In this Netflix romance series, ten men and women find themselves on the hunt for love in the picturesque city of Nice. However, they have only 10 days to find each other and connect to find their soulmates before it’s too late. Will they be able to take on this chance for love and happiness?
The contestants on the show are Atsushi, Aru, Kensuke, Sho, Yudai, Kanaka, Tohko, Nanami, Maho and Mimi.
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Offline Love Netflix Hosts
Kyoko Koizumi, Reiwa Roman (Kuruma Takahira and Kemuri Matsui)
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Offline Love 2025 Directors
Niida Hiroshi, Okano Kota, Udo Yosuke, Teshima Mina, Miyairi Haruka, Abe Saori, Sumigawa Emi, Takahashi Erika, Tanaka Yuwa, Kanaoka Nanase
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AKA
オフライン ラブ
The series has 10 episodes, each with a runtime of around 60 minutes. The theme song is Gracie Abrams – us. (feat. Taylor Swift).
Offline Love Review
Following the success of romance reality shows like The Boyfriend, Love Village and The Future Diary, this Netflix Japanese reality series is about to bring the concept of soulmates to the forefront, along with organically finding love. The concept of this reality series is unique and interesting, but, as with all reality shows, makes us question the legitimacy of the concept a bit more than usual. Other than that, emcees Kyoko Koizumi and comedy pair Reiwa Roman bring their own interpretation of whatever is happening on-screen but sometimes get a bit ahead of themselves with the romance.
I think the series is quite cute and fluffy. There are many moments when the contestants almost meet but don’t that will make your heart flutter. The encounters themselves are very wholesome and cute, regardless of who meets whom. The idea of meeting someone you somewhat know in an unknown place seems like a fateful encounter and that is evident in everyone’s reactions. It’s very beautifully brought forth.
In a similar vein, I think Offline Love really makes us want to push what we do and not believe to the backburner in order to bring forth this narrative that this isn’t a scripted show. Being in a European country with a ton of camera crew in the midst of busy tourist places is going to be a pain for everyone and I don’t think it comes without its challenges. There are permissions that you have to take, along with giving the general public notice about appearing on a Netflix show that will take away from the “chance encounter” part. I am inclined to believe that the streaming platform couldn’t just let its contestants run free in Nice and the shooting had to be confined to a particular area so that in itself takes away a little bit from the magic.
On top of that, I think it’s impossible that these contestants didn’t have at least an idea about where to go because that seems extremely dangerous in a foreign country. Sure, I can imagine all of this to be completely organic and brought together by fate, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I don’t believe that for a minute. Such a big production is impossible to bring forth without planning and permissions, making this out to be totally mapped out and preplanned.
Either way, keeping these notions aside, let’s come to the contestants. Everyone in Offline Love is quite sweet and, like most Japanese dating shows, is quite subdued. There’s a layer of control in all of these contestants that is so common in Japanese shows. Everyone is extremely reserved and proper, there’s hardly anything that might be considered “spicy”. I think that’s sweet and these shows are for a niche audience who prefer their romance shows to make their heart flutter. The idea that one can find their soulmate around the corner makes this all the more exciting and the contestants’ reserved interactions make you want to see whether or not they open up to each other.
I think the series makes a good choice to release all of its episodes together because viewers might find the runtime to be a bit slow sometimes. Having to wait for weeks for two people to hold hands seems a bit excessive in these situations. I also do wonder sometimes whether this is the reality of how relationships blossom in Japan — is it realistic to assume that people who are attracted to each other follow such conservative norms in their everyday lives or is it just for show? The fact that these contestants are all internet personalities also makes us question whether this is all a front. Apart from the romance, the series also features some good opportunities for friendship to blossom. These moments are quite fun and endearing and will make your heart happy.
Final Thoughts
I think Offline Love grows on you. In spite of the logistical nightmares that made me question the legitimacy of this being “people suddenly coming across one another on the streets of Nice”, I think the series is warm and heartfelt. Its wholesome vibes and the contestants’ reactions to everything will touch everyone’s hearts. However, unlike American dating shows, this one is quite drawn out and can get very slow sometimes, so I guess it’s not for everyone. But there’s something new here that will interest most people because the contestants feel more authentic than not.
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