Popular light novel and manga writer Atsuko Asano is perhaps best known for her sci-fi shojo series, No. 6 — an intensely emotional tale about two lost souls who are brought together in the wake of society’s destruction. 14 years after the series’ conclusion, Asano shocked long-time fans by suddenly announcing a new sequel novel.

The original No. 6 light novel series originally debuted in October 2003 and was serialized regularly until its conclusion in June 2011. That same year, Aria released a manga adaptation featuring illustrations by Hinoki Kino. As of 2025, both works have cumulatively sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. The story has also been adapted into a popular anime series by Studio BONES (Fullmetal Alchemist, My Hero Academia). Consequently, the series’ return has become a major trending topic on social media. No. 6 Reunion Volume 1 recently became available for preorder on Amazon Japan, which also published an accompanying message from the author. “It was Nezumi’s voice, ‘You decide where you live and where you die. I decide, not you…so, have they already met and begun to weave their destinies? If so, I’ll reach out to them once more, just once more…”

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No. 6 Creator Announces Story Continuation After 14 Years

No. 6 is named after the post-apocalyptic city in which it is set. The story centers on 16-year-old Shion, a park maintenance worker who becomes a government target after discovering the body of a 31-year-old man at his work site. While harboring suspicions of a conspiracy, Shion is arrested and then rescued by Nezumi, a mysterious fugitive who Shion first encountered several years ago. The two eventually escape to the city slums. While hiding from the authorities, the two grow closer, forming a powerful bond that often teeters between platonic and romantic. As many fans have expressed, the series inspires them to continue on in spite of hardship and self-doubt. “Whenever I feel like dying, I remember Nezumi’s words: don’t run away! Move forward! Look at reality!” one reviewer wrote. “I want to be someone who can find light no matter how hard reality is.”

No. 6: Reunion picks up several years after the first work’s conclusion, during which Shion and Nezumi part ways with an emotional farewell kiss. While their story has already touched the hearts of millions of readers and viewers around the world, Asano believes that there is still important ground to cover and urges fans to join her for the franchise’s next chapter. “Let’s touch their lives with our own hands,” she stated. “‘Let’s fight as the author of No. 6. Let’s challenge the boys who were so in love…’ that’s all I’m thinking about now. After 14 years, I’m bringing No. 6 to you again.”

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Volume 1 of No. 6: Reunion will officially hit bookstores in Japan on May 28. As of this writing, Kodansha has not yet specified when the novel will be released internationally. In the meantime, the No. 6 manga and light novels are available in English from Kodansha US. As of writing, its official anime adaptation is no longer available to watch in the U.S. on any major streaming site.

No. 6

Release Date

July 7, 2011

Cast

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Source: Amazon Japan