Duty First, Kiss Later

An old-school detective and his cold, ambitious partner find their growing attraction complicating life inside a rural police station.

Duty First, Kiss Later (2026) is a Japanese boys' love miniseries created by Su and broadcast on ABC TV. Across ten episodes of about twenty-three minutes each, it follows an old-school detective, Heisuke Takoi (Shu Watanabe), and his cold, ambitious partner, Shiono Shu (Ryu Saito), as their growing attraction complicates their work inside a rural police station. Mariko Egawa (Haruka Kudo) and Jiro Hasegawa (Yuta Kanai) add lighter threads around the station, while the local izakaya and its colleagues give the small town a warm backdrop. The engine is simple and emotional: two men who must keep up a professional front while every case and late shift pushes them closer. Each episode mixes flirtatious banter, sincere heartache and goofy workplace shenanigans, so the romance feels sweet without losing its ache. Set in a contemporary Japanese countryside town, the series has a cozy, comforting register and a sincere, cheerful sensibility. Fans of Ossan's Love and Given will find resonance in its boys' love warmth and workplace tenderness. Viewers who enjoy a gentle, funny romance with real feeling will find it an easy and affectionate watch.

• Ossan's Loveshared light romantic comedy tone with slow burn workplace attraction
• Givenshared japanese boys' love romance between colleagues with comedic tone
• Sekai no Owari no Ren'aishared cozy workplace romance with sincere emotional beats

Created by

Su

Release Date

2026-07-27

Episode runtime

23 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (12)

What is Duty First, Kiss Later about?

An old-school detective and his cold, ambitious partner navigate a growing attraction inside a rural police station.

What is Duty First, Kiss Later like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Duty First, Kiss Later as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Duty First, Kiss Later violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Duty First, Kiss Later.

Which shows are like Duty First, Kiss Later?

Shows with a similar feel include Ossan's Love, Given, and Sekai no Owari no Ren'ai.

How long is Duty First, Kiss Later?

Duty First, Kiss Later: 1 season, 10 episodes.

Is Duty First, Kiss Later still running?

No, Duty First, Kiss Later has ended.