2021-09-25 (serialized in Kiss, Jun 2019 - Nov 2021)
