Romantics Anonymous (2025) JDrama Review: A Sweet Romance About Anxiety That Needed More Depth
What if falling in love required you to confront the parts of yourself you spend every day hiding?
That question sits at the heart of Romantics Anonymous, a gentle yet emotionally complicated Japanese drama that blends romance, anxiety, and chocolate into an intimate eight-episode story about connection, fear, and emotional vulnerability.
Story and Themes
Set largely within the artisanal chocolate shop Le Sauveur, Romantics Anonymous explores how anxiety shapes relationships, work, and self-worth. The central romance between Fujiwara Sosuke and Lee Ha Na is built on shared vulnerability rather than grand gestures. Both characters struggle with anxiety disorders that make everyday interactions difficult, which gives their bond a quiet tenderness.
The series shines when it focuses on small, low-stakes moments. Each episode is themed around a chocolate from the Rainbow Palette, using flavor, texture, and color as metaphors for emotional growth. The anonymous group therapy sessions are especially effective, offering reflective commentary on fear, shame, and healing without feeling preachy.
Where the story falters is pacing and focus. Ha Na’s prolonged crush on Hiroshi overstays its welcome and interferes with the emotional momentum of the main romance. By episode four, that arc could have been resolved to allow the relationship between Sosuke and Ha Na to fully breathe. Similarly, the hidden identity subplot feels artificially extended, especially when the drama already establishes trust between the leads.
Performances
Oguri Shun delivers a restrained and thoughtful performance as Sosuke. His germophobia is portrayed with care, avoiding caricature and instead emphasizing the exhaustion and isolation that comes with it. His chemistry with Han Hyo Joo is the emotional backbone of the drama. Han brings warmth and quiet intensity to Ha Na, making her social anxiety feel deeply internal rather than performative.
Akanishi Jin plays Hiroshi with an easy charm that makes Ha Na’s crush understandable, even if narratively frustrating. Nakamura Yuri stands out as Irene, the psychologist whose professional composure masks her own struggles with addiction and intimacy. Her storyline adds depth and maturity to the ensemble.
Direction and Production
Directed by Tsukikawa Sho, the series favors softness over spectacle. The camera lingers on hands, glances, and chocolate-making rituals, reinforcing the drama’s sensory and emotional themes. The writing team of Okada Yoshikazu and Kim Ji Hyun balances introspection with light humor, though the short episode count makes the narrative feel overstuffed at times.
The attempted corporate takeover subplot adds unnecessary melodrama. With only eight episodes, the drama already has enough stakes in the possible closure of Le Sauveur and the characters’ internal conflicts. Adding high-level corporate intrigue dilutes the intimacy that makes the series work best.
Strengths
Thoughtful portrayal of anxiety and mental health without sensationalism
Strong chemistry between the two leads
Creative episode structure tied to chocolate themes
Relatable group therapy scenes that feel sincere and grounded
A warm, cozy atmosphere that fits the romantic tone
Weaknesses
Main story lacks depth for an eight-episode series
Ha Na’s crush arc drags on too long
Hidden identity subplot feels unnecessarily prolonged
Too many high-stakes conflicts packed into a short runtime
Final Thoughts
Romantics Anonymous is a drama I truly wanted to love. The premise is charming, the themes are meaningful, and the lead chemistry is undeniable. While it ultimately does not reach the emotional depth it promises, it remains a gentle, comforting watch that treats anxiety and vulnerability with care. I enjoyed it, but I also felt it could have been something more.
Rating: 7.5/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
