“Stop!! Hibari-Kun!” to premiere in fall 2025 with queer character

Publisher Peow2 announced during the AnimeNYC event that it will publish an English edition of the manga “Stop!! Hibari-Kun!” in the fall of 2025. Originally released in 1981 by Shonen Jump, Hisashi Eguchi’s manga is a romantic comedy that addresses themes of gender identity in a pioneering way.

The story revolves around Hibari, a character assigned male at birth but who presents as female, and his relationship with Kosaku, amidst the family dynamics involving Hibari’s yakuza father.

Considered a milestone in LGBT+ representation in manga, “Stop!! Hibari-Kun!” has sparked debate among fans over the years about Hibari’s classification as a trans protagonist. The work, despite being influential, continues to be the subject of controversy, especially due to the cultural limitations of the time of its original publication.

The English edition represents an opportunity for Western audiences, especially queer ones, to explore this landmark work, recognized for its importance but still surrounded by discussions about its approach to themes of gender identity.

By Ezatamentchy