The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

A literary editor who resigns from his father’s publishing company to escape nepotism and prove his own worth at Marukawa. He starts in Emerald with a sense of pride and a serious, reserved demeanor, which makes him wary of Takano at first. Over time, his professional resolve clashes with growing romantic tension, revealing a more vulnerable side.

• ✍️ Literary editor
• 💼 Workplace romance
• 🧭 Personal growth

Onodera’s formidable boss in the Emerald department whose sharp exterior masks deeper feelings. He previously shared a high-school past with Onodera and declares his intention to reignite their romance. His bold, sometimes intimidating approach challenges Onodera to confront his own desires and worth.

• 💼 Boss
• ❤️ Unresolved past
• 🐍 Magnetic personality

A longtime friend of Takano and a steady editor who works closely with the manga artist Yoshino. He provides a supportive, grounded presence in the editorial team and helps navigate the creative process within Emerald. His collaborations balance the romance with professional camaraderie.

• 🤝 Editor ally
• 🧩 Creative partner
• 🧭 Steady presence

A manga artist under Hatori’s guidance. Their partnership underlines the editorial-creator relationship that fuels the department’s output. Yoshino’s work and personality contribute to the department’s dynamic energy and the series’ creative atmosphere.

• 🎨 Manga artist
• 👥 Creative partner
• 🧭 Dependable

An editor in Emerald who has his eye on Yukina, adding a separate romantic subplot within the publishing house. His pursuit introduces additional tension and choices for where his loyalties lie—between career ambitions and love.

• 💼 Editor
• 🎯 Pursuit
• 💘 Romance subplot

An attractive bookstore employee who becomes the object of Kisa’s interest. Yukina represents an everyday connection to readers and a contrast to the corporate setting, highlighting the push-pull of workplace romance crossing into personal life.

• 📚 Bookstore worker
• 💖 Romantic interest
• 👫 Everyday connection

A widower and single father who features in the extra novel arc. His experiences bring emotional depth and resilience to the romance-focused universe, illustrating how family responsibilities intersect with love.

• 💔 Widower
• 👨‍👧 Family
• 🧭 Emotional depth

A salesman and Takano’s longtime friend who, after a harsh breakup, finds new romantic potential with Kirishima in the extra novel. His arc adds a later-stage romance that complements the main relationship’s development.

• 🧳 Salesman
• 💞 New romance
• 🌀 Emotional renewal

A central thread is the evolving romance between Onodera and Takano, from initial friction to a complex push-pull dynamic. Past memories from high school influence present feelings, revealing the depth of their emotional connection. The romance is marked by pride, vulnerability, and the challenge of balancing personal desire with professional duties.

Jealousy among coworkers and power dynamics within the publishing house shape the narrative. Onodera's struggle to prove himself away from his father's shadow mirrors the department’s competitive atmosphere. The Emerald department’s hierarchy and deadlines create tension that tests relationships as the romance unfolds.

Takano openly acknowledges his lingering feelings and schemes to rekindle Onodera’s affection, fueling anticipation and risk. The story explores the fragility of professional boundaries when personal emotions intrude. Confessions and strategic gestures drive the couple toward deeper intimacy.

Besides the main pair, the show follows two other editor-artist relationships, adding variety to the romance and creating a broader ensemble dynamic. These secondary arcs enrich the emotional tapestry and illustrate different paths to love within the workplace. An extra novel introduces Yokozawa and Kirishima, expanding the romantic landscape further.