The heartwarming shojo romance anime, Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You (Japanese: Dōse, Koishite Shimaunda), has officially been confirmed for a second season. The announcement, made shortly after the broadcast of the first season’s finale on March 28, 2025, has generated excitement among fans of the series.
What We Know About Season 2
- Production: Typhoon Graphics, the studio behind the first season, will return to handle the animation. Junichi Yamamoto will also be back as the director.
- Creative Team: Yu Murai and Nagisa Nario are confirmed to be in charge of the series scripts. Io Shiiba will be designing the characters, and Keiji Inai will be composing the music.
- voice cast: The main voice cast from the first season is expected to reprise their roles, including:
- Sakura Shinfuku as Mizuho Nishino
- Kazuki Ura as Kizuki Hazawa
- Sion Yoshitaka as Shin Kashiwagi
- Shoya Chiba as Airu Izumi
- Satoshi Inomata as Shugo Hoshikawa
- Yuto Uemura as Ryosuke Saito
- Azusa Tadokoro as Chika Kurashiki
- Yuichiro Umehara as Togo Hoshikawa
- Kaori Nazuka as Manami Shiraishi
- Ending Theme: Rock band Marcy, who performed the ending theme “Negaigoto” for the first season, is also expected to contribute to the second season.
- Premiere Date: As of March 27, 2025, there is no official premiere date for the second season. However, considering typical anime production timelines, some predict a late 2026 premiere is possible if renewed.
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll streamed the first season internationally (excluding Japan) and will likely stream the second season as well.
A Look Back at Season 1
Synopsis
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You is a coming-of-age romance set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The story revolves around Mizuho Nishino, a high school sophomore whose 17th birthday takes an unexpected turn when her childhood friend, Kizuki Hazawa, confesses his feelings for her.
Mizuho’s birthday is far from ideal: her family forgets, her crush isn’t interested, and school events are canceled due to the pandemic. Amidst this disappointment, Kizuki declares himself a “boyfriend candidate,” setting off a chain of events that transforms the relationships between Mizuho and her four childhood friends. The anime explores themes of love, friendship, and personal growth as the characters navigate the challenges of teenage life during a global crisis.
Main Characters
- Mizuho Nishino: The protagonist, a high school student navigating the complexities of love and friendship.
- Kizuki Hazawa: Mizuho’s childhood friend, a swimmer who confesses his feelings for her.
- Shin Kashiwagi: One of Mizuho’s close friends.
- Airu Izumi: Another of Mizuho’s childhood friends.
- Shugo Hoshikawa: A member of Mizuho’s friend group.
Production Details of Season 1
- Original Work: Haruka Mitsui (manga serialized in Kodansha’s Nakayoshi)
- Director: Junichi Yamamoto
- Series Composition: Yu Murai and Nagisa Nario
- Character Design: Io Shiiba
- Music: Keiji Inai
- Animation Studio: Typhoon Graphics
- Opening Theme Song: “Make It Count” by INI
- Ending Theme Song: “Negaigoto” by Marcy
Themes and Setting
The anime is set during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacts the characters’ lives. Events are canceled, routines are disrupted, and the characters must navigate their feelings amidst the uncertainty of the time. The series explores the challenges and changes experienced by teenagers during this period, including:
- Disrupted school life
- Canceled events and activities
- The impact of social distancing on relationships
- Personal growth and self-discovery in the face of adversity
Reception
The anime adaptation of Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You has garnered mixed reviews. Some viewers have praised the series for its heartwarming portrayal of teenage romance and relatable characters. The series has been described as a tender and heartfelt look at first love.
However, some critics have noted that the pacing feels rushed and that the pandemic references can feel inconsistent. Some reviews also mention that the large number of main characters can be confusing, and that the initial setup of Mizuho being surrounded by multiple potential love interests wasn’t appealing to them.
Despite the mixed reviews, the anime has resonated with many viewers, particularly fans of shojo manga and coming-of-age stories. The series’ focus on friendship, personal growth, and the challenges of young love during a unique historical period has made it a compelling watch for many.
About the Manga
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Haruka Mitsui. The manga has been serialized in Kodansha’s shōjo manga magazine Nakayoshi since November 2020. As of January 2025, the manga has been compiled into ten tankōbon volumes.
Kodansha USA has licensed the manga for English release in North America, both digitally and in print.
Manga Synopsis
Mizuha’s seventeenth birthday is far from perfect. Her parents forget, her crush isn’t interested, and a global pandemic disrupts all her plans. However, her childhood friend, Kizuki, confesses his feelings, leading Mizuha to re-evaluate her relationships and feelings.
What to Expect in Season 2
While specific plot details for the second season are currently unavailable, viewers can likely anticipate:
- Further Development of Relationships: Season 2 will likely explore the evolving relationships between Mizuho, Kizuki, and their friends. The anime will delve into the complexities of their feelings and the challenges they face as they navigate the transition from friendship to romance.
- Continued Impact of the Pandemic: The ongoing pandemic will likely continue to play a role in the characters’ lives, influencing their decisions and shaping their experiences.
- Personal Growth and Self-Discovery: The characters will continue to grow and evolve as they confront new challenges and learn more about themselves.
- Potential for New Characters and Conflicts: Season 2 may introduce new characters who further complicate the dynamics of the friend group or create new sources of conflict.
Final Thoughts
The announcement of a second season of Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You has been met with excitement from fans. With its relatable characters, heartwarming storyline, and unique setting, the anime has captured the hearts of many viewers. As fans eagerly await the premiere of the second season, they can look forward to further exploration of the themes of love, friendship, and personal growth in the face of adversity.
