A promising first volume to a manga series. Two teens have insomnia and find that they can only sleep in the abandoned observatory at their school (which may or may not be haunted). The characters are cute so far and I think the backstory of the observatory might come into play at some point.

While most of the school believes the observatory is haunted, Magari and Nakami know the truth. It's just a really cool spot for insomniacs like them to catch some z's during the school day. Based on the first volume, INSOMNIACS AFTER SCHOOL promises to be a lighthearted, slice of life manga about two unlikely friends.

When cranky insomniac Nakami goes up to the observatory-turned-storage closet, he thinks it would be the perfect place to escape the hubbub of the school and sleep. Then he finds out the observatory is already Magari's sleep spot, another teen struggling with insomnia. Magari agrees they both can use the observatory as an quiet place to retreat. A fast but secret friendship forms between the two.

There are whispers among the students that the old astronomy club observatory is haunted by ghosts, but the only thing Ganta Nakami discovers in the observatory is a classmate – and fellow insomniac - Isaki Magari. What to others would just look like a cluttered storage space ends up providing a place of solace and comfort for the two students as they begin to form a bond over their shared fate of sleepless nights. Turns out the observatory might end up giving them the rest they need after all.

I found the characters endearing, with a style of artwork that brings out all the little details in the world around Nakami and Magari, particularly the nighttime scenery. When times are tough it can feel like you’re facing your struggles all alone, but Insomniacs After School shows that you can always find hope in others that share a similar path. It’s a heartfelt story with the right blend of humor and thoughtful moments, perfect for slice-of-life fans or those that have spent nights up until well into 3am.

I'm interested to see where the story goes from here and how the dynamic between Nakami and Magari continues to grow. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review!

What a discovery !
Insomniacs After School was different from any other mangas I've read. My favorite part was the main girl character. She's so fun. I really liked her.
After that, I've really liked how some parts of it are so realistic and connected to read human experiences. That night of adventure, it was so relatable to teenagers years.
Looking forward to the next volumes.

Really love the concept of this. The art style is nice. The characters are cute and I would love to continue the series. A very happy vibe light read. I really enjoyed!

Years ago, there was an astronomy club, but after a series of tragedies befell the members, the club was shut down, and the observatory turned into a storeroom. Rumors of it being haunted keep people away from it, but when Ganta Nakami, who suffers from insomnia, finds it, he realizes that it’s the perfect place for a nap. When he realizes that his classmate Magari is <i>already</i> using it as a safe space, the two band together to preserve their space and find a little comfort in the night.

Fortunately, this is not some sort of depressing torture porn type manga. Although it deals with a serious issue, it is more invested in the developing relationship between its two leads and helping them to find a point of balance in their lives. The two are barely acquainted members of same class, not really interacting until preparations for the school festival sends Nakami up to the old astronomy club observatory. When Nakami arrives, he discovers that his classmate Magari is already there, and she admits to having fabricated a story of a school ghost to keep people out. For Nakami and Magari the empty club space becomes a refuge, the one place where they can finally close their eyes and get some sleep. It's a volume introducing us to a story rife with possibility about the way we interact with our own mental health and the people who help along the way.

Posting on 2/21/23
My Thoughts:
How lovely and very Asian to find a secret, unused hangout spot in school to have a club house, or a place to hide and sleep in peace from all the pressures of school. This is about two insomniacs who are able to create almost a dorm and club house in an unused observatory. Need to keep others away? Just plant a ghost story about a suicide and everyone will steer clear.

This is a hilarious manga about two teens who really found the ideal spot, at least until one faculty uncovers their secret lair. To stay now, will the two teens actually be a part of the new astronomy club? What other abandoned furniture will they find to make their secret spot a home away from home?

From the Publisher:
Two sleepless teenagers find kinship as they escape to their school’s astronomy observatory.

Unable to sleep at night, Ganta Nakami is cranky in class and unpopular with his classmates. He discovers that the school observatory, once used by the now-defunct astronomy club, may be the perfect place for a nap—but he’s not alone. Fellow insomniac Isaki Magari is willing to share the observatory with Nakami, and a friendship between the two begins as they bond over the most unlikely of things.

Dark rumors about what befell the members of the astronomy club keep people away from the school observatory, and that’s what makes it the perfect sanctuary for Nakami and Magari to get some much-needed rest. Unfortunately, the school faculty can’t allow its unsanctioned use. But if there were a new astronomy club, maybe these two insomniacs could have a place to call home!

Publication Information:
Author: Makoto Ojiro

Publisher: Viz Media (March 21, 2023)

"Insomniacs After School" is a cute story of a pair of insomniacs who decide to use their school’s astronomy observatory as a napping place since it's currently not in use. They are caught and told they cannot use the room unless they reopen the club and become the first two members. Honestly, reading this book makes me wish I was a part of some kind of astronomy club when I was in school. It's a pleasant story so far and I'm very interested in reading the next volume.

This is an interesting first volume. It's a cozy read, focusing on two characters who suffer from insomnia and turn the old astronomy club into their safe space to sleep and hangout. It's a unique story, with a few weird elements I'm excited to see unfollowed

If you're not into slow paced stories and character driven narratives, then this isn't for you. I don't really know where this story is going, but I'm intrigued.

Two students in different social groups suffer from chronic insomnia. One day they stumble upon an abandon classroom and proceed to turn it into a cozy hideaway for naps. Complete with adorable romance, humor, and a mischievous cat.
I found this manga to be absolutely adorable! Its short, sweet, and funny! At face value you see two students forming a friendship (and maybe more?) and breathing new life into an abandoned classroom. Looking deeper, readers learn about how illness, weakness, and social norms are structured in cultures outside of the Western world. My only complaint is how the book ended! Just when the reader grows attached to the main characters, the book ends. While it does end on a wholesome, solid note, reader's can see loose ends for the author to continue the positively adorable adventure.
Ironically, students will be staying up all night to read this book! I cannot wait to add it to the shelves of the middle school library.

Such a cute series so far!! I love the premise and the art style a lot so far! This was also a super easy read and had all the good vibes. I loved all of the scenes from the two main characters sneaking around at night

I liked the art of the manga but it is quite slow-paced and I'm not sure where the story is going. I suspect they're setting it up for romance but I cannot feel a significant chemistry between the main characters, at least not at this point in the story.

Incredibly adorable. If you need a nice break from fanservice, this manga is for you. Already on the first volume, the characters are very well thought out, and despite not yet knowing much about them, they are worth caring for. This is definitely a series I will be continuing.

It all started with the death of one of the Astronomy Club's members. From this, the rumored ghost of the club came to life.

Grumpy insomniac Ganta Nakami stumbles across the moderately rebellious yet easygoing Isaki Magari in the Astronomy Club's abandoned observatory. Magari is jolted awake and tries to escape from the scene, only to have a broken door prevent that, forcing the two inside. The two forge an unlikely friendship, leading them to use the observatory as a safe space for them to interact.

Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia follows the insomniacs Nakami and Magari's time in the starlit observatory as they help each other cope with insomnia and the lasting effects it has on student life

A relaxing slice of life read. Nakami and Makari, both suffering from insomnia, find the abandoned astronomy club room on campus to be the perfect napping spot. As they share their only solace, it isn't long before a teacher discovers their hidden napping spot. In a desperate bid to keep their sanctuary, the two of them are forced to reform the school's long disbanded astronomy club. In between naps, they learn about the mysteries of the night sky while finding ways to embrace their insomnia. A leisurely paced read, this is a comforting slice of life manga. Don't expect any excitement, but it's an pleasurable read nonetheless.

This looks like it's going to be a sweet slice of life story! This first volume is obviously just setting up the characters and plot, so it's hard to say exactly what the story is going to look like, but the gentle tone and the innocence to the characters are refreshing already.

This was certainly an interesting start of a series. what begins with a spooky school legend turns into a more of a slice of life story. Our two leads suffer from insomnia which is certainly a different angle. This book doesn't shy away from some of the downsides of insomnia either. Because they can't sleep well, the two appear aloof and grouchy at first. The two of them bonding in the (purposefully) abandoned observatory and seeing the world through a different lens. I'm curious to see where exactly the series is planning on going from here.

Insomniacs After School, Vol. by Makoto Ojiro: The only way the ARC can be viewed is through the Shelf app. It has a big watermark of sample pdf overlay on every page that makes reading the dialog bubbles almost impossible. It required so much analysis that I couldn’t follow it. I cannot honestly rate this without a print.

I wish I could just binge this manga series. The concept of students who have insomnia is such a unique one. I can't wait to see how the relationship between the two main characters develop and how they work through their insomnia.

So I read this during an intense tornado warning hidden away in my bathroom with my spouse and pets. It made me forget why I was sitting in the tub for almost an hour as the storm passed overhead. I got drawn in by the characters Magari and Nakami and their struggle to get some honest sleep.

I really love the immediate connection they form over their shared experience dealing with insomnia. It's really sweet watching them bond. And I really feel for Nakami, who seems to be the outcast because he's "gloomy" or "is the only one who thinks he has it rough" when he is exhausted. And I truly understand how both of these teens don't want to share what's really going on with them, because more than wanting to be understood and accepted, they are afraid of being pitied. I truly hope their rebooted astronomy club will help them.

I also would like to take a second to note the art in this manga. I noticed almost immediately that each panel feels so dynamic. These characters are imbued with so much life and movement, it's like I'm watching a movie!

I cannot wait to see how this story and Nakami and Magari's relationship evolves. I'm already so super invested.