Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m diving into the series First Love: Hatsukoi, a show that has captivated audiences globally with its intensely emotional narrative, nostalgic setting, and the uniquely poignant sadness that Japanese dramas excel at portraying.
First Love: Hatsukoi debuted on Netflix on November 24, 2022, consisting of 9 episodes, each lasting about 50-60 minutes. The series stars Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Satoh in the lead roles, adding profound layers to this romantic melodrama. Inspired by the classic Hikaru Utada songs, “First Love” and “Hatsukoi,” the show offers a distinctive viewing experience, resembling a musical journey brought to life on screen.
This love story skillfully delves into themes of lost love, second chances, and the bittersweet essence of memories. Spanning from the late 1990s to modern times, it follows two individuals whose unforgettable first love as teenagers reconnects them as adults, despite their lives not aligning with their youthful dreams.
With breathtaking cinematography, emotionally rich performances, and a narrative that seamlessly shifts between past and present, First Love: Hatsukoi provides an intimate reflection on love, loss, and paths not taken.
In the late 90s
During the late 90s, Yae Noguchi and Harumichi Namiki met and fell deeply in love as teenagers in Hokkaido. After finishing high school, Yae went to Tokyo for college, while Harumichi joined the Japan Air Self-Defense Force as a pilot. Their journeys diverged, leading to over two decades of separation.
The series beautifully intertwines their youthful romance with their current lives, showing how their first love influenced who they have become. Reconnecting in their 40s, burdened by unfulfilled dreams and life’s setbacks, they face the challenge of whether their first love can endure the reality of their present selves.
Yae Noguchi: Dreams Deferred
Hikari Mitsushima offers a nuanced portrayal of Yae Noguchi, a woman whose aspiration of becoming a flight attendant was derailed by a tragic incident. Mitsushima skillfully conveys Yae’s blend of youthful optimism and the quiet acceptance of middle age.
Her performance captures the complexity of a woman who has learned to live with disappointment, yet still clings to hope for something better. Mitsushima’s ability to navigate between the lively teenager Yae once was and the more subdued woman she is now is exceptional, crafting a character that feels genuine and relatable.
Harumichi Namiki: A Pilot Grounded
Takeru Satoh brings depth and vulnerability to Harumichi Namiki, a former Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilot who left his career for reasons gradually revealed throughout the series. Satoh’s portrayal embodies the silent strength of a man who has accepted compromise but never fully let go of his first love.
The chemistry between Satoh and Mitsushima is striking, creating romantic moments that are both tender and heartbreaking. Their reunion scenes are charged with the tension of two people who shared something wonderful and are trying to determine its place in their current reality.
The Music of Memory
The series excels in using Hikaru Utada’s songs not just as background music but as emotional touchstones that bridge past and present. The integration of these songs into the narrative creates moments of profound emotional impact, enhancing the viewing experience.
The series’ climactic episodes utilize music to highlight the characters’ emotional journeys, crafting scenes that resemble visual poetry. The show demonstrates that when music and storytelling are perfectly synchronized, the result can be truly transcendent.
Success on Netflix
First Love: Hatsukoi has emerged as a major success in Netflix’s Asian content lineup, boasting an impressive 8.4/10 rating on IMDb and receiving widespread critical acclaim. The series has been lauded for its realistic storytelling, superb acting, and its ability to capture universal themes of love and loss that resonate globally. Many viewers have praised the series as a beautiful tribute to classic Japanese melodramas while maintaining a thoroughly modern appeal. The show’s 9-episode format offers perfect pacing, allowing the story to unfold naturally without feeling rushed or prolonged, making it an ideal binge-watch for fans of thoughtful, character-driven drama.
If you enjoy Japanese dramas, nostalgic romance, and series that explore the intricacies of human emotions with remarkable depth, First Love: Hatsukoi is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
First Love: Hatsukoi demonstrates that some stories deserve to be told slowly and beautifully, leaving a lasting impression long after the final episode concludes.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 9 episodes (1 season)
- Platform: Netflix
- Rating: 8.4/10 (IMDb)
- Genre: Romance, Drama, Melodrama
- Main Characters: Hikari Mitsushima (Yae Noguchi), Takeru Satoh (Harumichi Namiki)
- Antagonist: Time, circumstances, and life’s disappointments (no traditional antagonist)