Fans of the yuri romantic comedy series are set to welcome the new year with the television premiere of “‘There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~’,” the highly anticipated sequel anime. All five episodes (13-17) will air consecutively on January 1, 2026, in Japan.
The special broadcast will run from 1:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. JST on TOKYO MX and BS11. Additionally, AT-X will air the sequel on January 10, with streaming services d Anime Store, Anime Times, and Lemino also offering the episodes starting January 1 at 3:30 a.m. JST.
Sequel Continues Renako’s High School Romantic Comedy
The sequel, officially titled There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~, picks up after the events of the first season, continuing the intricate romantic entanglements of protagonist Renako Amaori. The story is based on Teren Mikami’s popular light novel series, illustrated by Eku Takeshima, which has captivated readers with its blend of humor and heartfelt yuri romance.
From Theatrical Release to Television Premiere
Prior to its television debut, ~Next Shine~ enjoyed a limited theatrical run in Japan from November 21 to December 11. The special theatrical edition also had its U.S. premiere at Anime Frontier, giving international fans an early glimpse of the continuation. The theatrical release compiled the five new episodes into a single presentation.
Diving Deeper into the Plot: Renako’s Self-Discovery
The official synopsis for ~Next Shine~ emphasizes Renako Amaori’s journey of self-discovery. Renako, who transformed herself from a gloomy, socially awkward middle schooler into a popular high school student, finds her carefully constructed world upended by love confessions from two of her school’s brightest stars: the princely Mai Oduka and the angelic Ajisai Sena.
Struggling with her feelings, Renako agrees to assist her friend Kaho at a cosplay event. This detour, initially seen as a way to delay her romantic decisions, sparks a deeper introspection within her. The sequel explores Renako’s quest to understand what she truly desires and whether being a lover is indeed “no freaking way” for her, or if that impossibility might just be an illusion.
Production and Key Personnel
Studio MOTHER, known for its work on the first season, returned to produce There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~. The sequel maintains the talented staff from the previous season, with Natsumi Uchinuma directing, Naruhisa Arakawa handling the series composition and script, and kojikoji serving as character designer. The anime’s musical score is composed by Yoshiaki Fujisawa.
The returning voice cast includes Kanna Nakamura as the protagonist Renako Amaori, Saori Onishi as Mai Ouzuka, and Yukari Anzai as Ajisai Sena. Additional cast members include Kana Ichinose as Satsuki Koto, Takako Tanaka as Kaho Koyanagi, and Mayu Sagara as Haruna Amaori, bringing the vibrant characters of the yuri harem comedy to life.
