An Incurable Case of Love
Overview
An Incurable Case of Love (Japanese: 恋はつづくよどこまでも, Hepburn: Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko made mo) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Maki Enjōji. It was serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic from June 2016 to January 2019 and collected into seven volumes. A live-action television drama adaptation aired from January to March 2020.
Plot
Nanase Sakura met a doctor, fell in love, and studied hard so she could meet him again—becoming a nurse. When she reunites with him five years later, she discovers he’s completely different from what she imagined. Still, Nanase keeps expressing her feelings honestly to Tendō. Her persistence, her heart, and her dedication to nursing gradually melt his “ice cold” exterior.
Main Characters
- Nanase Sakura (佐倉 七瀬) — Respiratory nurse. Strong sense of responsibility; gradually earns coworkers’ trust. Nicknamed “Hero-chan.” Likes drinking with Ryūko but is a lightweight and gets out of hand when drunk.
- Kairi Tendō (天堂 浬) — Pulmonologist. Cold, unfriendly, and known as the “Demon King.” Highly skilled and trusted by patients. Likes sweet things (especially cream bread). Weak with alcohol and doesn’t drink much. Younger brother of Ryūko.
- Ryūko Tendō (天堂 流子) — Kairi’s older sister; apartment manager. Innocent personality; loves alcohol and often drinks with Nanase.
- Kōichi Kizuki (来生 晃一) — Respiratory doctor; popular, calm; nicknamed “Magician.”
- Ryūsei Nishi (仁志 琉星) — Pediatric nurse. Invites Nanase to pediatrics after seeing her with children. Doesn’t do well with blood. Likes Ryūko.
- Minori Wakabayashi (若林 みのり) — Kairi’s ex-girlfriend; medical school classmate of Kairi and Kizuki; passed away eight years ago due to illness.
- Miori Wakabayashi (若林 みおり) — Minori’s younger twin sister; heart surgeon; clumsy and easy-going.
- Misa Kanno (菅野 海砂) — Works in the emergency room; was a university student at the same time as Nanase; somehow looks after her.
- Yuika Sakai (酒井 結華) — Talented trainee nurse; targets Kairi and becomes Nanase’s love rival; reliable.
Where to Read / Buy / Watch
- Read (official): VIZ Manga (chapters)
- Physical copy: Amazon (Vol. 1)
- Watch the live-action drama: Netflix
Media
Notes from the source text: publication details include a “Manga” section with dates and licensing notes, plus a “Live-action” section with staff and theme song credit. (This page includes the info as provided.)
Manga Publication + Licensing (as provided)
- Written and illustrated by Maki Enjōji.
- Serialization: Shueisha’s Petit Comic began June 8, 2019; completed January 8, 2021.
- Collected into seven tankōbon volumes.
- VIZ Media licensed the series for English publication (announced March 2019).
- Licensed in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo as Everlasting Love.
Volume List (dates + ISBNs)
- Vol. 1 — Original: Sep 9, 2016 (ISBN 978-4-09-138559-8) • English: Oct 1, 2019 (ISBN 978-1-97-470931-1)
- Vol. 2 — Original: Feb 10, 2017 (ISBN 978-4-09-139227-5) • English: Jan 7, 2020 (ISBN 978-1-97-470932-8)
- Vol. 3 — Original: Jul 10, 2017 (ISBN 978-4-09-139434-7) • English: Apr 7, 2020 (ISBN 978-1-97-470933-5)
- Vol. 4 — Original: Dec 8, 2017 (ISBN 978-4-09-139673-0) • English: Jul 7, 2020 (ISBN 978-1-97-470934-2)
- Vol. 5 — Original: May 10, 2018 (ISBN 978-4-09-870065-3) • English: Oct 6, 2020 (ISBN 978-1-97-470935-9)
- Vol. 6 — Original: Oct 10, 2018 (ISBN 978-4-09-870240-4) • English: Jan 5, 2021 (ISBN 978-1-97-471234-2)
- Vol. 7 — Original: Mar 8, 2019 (ISBN 978-4-09-870371-5) • English: Apr 6, 2021 (ISBN 978-1-97-471235-9)
Live-Action Drama Details (as provided)
- Announced July 2019.
- Directed by Kenta Tanaka among others.
- Scripts by Arisa Kaneko.
- Producers include Masako Miyazaki and Akiko Matsumoto.
- Theme song: Official Hige Dandism — “I Love…”
- Aired on TBS TV from Jan 14 to Mar 17, 2020 (10 episodes).
Drama Cast (full list)
Main Cast
- Mone Kamishiraishi (上白石 萌音) as Nanase Sakura
- Takeru Satoh (佐藤 健) as Kairi Tendo
- Katsuya Maiguma (毎熊 克哉) as Koichi Kisugi
- Kosei (昴生) as Yukito Numazu
- Keisuke Watanabe (渡辺 敬介) as Ryusei Nishi
- Kumi Takiuchi (瀧内 公美) as Kozue Ishihara
- Ai Yoshikawa (吉川 愛) as Yuika Sakai
- Mayu Hotta (堀田 真由) as Misa Kanno
- Karina (香里奈) as Ryuko Tendo
- Kami Hiraiwa (平岩 紙) as Mariko Negishi
- Nana Katase (片瀬 那奈) as Sayoko Yuki
- Misako Renbutsu (蓮佛 美沙子) as Minori Wakabayashi
- Koji Yamamoto (山本 耕史) as Rokuro Koishikawa
Additional Cast Members
- Elen (瑛蓮) — Ai Nakano
- Fukiko Hara (原 扶貴子) — Tomoko Ofuchi
- Sei Ando (安藤 聖) — Shizuka Hara
- Ai Mikami (見上 愛) — Wakana Takatsu
- Daichi Kaneko (金子 大地) — Koki Kanda (ep.1-2,10)
- Moeno Sumida (住田 萌乃) — Anri Shirahama (ep.1-3,8,10)
- Takashi Okabe (岡部 たかし) — Manabu Sugamo (ep.1-3)
- Taku Suzuki (鈴木 拓) — salaried man (ep.1)
- Mario Kuroba (黒羽 麻璃央) — Suguru Nekoda (ep.1,10)
- Mie Ohta/Mie Ota (太田 美恵) — Taeko Shirahama (ep.1,8)
- Shieri Ohata (大幡 しえり) — Yu Igarashi (ep.2)
- Satoshi Judai (寿大 聡) — Shinya Sawatari (ep.2-5,10)
- Tsukasa Kotobuki (ことぶき つかさ) — Keita Enoki (ep.2-5,10)
- Sayaka Aoki (青木 さやか) — Tomomi Sugamo (ep.3)
- Ren Mori (森 廉) — Shin Tazawa (ep.3-4)
- Jun Miho (美保 純) — Keiko Tsuruoka (ep.4,10)
- Yuko Takayama (高山 侑子) — Eri Yoshino (ep.4,10)
- Kotaro Daigo (醍醐 虎汰朗) — Shinji Negishi (ep.5)
- Bonchi Osamu (ぼんち おさむ) — Ichirota Tsutsumi (ep.6)
- Tagame Tamura (田村 たがめ) — Yoko Wada (ep.6)
- Sho Kiyohara (清原 翔) — Kamijo (ep.7-8,10)
- Masashi Iwadera (岩寺 真志) — Yutaro Asai (ep.7-8)
- Sayaka Tomaru (都丸 紗也華) — Misato Sugimura (ep.7)
- Morooka Moro (モロ 師岡) — Tsutomu Nakazawa (ep.8-9)
- Yoriko Kamimura (上村 依子) — Haruko Kikuchi (ep.8)
- Ryo Iwase (岩瀬 亮) — Yuki Kurosaka (ep.8)
- Hajime Okayama (おかやま はじめ) — Seiichi Sakura (ep.9)
- Mako Ishino (石野 真子) — Hatsue Sakura (ep.9)
- Shusaku Kamikawa (上川 周作) — Hiroki Sakura (ep.9)
- Yuko Fukui (福井 裕子) — Satoko Sakura (ep.9)
- Jun Hashizume (橋爪 淳) — Kenzo Sugawara (ep.9)
- Hiroaki Murakami (村上 弘明) — Mari Tendo (ep.10)
- Yoshiko Tokoshima (床嶋 佳子) — Nijiko Tendo (ep.10)
- Kentaro Tamura (田村 健太郎) — Shutaro Yanagi (ep.10)
- Asei (亜生) — Yuto Numazu (ep.10)
Volume Covers
All volume cover images below
My Review
First Impressions
I loved this series. It’s one of those romances that hits because the core dynamic is simple but addictive: a genuinely earnest heroine who refuses to give up, and a “cold demon king” type who slowly reveals his softness in a way that feels earned. The hospital setting keeps things grounded, and watching Nanase grow into her job while still being unapologetically in love is the kind of shoujo energy I’ll never get tired of.
What Makes It Work
- Nanase’s sincerity is the engine. She’s not perfect, but she’s consistent—and that’s why the romance lands.
- Tendō’s “Demon King” vibe is fun. Cold on the outside, soft on the inside… and the story actually commits to the slow thaw.
- Workplace growth + romance. The nursing angle isn’t just wallpaper; it supports the emotional arc.
- Side characters add flavor. Ryūko, Kizuki, Nishi, and the Wakabayashi twins bring extra tension and warmth.
Where It Stumbles
- Secondhand frustration moments. The “he’s not who I imagined” + cold treatment can be a lot early on.
- Love-rival pressure.If you hate rivalry arcs, Yuika might raise your blood pressure a bit.
Manga vs Drama
The manga is my favorite overall (8.9/10)—it feels the most “complete” in terms of pacing and inner emotional build. The drama is still really strong (8.5/10), with solid casting and that classic romcom tension you can binge through. Basically: read it for the full slow-burn satisfaction, watch it for the cozy live-action vibes.
TL;DR
A heartfelt, addictive workplace romance where sincerity wins—manga 8.9/10, drama 8.5/10.
🎲 What is Roulette Review?
Reading three volumes of manga, manhwa, and manhua all at once 📚💨
Watching a J-drama or K-drama at 2x speed because I have to know if they kiss 😭
Switching between my Switch, phone, and Steam library because I can’t pick one game 🎮
Balancing a controller, my phone, a matcha latte, and five tabs of otome game guides… all while pretending I have it together ✨
Roulette Reviews are chaotic, emotional, and always from the heart ❤️
Stay tuned for more roulette reviews—anything can pop up next!
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