First Love (2022)
A Japanese Netflix miniseries about two people haunted by a teenage romance, searching decades later for what was lost.
First Love - Series Information
- Original Title: First Love 初恋
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 9
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: November 24, 2022 (United States - TV-MA), November 24, 2022 (Canada - 18+), November 24, 2022 (Brazil - 16), November 24, 2022 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Netflix
- Alternative Titles: FirstLove初恋 (JP), 初恋 (CN)
- Production Companies: C&I entertainment, Netflix
- Production Countries: Japan
First Love - Plot
Young, free and madly in love. As teenagers, the world was their oyster—but, as adults, their lives seem dimmer, like a very important piece is missing.
First Love - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the story of lost love unfold across time.
Where to Watch First Love
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First Love - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Hikari Mitsushima
- Takeru Satoh
- Rikako Yagi
- Taisei Kido
- Kaho
- Minami
- Akiyoshi Nakao
- Towa Araki
- Aoi Yamada
- Gaku Hamada
Writers
- Yuri Kanchiku
Executive Producers
- Kaata Sakamoto
First Love - FAQs
Where can you stream First Love on Netflix?
First Love is available on Netflix as a flat-rate streaming title, meaning it's included with any standard Netflix subscription. It's also accessible on Netflix Standard with Ads, so viewers on the ad-supported plan can watch all 9 episodes without any additional cost.
Is First Love based on a true story?
First Love is not based on a true story. The series is an original drama written by Yuri Kanchiku, though it draws its emotional core and title from the iconic 1972 song "First Love" by Japanese singer Hikaru Utada, whose music weaves throughout the narrative as a thematic anchor.
What is the ending of First Love explained?
The finale brings Yae and Harumichi full circle after decades apart. Their reunion is bittersweet and emotionally charged, resolving the mystery of why their teenage love unraveled. The ending leans into quiet hope rather than grand gestures, suggesting that some connections survive time even when life pulls people in opposite directions.
Who are the lead actors in First Love?
The series stars Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Satoh as the adult versions of Yae Noguchi and Harumichi Namiki. Their younger selves are portrayed by Rikako Yagi and Taisei Kido. The supporting cast includes Kaho, Minami, Akiyoshi Nakao, Aoi Yamada, and Gaku Hamada.
Is First Love worth watching for non-Japanese audiences?
Absolutely. First Love resonated far beyond Japan after its Netflix debut, earning widespread praise for its lyrical storytelling, stunning dual-timeline structure, and deeply felt performances. Critics and audiences alike celebrated it as one of the most emotionally affecting romantic dramas of 2022, regardless of language or cultural background.
How does the dual timeline work in First Love?
First Love weaves between two time periods simultaneously — the passionate teenage years of Yae and Harumichi in the 1990s and their more subdued adult lives in the present day. The parallel structure gradually reveals how a single moment of lost connection shaped the next two decades of both their lives.
How many episodes does First Love have?
First Love consists of 9 episodes, all released at once on Netflix on November 24, 2022. The series is structured as a single-season miniseries, meaning the story is complete and self-contained with no planned continuation.
What are similar shows to watch after First Love?
If First Love left you wanting more, consider One Day (2024) and The Trunk (2024) for similarly emotional romantic storytelling. For other compelling dramas with romantic threads, Hierarchy (2024) and Devotion, a Story of Love and Desire (2022) are strong picks also available on Netflix.
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