The proper full-on gay panic has hit as Heartstopper, the acclaimed web comic, graphic novels, and Netflix series, all approach their big finale. Creator Alice Oseman began this series circa 2014 with her first published novel, “Solitaire,” featuring sister Tori Spring as the main character, with Charlie and Nick in the background as an already-established couple. Thanks to the popularity of the fans and Oseman herself, she started the webcomic Heartstopper, which explores the beginning of their blossoming relationship.
Jump twelve years, and that single novel has spawned spinoff books, novellas, and an entire webcomic series, which was then adapted into physical graphic novels and a television show, now getting a film conclusion. Give it a game, and it’ll have covered all media bases. As we’ve been slowly getting news about the upcoming film “Heartstopper Forever,” Oseman and Hachette Books also gave us a look at the cover for volume 6 this past week, and it’s just as heartwarming as everything else Oseman puts her hands on.
I’ve always agreed with the idea of Hearstopper being the anti-Euphoria. Not in any disparaging regard to the aforementioned show, but Heartstopper can handle genuinely dark and heavy topics while still feeling like the age being portrayed and surrounded by a metaphorical hug. I know each volume and/or episode is going to crush me emotionally somehow, but it’s also going to provide me with light and hope, and depict healthy communication and love.
Life is not easy; for me, conquering the fear of living has always been the biggest hurdle over any fears of my death. Oseman is able to create such raw and powerful depictions of topics like bullying, mental health, eating disorders, and so much more. Top that off with the amount of nuance done not only by Joe Locke and Kit Connor but also by the entire all-star cast.
One of my favorite parts of the show is the fact that it loves being adapted from the comic medium. That and the killer soundtrack, so many songs have been put into rotation. Back to the comic aspect, though, Oseman’s illustrations get me excited every time and add so much context to scenes without any need for words. I found these illustrations especially powerful when used to depict anxiety and panic attacks. While I can definitely be swept away by big drama and soap-opera-esque theatrics, what keeps me captivated and locked in to Heartstopper is its emotional maturity.
When I was younger, most Queer media was either too “adult” for me, full of sloppy and lazy stereotypes, or was very depressing and following the “kill your gays” route. Yes, of course, there were some tucked in there and sprinkled throughout, but mostly I was always having to find myself in straight characters through any ounce of queer-coding I could find. In this series, on the other hand, we have up front fantastic representation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, non-binary, and aro/ace characters. Over the course of the series, you see Oseman take these characters on a journey of exploring more and more of themselves.
Spoilers ahead, but it makes so much sense for Isaac to discover asexuality or Darcy to come out as non-binary and for Charlie to be gay but Nick to be bi (insert all the “I’m bi, actually” memes). Counter to the argument in shows where sexuality and gender aren’t always allowed to be so freely and openly explored. Heartstopper provides all the space for such wonderful character development and discovery. One other common complaint I must combat is that there are “too many queer characters”.
First of all, it is so rare for us to have this, and we are focused on one main batch of people while they are still surrounded by two schools and a world of other people who are not all queer. This is made completely obvious by them all having straight parents and straight bullies. Secondly, do people with commonalities not attract each other? I find it a rather lazy argument that lacks more than two seconds of thought.
“Why am I like this?” I ask myself as I continue to obsess and swoon over this property. However, like all things, it must come to an end. Heartstopper Volume 6 will be available everywhere books are sold on July 27th, 2026, in hardcover, softcover, and ebook. While the concluding film, Heartstopper Forever, is expected to be released sometime on Netflix this year. Before we get there, though, if you need a refresher, here is where we left off: once again, spoilers ahead. We last see Nick and Charlie coming very far in their relationship.
They’ve explored new territories and created an even stronger bond by learning that space and distance can be okay, and that family and friends are also very important. If we were still at the beginning of the series, I would be very nervous about how Charlie and Nick would handle this next chapter in their relationship. But through seeing their progress, I think I need to be more worried about how emotionally intact I’ll be throughout this finale.
Both Vol. 6 and the movie will have Nick ready to head off to University, while Charlie finishes Primary School and learns to take on the role of “head boy”. This major change will show how they handle being in a long-distance relationship while at drastically different points in their lives. Outside of Nick and Charlie, there is no word yet on what the plot will be for the rest of the cast, so we still have a bunch of mysteries to be uncovered.
Will all of these relationships and friendships last through the realities of growing up and growing apart? We can find out this and more very soon! However, if you’re very impatient, you can always peek at the webcomic, which is always ahead and available on Tumblr and Webtoon. Farewell, and can’t wait to have my heart stopped at least two more times.
Catch all three seasons of Heartstopper on Netflix, and explore all graphic novels through digital and physical copies!