Entertainment
24 November 2025
Link copied to clipboardInside a classroom hangs a sign forbidding violence. Yet within seconds, two men square off and clash hard enough that security rushes in to separate them. In a separate cut, a woman hurls a splash of water at another. The trailer for Badly in Love wastes no time in revealing the intensity of Japan’s latest reality dating experiment.
Premiering globally on December 9, the series brings together 11 men and women whose pasts are marked by gang culture, violence, and personal upheaval — at a secluded “academy,” testing whether people who have led turbulent lives can build something as fragile as love.
Over two emotionally charged weeks, they navigate a living environment where rules discourage conflict, yet tempers, pride, and buried wounds make restraint difficult. Everything builds toward a graduation day when each participant must decide whether to confess their true feelings to the person they’ve grown close to.
Introducing the emcees
The newly announced emcee lineup brings three very different perspectives to the studio discussions:
MEGUMI: The series’ producer and an actor known for her interest in raw emotional storytelling
AK-69: A rapper whose intensity and directness resonate with the show’s themes
Nagano: A comedian who openly jokes that he’s “bad at dating shows,” yet offers a refreshing outsider lens
Their combined reactions — empathetic, analytical, and comedic — frame the cast’s journey with a balance of insight and levity.
Serving as the musical anchor of the series, the classic track by globe, “Love Again,” bridges eras and blends 90s intensity with the modern, understated style of today’s Japan. MEGUMI shares that she selected the song as its sincerity mirrors the show’s tone of raw, unfiltered emotion.
The cast: 11 individuals with past scars and new intentions
Each participant arrives at the academy with their own history, toughness, and hopes for a different future.
Men
Shunya Tsukahara (Tsu-chan), 30 — Hostess-club Owner A former biker-gang leader who claims “looks are everything.” Hates tomatoes.
Takumi Sato (Milk), 22 — Construction Worker A once-feared Kawasaki gang boss who becomes “hopelessly devoted” once in love.
Sho Tsuda (Tackle), 24 — Bonsai Artist Big in frame but surprisingly gentle. Once punched unruly club customers.
Nisei Sakurai (Nisei), 27 — Bar Owner A former street fighter turned boxer, a result of his mother’s tears.
Isamu Nishizawa (Yanboh), 30 — Rapper A university graduate and ex-yakuza member who expresses feelings bluntly.
Tensei Nanahoshi (Ten-ten), 25 — Host-club host Effortlessly charismatic, with a self-declared perfect record of successful love declarations.
Women
Otoha (Oto-san), 22 — Student/Hostess Recognizable for her full-torso tattoos. Desperate to be loved.
Yuria (Baby), 25 — Painter/Performer Grew up in poverty and foster care. Trained in karate but craves affection beneath the strength.
Hikaru (Tekarin), 21 — Bar Staff/Underground Fighter Expelled after fighting back against a senior student. Despite rough language, she loves kids.
Kirei (Kiichan), 23 — Model/Makeup Instructor A gal-style fashion devotee and former fighter who carries a wooden sword. Loyal and strong-willed.
AMO (Amo), 27 — Show Dancer Confident queen bee who vows to “win them all.” Once received love declarations from 50 guys.
Enter the messy world of Badly in Love this December 9, only on Netflix.
About Badly in Love
Creator/Producer: MEGUMI Producer: Natsuko Ogata Staging Director: Tsuyoshi Kimura Chief Director: Mutsuya Ikeda Production: STAFF LaBBi Produced by: Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/badlyinlove
Release Schedule
December 9: Episodes 1-4
December 16: Episodes 5-7
December 23: Episodes 8-10