I’ve always been drawn to series that expertly juggle humor, romance, and intrigue—so when “Plus-sized Misadventures in Love!” (in Japanese, 『デブとラブと過ちと！』 or “Debu-labu”) came onto my radar, I couldn’t resist. Despite enjoying the live-action drama, I felt it didn’t fully capture the manga’s rich details, which drove me to revisit the original source. Learning that it’s also set for an anime adaptation in winter 2023 has only fueled my curiosity! Let me offer a comprehensive look at what makes this manga so compelling, from its volume count to its thrilling mysteries.
Spoiler Alert: This article references key events from Quiztopia Manga Series.
Overview: Publication and Volumes
“Plus-sized Misadventures in Love!” has been serialized since 2019 through the digital comics platform Comic Cmoa (Koi Suru Soiree imprint). While it’s often categorized by individual “chapters” in digital form, physical or compiled digital releases frequently group these chapters into volumes.
- As of the most recent updates (late 2023), the manga spans over 60 chapters, which correspond to multiple volumes—some sources refer to them as Volume 1–10, Volume 11–20, etc.
- The story is ongoing, and each new batch of chapters typically becomes the next volume once enough material accumulates.
In other words, if you’re a collector, you can look forward to multiple compiled volumes as the story continues. The manga remains a strong contender among romance-comedy hits, boosted by its comedic style, plus a layered sense of suspense.
Volume 1, Chapter 1: A Dramatic Accident
In Volume 1, Chapter 1, we’re introduced to Yumeko Koda, a woman who has long struggled with negative self-image due to her weight and appearance. Everything changes when she regains consciousness in a hospital bed—labeled a possible suicide attempt victim—yet no longer remembers her old self.
- Newfound Optimism: Immediately, Yumeko’s unstoppable positivity stands out. Instead of feeling crushed by her memory loss, she exclaims how lucky she is to speak, move freely, and have a supportive family.
- Hints of Foul Play: Although Yumeko is told she jumped from a fourth-floor rooftop, detective Minami suggests it might be an attempted murder rather than a suicide. This marks the early seeds of mystery that run throughout the manga.
Volume 1, Chapters 2–3: Corporate Life Revisited
Now determined to return to normal life, Yumeko heads back to Saibara Corporation—to the shock of co-workers who remember her as sullen and insecure.
- Surprising Everyone: Yumeko’s newfound zeal impresses her bosses, including Hiroki Maezono. While he barely cracks a smile, he can’t deny Yumeko’s bright presence changes the office mood.
- Meeting Keisuke: In Chapter 3, we see Yumeko’s fateful second encounter with the vice president, Keisuke Yuuki. Known as the “icy” VP, his identity baffles Yumeko: Why does she have old pictures of him on her phone? Did she admire him from afar or witness something she shouldn’t have?
Volume 2, Chapters 4–7: Romance, Mystery, and a Vice President’s Burden
Volumes 2 onward begin expanding the world around Yumeko, fleshing out co-workers and corporate intrigue.
Investigations Heat Up
Detective Minami stumbles upon footprints at the fall site matching Keisuke’s shoe size (Volume 2, Chapter 5). Yumeko, somewhat oblivious, is more focused on re-acclimating to the office and chasing new product ideas.
Lamune Chips Innovation
Yumeko pitches “Ramune Chips” in a meeting (Volume 2, Chapter 7). The idea is to fuse soda-candy fizz with potato crisps—an unusual concept that eventually gains traction. This comedic aspect underscores the manga’s reoccurring theme: Yumeko’s radiant positivity driving surprising success.
Keisuke’s Contrasts
Publicly stoic, behind-the-scenes gentle—Keisuke reveals strain from personal matters, including rumored involvement with his boss’s wife. He frequently wears a burdened look, yet loosens up whenever Yumeko’s infectious optimism is near.
Volume 3, Chapters 8–12: Memory Shards and Deeper Suspense
By Volume 3, the tension escalates. Yumeko’s fuzzy recollections hint that multiple colleagues—Maezono, his wife Rikako, and others—were present on the rooftop. At the same time, new relationships form and comedic side plots emerge:
- The Takeru Shoin-ji Factor: A newly hired employee at Saibara, Takeru quickly becomes Yumeko’s “disciple.” He admires her bright problem-solving skills, but also falls for her sincerity. This sets up a competitive dynamic with Keisuke.
- Possible Betrayals: Yumeko stumbles across mental snapshots of herself accessing corporate data on a USB stick. Could she have been coerced? Why can’t she recall who gave the orders?
Mid-Series (Volumes 4–6): Twists, Turning Points, and Office Politics
As the story progresses—Volume 4 through Volume 6—readers see the depth of the corporate entanglements:
Power Struggles
The Saibara CEO wields influence over local authorities, stalling official investigations. Detective Minami suspects police corruption at higher levels (Volume 5, Chapter 2).
Possible Conspiracies
Yumeko recalls glimpses of forging data behind Keisuke’s back, while frantic attempts by certain executives to bury the truth intensify the murder attempt cover-up.
Emotional Stakes
Yumeko’s unwavering positivity faces its first true test when she begins suspecting someone close to her—maybe even Keisuke—was involved in the “accident.” Takeru’s open confession only further complicates her emotional world.
Extended Arcs (Volumes 7, 8, 9…): Greater Character Development
Because “Plus-sized Misadventures in Love!” is well over 60 chapters, each subsequent volume expands on:
• Rikako’s Role: Maezono’s wife is rumored to have attacked Yumeko out of jealousy, but she may also be a victim of deeper manipulations.
• Minami’s Personal History: The detective who lost his wife channels his grief into protecting Yumeko, going so far as to risk his career.
• Intersecting Love Triangles: Keisuke’s jealousy emerges when Takeru and even side characters show open affection for Yumeko, leading to comedic showdowns during product launch events or late-night office visits.
The Drama vs. Manga: Key Differences
A live-action drama adaptation of “Plus-sized Misadventures in Love!” aired in late 2022, reworking certain plot points:
Cause of the Fall
The manga depicts Yumeko’s rooftop incident as an attempted murder, while the drama portrays it as a self-induced leap stemming from heartbreak.
Memory Loss Frequency
In the manga, Yumeko struggles primarily with one major amnesiac event, albeit triggered anew by flashbacks. The drama grants her multiple comedic “re-lapses” of memory loss.
Product Changes
“Ramune Chips” in the manga differ from the “Candy Mix” the drama focuses on—reflecting a more season-friendly theme.
Fans often debate which version is better. Still, the manga’s extended arcs, deeper conspiracies, and larger character ensemble provide a more layered narrative. If you enjoyed the drama’s comedic approach, the manga’s additional tension and romance arcs will likely draw you in.
FINAL THOUGHT
I have to admit, I find Yumeko’s blend of comedic bliss and real vulnerability downright inspiring. The fact that her positivity rubs off on everyone, from icy execs like Keisuke to suspicious co-workers, is a testament to her strength as a protagonist. Knowing an anime adaptation is on the horizon makes me hopeful we’ll see all those comedic beats and heart-tugging plot reveals animated in vivid detail.
From its multi-volume run and intriguing detective subplots to the comedic workplace romance that pulses at its core, “Plus-sized Misadventures in Love!” thrives on surprising readers at every turn. Personally, Yumeko’s refusal to stay down—no matter how tangled her circumstances become—keeps me eagerly turning page after page.
Reference
- AnimateTimes デブとラブと過ちと！｜アニメ声優・キャラクター・登場人物・最新情報一覧
- TokyoMX 9,000万DL突破の大人気コミック『デブとラブと過ちと！』TVアニメ化決定！お祝いの描き下ろしイラストを公開！
- Wikipedia Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love!
