The dating series, which brings together young men and women from Japan’s rebellious yankii subculture, launched earlier this month and quickly became a breakout hit. It topped Netflix’s charts in Japan for two consecutive weeks and found enthusiastic audiences in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. The show also climbed to No. 8 on Netflix’s global Top 10 list for non-English-language series.
Created by producer Megumi, Badly in Love follows 11 participants whose lives have been shaped by gang culture, violence, and personal struggles. They are brought together at a secluded “academy,” where clashes are inevitable — but so are unexpected connections. The series asks a simple but powerful question: can people with turbulent pasts build something as delicate as love?
Season 1 unfolded in an urban setting, but the newly announced second season will move to the seaside, promising a fresh backdrop for new relationships and conflicts. Megumi will return as a host alongside rapper AK-69 and comedian Nagano.
The show is produced by STAFF LaBBi and Netflix, with Natsuko Ogata serving as producer. The first season rolled out in stages, with episodes released between December 9 and December 23.
“I’m truly delighted that Season 2 has been greenlit so quickly,” Megumi said in a statement. “It’s been incredibly meaningful to see yankii culture — something we see as ‘ultra-Japan’ — reach audiences not only here, but around the world. We’ll continue to put our hearts into Season 2 so viewers can experience even more of the raw charm of people who live every moment to the fullest.”
With its mix of raw emotion, cultural edge, and unlikely romance, Badly in Love looks set to deliver even more sparks when it returns.
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