REVIEW: ‘The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague,’ Episode 3 – “A First Meal and a Secret Photo”

Having managed to avoid any major disasters on their training trip, Himuro and Fuyutsuki are happy to discover they have been assigned to the same area in their new permanent positions at their job. With everything that she did for him during the training trip, Himuro resolves to ask Fuyutsuki out to dinner to say thank you in The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 3.

This episode of The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague dives a little deeper into some classic romantic comedy tropes as Himuro decides to take Fuyutsuki out. He repeatedly stumbles across her just as she is divulging some useful piece of information to their co-worker Komori. While these timely discoveries help smooth out Himuro’s decision-making process, they also feel like too much of a cheat. They keep Himuro from actually engaging with Fuyutsuki to find out these details, which ultimately hurts The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 3 more than it helps. The budding couple’s inability to actively interact with each other beyond minor discussion, and the problem that causes the show, is brought to glaring obviousness when they go out on their date.

Surrounded by a surprisingly lavish setting for a first, not even official date, the pair still have an extremely serene meal together. And by serene, I mean they barely speak out loud. While this situation feels exactly like how these two personalities would be with each other this early in their friendship, it doesn’t provide much entertainment or personality growth for either of them. Even their dual-running internal monologues feel subdued and too restrained. This setup might work if there was a payoff. If one or the other finally broke the ice and we were got to see them possibility relax a bit. But that never comes.

Along with the focal point of the dinner out, The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 3 sees Fuyutsuki and Himuro strengthen their friendship in some smaller ways as well. These moments lead to a generous sprinkling of the series’ sweetness that has been its strongest element thus far. Himuro’s happiness whenever he gets to take another of these small steps always feels heartfelt and does manage to ease a little bit of energy into the largely reserved tone of the episode.

Another element that has a significant effect on the show I had overlooked previously is this show’s soundtrack. Every piece of background music delivers soft, delicate melodies which enhance the air of calm and chill the show tends to lean into. While it feels like a good fit, I think this may be part of why I struggle with the show as much as I do. With so much of each episode’s time spent already on a low-key energy wise, the soundtrack further lowering the energy in the story may be why this series feels like it is trying so hard to put me to sleep.

When all is said and done, The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 3 delivers an adequate story that falls in line with what the show has delivered before.

The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague Episode 3 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.