S&X Netflix Review (2026): My Honest Take on the Series
The Binge Team- August 22, 2026
I binged S&X (SとX) on Netflix all Friday after its release on August 21, 2026, and I am hooked! It takes a topic that might make people blush and turns it into something surprisingly comfortable, heartfelt, and romantic. Adapted from Kisei Tada's very popular manga (SとX ～セラピスト霜鳥壱人の告白～), the drama immediately impressed me with its sincerity, humor, and strong sense of empathy.
At the center of the story are sex therapist Shimotori Ichito (Nakajima Kento) and his patient, Ichinose Yumi (Araki Yuko). Watching their relationship develop was one of my favorite parts of the drama, especially because their connection feels so tender and genuine.
S&X: What Is the New Netflix Series About?
I was half-expecting a show that would push its limits and rely on scandal or provocative moments when I first read the plot summary. Instead, I got a surprisingly touching story about love, compassion, and understanding.
Ichito works at a small clinic where he helps people deal with their everyday struggles, emotional baggage, relationship problems, and personal concerns. I absolutely loved the way he treats every patient with respect, gentleness, and zero judgment. He never makes people feel embarrassed about the problems they bring to him, and that immediately made me like his character.
Then Yumi walks through his door, and that's when the story really pulled me in. As she opens up to Ichito about her vulnerabilities, the two develop this tender, almost electric chemistry that had me completely invested in their scenes. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen whenever they were together.
If you're someone who enjoys the honest, healthy communication in It's Okay, That's Love or the quirky, therapeutic healing energy of Made for Each Other, I honestly think S&X could become your next obsession. It deals with grown-up problems without making every conversation feel awkward or uncomfortable. At times, watching Ichito and Yumi talk about their problems feels almost like sitting down for coffee with your best friend and having a completely honest conversation about life and relationships.
S&X Episodes 1 & 2 Review: Meet Ichito and Yumi
I was hooked by the cozy and friendly atmosphere of the clinic from the very beginning. Episodes 1 and 2 did a great job of pulling me into Ichito's hectic work life. I couldn't help but admire how he managed to keep such a calm and collected demeanor at work while clearly trying to hide his own awkwardness and emotions underneath. Nakajima Kento's quiet, restrained performance is so effortless!
Yumi's story comes more into focus in Episode 2, and I really enjoyed watching her relationship with Ichito develop naturally instead of feeling rushed. The supporting characters at the clinic also bring so much life to the show with their witty banter and playful personalities. I especially enjoyed Saigawa Yuta (Miura Ryota) and Natsume Marin (Sawako Fujima). Their jokes and playful moments kept the drama feeling light and fun, even when the story touched on more serious emotional topics.
Ichito and Yumi's love story isn't your typical romance. It's also about the challenges of building a relationship when two people are carrying a lot of emotional baggage. Their relationship isn't wild or overly dramatic. Most of the time, it's simple, quiet, and surprisingly calm. But that's what makes their struggles feel so real to me. You can see how much they want to become more than just friends, while their own issues and depression sometimes make it difficult for them to move forward.
S&X Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Romance
I really have to talk about the chemistry between Shimotori Ichito and Ichinose Yumi. It's off the charts! There is something so natural, intimate, and genuine about their scenes together throughout the show. I really enjoyed that Nakajima Kento didn't play Ichito as some cold, distant archetype. Instead, he brings so much emotion and warmth to the character, which made Ichito even more enjoyable to watch.
The supporting characters, Saigawa Yuta and Natsume Marin, also made the clinic feel like a place I genuinely wanted to spend more time in. Their presence added warmth and humor to the story without taking attention away from the main couple.
That said, I did have a few complaints. The pacing felt a little uneven as the show progressed. I felt that some of the patient-focused cases were wrapped up too quickly for my taste, which took away from the emotional impact those storylines could have had.
I also wasn't as interested when workplace drama or public gossip started becoming part of the larger story. Whenever those moments came up, I found myself checking the clock because I just wanted the show to return to the quiet, character-driven scenes between our two protagonists. Those were the scenes that kept me most invested in their story.
S&X Ending and Final Verdict
There was no lazy, cliché romantic fairy-tale ending in Episode 7. Instead, the finale focused on personal growth, honesty, and finally facing the feelings that had been holding Ichito and Yumi back. At last, Ichito broke his silence and faced his own doubts, while Yumi learned to stand up for herself and express what she truly needed without holding back.
The ending left me with a message that genuinely warmed my heart: this isn't about being perfect. It's about having the courage to show your most vulnerable, complicated self to someone who will accept you as you are. Now that I've finished Episode 7, I honestly can't stop smiling. I was left with this incredible warmth that stayed with me even after the episode ended.
Will There Be a Season 2?
Like many other fans, I've been frantically looking for news about a renewal! So far, Netflix has not confirmed whether S&X will return for a Season 2 or whether the series will end with its first season.
With only seven episodes, the series tells a complete story based on Kisei Tada's manga, making it work really well as a standalone drama. At the same time, the clinic setting could easily introduce new patient cases and give the story more room to explore Ichito and Yumi's relationship if the series does return.
Personally, though, I don't think another season is necessary. The story wrapped up in a way that felt complete to me, with both Ichito and Yumi finally confronting their emotional baggage and taking steps toward building a healthier relationship. I would be perfectly happy knowing that, from here, they continue working through their issues and building their relationship together.
✦ Watch This If You Loved
Must-watch for rom-com fans, S&X offers a mature, realistic story centered on open communication, emotional healing, and incredible chemistry between its leads.
Looking for more dramas like S&X? Check out these similar picks:
Drama Info
TitleS&X (2026)
Total Episodes7 (Complete)
Review7 Episodes
CountryJapan
GenreRomance · Life
Release DateAugust 21st · 2026 · Netflix
Stream
🎬 Netflix
Main Cast (yet to be updated)
MAB Score
8.5/10
Overall Rating
Story
Acting
Chemistry
Rewatch Value — 6.9/10
I'm already planning to rewatch my favorite scenes just for the adorable chemistry between the leads.