is a Japanese manga series based on the female idol group AKB48. This series is illustrated by Reiji Miyajima, and based on the original work by Motoazabu Factory. The story is told through the eyes of the 12th generation Kenkyūsei member Minoru Urayama. Real AKB48 members also appear occasionally in the story as supporting characters. AKB49: Renai Kinshi Jourei was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from August 2010 to January 2016. It was collected into twenty-nine tankōbon volumes. In 2014, the first five volumes were adapted into a stage play that ran for a week in September 2014. Various members of the 48 group family made up the cast. Plot The story follows Minoru Urayama, a high school boy who has no dreams. Minoru's crush, Hiroko Yoshinaga, dreams of becoming a member of the idol group AKB48. In order to help her with her auditions, Minoru secretly enters with her, cross-dressed as a girl named Minori Urakawa. His plan works and Hiroko is picked, but much to his dismay so is his girl alias, Minori! The story then follows Minori (Minoru) and Hiroko as they overcome the numerous trials of the idol world while Minoru tries to keep his secret from getting exposed and get Hiroko to the very top. Characters / The main male character in the story and a 12th generation Kenkyūsei member of the female idol group AKB48. He is also known by his female name "Minori Urakawa" in this story. 167 cm tall, Minoru has a younger sister. Initially, Minoru had no interest in AKB48, and because of this, was laughed at by his classmates who were big fans of the group. However, in order to help Hiroko, his classmate whom he had a secret crush on, Minoru cross-dressed and participated in an audition together with her. Unwittingly, after he helped Hiroko pass her audition, he was selected by AKB48's producer Yasushi Akimoto to become a member of the group. Almost nobody suspected that he was a male, because he had a face that looked "pretty". He was often mistaken for another AKB48 member Sae Miyazawa by Yuko Oshima. Only member Mayu Watanabe suspected that he was a boy, though she was convinced by his explanation that he looked like one because he worked in a butler café. Unknown to everyone including Minoru, Producer Akimoto also knew that Minoru/Minori was a male, but because he