Following a twelve month concept schedule (September 1997 - August 1998), the first Love Hina chapter was released October 21st, 1998 in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. Continuing for 123 chapters, with the final chapter featured in the magazine's October 31st, 2001 issue. Following its initial release, the series has proved extremely popular around the world, both commercially and critically, and received numerous industry awards in Japan and North America, as well as praise from critics.