Love Begins in the World of If poster
#2423 This Week

Love Begins in the World of If

Love Begins in the World of If  ·  2025, Japan
7.7
4,150 ratings
6
Episodes
0
Watchlisted
● Completed 🕑 2025

A year has passed since Kano Akihito was transferred from a technical position to the sales department. Although he possesses strong technical knowledge, his reserved nature makes it hard for him to fit in, leaving him…

Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Episodes
Reviews (5)

Feeling stuck in his own life, Kano Akihito has spent a year struggling to adapt to his new role in the sales department. Though his technical skills are sharp, his reserved nature leaves him isolated from colleagues—especially the competent, quietly intense Ogami Seiji, whose constant oversight makes Kano feel even more inadequate. Desperate for a fresh start, Kano stumbles upon a mysterious shrine and wishes for a better version of himself. He wakes in a parallel world where that wish seems to have come true: here, he is confident, respected, and—astonishingly—on close, affectionate terms with a warmer version of Ogami. But as Kano enjoys this seemingly perfect life, he begins to realize that the world itself isn't the solution—it's a mirror. He must confront his own fears, insecurities, and the truth that real change begins not in another universe, but within. Balancing workplace drama, subtle romance, and a touch of fantasy, this Japanese BL offers a heartfelt, introspective journey about taking that first step toward becoming the person you want to be.

E01
1
Love Begins in the World of If Episode 1
Season 1 · Nov 21, 2025
~ min
E02
2
Love Begins in the World of If Episode 2
Season 1 · Nov 28, 2025
~ min
E03
3
Love Begins in the World of If Episode 3
Season 1 · Dec 05, 2025
~ min
E04
4
Love Begins in the World of If Episode 4
Season 1 · Dec 12, 2025
~ min
E05
5
Love Begins in the World of If Episode 5
Season 1 · Dec 19, 2025
~ min
E06
6
Love Begins in the World of If Episode 6
Season 1 · Dec 26, 2025
~ min
7.7
out of 10
10
623
9
1453
8
1245
7
498
6
208
CB
cherry_blossom_dreams
December 28, 2025
8/10
As a total romantic shipper, I was utterly charmed by the height difference and the way Ogami quietly watches out for Kano. The alternate-world Ogami felt a bit too perfect, but I loved watching Kano slowly realize that the real Ogami cares just as much—if not more. Yes, the kiss was a bit disappointing, but the emotional payoff in the final episode still made my heart flutter. This is a wholesome, introspective romance that asks you to pay attention to the little gestures.
PH
plot_hole_hunter
January 2, 2026
6/10
I wanted to love this more, but the pacing really dragged in the middle episodes. The parallel-world concept starts strong, but once Kano returns to his own reality, the story rushes past all the interesting relationship rebuilding. Characters don't talk through their feelings—they just stare at each other until the plot moves on. Also, that kiss? It felt like they ran out of time and just pressed lips together for a second. Strictly okay as a character-study drama, but as a BL it left me wanting more.
CE
cinephile_eyes
December 20, 2025
9/10
The camerawork in this series is extraordinary. Every scene is framed with intention—the cool blue-gray palette of the real world versus the warm amber tones of the ideal world tells the entire emotional story before a single line of dialogue. Long takes on Kano's isolated desk, the soft focus on Ogami's silhouette... It's pure visual poetry. The story itself is simple, but the direction elevates it into something truly moving. A masterclass in how lighting and color grading can define character arcs.
EY
ethically_yours
January 5, 2026
7/10
I appreciate that this drama tries to deliver a message about personal accountability and communication, but I have to call out the boundary issue in the intimate scene. When Kano says 'stop' and Ogami responds with 'I can't wait any longer' before continuing, that's a red flag in terms of consent. It's a brief moment, but it tainted the otherwise healthy relationship development for me. I liked the fantasy framing and the focus on internal growth, but the show could have handled that scene more carefully to align with its own themes of respect and understanding.
MT
manga_to_screen
December 15, 2025
7.5/10
Having read the original short manga 'If no Sekai de Koi ga Hajimaru', I was curious how they'd expand such a concise story into 6 episodes. The adaptation actually does a solid job adding depth to Kano's workplace struggles, but it loses the manga's snappier pacing and sacrifices some of the alternate-world whimsy. The actors capture the essence of the characters well, especially Nakagawa Daisuke's dual performance as both Ogamis. A worthy adaptation for fans who want more introspection, but purists may miss the original's lighter touch.