About Love Begins in the World of If
While Akihito Kano (Kotaro Daigo) was originally a technical worker, he was transferred to the sales department. A year later, he still struggles to fit in with his colleagues, particularly with Seiji Ogami (Daisuke Nakagawa), the ace of the sales department, whom he both admires and is envious of. On a night of a full moon, Akihito stumbles across a shrine, where he finds an old mirror with a mysterious message that the person who looks into the mirror will see their true self. After Akihito wishes to stand on equal footing with Seiji, he's suddenly surrounded by mist, and he awakens in a world that looks just like his – but his colleagues treat him warmly, and Seiji looks at him with affection. Can Akihito use this opportunity to confront his true feelings about Seiji and learn how to let others in? This drama is adapted from the novel of the same name by Sachi Umino.
Navigating the complexities of professional inadequacy and unspoken yearning, Love Begins in the World of If offers a poignant departure from standard Japanese romantic dramas by blending workplace malaise with a touch of supernatural introspection. Director Yuji Hariu crafts a narrative that centers on Akihito, an office worker whose transition from the technical sector into the high-pressure environment of sales leaves him feeling like an outsider. The film taps into the pervasive cultural anxiety surrounding corporate hierarchy and the pressure to conform, using a fantastical mirror as a catalyst for a character study that feels both grounded and deeply imaginative. By thrusting its protagonist into a parallel reality where the cold professional distance he experiences with his superior, Seiji, is replaced by genuine affection, the story invites audiences to consider how much of our suffering is self-imposed through insecurity.
For viewers who appreciate the recent surge of Japanese cinema that explores emotional vulnerability, this adaptation of the Sachi Umino novel provides a compelling look at the fragility of male bonds. The casting of Kotaro Daigo and Daisuke Nakagawa is particularly effective, as they anchor the film with performances that balance the harsh reality of corporate competition with the soft, ethereal shifts of their alternate reality encounters. The film stands out because it avoids the typical tropes of high-concept fantasy, choosing instead to focus on the quiet internal growth of a man learning to accept warmth from others. It is a contemplative piece that will likely resonate with fans of character-driven narratives who enjoy seeing the boundaries between professional ambition and emotional intimacy blurred in unexpected ways.
This project arrives at a time when global audiences are increasingly embracing stories that prioritize subtle shifts in human connection over grand, explosive spectacle. Yuji Hariu demonstrates a keen understanding of pacing, allowing the transition between the mundane office setting and the dreamlike version of the protagonist's life to feel seamless rather than jarring. Whether you are a fan of contemporary Japanese storytelling or simply a seeker of poignant dramas that examine the masks people wear, this film offers a thoughtful exploration of identity. It positions itself as an essential watch for those who find beauty in the small, transformative moments that define our relationships, suggesting that sometimes we need to step outside our own perspective to finally understand what we truly desire from those around us.
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