Love Begins in the World of If – Series Review & Ending Explained

Kano Akihito works in the technical sales department at his company, Seeds System. He's an engineer at heart, but the company transferred him about a year ago. It wasn't his choice at all. And honestly, he seems pretty miserable. Being a naturally quiet guy, he can't find his footing with the rest of the team. Everyone else is so chatty and extroverted, clashing against Kano's more reserved personality.

Since he's an engineer by trade, Kano uses more complex language than the rest of the sales team. It gets to the point where his coworkers struggle to follow what he's saying, which causes a lot of friction. Kano would rather do the work alone than have to ask anyone for help. Over time, his coworkers have started labelling him as difficult to work with. Kano just keeps his distance and refuses to team up with anyone. Once, he even overheard his coworkers talking trash about him behind his back.

Ogami is one of Kano's coworkers. He seemed friendly when they first met. However, their relationship soured when Kano made a mistake with a client, and Ogami was forced to apologize on his behalf. Ogami offered to help him since he was still new to the department. Yet, Kano felt irritated and told him not to intervene. Since then, the two colleagues had kept their distance. Ogami gets along with the rest of the team. He can charm his colleagues and clients, but the only person he has difficulty with is Kano.

Lately, work has been rough. A manufacturing client complained about Kano, accusing him of missing a deadline. Kano is adamant that the timeline was impossible, but the client is still fuming and threatens to cancel the contract. Kano is spiralling from the stress. He pulls an all-nighter at the office, trying to draft an apology. Ogami actually gets worried and drops off a box of chocolates. He noticed Kano has a habit of reaching for sweets whenever his cerebral anemia flares up. Kano is surprised by the gesture, but he thinks Ogami may be just doing it out of pity.

On his way home, Kano stops by a shrine and makes three wishes. He wants to finally fit in with the team, earn Ogami's respect, and be able to smile naturally. But then, the air suddenly shifts. Kano collapses on the ground. When he wakes up, Ogami is right there by his side. The weird part? This version of Ogami is incredibly cheerful and acts like they're best friends. Kano soon realizes he has somehow ended up in a parallel universe. In this world, he actually gets along with everyone at work. In fact, he and Ogami are total buddies.

Love Begins in the World of If has an interesting plot about parallel universes. I enjoy BL dramas that think outside the box, and this series definitely shows more creativity than your typical romances. The protagonist is caught between two versions of the same reality. Kano used to be miserable at work and hated his colleagues. Suddenly, he finds himself in a new timeline where his job feels too perfect. First, we see the dystopia. Then, we switch to the utopia. The twist? Neither world is as good or bad as it seems.

Love Begins in the World of If is a well-written story with incredible substance. In particular, I like how it handles Kano's emotional arc. He struggles with self-confidence, but that's where his love interest comes in. Ogami is his biggest cheerleader, always there to encourage him. Kano goes through ups and downs, with lots of spiralling in between. By the end, Kano's growth feels meaningful. He's a changed man forever! This series impresses me with its tight storytelling. It packs so much character development into just two hours, more than what others can accomplish with longer BL dramas.

Just like it says in the series title, Kano develops feelings for Ogami in the alternate universe. A flirty conversation here, a cute dessert date there. Their romance is extra compelling because Ogami seems so charismatic in his scenes. He totally makes me swoon, and I understand why Kano is attracted to him. Before I knew it, I was rooting for them to get together. My favourite moment is the end of Episode 3, where the sexual tension hits its peak. Ogami brings his face close to Kano's… Not for a kiss, but what happens next still has me giggling and kicking my feet!

For most of the series, Kano's mental state is in a really rough place. His actor (Kotaro Daigo) does a great job of capturing that fragility, making the inner turmoil feel genuine. His co-star (Daisuke Nakagawa) portrays two versions of the same character, and I love the nuances in his performances. In the first reality, Ogami seems cold and serious. In the parallel world, he exudes warmth and confidence. It's a huge transformation! Plus, Daisuke is so dreamy in this role. Just look at that hot stud with his hung smile. He has a natural suaveness that gives me butterflies!

The romance in the alternate universe is thriving. Ogami can be really charming, Kano seems smitten with him, and I'm emotionally invested in their happiness. Kano also falls for the other Ogami, realizing there's a secret softie hidden under that tough exterior. However, this is where the series slips up. Kano has a weaker connection with Ogami in the original reality. This version of Ogami feels more like a coworker than a lover. I could still picture them as a couple, but the story needed more time to explore their romantic feelings. Their current relationship isn't quite there yet.

The finale feels rushed. While there are memorable moments, the series doesn't have time to build up to those big plot points. Even the sex scene seems awkwardly inserted rather than the couple reaching a natural milestone in their relationship. It's hard to tell a complex story in just two hours, especially with parallel worlds involved. This BL drama would've benefited from a few extra episodes, giving the romance more room to grow. Despite a clunky ending, Love Begins in the World of If is still impressive. I'm totally swept away by such a thoughtful and mature story.