Japanese films in erotic subgenres — Nikkatsu Roman Porno, “pink films” and “pinky violence” — were big business in the 1970s. However, ever since the adult film industry started migrating to home entertainment formats such as VHS and DVD in the 1980s, and then to the internet in the 2000s, they have mostly disappeared from theaters.
Hideo Jojo's smart sex comedy “Love Nonetheless” is an attempt at a revival, while being mindful of changing social attitudes. The submissive women found in male-targeted porn flicks are out, laughs at the expense of clueless guys are in. The film is one of two in the “L/R15” collaborative project produced by Gen Sato and distributed by Spotted Productions. “Love Nonetheless” and the other, “Straying” — which was directed by Rikiya Imaizumi — are both rated R-15 and based on scripts by Jojo and Imaizumi.
Imaizumi is known for light romantic dramas that comment on the lives and loves of modern urbanites, with “Over the Town” (2020) being a recent example. Jojo, meanwhile, is something of a specialist in adult films for both the straight-to-video and theatrical markets. By having them join forces, Sato has tried to create a new synergy outside their respective comfort zones and with “Love Nonetheless” has entertainingly succeeded.