REVIEW: ‘Horimiya: The Missing Pieces’ Episode 11 — “Parting and Girlfriend”

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 11 delivers a lovely reminder of different types of special relationships, be it platonic or otherwise, as the characters prepare for Valentine’s Day. “Parting and Girlfriend” is a delightful installment as we draw to the series close, with Miyamura and Co. working to figure out how best to celebrate the people around them through the gifts of a variety of chocolates they plan to deliver on the holiday. It’s one of those episodes of the series that gives a solid reminder of just how lovable these characters are through their small acts of generosity as well as their relatable, abysmal ability to complete basic tasks without the aid of their friends. 

Despite the ensemble, the episode is largely split into two parts — one with Sawada and Miyamura, the other with Hori. Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 11 deals with how both feel inept in their gift-giving skills. As the son of bakery owners and pastry chefs, Miyamura isn’t so much worried about what he gives but how it’s presented. Hori, meanwhile, is absolutely worried about her lack of baking skills. She hadn’t even been planning on getting Miyamura anything until she was shamed by Remi, who told her she believed that Miyamura would love anything he’s given specifically because it’s from Hori. 

So Hori enlists the help of Sakura, who points her in the right direction, while Miyamura is advised by Sawada that he needs to somehow wrap his gift so that it’s cute and aesthetically pleasing. He’s already told Sawada Hori’s favorite colors, so she’s equipped with her own arsenal of knowledge as she prepares a gift for her senior. This snapshot of Miyamura and Sawada’s sibling-style relationship is one of the highlights of the episode.

Miyamura’s innate kindness is often mentioned by Hori, and it’s best seen in these interactions with Sawada, who he knows harbors a crush on Hori but is nonplussed by it. Similarly, Sawada can drag Miyamura away and hide behind his back when having to talk to Iura on behalf of a friend, and no one bats an eye. Their relationship is sweet, and while it’s never the real focus, it only strengthens their character dynamics, even though we wish we could explore more of their friendship. 

Similarly, “Parting and Friendship” offers other nuggets of relationships, such as Sakura and Yoshikawa’s. The latter helped the former with her cheer routine earlier in the season, and here, we see Sakura give Yoshikawa chocolates for Valentine’s Day next to Tooru’s, who they both had feelings for. While there was never any true animosity between the two, this is a genuine sign of strong friendship, no matter whose feelings Tooru did reciprocate. 

That sense of generosity, of kindness that reaches beyond our own petty instincts, flows throughout the series. Something that allows it its compassionate tone. Even Sawada ultimately tells Hori that she got help with her gift from Miyamura when Hori expresses how much she likes the colors it was wrapped in. The series loves to capture the characters in small, secret moments of joy, such as Hori’s face when she realizes how well her boyfriend knows her, and the screen becomes fuzzy around her. That’s been a constant choice of the animation team, to isolate the characters amidst blurry, sparkling backdrops whenever a feeling becomes too big for just their body to contain. It’s a simple yet striking effect. 

The heart of the episode, as is the case with most episodes, is, of course, Hori and Miyamura as they give one another gifts. More than a simple romance, the scene is a lovely reminder that both symbolize one another’s homes. From Hori’s contentment in his presence to Miyamura’s comfort at seeing a plate from Hori’s home, the two seek refuge and peace in one another’s proximity. And it’s why Horimiya has often stood out as a romance anime. They’ve adored one another since the very first episode, and their burgeoning relationship was born from mutual and addressed affection. Any drama or triumphs that follow are those that come from a stabilized relationship. It makes the humor, such as Hori’s mortification at realizing she didn’t think about wrapping her gift, funnier, and declarations of love all the more emotionally potent. 

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 11 once again brandishes the series’ ability to take small, intimate moments between friends and loved ones and make them impossibly relatable. That ability to capture the mundanities and embarrassments of being a teenager and being in love is one of the series’ greatest strengths, something that “Partings and Girlfriends” understands. From hilarious character exchanges to background moments and the quiet sequence at the end between Hori and Miyamura, Episode 11 sinks its teeth into what makes the heart of the series so charming.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces is available now on Crunchyroll.