Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Action Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Romance Mystery Animation Crime
The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal (2020) movie poster

Timeline

The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 21 mins · Japanese
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Tomoya Takahashi
Starring
Katsuyuki Konishi, Tomoaki Maeno, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Yuichi Nakamura, Toru Furuya, Takashi Kondo

Seeking a new beginning, Ritsu Onodera transfers to Marukawa Publishing after leaving his father’s company. His desire for a fresh start is complicated when he discovers his new boss is Masamune Takano, his first love from high school. Determined to move past their history, Ritsu finds himself drawn back into the past as Masamune insists they have a future together. He now works in the shojo manga editorial department, a field he knows nothing about, and must confront his feelings while navigating professional challenges.

Animation Romance Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

13 events in order · contains spoilers

The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal (2020) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Onodera resigns from his father's publishing company

    Ritsu Onodera leaves his father's publishing business after coworkers grow jealous of his success and claim he rides on his father's coattails. He decides to pursue a new path in publishing to establish his independence. The move sets the stage for his search for professional identity away from the family name.

    When
    Start of story
    Where
    Father's publishing company, Tokyo

  2. Onodera applies to Marukawa Publishing

    To escape his father's shadow, Onodera applies for a position at Marukawa Publishing. He hopes to work in the literature department, but his application lands him elsewhere in the company. This misalignment pushes him toward a surprising new career path.

    When
    Before joining Emerald
    Where
    Marukawa Publishing

  3. Assigned to the Emerald shōjo department

    Rather than the literature department he sought, Onodera is assigned to Emerald, the infamous shōjo manga division. He contemplates resigning again but refuses to quit, driven by pride to prove himself in this unlikely field. The unexpected placement introduces a clash of genres and expectations.

    When
    Early tenure
    Where
    Marukawa Publishing – Emerald department

  4. Onodera meets Takano and feels uneasy

    He meets his new boss, Masamune Takano, whose intimidating manner unsettles him from the outset. The Emerald department's dynamic is tense, making a first impression that Onodera must overcome.

    When
    First days
    Where
    Emerald department – office

  5. Takano labels Onodera 'useless' and challenges his pride

    Takano's sharp remark calling Onodera 'useless' becomes a catalyst for Onodera's determination. His pride refuses to back down, compelling him to prove his worth and survive in the new environment. The insult sparks a stubborn resolve that fuels their early interactions.

    When
    Early in tenure
    Where
    Emerald department – Takano's office

  6. Revelation: Takano's past as Saga and their schooldays

    Onodera discovers that Takano's family name was Saga and that they were old high school acquaintances. He realizes Takano was the one he loved and confessed to in youth, turning their relationship into a complicated history. The revelation reframes their current power dynamics and unresolved emotions.

    When
    High school era (flashback) and present day
    Where
    Past and present – high school and present day

  7. Takano declares continuing feelings and intent to rekindle

    Takano admits he still has feelings for Onodera and vows to make him fall in love with him again. His confession injects romantic tension into their workplace relationship and challenges Onodera to confront his own emotions. The dynamic shifts from icy professionalism to something more personal.

    When
    After revelation
    Where
    Office – Emerald

  8. Takano's slow pursuit unfolds

    The narrative follows Takano as he gradually pursues Onodera, facing obstacles that test their boundaries at work and in their emotions. The pursuit creates a thick atmosphere of attraction mixed with unresolved past hurts. Their relationship evolves through careful, incremental steps rather than dramatic leaps.

    When
    Over the course of the series
    Where
    Marukawa Publishing – various settings

  9. Introduction of Hatori and Yoshino's relationship

    As Onodera's world expands, editors Hatori and Yoshino are introduced and reveal a long-running relationship. Their dynamic offers a counterpoint to Onodera and Takano's romance, highlighting different kinds of love and professional ties in the publishing world.

    When
    Later episodes
    Where
    Marukawa Publishing – editors' area

  10. Introduction of Kisa and Yukina's romance

    Another couple, Kisa and bookstore employee Yukina, is introduced, showing another facet of romance within the workplace environment. Their evolving relationship runs parallel to the main storyline, adding depth to the department's social ecosystem.

    When
    Later episodes
    Where
    Bookstore and Marukawa environment

  11. Yokozawa's arc in the extra novel

    In a supplemental novel, Yokozawa, a salesman and Takano's longtime friend, is swept off his feet after a harsh breakup. The spin-off expands the universe and deepens the themes of love and resilience.

    When
    In the extra novel
    Where
    Yokozawa's life – various settings

  12. Kirishima and Yokozawa's romance after the breakup

    The extra narrative follows widower Kirishima and Yokozawa as they navigate a budding relationship after a painful breakup. This arc emphasizes healing, vulnerability, and the complexities of new love.

    When
    After the breakup in the spin-off
    Where
    Various locations – Kirishima and Yokozawa's life

  13. Overall arc: couples balance romance and publishing life

    Throughout the series, three couples — Onodera-Takano, Hatori-Yoshino, and Kisa-Yukina — navigate love, ambition, and workplace pressures. The show blends romance with the realities of editing, publishing deadlines, and personal growth.

    When
    Across the series

Last updated: March 05, 2026 at 18:39

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Onodera assigned to the Emerald shōjo department instead of the literature division?

Onodera applied to Marukawa Publishing hoping to work in the literature department, but the company assigned him to Emerald, the shōjo manga division, instead. This happened because his application was routed differently within the company, and he was placed where there was an opening. The unexpected assignment created initial conflict as Onodera contemplated resigning.

  • Onodera
  • Emerald department
  • Marukawa Publishing
  • shōjo manga
  • job assignment
Q2

Why does Takano call Onodera 'useless' after meeting him?

Takano calls Onodera 'useless' as a sharp initial rebuke to test his resolve and provoke a reaction. The insult serves as a catalyst that hardens Onoder's ambition, pushing him to prove his worth in the demanding shōjo manga division. Rather than breaking him, the harsh remark sparks a stubborn determination to survive and succeed in his new environment.

  • Takano
  • Onodera
  • useless
  • pride
  • workplace confrontation
Q3

What is the connection between Takano and Saga from Onodera's past?

Takano's family name was Saga when he was in high school, making him the same person Onodera loved and confessed to during their school days. Onodera discovers this connection when he learns Takano's old family name, realizing his new boss is actually his first love from years earlier. This revelation reframes their entire relationship and adds layers of unresolved emotion to their current dynamic.

Foreshadowing: Early hints of their past connection appear when Takano recognizes Onodera's surname with unusual interest.

  • Takano
  • Saga
  • Onodera
  • high school
  • first love
  • confession
Q4

Why does Takano still have feelings for Onodera after all these years?

Takano admits he never stopped loving Onodera since their high school days together. When they reunite at Marukawa Publishing, Takano confesses his enduring feelings and declares his intent to win Onodera's affection once more. His continued devotion stems from the genuine connection they shared in the past, which he believes can be rekindled despite the years and changes in their circumstances.

  • Takano
  • Onodera
  • feelings
  • love
  • confession
  • rekindling
Q5

Why does Onodera stay at Emerald after considering resignation?

Onodera decides to stay at Emerald because his pride refuses to back down after being called 'useless' by Takano. Rather than admit defeat, he chooses to prove his worth in the shōjo manga division he knows nothing about. This determination to succeed against the odds becomes his driving motivation throughout his early tenure.

  • Onodera
  • Emerald
  • resignation
  • pride
  • determination
  • proving worth
Q6

How did Hatori and Yoshino's relationship develop?

Hatori works as an editor at Marukawa Publishing alongside Yoshino, the manga artist he oversees. Their relationship developed over time through their professional collaboration, eventually deepening into a personal bond. Their dynamic offers a counterpoint to Onodera and Takano's romance, showing how love can grow within the publishing workplace.

  • Hatori
  • Yoshino
  • editor
  • manga artist
  • relationship
  • publishing
Q7

How did Kisa and Yukina meet and start their relationship?

Kisa, who works in the publishing world, becomes fixated on Yukina, a charismatic bookstore employee. Their romance unfolds as Kisa pursues Yukina, weaving a relationship that contrasts with the main storyline of Onodera and Takano. The connection develops through their interactions in the bookstore and Marukawa environment.

  • Kisa
  • Yukina
  • bookstore
  • romance
  • relationship
  • pursuit
Q8

What is Yokozawa's backstory with Kirishima in the series?

Yokozawa Takafumi is a salesman and longtime friend of Takano who experiences a painful breakup that leaves him emotionally devastated. In the supplemental storyline, Kirishima Zen, a widower and single father, enters Yokozawa's life and helps him heal. Their relationship develops as Yokozawa learns to open up to new emotional possibilities after his breakup.

  • Yokozawa
  • Kirishima
  • breakup
  • healing
  • widower
  • single father
Q9

Why did Onodera leave his father's publishing company?

Onodera left his father's publishing company because coworkers grew jealous of his success and claimed he only succeeded due to his family name. To escape the shadow of his father's prestige and establish his own identity, he quit and sought a fresh start at Marukawa Publishing, hoping to build a career on his own merits.

  • Onodera
  • father
  • publishing company
  • independence
  • family name
  • jealousy
Q10

What is the significance of 'Proposal' in the movie title?

The title refers to Takano's declaration of his intent to win Onodera's affection once more, essentially making a romantic proposition to rekindle their past relationship. While not a literal marriage proposal, it represents Takano's commitment to pursue Onodera seriously and convince him to give their love another chance.

  • proposal
  • title
  • Takano
  • Onodera
  • romance
  • declaration

Movie threads

More Movies Like The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Second Chance Workplace Romances like The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal

Romantic reunions that blossom in the pressure-cooker of a shared profession. If you enjoyed the mix of professional pressures and rekindled romance in The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal, discover more movies where past loves find their way back to each other through shared careers and workplace dynamics.

  • romantic tension
  • workplace dynamics
  • reunited lovers
  • professional stress
  • emotional growth
  • slow burn
  • Tone: hopeful, nostalgic
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with an unexpected reunion between characters who share a complicated past. The professional environment forces them into close collaboration, creating a 'slow burn' tension as they navigate unresolved feelings alongside new career challenges, ultimately leading to reconciliation and personal growth.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on the unique tension and emotional growth that occurs when a second-chance romance unfolds within the structured, high-stakes context of a workplace, blending personal and professional storylines.

Second Act movie poster

Second Act

2018
The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal movie poster

The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal

2020
The Rebound movie poster

The Rebound

2009
Just Friends movie poster

Just Friends

2018
A Very Special Love movie poster

A Very Special Love

2008
The Perfect Find movie poster

The Perfect Find

2023
If the Sun Rises in the West movie poster

If the Sun Rises in the West

1998
Working Girl movie poster

Working Girl

1988

Hopeful Slow-Burn Character Growth like The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal

Stories where emotional transformation unfolds gently, leading to a satisfying happy ending. Fans of The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal will enjoy these similar movies that feature a steady, character-driven pace, a focus on emotional growth, and a ultimately happy, hopeful conclusion to the journey.

  • hopeful
  • emotional growth
  • slow burn
  • character driven
  • confronting the past
  • self-worth
  • Tone: hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story follows a protagonist grappling with internal conflicts, often related to self-doubt or unresolved past trauma. Through a series of steady, deliberate events and relationships, they undergo significant emotional growth. The tone remains hopeful throughout, assuring viewers that the character's efforts will lead to a fulfilling and happy resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their gentle pacing, moderate emotional weight, and a core theme of personal evolution. They offer a comforting viewing experience where character development is the main driver, culminating in a rewarding and happy ending.

Hope Springs Eternal movie poster

Hope Springs Eternal

2018
Where Hope Grows movie poster

Where Hope Grows

2015
Tumse Na Ho Payega movie poster

Tumse Na Ho Payega

2023
Friendly Fire movie poster

Friendly Fire

2024
How Old Are You movie poster

How Old Are You

2014
Americanish movie poster

Americanish

2021
Paagal movie poster

Paagal

2021
Past Tense movie poster

Past Tense

2014

Every angle

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

Everything about The World’s Greatest First Love: Proposal in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app