Based on Sal Jiang’s beloved manga, Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! is a workplace lesbian romantic comedy that blends awkward tension, punchy misunderstandings, and heartfelt vulnerability. It tells the story of a passionate junior employee who falls for her cool, competent female superior—and sets out on a headstrong (and often hilarious) journey to win her heart. In a year brimming with standout Japanese GL dramas, this one stands out for both its sincerity and its sugar-rush pacing.
Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! Official Trailer
Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! Summary |
|
|---|---|
| Title: | Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! |
| Series Info: | Japan (2024) |
| Length: | 24 minutes |
| Total Episodes: | 8 episodes |
| Genre: | Romance, Girl's love |
Plot
Ayaka, a bubbly and earnest junior at a marketing firm, is hopelessly in love with her boss Hiroko—a reserved, capable woman admired by all. Ayaka showers her with bento boxes and awkward compliments, convinced that Hiroko is straight. What she doesn’t know is that Hiroko is secretly lesbian and fighting her own growing feelings for Ayaka, under the assumption that her junior is heterosexual. The series thrives on this delicious mutual misunderstanding, escalating into hilarious and emotional chaos as confessions, professional boundaries, and past heartbreaks collide.
Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! Cast
Charactor
Ayaka is a bubbly, fiercely determined new employee who is openly smitten with her cool and composed senior, Hiroko. Her straightforward affection, paired with her adorable clumsiness, makes her the driving force of the show’s emotional heartbeat.
Kato Shiho
Kato Shiho, a member of the idol group Hinatazaka46, brings a surprisingly nuanced performance to her role as Ayaka. Known for her cheerful public persona, she blends comedic timing with touching vulnerability in one of her most memorable acting turns to date.
Hiroko is the stoic, graceful senior whom everyone at the office admires. Underneath her composed exterior lies a long history of guarding her true identity and emotions. Her complicated past with love makes Ayaka’s bold pursuit all the more affecting.
Mori Kanna
Mori Kanna, known for her appearances in both mainstream and indie Japanese dramas, brings elegance and emotional depth to the role. Her restrained expressions and subtle eye acting add a rich texture to Hiroko’s internal conflict.
Supporting Cast
Kameda Ikumi
Kubo Nonoka
Komai Risa
Yuki Mio
Saito Yuya
Honda Kyoya
Kumagai Ryo
Yamashita Eiku
CAST HIGHLIGHT
With a solid background in both film and television, Mori Kanna has starred in a variety of J-dramas across genres—from slice-of-life to crime thrillers. She’s especially noted for her natural, grounded performances. Her role as Hiroko adds to her repertoire of complex female characters, and her cool yet vulnerable portrayal brings depth to the story’s emotional arc.
Originally known as a member of the popular idol group Hinatazaka46, Kato Shiho brings her charm and relatability to the screen with growing confidence as an actress. Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! marks her first leading role in a yuri-themed drama, earning praise for her expressive timing and ability to deliver subtle emotional beats.
Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! Review
Review
⭐ Story – 4.3/5
While built on romantic comedy tropes, Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! offers more than just lighthearted fluff. The early episodes focus on Ayaka’s comedic pursuit, but by mid-season the drama dives into themes like coming out at work, internalized shame, and the realities of LGBTQ+ existence in corporate Japan. The series cleverly contrasts the younger generation’s boldness with the cautious restraint of older queer characters like Hiroko, whose past heartbreaks still haunt her.
⭐ Acting – 4.2/5
Kato Shiho is irresistibly energetic as Ayaka, delivering every line with an endearing blend of sincerity and comic timing. Mori Kanna plays Hiroko with subtle emotional restraint, making her eventual vulnerability all the more powerful. Together, their chemistry dances between cute awkwardness and palpable romantic tension.
⭐ Chemistry – 4.5/5
There are no flashy tropes here—just stolen glances, a shared umbrella, a hand brushed in the hallway, and it all works. The tension builds with every episode, culminating in one of the most memorable kisses in recent J-dorama GL history. You’ll root for them not just to kiss, but to heal together.
⭐ Production – 3.8/5
While clearly limited by budget, the production team makes the most of what they have. Symbolism (like Ayaka’s rabbit motif and Hiroko’s deer mascot) and costuming choices are both charming and meaningful. Though some scenes could have benefitted from better lighting and sound design, the heart is always in the right place.
⭐ Ending – 4.6/5
The series finale delivers a satisfying emotional payoff, including a powerful public confession scene that rewrites the typical J-drama “let’s keep it secret” trope. It’s bold, romantic, and leaves no doubt that these two women are ready to walk forward together.
Best Scenes of Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko!
EP5: Rooftop Confession – Hiroko hesitates, caught between professional fear and personal longing. Ayaka confesses her love not just for women—but for her.
EP6: Drunken Truths – Ayaka, tipsy and brave, corners Hiroko at a bar full of lesbians and forces an honest conversation.
EP7: Workplace Outing – Ayaka’s public declaration that she’s in love with her boss—delivered in front of their entire office—shatters expectations and sets the tone for a bold finale.
EP8: The Kiss – No borrowed lighting, no metaphors—just a long-awaited, emotionally earned kiss between two women who’ve come to truly understand each other.