Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Second to Last Love (Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi), which touched hearts worldwide with its refreshingly honest portrayal of mature love and the possibility of finding romance in your mid-40s.
Second to Last Love premiered on January 12, 2012, and ran for 10 episodes until March 22, 2012, followed by a second season in 2014 and a third season in 2025. Each episode runs approximately 54 minutes and was produced for Fuji Television, starring the talented duo Kyōko Koizumi and Kiichi Nakai. The series is available on various streaming platforms including Netflix, bringing this heartwarming mature romance to international audiences seeking authentic relationship stories.
This beautifully crafted J-drama explores themes rarely addressed in television: the fears and hopes of middle-aged singles, the possibility of finding love after 40, and the beauty of relationships built on understanding rather than passion. Set in the charming coastal town of Kamakura, Second to Last Love presents an adult love story that feels refreshingly realistic and emotionally mature.
What makes this series particularly special is how it celebrates the complexity of midlife relationships while showing that age doesn’t diminish the capacity for deep connection and genuine romance.
Finding Love in Life’s Second Act: The Central Plot
Second to Last Love follows Chiaki Yoshino, a 45-year-old single television drama producer who has prioritized her career over romance for decades. Rather than focusing on dating, Chiaki worries about practical concerns like her health, financial security, and plans to buy a house with a friend for her later years. Her carefully planned single life gets complicated when she moves to Kamakura and becomes neighbors with the Nagakura family.
The series doesn’t rush into romance but instead takes time to establish Chiaki’s realistic concerns about middle-aged dating and the social pressures faced by unmarried women in Japanese society. Her relationship with Wahei Nagakura develops slowly and naturally, showing how genuine compatibility can bloom between people who understand life’s complexities and challenges.
Second to Last Love masterfully explores how mature adults approach relationships differently than younger people, focusing on compatibility, understanding, and emotional security rather than just physical attraction or romantic idealism.
Chiaki’s Journey: Embracing Love Despite Fear
Kyōko Koizumi delivers an exceptional performance as Chiaki, creating a character that feels authentic and relatable to anyone who has questioned whether it’s too late for love. Her portrayal showcases the internal conflict between wanting companionship and fearing the vulnerability that comes with opening your heart at midlife.
Chiaki’s evolution throughout Second to Last Love demonstrates how professional success doesn’t automatically translate to personal fulfillment. Her character represents the modern working woman who has sacrificed personal relationships for career advancement, only to discover that achievements feel hollow without someone to share them with.
The performance captures Chiaki’s intelligence, independence, and gradual softening as she learns to balance her practical nature with her emotional needs, making her a character that viewers can both admire and relate to in their own relationship journeys.
Wahei’s Gentle Courtship: Love Without Drama
Kiichi Nakai brings warmth and authenticity to Wahei Nagakura, a character who represents the possibility of finding a partner who values stability and companionship over excitement and passion. His approach to courtship is refreshingly mature, focusing on friendship and understanding rather than grand romantic gestures.
Wahei’s character challenges typical romantic drama conventions by showing how genuine love can develop through shared experiences, mutual respect, and emotional compatibility. Second to Last Love uses his character to explore themes of patience, kindness, and the beauty of relationships that grow organically rather than exploding into instant passion.
The chemistry between Wahei and Chiaki feels natural and believable, representing the kind of mature love that prioritizes emotional intimacy and long-term compatibility over fleeting romance.
When Hearts Finally Open: Overcoming Midlife Romance Fears
The pivotal moments in Second to Last Love occur not through dramatic confrontations but through quiet realizations about what truly matters in relationships. The series explores how both Chiaki and Wahei must overcome their fears about starting over romantically in their 40s, including concerns about judgment from family and friends.
The emotional turning points focus on genuine conversations about fears, hopes, and the practical realities of midlife romance. Second to Last Love doesn’t shy away from addressing real concerns like whether it’s selfish to prioritize personal happiness or how to blend established independent lives into a partnership.
These moments create genuine emotional resonance because they address the real fears and hopes that mature adults experience when considering new relationships, making the romance feel authentic rather than fantastical.
Family and Community Dynamics
The strength of Second to Last Love lies in its rich portrayal of the extended Nagakura family and Kamakura community, creating a realistic social environment where relationships develop naturally. The family dynamics add depth without overwhelming the central romance, showing how new relationships affect entire family structures.
The series features various neighbors, colleagues, and family members who represent different perspectives on love, marriage, and aging. Second to Last Love also explores the relationships between different generations, showing how attitudes toward love and marriage have evolved while some fundamental needs remain constant.
These supporting characters create a warm, community-centered atmosphere that makes the romance feel grounded in real-world relationships and social connections.
Success on Fuji TV and International Appeal
Second to Last Love became a significant success for Fuji TV, resonating strongly with Japanese audiences who appreciated its mature approach to romance and realistic portrayal of midlife concerns. The series’ success led to multiple seasons and special episodes, demonstrating sustained audience interest in stories about mature relationships.
The show’s success proved that there was a significant audience hungry for stories about love after 40, challenging the youth-focused nature of most romantic dramas. Second to Last Love‘s international distribution has found appreciative audiences worldwide, particularly among viewers who feel underrepresented by typical romance stories focused on younger characters.
The series’ exploration of universal themes like second chances, mature love, and finding happiness at any age has made it relatable to international audiences seeking authentic relationship stories.
A Heartwarming Mature Romance Worth Watching
If you love realistic romantic dramas with mature characters and authentic relationship development, Second to Last Love is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This Japanese drama offers everything viewers seek: genuine emotional depth, relatable characters, beautiful cinematography, and a love story that celebrates the possibility of finding happiness at any stage of life.
Why This Series Offers Perfect Comfort Viewing
Second to Last Love stands apart from typical romance dramas by offering a story that feels genuinely possible and emotionally authentic, focusing on the quiet beauty of mature relationships rather than dramatic passion. The series combines excellent performances with thoughtful writing that respects both its characters and viewers, making it essential viewing for anyone seeking romantic stories that reflect real-world relationship experiences.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 3 seasons – Season 1: 10 episodes (2012), Season 2: 11 episodes (2014), Season 3: ongoing (2025)
Platform: Netflix, Fuji TV (original broadcaster)
Release/End Year: 2012-ongoing
Current IMDb Rating: 8.4
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Production Type: Japanese Drama (J-Drama)
Status: Completed first two seasons, third season currently airing
Main Protagonists: Kyōko Koizumi (Chiaki), Kiichi Nakai (Wahei)
Main Antagonist: Fear of vulnerability and societal expectations about aging