REVIEW: ‘The Ice Guy And His Cool Female Colleague,’ Episode 4 – “A Day-Off Date And A Shared Game”

With their first dinner together behind them, life continues on for Himuro and Fuyutski. But when Himuro discovers the object of his affection is looking forward to an upcoming children’s movie, he quickly volunteers to accompany her to the movie in The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 4.

Thus far in my reviews of this series, I’ve been pretty harsh. I find the pace too slow, every reaction Himuro has toward whatever rather mundane statement Fuyutsuki makes to be played out and oftentimes eye-rolling, and the series has little real energy to keep me engaged. While I stand by these feelings, The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 4 manages to hit a bit better than my previous experiences with the series, but I think it’s mostly the spot I’m in that helps this episode succeed a bit better.

Despite so much of this episode being just more of what I’ve seen before, thanks to an exhausting week between rapid deadlines and horrible weather, the predictable pleasantness that it has always delivered landed for me with a slightly greater effect than in the past. Seeing these two reserved people plod through the early stages of their budding romance was a nice distraction to just let wash over me for half an hour.

That half-hour journey is split between two separate moments for our protagonists. The bulk of the episode centers around the duo going out to see the latest animated family film together, including a catch-up watch of the original entry in the film series.

Himuro and Fuyutsuki’s experience at the theater is delivered well. The evening flows smoothly, and the viewer is offered a spot beside them, like a little shelter of calm from life. Other than the relaxing energy that the show always has, there isn’t much else. Fuyutsuki does a few small things that Himuro predictable finds super cute, and the movie wraps up without any real noteworthy moments to keep it standing out for the viewer. It’s like watching a real date. Great for the couple that is emotionally engaged with the event, but it’s just two people in a theater for anyone else.

The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 4 wraps up the episode with the duo stuck working overtime while their co-workers enjoy a dinner out. As has been the case in the past, shifting some of the focus to those around the main pair of characters brings a little more energy to the story. While Fuyutsuki and Himuro pass the time stuck at the office together, their coworkers discuss the duo with some playful hopefulness. They all clearly want the two to get together, and seeing the energetic support for the pair was a nice touch for the narrative.

When all is said and done, The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 4 brings more of the same, slow, low-energy, plot-light storytelling it has in the past. While it still hasn’t wowed me, my current mindset has helped me appreciate how this show could be just the thing some people may need to indulge in when a new episode drops each week.

The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 4 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.