Fans of the romantic comedy anime “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…” (also known as WataNare) can rejoice as its highly anticipated five-episode sequel, subtitled “~Next Shine~,” is now available for streaming with English subtitles on the It’s Anime YouTube channel. The sequel officially premiered on television on January 1, 2026, following a limited theatrical release in Japan in November 2025.
The first episode of the initial series garnered nearly 1.2 million views on the It’s Anime YouTube channel, with the full series accumulating over 3.7 million views in total.
What is “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…” About?
The “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…” anime series, produced by Studio Mother, is based on the popular yuri light novel series written by Teren Mikami and illustrated by Eku Takeshima. It centers on Renako Amaori, an introverted girl determined to shed her lonely middle school past and achieve a “normal” high school life filled with friends.
Renako’s High School Re-invention
Renako’s journey begins with her successfully joining the popular clique, but maintaining an extroverted facade proves to be exhausting. Her carefully constructed new life takes an unexpected turn when Mai Ouzuka, the school’s charismatic and confident “princess darling” and a fashion model, confesses her romantic feelings. This confession throws Renako into a dilemma, as she desires friendship while Mai is set on pursuing a romantic relationship.
The Central Conflict: Friends or Lovers?
The core of the story explores the dynamic between Renako and Mai as they navigate their conflicting desires. Renako attempts to convince Mai that being best friends is the ideal relationship, while Mai endeavors to sway Renako towards a romantic partnership. This “love game” forms the humorous and heartfelt foundation of the series, drawing in other characters who complicate Renako’s already confusing high school life.
The Sequel: ~Next Shine~ Arc
The sequel, “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~,” consists of five episodes and delves deeper into Renako’s struggles with her affections and her quest for self-discovery. Following the events of the first season, Renako finds herself grappling with the affections of not only Mai Ouzuka but also Ajisai Sena, the “beloved angel of the campus.”
Exploring New Relationships and Personal Growth
As Renako attempts to navigate these complicated feelings, she agrees to help her friend Kaho with a cosplay event, hoping to delay her decision. This experience, however, sparks something within her, prompting her to confront what she truly desires and if becoming a lover is not as impossible as she once thought. The ~Next Shine~ arc is based on the fourth volume of the original light novel series.
Where to Watch
The “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~” sequel anime, comprising episodes 13-17, is available for streaming with English subtitles on the It’s Anime YouTube channel. The initial 12-episode series is also available on the same platform for fans to catch up or re-watch the beginning of Renako’s journey. The It’s Anime FAST channel is also available on Samsung TV Plus devices.
