REVIEW: ‘Horimiya,’ Episode 4 – “Everybody Loves Somebody”

Horimiya Episode 4 is at its best when it lets the teens be teenagers, and fortunately, it does that a lot. The main cast is expanding, and romance may be in the air for not just the lead couple. The CloverWorks (The Promised Neverland) production is an adaptation of the popular manga of the same name. The manga, published in English by Yen Press, features story by Hero and art by Daisuke Hagiwara. The slice-of-life romance follows a group of high school friends in their senior year. Specifically, put-together Hori and outcast Miyamura, as they bond over an encounter that reveals their private lives to the other.

Toru is lovelorn, but it is towing a decent line between comedy and drama. He gets jealous of Miyamura at times, but not to the point where he would interfere or harm his friendship with the other. It is a relatively (with the exception of last week) healthy portrayal of a teen dealing with unrequited feelings. Naturally, just because Hori turned him down doesn’t magically erase his feelings, but he is trying to get over her and move on. Enter Sakura from the student council. A very brief interaction between the two implies, at the very least, the start of a new friendship. Either way, the group is expanding at a natural pace. Horimiya Episode 4 has ample moments that just let the audience sit with this group. A personal highlight is the boys eating ice cream to beat the heat and laughing at their tongues changing colors. Some shows fall into a trap of making high school seniors act older than they are. That isn’t to say teenagers cannot be mature. Letting the kids exist in their youth is healing for the audience, and also makes the show’s beating heart that much more endearing.

An entirely new character is introduced in Horimiya Episode 4 to shake up the dynamics. Miyamura runs into a boy who went to his junior high, Shindo. Shindo was the only person who gave him the time of day, and the two ended up becoming close in school. This becomes noticeable to Hori and Toru. Miyamura shows a very different side when Shindo is around. Shindo flusters him and enjoys poking fun at his obvious feelings for Hori. It is a subtle way for his friends to realize that he might not be as comfortable around them as they think. Additionally, Hori is still putting up a front. She is embarrassed to admit any feelings towards Miyamura. She also still pushes herself past her limits and doesn’t feel comfortable relying on others. When she gets sick, Miyamura is the only person to whom she shows her vulnerability in a heartbreaking scene. Hori’s mother isn’t a “bad mom” per se. However, Hori has had to look after the house and Sota on her own a lot due to her mother’s busy work schedule. Hori is praised for being so self-reliant, but when adults think they are complimenting her they are actually burdening a child. At such a young age, she feels it is necessary to not burden others. It is heartbreaking.

Horimiya Episode 4 will likely be incredibly satisfying to viewers for multiple reasons. The cast is getting fleshed out, and the teenagers are relatable and realistic. This week manages a very strong balance between comedy and drama, and it pays off.

Horimiya is streaming now on Funimation.