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| Yamamoto Ryosuke & Utano Aoi Dive Into Offbeat Office Romance in New Late-Night Drama "Tada no Renai Nanka de Kikkonai" |
The show adapts Fukita Mafuyu’s manga “Tada no Renai Nanka de Kikkonai – Kojirase Joushi to Fechi na Buka”—a sweetly twisted office romance about a woman with a powerful smell fetish and a painfully shy boss who flinches at female interaction. Yep, you read that right.
🍃 What’s the drama about?
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Meet Yui no Sakura, a work-focused woman who’s never been big on romance—but has a very sensitive nose. When she gets transferred to a new department, she’s instantly hooked on the scent of her handsome yet standoffish boss, Kiritani Itsuki, a man still nursing wounds from past romantic failures.
But there’s a twist: Kiritani isn’t just shy. He’s literally the “can’t be touched” type—emotionally tangled and deeply uncomfortable around women. When Sakura learns the truth behind his aloofness, she boldly declares:
“I’ll help you get over your fear of women!”
What follows is a slow-burning, scent-triggered connection where boundaries blur, secrets spill, and healing (and hijinks) ensue.
💼 Who’s in it?
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Yamamoto Ryosuke as Kiritani Itsuki, the “don’t touch me” boss with hidden baggage
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Utano Aoi as Yui no Sakura, a quietly quirky scent-fetishist who leads with empathy
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Directed by Yamazaki Shimpei (Tsuyu no Atosaki)
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Script by Tanaka Akari
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Based on the manga by Fukita Mafuyu
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Theme song “Myouji” by Orange Spiny Club, originally from their indie band days as “The Douteez”
🎧 What do the stars say?
Yamamoto shared that this is his first time tackling a TL role, saying:
“Everyone has scars and silent struggles they carry. Watching how Kiritani slowly transforms after meeting Sakura—I hope viewers will feel that shift too.”
Utano Aoi added:
“Honestly, I felt a mix of excitement and pressure taking this on. But once we got into it, I fell for these characters. There’s warmth, humour, and so many touching moments. Plus, it’s full of that sweet tension fans love.”
💬 From the creators
Author Fukita Mafuyu was impressed with how much the live-action stuck to the heart of her manga:
“They really took their time with each scene. Watching it come to life made me think, ‘I want to see more!’”
Executive Producer Ito Kazuhiro noted:
“We’re telling a love story that starts in a weird place—through scent—but ends up being deeply human. It’s tender, funny, and just a bit offbeat, the kind of romance that sneaks up on you.”
Watch the trailer:
🕑 When and where to watch?
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Airs: Every Wednesday at 2 AM (JST), starting July 2, 2025, on TOKYO MX
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Streaming: Exclusive on DMM TV, with catch-up on TVer (Eng Sub not confirmed)
❓FAQs
Q: Is this drama steamy or sweet?
A: It’s a TL drama, so expect both—tingly tension with heart. But it’s more about emotional closeness than just physical.
Q: Is this suitable for casual J-drama fans?
A: If you liked shows like Coffee & Vanilla or Kimi wa Petto with a quirky twist, you’ll enjoy this.
Q: Is the manga available in English?
A: As of now, it hasn’t been officially translated. But with the drama out, fingers crossed for licensing soon.
Final whiff
With a unique premise, charming leads, and a solid creative team, Tada no Renai Nanka de Kikkonai might just be your next late-night guilty pleasure. It’s funny, it’s heartwarming, and a little bit strange—in the best way. Don’t sleep on this one… unless you plan to dream of Yamamoto Ryosuke’s cologne.