No intimacy implied Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1 (English Subtitled)

No intimacy implied is a Japanese drama series that follows the lives of two thirty-something individuals, Kana and Rei, who find themselves navigating the tricky world of modern-day relationships.

In episode 1 (English subtitled), we meet the quirky Kana who works as a copywriter for an online magazine. Kana is a self-assured woman who believes that she can have her cake and eat it too. She pursues romantic relationships unapologetically, often juggling multiple partners at once. However, beneath her exterior lies a deep-seated fear of commitment and vulnerability.

On the other side of the spectrum is Rei, a mild-mannered office worker who harbours a crush on Kana. Rei is reserved and introverted, choosing to spend his evenings at home reading books rather than going out and meeting new people. When we first meet him, Rei is just beginning to come out of his shell, trying his best to brush up on his social skills so that he can finally confess his feelings to Kana.

The episode begins with Kana and her friend Aya discussing their latest romantic conquests. Aya is in a monogamous relationship, much to Kana's chagrin, but Kana is quick to dismiss Aya's lifestyle choices as boring. It's clear that Kana enjoys pushing the boundaries and living life on the edge.

Meanwhile, Rei's work colleagues invite him out for drinks. Rei is initially hesitant but eventually relents, figuring that it's time to start being more adventurous with his social life. At the bar, Rei meets a girl named Miki who takes a liking to him. However, Rei can't seem to shake off his thoughts of Kana, even when he's out on a date with someone else.

The episode takes a slight turn when Kana receives a call from an ex-boyfriend who she hasn't spoken to in years. The ex-boyfriend, Naoki, asks Kana if he can crash at her place for a few days as he's going through a rough patch. Kana begrudgingly agrees, but it's clear that she's uncomfortable with the situation. Naoki takes Kana out for dinner and they reminisce about old times. However, the evening takes an unexpected turn when Naoki leans in for a kiss, leaving Kana feeling violated.

The episode ends with Rei steeling himself to finally tell Kana how he feels about her. He approaches her outside of her apartment building, but before he can say anything, Kana's ex-boyfriend Naoki appears behind her and promptly collapses in front of them.

Overall, episode 1 of No intimacy implied does an excellent job of setting up the major players in the show and establishing the tone and themes that will run throughout the series. We see Kana and Rei grappling with their respective fears and uncertainties, all while trying their best to navigate the often-murky waters of modern-day dating. The acting is top-notch, and the pacing is just right, leaving the viewer wanting more. If you're a fan of character-driven dramas with an emotional edge, then No intimacy implied is definitely worth your time.