A theatrical sequel for the popular yuri romantic comedy anime, There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…, officially titled There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~, has been announced and is set to premiere in Japanese theaters on November 21. The announcement was made following the finale of the anime’s first season, which aired during the Summer 2025 anime season.
The sequel will consist of five episodes and promises to continue the intricate romantic entanglements of protagonist Renako Amaori. A trailer and key visual have also been released, building anticipation for the new installment.
Unraveling Renako’s Dilemma in ~Next Shine~
The theatrical sequel dives deeper into the emotional journey of Renako Amaori, a character who meticulously reinvented herself for high school after a socially awkward junior high experience. Having successfully joined a popular clique, Renako unexpectedly finds herself at the center of romantic confessions from two of her group’s brightest stars: the princely Mai Oduka and the angelic Ajisai Sena.
The official synopsis teases Renako’s internal struggle, stating, “I want to learn to love myself—just the way I am!” While grappling with her feelings and postponing her answer to both Mai and Ajisai, Renako agrees to assist her friend Kaho with a cosplay event. This distraction, however, leads her to a profound self-discovery as she witnesses Kaho’s passion. The narrative will explore what Renako truly desires and whether her initial “no freaking way” attitude towards being someone’s lover might not be so impossible after all.
Returning Cast and Crew for the Anticipated Sequel
Fans will be pleased to know that the main staff and voice cast from the successful first season are returning for There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~.
Key Creative Team
Natsumi Uchinuma will once again direct the series, with Naruhisa Arakawa handling the series composition and script. Character designs will be provided by kojikoji, and the music will be composed by Yoshiaki Fujisawa. Animation production remains under the purview of studio MOTHER. This continuity in the creative team aims to maintain the beloved tone and quality established in the initial run.
Reprising Voice Roles
The talented voice cast will also return to breathe life into their respective characters:
- Kanna Nakamura as Renako Amaori
- Saori Onishi as Mai Oduka
- Yukari Anzai as Ajisai Sena
- Kana Ichinose as Satsuki Koto
- Takako Tanaka as Kaho Koyanagi
- Mayu Sagara as Haruna Amaori
Origins of the Beloved Yuri Series
There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… (also known as WataNare) originated as a yuri light novel series written by Teren Mikami and illustrated by Eku Takeshima. Shueisha began publishing the light novels under their Dash X Bunko imprint in February 2020. The series has also received a manga adaptation, with art by Musshu, which launched on Shueisha’s Dash X Comic section of the Niconico Seiga website in May 2020. Both the light novel and manga versions are licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment, making the story accessible to a wide international audience.
