May 23 marks Kiss Day in Japan, an unofficial holiday commemorating the first on-screen kiss in a Japanese film. On May 23, 1946, the movie Hatachi no Seishun (Twenty-Year-Old Youth) featured that historic smooch, and nearly 80 years later, the anime and manga communities are still celebrating.

This year, official accounts from major series posted Kiss Day tributes across social media. Naruto's official X account shared an image from chapter 171 of the manga, captioned "Entrusted Hopes." Hell's Paradise joined in with a festive post, while Square Enix playfully described kisses with special status-effect powers in their contribution.

Other franchises got creative with their entries. Red River, which airs starting July 7 on Nippon Television, teased a romantic moment with the caption: "I did it with Himuro… I kissed Himuro…?!" Rooster Fighter and Galaxy Angel also shared official Kiss Day art, keeping the tradition alive across different genres and tones.

The holiday remains less prominent than other Japanese unofficial observances like Cat Day (February 22), but it clearly resonates with creators in the anime and manga space. Studio accounts, individual mangaka, and official franchise pages all participated, treating it as a genuine moment to acknowledge romantic elements in their stories—whether dramatic, comedic, or whimsical.

Kiss Day represents a charming intersection of Japanese pop culture history and modern fandom. What started as a footnote in cinema history has become a date where creators can celebrate the relationships and moments their audiences care about, one shared image at a time.