Right now you can watch First Love on streaming — and the writing holds up regardless of the format's reputation. Across 1 season, the show has had time to find its rhythm and keep it. With 1 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. The visual style is immediately recognisable, but the writing is what keeps you watching. Available now — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

First Love arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. First Love has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. Arisa Ueto has a mild intellectual disability and autism. She hides her disabilities, but it's difficult for her to have relationships with others. She often makes mistakes at work and gets fired because of it. Shunsuke Kazama and Karin Ono bring voice work that does more than the format usually asks for. First Love premiered in 2023. First Love uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. Every minute repays the time invested, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you have been sleeping on First Love because of the format, the format is not the issue here. If you have already watched A Sign of Affection, First Love is a natural next step. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. The writing operates at a level the format's reputation does not fully prepare you for. Adult animation that actually works for adults.

First Love wrapped up in 2023 — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.