Film

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-

Name: Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Romance
Released: 2022
Cast: Makoto Furukawa, Aoi Koga, Konomi Kohara, Ryota Suzuki, Miyu Tomita

Romantic comedy
Light-hearted

The Kaguya-sama film takes the romantic comedy series' central couple past the moment fans waited for—their first kiss—and asks what comes after. It's a tender, funny, occasionally melancholic exploration of vulnerability and authentic connection, pitched perfectly between high-school sweetness and genuine emotional stakes. For anyone who's loved the show's mixture of comedy, romance, and character depth.

TMDb rating

4.0

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you love romantic comedies where the jokes come from two proud people outmanoeuvring each other, and the funniest moments are the ones where their pride cracks in private.

Skip it if you tire of wordy internal monologue and stylised comic overreaction, since much of the humour depends on characters pausing to narrate their own embarrassment at length.

What it asks of you: Ninety-six minutes of quick-fire dialogue, exaggerated animated expressions and a teasing tone that rarely lets up, so keep your attention on the banter.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

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My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 poster

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Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

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But Older animation style; the humor is somewhat sitcom-structured, which can feel repetitive if the joke formula doesn't land for you.

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Primarily about friendship and self-discovery, but the emotional honesty and character vulnerability mirror what makes Kaguya-sama work. Warmly observed and genuinely moving.

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Sora yori mo Tooi Basho A Story that leads to the Antarctica poster

The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie2022

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The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie poster

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Both films are fundamentally about the awkwardness and courage required to move from performed selves to authentic connection—the gap between who we show and who we are.

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A film that earned its emotional devastation through character work and visual storytelling. Explores shame, redemption, and connection with a sophistication rarely seen in anime romance.

But Deals with bullying, disability, and depression; the tonal register is serious and occasionally painful. Not a feel-good comfort watch despite its beautiful ending.