First Love (Netflix)

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Drama: First Love
Romaji: First Love Hatsukoi
Japanese: First Love 初恋
Director: Yuri Kanchiku
Writer: Yuri Kanchiku
Network: Netflix
Episodes: 9
Release Date: November 24, 2022
Runtime:
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

A man and a woman retrace their memory of an unforgettable first love. They first met in the 1990's and grew up together in the 2000's.

Yae Noguchi (Hikari Mitsushima) wants to become a flight attendant, but she has an accident. Harumichi Namiki (Takeru Satoh) becomes a pilot for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. He quits being a pilot and goes the other way.

Cast

Hikari Mitsushima - Yae Noguchi
Takeru Satoh - Harumichi Namiki
Rikako Yagi - Yae Noguchi (young)
Taisei Kido - Harumichi Namiki (young)
Kaho - Tsunemi
Minami - Yuu Namiki
Akiyoshi Nakao - Bonji
Towa Araki - Tsuzuru
Aoi Yamada - Komori
Gaku Hamada - Ohtaro
Osamu Mukai - brain surgeon
Arata Iura - Akihiko
Kyoko Koizumi - Kihako Noguchi
Eimi Hiraoka

Trailers

Comments

A ble Nov 20 2023 9:48 am I watched because I had my first love and it never died. I cried many times and I am very happy their ending was fulfilling a dream. The movie has a good plot, and movement towards the end surprises the viewer.

Shairli Oct 22 2023 1:07 am I cried buckets! The storyline & the love they have is beautiful. Watching this because of Takeru Satoh & ended loving Hikari Mitsushima too. They fit the roles. ♡♡♡

June Sep 17 2023 7:03 am I really loved watching First Love for the second time. I love the story line. Very emotional made me cry. All actors/actresses were fabulous. Thumbs up to this Jdrama. Love Love ? it.

Tito Jeyshen Aug 25 2023 10:13 am I was reluctant to watch it because iTs not anime. But i was really looking for something to watch for and decided to give it a try. Its like a diamond in tHe rough. It is one of my fave series in netflix from now on. The actors truly delivered! I fell in love and got my heart broken in this series. A must watch for those who seek true love. Btw i watched it in original audio. That is why i really felt everything!

Jho Jul 26 2023 2:29 am Highly recommended... One of the best jdrama

Patorisha Jun 25 2023 7:10 pm I have watched a lot of Jdrama before and some Kdrama but this one—First Love is the best and exceptional! It was truly a masterpiece! It has been suggested to me by Netflix on December 2022 but I didn't watch it because I thought it was just a typical boy-meets-girl-then-separate love story, but BOY! I was wrong. I regret not watching it earlier:( In fact, I just finished watching it on June 24, 2023. Took me 7months before I finally watch it xD but it was soo goood:( Definitely my top on the list!!! Until now I can't move on with the story and the acting of the cast! ??

If you're looking for a sign to watch First Love on Netflix, then this is your sign! Douzo!

Balqis Jun 11 2023 1:57 pm This is sad. Im crying late at night and tomorrow im working.

Nanashix88 Jun 06 2023 9:16 pm Got ghostbump from the flashback memories at the end of episode 8... Great story indeed.. And I will listening to first love by utada hikaru as Special and never feel the same as before.

Princess Apr 22 2023 12:46 am Two thumbs up !!!! I am a kdrama fan, this is my very first Japanese drama and it did not disappoint. The love story is insanely beautiful. I fell in love with the young and old characters.. this is now one of my favorite dramas of all times. I will never get tired watching this over and over again.. highly recommended!

xrey Mar 21 2023 8:14 pm Anybody know the address of the restaurant where they were going to meet for Napolitan Spaghetti?

Chip Mar 12 2023 4:13 am First Love is a masterpiece of writing, directing and acting. Cinematography was superb! Was in tears of sadness and joy so many times during the episodes. More please! Keep on! You are brilliant!

Tris Mar 03 2023 10:10 pm We love the story, but after all most of us are Otaros (Yae's taxi coworker) and Tsunemis (Namiki's girlfriend).

The visuals, music, and songs are above average J Drama. The sub stories are very entertaining. But too many Hollywood elements getting into the J fabric, like the many explicit scenes, etc.

Overall, it's a good Netflix experiment to imbue Hollywood recipes into J show. But the right blend is still not found, I think, at least in this one. I'm still watching Makanai, and I think it has a better dose of Hollywood.

One thing I would love Hollywood to infect J show products is the pace. Hollywood products have good pace. J show mostly too slow (budget considerations?) I think in this drama, Netflix show that budget is not their main consideration.

Bravo, Netflix! Not really like the Hollywood kind happy ending, but it's still packed a lot of wisdom from life. Arigatou Gozaimasu!

Juliette Chin Feb 24 2023 9:22 pm OMG, love the story, two lovers coming together love it. Happy ending. Love to TS & HM

Kdramastan Feb 08 2023 8:17 am it faintly reminds one of eternal sunshine of a spotless mind, Beautifully written and the cast especially the young harumichi is fabulous. Just go ahead and watch.

Alia Oneill Jan 29 2023 11:59 pm Love all and every episode . Watched it 3 time and still wat hing again for the forth time. I love love the dong you will alwzy be my love it breaks my heart every time Love love love it

ken Jan 20 2023 8:06 am The people complaining about the schmaltz are probably not familiar with the melodrama genre (which this show is in). Unlike in popular K dramas where romcom tropes reign and melodrama's reserved for daytime soap operas, in Japan (like in Mexico and the Philippines and 1950s USA), melodrama is a more popular genre, and sentimentality, exaggerated emotion, amnesia, beautiful visuals and decades-spanning stories are typical melodrama ingredients. To complain about schmaltz while watching a melodrama is like complaining that a horror movie has scary scenes or that a sitcom has jokes. You're not complaining about a flaw, you're complaining about the genre. I do agree that the show's very bloated, though.

To @Nick Beacham Watts ー Utada's "First Love" was used in the 1999 *Japanese* TV series "Majo no Jouken" aired in TBS. The earlier comment mentioning the Kdrama "Beloved Eun-dong" was only talking about how the two shows use the same amnesia trope and the decades-spanning scope ー both usual melodrama cliches.

Hyperborea Jan 09 2023 2:02 pm Beautiful story, I loved it!

Nick Beacham Watts Jan 08 2023 12:29 pm I had high hopes for this as I have enjoyed the actors. But two problems quickly arose. Firstly, the format of time shifting back and forth between eras. this got me quickly confused, which only deepened as the episodes past. Second, I couldn't reconcile the two actresses playing Yae Noguchi.They are in no way physically resemblant of each other and for me this should have made the time-shifting format a no no. I also found the pace became monotonous and some scenes superfluous. Overall I would struggle to watch it again, though I may just to get the plot straight. Someone mentioned the earlier version, from which the song was taken. I think I watched it a few years ago but surely it was Korean, not Japanese

Katina Jan 06 2023 3:00 am Loved it! Strongly recommend this movie. I cried and laughed. Excellent actors and a terrific story.

J Dec 29 2022 7:03 pm I don't remember a Drama that made me tear up this much. So great

itsuki Dec 23 2022 5:41 pm Sorry this is not to expectation. It is popular because they are using First Love song but it is a little boring and trying very hard to appear deep. Should spend the time watching the original show again where the song was from. There is also something else running at the same period different time but extremely good.

Yentle1 Dec 22 2022 11:47 pm I just finished this drama. First Japanese drama for me and I just love the story. They were just fated to be together. I loved it from 1st episode. Nothing boring about it. Good acting and cinematography.

Susan Dec 17 2022 12:35 pm Good acting (especially by Hikari), touching story, beautiful cinematography and nice soundtrack. Yae's story made me shed so many tears. It has been a while since I felt so sorry for a character. She was still so kind-hearted despite all the things that happened to her though. I liked the young Harumichi but I didn't like how he handled things when he was an adult.

Taka Dec 16 2022 10:29 pm Beautifully made. Maybe cliche amnesia girl/high school love plot but Takeru Satoh never disappoints. Even if you're someone who has been bitter all this time, I bet you will still be touched by this story. They say first love never work out but...

Gerry O Dec 16 2022 5:20 pm I must be watching a different series. I could barely get through the first episode it was so boring. The story was very schmaltzy and the acting was wooden and not very convincing. I don’t think I’ll pick it up again and try to struggle through the rest of the episodes unless I hear that the story picks up a little.

Can Dec 15 2022 4:08 am Very touching. Well structured story. Memory is everything to us.

Montana Dec 12 2022 2:27 am I loved it so much. The soundtrack, the actors and the whole vibe is just breathtaking. I can already see myself watching this at least once a year during this time round. Winter just have became a lot more special with this movie! Kudos to everyone who brought this movie to life! ♡♡

Mary Dec 11 2022 6:33 pm This movie was so beautifully written. I felt the pain. Especially when Yae’s mother told Namiki that she was pregnant n was getting married. But my heart felt this indescribable feeling that was heartbroken when Yae’s mother gave him all the letters he had written her. I truly felt his pain. Glad to know they found each other in the end.

Mina Dec 10 2022 10:04 am I really liked this drama. Only major disappointment was his one night scene with a stranger. It was unnecessary and took away from the beautiful love story. Why? It was too gratuitous.

Baby Taehyung Dec 08 2022 12:42 am Very well done! Superb! It really touches me. It made me feel nostalgic. I love it so much.

iLwannie Dec 04 2022 2:52 am i love this JDrama! Not cringy, superb acting, very good direcrion. I give this 4.5/5!

Ryp Dec 03 2022 10:22 pm This one is soooooo beautiful. The storyline, plot, script, cinematography, osts, everything is so beautifully wrapped in a 9 episode. Im not a fan of dorama but this one is a must wacth in 2022. First love easily become one of my favourite series in 2022!

Gil Dec 01 2022 10:21 pm Never really watched JDramas but knowing this was inspired by Hikki’s iconic songs made it irresistible. Very well acted all around but definitely the standout performances were by the teen and adult counterparts. They sold the decades long love story and were believable and grounded. Story goes into tropes but it is how they worked within the tropes that sold the show. It is one of the most beautifully shot cinematographic series hands down as well. Definitely several levels above the standard JDrama or KDrama.

I Loved it. For those who felt First Love and First Loss, the titular song will hit extra hard. Definitely will rewatch again.

aisyahyong Dec 01 2022 2:52 am This is so cute but is so sad at the same time ???

Kaye Montenid Dec 01 2022 1:19 am This is an ultimate tearjerker. Cinematography is superb the soundtrack is also perfect for every era they were both into. If you want to reminisce your First Love, this is the best movie go to. Utada Hikaru's ever Classic First Love will always be my favorite Japanese song.

Carmel Hudson Dec 01 2022 12:16 am Sadly, it was her mother who made the decision to not include him in her daughters life after the accident, which was the biggest mistake the mother made for her daughters real recovery and happiness. This is the only frustration I felt about this story, apart from this, I love the drama it's beautifully made, the music sits in your head, and the actors are unforgettable. This drama will be in my library for always.

Automatic Dec 01 2022 12:03 am i wish i can forget about this show and watch it again...

JT Dec 01 2022 12:03 am Have to watch it twice to pick up the nuances. Utada Hikaru’s song brought back of my own memories. One thing I do wonder is what’s the significance of the color blue Yae wears. Stood out second time watching it. If anyone has any guesses lmk. Enjoyed this one a lot. Probably the first drama I watched 2 times back to back.

Matt Williams Nov 30 2022 10:22 pm I watched this twice. This is a wonderful story, well written and the acting is superb!

Mili Nov 30 2022 4:34 pm I haven’t seen it but based on the comments this j drama seems very similar to a k drama named “my love Eun Dong”. Met when kids then teenagers young adults mom and dad didn’t want her to marry her first love rather another guy who was more well off she then gets into an accident loses memory and doesn’t remember her first love and ends up marrying the guy her parents wanted her to marry and has a child…that seems very similar to this j drama. I highly recommend the k drama but I’ll watch this one too.

D Edens Nov 30 2022 1:16 am Just finished it,amazing and so heart felt. Acting and cinematography were spot on. Enjoyed every minute

G Nov 29 2022 11:18 am So much feels. Can't quite place my finger on how I feel. A combination of nostalgia for your youth, grieving over broken dreams, regret for lost time.

Stellar performance by the cast, made it easy to root for them. Kudos to the production team - cinematography and soundtrack were perfect. Poetic dialogue weaved in too.

Watch it now!!

Charlie Kim Nov 29 2022 10:07 am The pinnacle of storyteling and cinematography!! I love that the no-details transition between present and past is neatly presented without confusing viewers. Beautiful song by Hikaru Utada indeed. A solid 10/10!!

bon cam Nov 29 2022 1:53 am damn the drama is spot on. no wonder this is the best ive seen so far. beautifully executed! kudos to crew. job well done

When The Lilac Blooms Nov 28 2022 10:55 am All the cliches you could name fitted into one drama. An unforgettable first love, an accident that resulted in memory loss, being a single mother, giving up on your dreams, coincidental coincidences that are too good to be true and so many more. Yet, they all fit one another like a puzzle piece and were presented in the simplest and rawest way possible that does something to your heart that science can't explain.

First Love is such a breathtaking drama - plot, cinematography, acting, dialogues, songs and parallelism.

Words aren't even enough to describe this masterpiece, so why not watch it and see for yourself? <3

K Nov 28 2022 5:23 am I will tell you,this drama is a precious gem. Honestly I was hesitant to watch it after the first episode but decided to continue and I fell in love with the story. It’s not the typical “reminiscing” story that becomes boring, but what I like about this drama is they alternately shows the past and the present, like they don’t spend a lot of time in the past (it will get boring if they did). Chemistry of Takeru and Hikari is perfect. Love the 90’s vibe and sometimes there are some comedy that will make you laugh (and in love). The story line is perfect!

Noni Nov 28 2022 4:02 am @hanmayila watch Perfect World then

Heidi Nov 28 2022 12:35 am A beautiful story that is woven between past and current events. As it unfolded I was completely drawn in to the characters and wanting to know how it would all play out. There is wonderful subtlety and layers. Leads one to question, how much in life is fate? And how much is intention?

pinupgirl158 Nov 28 2022 12:17 am 10/10. I haven’t watched a J-Drama in a decade cause it just doesn’t hit hard enough for me. This was way too good and I hope they keep on making good quality J-dramas in the future. All of the actors did well. I cried almost every episode. Cinematography was so good too. The drama was so cinematic, even better than some movies. It felt so real, even the steak that Yea was cooking looked similar to the meat that we get, they don’t look perfect. Even the side stories of other characters were great. I still remember listening to Utada Hikaru at 14 and surprisingly I had a blue Panasonic portable CD player too, just a different model. I came from a broken family and this movie really was relatable. I could not recommend this enough.

Eva Nov 27 2022 10:55 pm Excellent story that captures your heart and full attention from start to finish! The acting and chemistry of the characters is fantastic. There are so many layers, twists and turns that make this such a beautiful love story that spans decades. Watch it, you won’t be disappointed. I’m sad it’s over, but the characters and the hit song will stay with me for a long time!

JaneW Nov 27 2022 8:48 pm Beautiful story! I recommended to watch for Kdrama and Jdrama fans, you will not regret! The acting is good and fitted to the roles and plot, i can feel the soul and feel the love in this drama the chemistry is so well including the song Hatsukoi.. Fantastic!

Jimmy Nov 27 2022 5:04 pm Finished the whole series within one day and feel missing now. The good plot plus with the great acting too. Takeru and Hikari did so well as I expect them but the younger versions of them also did well. I am sure I will re-watch this series when have time.

Hanmayila Nov 27 2022 11:17 am Hey! Any recs on similar J dramas? Really love this one.

NiNo Nov 27 2022 10:16 am one of the best J drama i watched. it will make you cry a few times but all worth it in the end. all the characters have great chemistry. 10/10

souta Nov 26 2022 11:49 pm naw cuz who was that guy on the bike in ep 5 at 32:49. he fine

nawalimadanteliolates Nov 26 2022 11:34 pm Love this series. It got me sobbing multiple times. Haven't watched J-drama for a while because none of the recent dramas really interest me. This one is just amazing; it invoked so many emotions in me. Love the acting. A++. I kept on replaying the Utada Hikaru-First Love song after I finished the whole series. That's when you know a drama has left some sort of mark on you.

CuriousMe Nov 26 2022 10:15 pm I'm sooo inlove with this drama. Worth waiting! I'm just wondering if Tsuzuru knows about Harumichi and Yea past?

otakuran Nov 26 2022 5:07 pm I never knew that dorama can moved my heart this much, I mean I do enjoy watch it but rarely get sentimental. And this one really got me! The cast are the best, they really into their character which make me feel happy yet sad at the same time. Big applause to Taisei Kido, who played young Harumichi so well, his acting make me remembered the beauty of being in love. :)

seyah23 Nov 26 2022 1:26 pm One of the best Jdrama I’ve watched. It brings back the old times. Takeru & Hikari has a good chemistry, and the young actors did a great job too. 待っててよかったです♡

Nickkk Nov 26 2022 12:58 pm Truly A Masterpiece with superb acting

emdee Nov 26 2022 12:19 pm Takeru & Hikari-san is obviously one of great actor/actress in jp, but in this dorama I take my hat off to Taisei Kido-kun. Although he hasn't play many projects before (cmiiw) He really successful for portraying young Harumichi. His gestures, his expression, his eyes, are superb. I got very emotional in every scene I've been watched

sugabb Nov 25 2022 7:20 pm btw, immediately fell in love with the song in episode 2 the first time i heard it. been trying to find it but i just couldn’t. thank you for the title??

sugabb Nov 25 2022 7:03 pm i just finished watching it and i can say that it is by far my most favorite japanese drama. the color grading and the cinematography are just too good as well as the characters and the soundtrack. the turn of events are properly laid out and every end of each episode just keeps me wanting more. it’s short compared to other dramas but i swear there are no questions left unanswered which makes it satisfying to watch. the song ‘first love’ just gives a different effect everytime it plays. esp in the last 2 episodes.. cried my eyes out towards the ending. such a heart warming and amazing story. 11/10

SHIQIN Nov 25 2022 7:03 pm so far the best japanese drama. In terms of story, acting and art, it is very good. I really can't predict the plot, so those who want to watch it, prepare tissues, especially at the end of episode 8, it really drains your tears. but fear not, the ending is very satisfying.

Jayden Nov 25 2022 12:29 pm Ep2 song - Ben Howard - old pine.

Love that they included his song in.

Yasminfzrs Nov 25 2022 8:37 am so far the best japanese drama. In terms of story, acting and art, it is very good. I really can't predict the plot, so those who want to watch it, prepare tissues, especially at the end of episode 8, it really drains your tears. but fear not, the ending is very satisfying.

Li Nov 25 2022 8:31 am Lerv this movie. They both look cute together either (young and old ones). I cried a lot for the last episode. That feeling when you finally be with someone you’ve been longing and love for the long time. ??

Yasmin Nov 25 2022 7:37 am Can someone tell me what is that song on ep2?

Aiv Nov 25 2022 4:30 am Love this show! Cry at 2 last ep.

A Nov 24 2022 11:07 pm Binge watched this just last night and this might be my favorite show of the year. Despite the first eight episodes showing heartbreak, loss and missed opportunities, the last episode will surely satisfy your hearts.

Mary Nov 24 2022 5:36 pm I'm sorry... but with such a selfish mother who doesn't let her daughter decide her own future and life... depriving her of a very important part of her life. Especially her first love and boyfriend! I would cut her out of my life too!!! Then she sees what it's like to cease to exist for someone!!! How can you live with such a lie to your daughter????? One can only hate this kind of behaviour!!!! And has she become happy with the rich ...mother...???!!!! I feel so sorry for Namiki !!!

Nikki Nov 24 2022 4:19 pm Worth the wait. I cried a lot but I so loved it. The song First Love is very nostalgic. I love both young and old versions of Yae and Haramuchi. I fell asleep during ep 8 because it was already 4am here my time but fought and won over my sleepiness and finished til ep 9. Great cinematography and great acting.

hine Nov 24 2022 6:11 am i was so excited for this show and have been waiting for weeks now, and it came out today! watched three episodes and I Love It! it's the definition of heart fluttering, and the cinematography is beautiful. acting is on point (as always) and the storyline is simple yet makes me want to hit 'next episode' every time an episode ends.

japanese shows really do not disappoint <3

Pauline Catalan Nov 24 2022 3:03 am I am currently watching this series! I always love Japanese series whatever genre it is (the exemption is the horror huhu). ♥

Falun Dafa is GOOD! Nov 24 2022 1:32 am Even I never been fan with Japanese culture, but huge funny is that's just like combine so much and much then get very comfortable of mixturing as directly point to world No.1 show.

Not first love and more precious even far beyond first love the definition. The relating is call by natural. :)

first love Nov 19 2022 11:13 pm i can't wait for this show <3

Karina Oct 30 2022 11:06 pm when will this series release on netflix? can't wait !! really like the song and of course Takeru Satoh

Tanushree Sep 25 2022 4:18 pm Came here after seeing the trailer on Netflix's Tadum, I'm super pumped for this

Kelly Tan May 21 2022 12:10 pm I hope we can watch this very soon. I check Netflix every day.

Elle Jan 10 2022 5:18 am When it was announced I was like 2022 is too far away can't believe 2021 took such a speed run we'll get this one soon

KhinThanYee Sep 14 2021 6:32 am Want to see already

Elle Sep 04 2021 12:02 pm This better be available in India

Tina Aug 08 2021 9:16 am Cant wait for this. I've read that this will be inspired by Utada Hikaru 's First Love song.

LyraMarie Jul 02 2021 12:20 am Excited to see this. Hopefully, Netflix Philippines ?

Sarah Torres Jun 24 2021 11:45 pm Can't wait!??

Rose escalante Jun 20 2021 5:32 am Wow i hope it will be available in the philippines.. i so love takeru..hope this will.be subbed...

Zao Dec 12 2020 6:18 am These two together are a dream come true omg but why in 2022 too far ?

April Dec 03 2020 7:07 am Hikari Mitsushima is back <3 it's going to be a high quality dorama!!

mshrm Dec 03 2020 1:07 am Takeru and Hikari, cant waittt

First Love (Netflix)

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