Plot Summary: What Is Love Is Better the Second Time Around About?
Love Is Better the Second Time Around (original title: 恋をするなら二度目が上等) is a Japanese boys’ love drama built around a second-chance romance. At its centre are Akihiro Miyata and Takashi Iwanaga, who were each other’s first love back in high school before their paths split.
Years later, Akihiro works in journalism and Takashi has become a university professor. When their work brings them face to face again, the meeting is anything but neutral. Both men have to decide how much of their shared history to acknowledge while keeping things professional. Feelings they assumed were long settled start to surface, and the question becomes whether a relationship that ended once deserves another attempt.
The story moves between the adult present and memories of their younger selves, so viewers see where the bond began alongside the uneasy reunion. Inner monologue plays a noticeable role, letting the audience hear what the characters leave unsaid to each other. The result is a quiet, character-driven look at old love, regret and the possibility of starting over, adapted from a manga.
Review Guide: What Makes This Series Notable
- Cast: Makoto Hasegawa plays Akihiro Miyata and Robin Furuya plays Takashi Iwanaga. Their teenage counterparts are played by Haruki Mochizuki (young Akihiro) and Nose Rin (young Takashi). Aloha Takamatsu appears as Yuto Shiraishi and Shunya Shiraishi as Kyosuke Sugimoto. The supporting cast also includes Akune Haruse (Taniguchi Rui), Motoki Fukami (Takaki Hibino), Yusuke Onuki (Sota Arima) and Riko Nagase (Ako Fukuda).
- Directors: Yuka Yasukawa and Nao Nomura.
- Broadcasters: MBS and TBS in Japan.
- Source material: The series is based on a manga.
- Format: There are two seasons and 13 episodes in total, each running about 24 minutes. Season 1 has 6 episodes and premiered on March 5, 2024. Season 2 has 7 episodes and premiered on September 2, 2026. The series has ended, with its finale on October 7, 2026.
- Genre: Drama, specifically a gay romance in the BL (boys’ love) tradition, with a strong focus on second chances.
Who Will Enjoy It
- Fans of Japanese BL dramas and gay romance stories
- Viewers who like second-chance or ex-lover reunion plots
- People looking for a short series with compact, roughly half-hour episodes
- Readers who enjoy manga adaptations
- Anyone drawn to quiet, introspective romances told partly through inner monologue
Where to Watch Love Is Better the Second Time Around in the US
In the United States, Love Is Better the Second Time Around is listed on Rakuten Viki, where it is available with a subscription. No other official platforms are listed for the US at this time. Choosing a legal service supports the creators and gives you proper subtitles and video quality.
Trailer
Cast
Makoto Hasegawaas Akihiro Miyata13 episodes
Robin Furuyaas Takashi Iwanaga13 episodes
Aloha Takamatsuas Yuto Shiraishi13 episodes
Shunya Shiraishias Kyosuke Sugimoto10 episodes
Akune Haruseas Taniguchi Rui7 episodes
Motoki Fukamias Takaki Hibino7 episodes
Yusuke Onukias Sota Arima7 episodes
Nose Rinas Takashi Iwanaga [Young]6 episodesSee credits →
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 2 | 1 | Aired | |
| 2 | 2 | Aired | |
| 2 | 3 | Aired | |
| 2 | 4 | Aired | |
| 2 | 5 | Aired | |
| 2 | 6 | Aired | |
| 2 | 7 | Aired |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- How many episodes does Love Is Better the Second Time Around have?
- The series has 13 episodes across two seasons. Season 1 has 6 episodes and Season 2 has 7. Each episode runs about 24 minutes.
- Where can I watch Love Is Better the Second Time Around legally in the US?
- In the US, the series is listed on Rakuten Viki, which requires a subscription.
- Who is in the cast of Love Is Better the Second Time Around?
- Makoto Hasegawa stars as Akihiro Miyata and Robin Furuya as Takashi Iwanaga. The cast also includes Aloha Takamatsu, Shunya Shiraishi, Akune Haruse, Motoki Fukami and Yusuke Onuki. Haruki Mochizuki and Nose Rin play the younger versions of the two leads.
- When was Love Is Better the Second Time Around released?
- Season 1 premiered on March 5, 2024, and Season 2 premiered on September 2, 2026. The series aired on MBS and TBS in Japan.
- What genre is Love Is Better the Second Time Around?
- It is a Japanese drama in the boys' love (BL) genre. It centres on a second-chance romance between former high school sweethearts and is based on a manga.
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