Ossan's Love: In the Sky is the spin-off of the famous Japanese BL series. The workplace comedy takes place in an airline setting, focusing on the complicated love triangles between coworkers. The main character is a happy-go-lucky flight attendant who becomes coveted by all his colleagues. While the drama features the same lead actors as its predecessor, it is not a continuation of the first season. It's a new story with different characters.
Unlike the charming first season, Ossan's Love: In the Sky struggles to tell a satisfying love story. Despite the likable characters and strong acting performances, the quality of this BL drama is wildly inconsistent. The lacklustre narrative suffers from too many love triangles that feel exhausting to watch. There's an excessive focus on rejections, heartbreak, and secret yearning. The series is missing the charm and humour of the original drama.
Ossan's Love In the Sky Summary
Title:
おっさんずラブ : in the sky-
Series Info:
Japan (2019)
Total Episodes:
8 episodes
Genre:
Comedy
About:
Ossan's Love: In the Sky is a happy & funny BL drama.
Plot
Haruta is a flight attendant starting his new job at Tenku Peach Airlines. Currently in his mid-thirties, he was recruited into this airline by his old school friend Hina. Although he is kind and earnest, Haruta's carelessness makes him stand out as one of the more bumbling employees at the company. Nonetheless, he has his fair share of secret admirers in the workplace.
Kurosawa is a senior pilot who realizes he has a massive crush on Haruta. Currently widowed, Kurosawa never thought he would find love in his old age, but he is attracted to Haruta and gets jealous when other coworkers are interested in him. Although Haruta does not reciprocate these feelings, Kurosawa gets the wrong idea about how his subordinate feels. He keeps believing that Haruta is playing hard to get.
Kurosawa is mentoring Naruse, a young playboy pilot with messy romantic endeavours. With his arrogant and standoffish personality, Naruse isn't the most popular person at work. He even uses Haruta as a shield to deflect from his bitter exes. Although Naruse doesn't show him much respect, Haruta continues to be kind to the young pilot. Over time, Naruse learns to be more approachable, thanks to Haruta's influence.
Haruta is good friends with Shino, a flight maintenance technician. Shino is friendly, easygoing, and kind to Haruta. Plus, he's a great chef and loves to cook for everyone in the airline dormitory. However, Shino also hides a couple of secrets, which will impact his friendship with Haruta if they are exposed.
As Haruta navigates his day-to-day life at the airline, he becomes the subject of affection from multiple coworkers. From Kurosawa to Hina, everyone seems to fancie this big, goofy flight attendant. Who will he pick, and who will suffer from heartbreak?
Ossan's Love In the Sky Cast
Characters
Haruta
Kei Tanaka (田中圭)
Haruta is a happy-go-lucky flight attendant who recently started a new job at an airline. He previously worked as a shoe salesman before getting laid off by his old company. A gentle and kind-hearted soul, Haruta loves to help people, even to his own detriment. He often gets into trouble for making careless but well-meaning mistakes at work.
Kei Tanaka
Kei Tanaka (田中圭) is a Japanese actor. He is born on July 10, 1984. His first BL project is the 2016 drama, Ossan's Love. The special is later adapted into a popular full-length drama in 2018. Kei is the lead of Ossan's Love: Love or Dead (2019), Ossan's Love: In the Sky (2019), and Ossan's Love Returns (2024).
Naruse
Yudai Chiba (千葉雄大)
Naruse is a young junior pilot mentored by Kurosawa. He has an air of arrogance, making him unpopular and friendless in the workplace. Naruse loves aviation and constantly educates himself on technical maintenance. He is also a lover of history and tombs.
Yudai Chiba
Yudai Chiba (千葉雄大) is a Japanese actor. He is born on March 9, 1989. His first BL project is the 2019 drama, Ossan's Love: In the Sky. He is the lead of the 2022 series, Double.
Shino
Shigeyuki Totsugi (戸次重幸)
Shino is a flight maintenance technician. He is great friends with Haruta, living in the same dormitory together. Shino loves to cook, and Haruta enjoys eating his meals. Beneath his friendly and easygoing personality, Shino hides a few personal secrets he doesn't want Haruta to know.
Shigeyuki Totsugi
Shigeyuki Totsugi (戸次重幸) is a Japanese actor. He is born on November 7, 1973. His first BL project is the 2019 drama, Ossan's Love: In the Sky.
Kurosawa
Kotaro Yoshida (吉田鋼太郎)
Kurosawa is a senior pilot and a well-respected figure in his company. He develops a secret crush on the young flight attendant, Haruta. Although Kurosawa maintains a professional persona in the workplace, he is a hopeless romantic at heart. He can be quite emotional and vulnerable, especially when acting on his romantic feelings for Haruta.
Kotaro Yoshida
Kotaro Yoshida (吉田鋼太郎) is a Japanese actor. He is born on January 14, 1959. His first BL project is the 2016 special, Ossan's Love. The drama is later adapted into a full-length series, Ossan's Love (2018). Kotaro is the lead of Ossan's Love: Love or Dead (2019), Ossan's Love: In the Air (2019), and Ossan's Love Returns (2024).
Supporting Cast
Hina
Aimi Satsukawa (佐津川愛美)
Reiji
Ikusaburo Yamazaki (山崎育三郎)
Michibata
Ouji Suzuka (鈴鹿央士)
Arisu
Yuria Kizaki (木崎ゆりあ)
Neko
MEGUMI (めぐみ)
Misae
Kyoko Kataoka (片岡京子)
Karasuma
Bokuzo Masana (正名僕蔵)
Cast highlights
- Naruse's actor (Yudai Chiba) starred in the 2022 Japanese drama Double. While it isn't a full-fledged BL series, there is a shred of romantic content with his character.
- Before they appeared in Ossan's Love: In the Sky, Kei Tanaka and Yudai Chiba starred in the thriller movie Stolen Identity together. They also appeared in the follow-up sequel.
Ossan's Love In the Sky Review
Review
Drama Review Score: 6.7
The first season of Ossan's Love was a breakout hit, winning over mainstream audiences with its charm and humour. Unfortunately, Ossan's Love: In the Sky failed to replicate the winning formula with its follow-up series. On paper, the experienced cast and unique airline setting seemed appealing. In execution, the results failed to translate. Ossan's Love: In the Sky is a mediocre workplace comedy with glaring quality issues.
I love the concept of a BL series about an airline company. From pilots to flight attendants, the aviation industry is a glamorous industry worth exploring. There is so much potential for exciting storylines. However, Ossan's Love: In the Sky never capitalizes on its unique work environment. For starters, it would've been great to actually see Haruta in the sky. Unfortunately, we don't see him enter an airplane until the final episode. I know there must've been limitations when it comes to filming. Yet, being unable to see Haruta do his job as a flight attendant takes away the immersion.
Most plots around the airline aren't particularly engaging. Not only are they predictable, but these storylines also have a tiresome preachiness. Flight safety comes first! We have a responsibility to protect our passengers! Teamwork makes the dream work! Since Tenku Peach Airlines is closely based on Peach Aviation, a real-life business brand, there are probably restrictions on how certain storylines affect the company's reputation. As a result, any plot dealing with the airline feels very safe and sanitized. I suspect it may have hindered the creativity of the storytelling.
Ossan's Love: In the Sky would've been better without the ossan. I know this character is supposed to be the selling point of the BL drama. Yet, his storyline is easily the weakest part of the series. Last season, the premise of an older man falling in love with his younger subordinate might've seemed unique. But now, the novelty has worn off. Kurosawa feels shoehorned into the plot for contrived reasons. He doesn't bring anything new to the story, not even for the comedic effect.
Kurosawa's character complicates Ossan's Love: In the Sky, which is already bogged down by the complex love triangle between Haruta, Naguse, and Shino. Admittedly, this love triangle can sometimes be compelling, carried by three likable actors who share a natural rapport. I couldn't tell which characters would end up together in the final episode. For most of the series, I thought I liked Haruta and Shino together, but then Naruse's likability sneaked up on me. I shipped him with both Haruta and Shino.
However, the relationship drama feels excessive once you factor in Kurosawa and Hina's unrequited feelings, forming a messy love pentagon. Instead of developing an actual romance, all I'm watching is a bunch of characters secretly pining for each other and getting rejected by one another. By the time the main couple gets together, the series ends immediately. I'm left feeling underwhelmed by their love story and the entirety of Ossan's Love: In the Sky. Instead of soaring creatively, this sequel is a bumpy ride with a flat landing.
Summary
Sanitized story
Ossan's Love: In the Sky has an unengaging story. Although the aviation industry is a compelling topic, this series sanitizes the storylines and only focuses on preachy messages.
Complicated romance
There are many complicated love triangles, leading to several compelling shipping moments. However, the series focuses predominantly on rejection, heartbreak, and secret yearning.
Solid acting
Everyone in the cast brings enthusiasm to their roles. They try to elevate the mediocre material, which limits their potential. The actors don't shine as much as in the original drama.
Happy ending
Ossan's Love: In the Sky has a happy ending for all the characters as they recognize their feelings for each other. However, the finale is too messy and doesn't appeal to me personally.
Glossy artistry
The series takes place at an airline company, a unique backdrop you don't see in many BL dramas. The production includes glossy visuals & bright wardrobes. Everything looks polished.
67%
Ossan's Love: In the Sky is a disappointing spin-off compared to the original drama. Despite the unique airline setting, the plots are unengaging. The romances focus excessively on love triangles.
Ossan's Love In the Sky Episodes
Episode Guide
Ossan's Love: In the Sky has a total of 8 episodes. Each episode is around 40 minutes long. This is a medium-length BL drama, and you can finish the entire series in under 4 hours. Ossan's Love: In the Sky started on November 2, 2019 and ended on December 21, 2019.
★☆☆☆
★★★☆
★☆☆☆
★★☆☆
★★★★
★★★☆
★☆☆☆
★★☆☆
⭐ Best episode
Episode 5
Episode 5 was a surprisingly good episode of Ossan's Love: In the Sky, achieving the standard of quality that I wished was present in the other episodes. This particular episode had an exciting spark, compelling me to watch what happens next.
The main plot focuses on Shino's relationship with his estranged son. Up until this episode, Shino kept his guard up, refusing to pursue a relationship with Haruta despite his obvious feelings. Now, we finally learn more about his character's motivations, revealing a secret past that he has been trying to hide. The episode concludes with a heartwarming reunion between Shino and his son, which is packed with powerful emotions.
Other highlights in this episode include the fantastic breakup scene between Haruta and Hina. Although her character doesn't make much impact during the series, the actress puts in fantastic work when she tearfully breaks up with Haruta. I also like the kiss between Haruta and Naruse at the end of the episode, a moment that is charged with lots of intrigue, doubt, and sexual tension.
💕 Most romantic episode
Episode 6
I enjoy the structure of Episode 6, where Shino convinces Haruta to date him for a week as a trial run. The concept is a little quirky, with Haruta drawing random cards that denote what type of activity they'd do as a couple. From cooking a meal to visiting the hot springs, each activity brings the two of them a lot of joy and laughter.
Over the course of the week, Haruta gets used to hanging out with Shino. He forgets these are supposed to be dates and simply enjoys their time together. This is probably the sweetest sequence in the entire series, where I almost feel like I'm watching a couple.
😭 Tearjerker episode
Episode 6
As sweet as Episode 6 might be, it also ends in a heartbreaking way. Although Haruta likes hanging out with Shino, he still hasn't developed any romantic feelings for his friend after a series of dates. All he feels is a platonic friendship between them.
Before Haruta gives his rejection, Shino is already prepared for the worst and even initiates the break-up himself. No matter how hard he tried to make their dates interesting, Shino knows he hasn't won over Haruta's affection. This rejection is what he feared the most, and one of the biggest reasons why he didn't want to confess his feelings to Haruta in the first place.
It's the worst-case scenario coming true for Shino. Haruta has rejected his feelings point-blank and there's no possibility of them becoming a couple.
😡 Most triggering episode
Episode 7
There's an infuriating scene in Episode 7. A disgruntled airline customer suddenly intruded in the office, demanding special treatment just because he's one of their VIP members. His behaviour is completely unacceptable, lashing out and even getting violent with some of the staff.
Ossan's Love: In the Sky resolves this conflict as if ~the customer is always right~. The company apologizes and sweeps the incident under the rug by sucking up to the angry fan. From a company perspective, I guess it makes sense to smooth things over like this, so that they can continue this business relationship positively. However, I feel the customer was CLEARLY in the wrong here, yet didn't face any consequences for his disruptive actions and violent behaviour.
Maybe it's just me that feels this way though? With my temperament, I guess I'm not suited for customer-facing jobs. 😓
💋 First kiss episode
Episode 1
Ossan's Love: In the Sky starts with an unexpected kiss between Haruta and Naruse in the first episode. Naruse is being pestered by an ex, so he suddenly kisses Haruta to make a point about moving on from this relationship. Although I wished there was better context in this scene, it was a pretty nice kiss between the two characters.
In fact, this might actually be the best kiss in all of Ossan's Love: In the Sky. Granted, you can count the number of kisses in this drama on one hand, so it's either this kiss or the only other one later in the series.
💪🏻 Episodes with skin
Episode 6
In Episode 6, Haruta and Shino go to the hot springs during one of their dates together. We see a few glimpses of their muscular shirtless bodies during this episode. During the same episode, we see Haruta in his underwear, but he gets self-conscious when Kurosawa keeps glancing over at him.
👨🏻🤝👨🏻 Episodes as a couple
Episode 8
Unfortunately, Ossan's Love: In the Sky spends way too much time on unrequited love. For the majority of the series, these characters keep getting rejected one after another. At some point, these rejections get so tiresome, because everybody is miserable and no one actually enjoys a healthy relationship.
Only as the series comes to an end, all the previous conflicts magically vanish and the couples suddenly start to pair up together. Hina and Michibata are together! Naruse and Shino are together! Even Haruta and Kurosawa are together! The last couple seems totally random, because we don't get a lot of build-up leading to Haruta's confession.
Just a few minutes ago, he was seemingly still in love with Naruse? Suddenly, he's open to the idea of dating Kurosawa, and this change of heart seems so mind-boggling. I don't mind that Haruta and Kurosawa are a couple, but I'd like to at least see how they reach this conclusion. Although the series ends with everyone coupled up, these forced happy endings feel rushed and not satisfying.
Ossan's Love Season 1
Prequel
Ossan's Love 2018 prequel series Drama review
It's probably not right to call this the prequel, since Ossan's Love and Ossan's Love: In the Sky are unrelated to each other. Nevertheless, the success of the original series is why the second season even got made in the first place. The original Ossan's Love is about the love triangle between a senior boss and his two younger employees. The drama is massively popular, receiving widespread acclaim for its boisterous charm and surreal humour.
Although I'd highly recommend Ossan's Love, you don't have to watch it to understand the events of Ossan's Love: In the Sky. The two stories are completely different. Some of the actors appear in both series, but they don't play the same characters. You can watch Ossan's Love: In the Sky fully without any prior knowledge of the series.
Ossan's Love In the Sky Information
Links
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- MyDramaList Ossan's Love In the Sky MyDramaList
- Twitter Ossan's Love Twitter
- Website Ossan's Love In the Sky website
- Wikipedia Ossan's Love In the Sky Wikipedia