A popular romance manga featuring a deaf college student has claimed the top spot in the monthly e-Chance rankings. simultaneously, actor Keita Machida has seen his first photobook in six years climb to number 11 following the May 15 release of a live-action film adaptation.

Yuki and Itsuomi's ascent to the e-Chance number one spot

The manga series detaliing the relationship between Yuki, a deaf college student, and her upperclassman Itsuomi has secured the number one position in the monthly e-Chance rankings. This achievement marks a significant upward trend for the title, which occupied the fifth position just one week prior. The series' current momentum places it as the third-ranked title in the monthly top five, signaling a massive surge in reader engagement.

The 40th anniversary impact on Booksellers’ Award rankings

The series is currently celebrating a major milestone: its 40th anniversary of serialization in the Booksellers’ Award. This long-standing presence in the market has helped the title maintain high visibility across multiple platforms. As the source reports, the series currently holds the number one spot in social media activity and the number two spot in subscriptions according to the Billboard Japan Book Hot 100.

This dual dominance in social media and subscriptions suggests that the manga's appeal extends beyond traditional print readers to a more digitally active audience.. The combination of long-term serialization and modern digital engagement has created a unique synergy for the franchise.

Keita Machida’s climb to number 11 after the May 15 film release

Actor Keita Machida has seen his first photobook in six years jump to number 11 on the charts. This sudden increase in popularity follows the May 15 theatrical release of a live-action feature film adaptation of a novel. The source notes that the original book was a highly acclaimed work, having won the 2023 Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel and Short Story.

The timing of the photobook's rise suggests a direct correlation between the film's release and the renewed interest in Machida's published work. For an actor to see such a significant jump in print sales after a six-year hiatus highlights the power of cinematic adaptations in driving secondary market interest.

The weight of social media in the Billboard Japan Book Hot 100

The e-Chance and Billboard Japan Book Hot 100 charts are complex metrics that combine traditional sales, e-books, subscriptions, and social media activity. This multifaceted approach provides a broader view of popularity than simple sales figures alone, capturing how modern audiences interact with content.

However,certain details regarding the specific drivers of these rankings remain unverified. It is currently unclear how much of the manga's number one ranking is driven by physical sales versus the high social media and subscription numbers reported by Billboard Japan. Additionally, the report does not specify how much of Keita Machida's photobook success is directly attributable to the film's box office performance versus existing fan engagement.