Mone Kamishiraishi
Sakura Nanase
Overview
A spin-off special drama series from "Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo", this show is set in the bar where nurse Nanase and her workmates often go for drinks after work. The bar is known for a good-looking waiter who has fortune-telling skills, they say that those who have worries or troubles with their love life ought to ask him
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 10 episodes
- First aired
- Jan 14, 2020
Cast
Reviews
4 min readThe Bar Where Love Lingers
I’ve always been a sucker for the spaces between the story—the places where characters go to catch their breath, to let the weight of what’s happened settle for a moment. Love Will Still Last Forever is one of those spaces. A 10-episode spin-off from An Incurable Case of Love, it trades the sterile fluorescence of a hospital for the dim, amber glow of Nekofuku, a bar where the main couple, nurse Nanase and the enigmatic Dr.
Tendo, retreat after their shifts. The series doesn’t so much advance the plot as it does let the air out of it, slowly, like the hiss of a beer bottle being opened. And in that release, something quietly profound happens.
It’s easy to dismiss this kind of spin-off as mere fan service, the kind of thing studios greenlight when they’ve wrung every last drop of drama from a premise. But Love Will Still Last Forever isn’t interested in grand gestures or high-stakes conflicts. Instead, it lingers in the mundane, the in-between—those moments when two people who love each other aren’t saving lives or confessing their feelings, but simply existing side by side.
The bar setting is crucial here. Bars are liminal spaces, neither here nor there, where people go to be both seen and unseen. Nekofuku, with its fortune-telling waiter Nekota (Mario Kuroba), becomes a kind of confessional, a place where the characters’ unspoken fears and hopes bubble to the surface not through dramatic monologues, but through offhand remarks and half-finished drinks.
The series’ greatest strength is its restraint. Each episode runs a brisk 14 minutes, a length that forces the writers to strip away any pretense of plot. What’s left is pure character study, a chance to watch Mone Kamishiraishi and Takeru Satoh—who play Nanase and Tendo, respectively—navigate the quiet rhythms of a relationship that’s already been established.
Audience Opinions
"A heartfelt but uneven romance with standout lead performances that keep viewers invested despite pacing issues."
The chemistry between Mone Kamishiraishi and Takeru Satoh is widely praised, providing emotional depth to the series. However, some find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally meandering, which detracts from the overall experience. latestnetflix.com's take is that Coverage is sparse, but early reactions highlight the leads as the strongest asset.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead chemistry The on-screen dynamic between Kamishiraishi and Satoh is frequently highlighted as the series' most compelling element.
- Emotional depth Viewers appreciate the heartfelt and sincere portrayal of the romantic relationship.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Some find the series drags in places, making it harder to stay engaged throughout.
- Uneven narrative The story occasionally loses focus, with moments that feel less cohesive or impactful.
Recommended for
Romance drama fans Mone Kamishiraishi admirers Takeru Satoh enthusiasts Slow-burn relationship stories
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Love Will Still Last Forever: The Takemone Chemistry That Stole Hearts
Love Will Still Last Forever (2020), the romantic drama helmed by Ryôsuke Fukuda, became an instant fan favorite—thanks in no small part to the undeniable on-screen chemistry between leads Mone Kamishiraishi and Takeru Satoh. But how much of that magic was real? latestnetflix.com's read is that while the series itself is a tender exploration of love and resilience, the off-screen dynamics between its stars have fueled just as much buzz.
The Takemone Phenomenon: More Than Just On-Screen Magic?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvjx3qmrla0
Fans quickly coined the portmanteau "Takemone" to describe the pairing of Kamishiraishi and Satoh, a duo whose rapport in Love Will Still Last Forever felt effortlessly genuine. The question on everyone’s lips: Were the sparks between them purely acting, or was there something deeper? While neither star has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship, the speculation hasn’t died down—especially after their collaboration in An Incurable Case of Love (2021), where they reunited as a couple . The timing of their back-to-back projects only added fuel to the fire, with viewers dissecting every glance and gesture for clues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KoKKQEP14w
Kamishiraishi, known for her roles in hit dramas like Your Lie in April, has a reputation for bringing emotional depth to her characters, and Love Will Still Last Forever was no exception. Satoh, a seasoned actor with a career spanning action (Rurouni Kenshin) and romance (Orange), matched her intensity scene for scene. Their dynamic was so compelling that some fans even dubbed the series a "Takemone showcase" .
Behind the Scenes: A Low-Key but High-Stakes Production
Unlike blockbuster productions with behind-the-scenes documentaries or cast interviews, Love Will Still Last Forever kept its off-screen moments relatively private. However, a few details have trickled out:
YTYouTube·Kamishiraishi Mone | Love Lasts Forever | all he… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_yMdK7t3FE- Mario Kuroba’s Role: While Kamishiraishi and Satoh dominated headlines, co-star Mario Kuroba (who played a pivotal supporting character) brought a lighter energy to the set. Though his role wasn’t as central, his interactions with the leads were reportedly warm and collaborative .
YTYouTube·Review: Koi wa tsuzuku yo dokomade mo (Love Last… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhnQfFwJ4k- Fukuda’s Direction: Director Ryôsuke Fukuda, known for his work on emotionally charged dramas, reportedly gave the cast creative freedom to explore their characters’ relationships. This hands-off approach may have contributed to the natural chemistry viewers adored .
- Fan-Driven Hype: The series’ success was amplified by fan edits and reaction videos, particularly those highlighting Kamishiraishi and Satoh’s scenes. YouTube channels dedicated to their collaborations, like MariDrama, praised the show’s ability to balance romance and realism .
The Unanswered Questions
Despite the buzz, some mysteries remain:
- Real-Life Romance? While rumors persist, neither Kamishiraishi nor Satoh has addressed the speculation directly. Their social media interactions are friendly but professional, leaving fans to draw their own conclusions .
- Future Collaborations? With both actors continuing to take on high-profile projects, the possibility of another Takemone reunion lingers. For now, Love Will Still Last Forever stands as their most iconic pairing.
- Awards and Recognition? The series didn’t make major awards waves, but its cultural impact—particularly among romance drama fans—is undeniable. Viewer reviews consistently highlight its emotional depth and the leads’ performances .
Why the Hype Endures
Love Will Still Last Forever may not have been a mainstream blockbuster, but its legacy lives on through the Takemone fandom. The series’ ability to capture the quiet, enduring nature of love—mirrored by the actors’ own enigmatic bond—keeps it relevant years later. Whether the chemistry was scripted or serendipitous, one thing is clear: Kamishiraishi and Satoh made it unforgettable.
For now, fans can only rewatch the series and hope for another project that reignites the magic.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.