REVIEW: ‘A Sign of Affection’ Episode 1 — “Yuki’s World”

Soft around the edges but bursting with lively energy, A Sign of Affection Episode 1 delivers a beautiful debut. Based on the manga series written and illustrated by Suu Morishita, A Sign of Affection (Yubisaki to Renre) takes care of the details of this world. Nearly overwhelmed in its own sincerity and lit ablaze in comforting pinks and magic hour lighting, “Yuki’s World” appeals to the inner romantic and slice-of-life enthusiast.

Yuki Itose (Sumire Morohoshi) is a 19-year-old college student. Born deaf, Yuki’s adapted to her world. We see her using sign language, text messages, and written notes to communicate with those around her. Her world expands following a chance meeting with the enigmatic Itsuomi Nagi (Yū Miyazaki) after he helps her with a foreigner looking for directions. Their chance meeting, brought on by luck, inspires Yuki to seek Itsumoi out in the patient premiere. A Sign of Affection Episode 1 sets the table, character-driven and rendered in a hazy glow that encapsulates the winter days Yuki wanders through.

Yuki is our main point of view, becoming the major draw due to her quirks and the details of her design. From referring to her wanting Itsuomi’s contact details as a “quest” to her salute to her mom before leaving, these small moments help further characterize her. She’s charming, something that animation helps enhance. The animators take pains in allowing her personality to overflow through not just her internal narration but through her often exuberant physicality as she reacts to the world around her.

We don’t know much about Itsuomi yet beyond the superficial. He’s been away for a while, an avid traveler, and can speak three languages. He works at a bar-cafe with his cousin, who Yuki’s friend also has a crush on. But despite the little we know about him, Itsuomi wins us over as quickly as he does Yuki through similar eccentric characteristics. From his disregard for personal space to the way he exaggerates his words to make sure it’s easy for Yuki to read his lips, his character is well-defined. But the best moment comes at the end after Yuki has successfully gotten his contact info.

She texts him if he thinks “the world is big.” He responds with a “yes, it’s huge.” But the killer comes in his follow-up, “Let me in yours, Yuki.” Her response is infectious, as she jumps and waves to him in goodbye, smitten at the notion that someone would want to be a part of her universe, which she believes is small. His apparent happiness in response tells us everything we need to know: the feelings are mutual. It also speaks to how even those who don’t travel can have their worlds enlightened and broadened through engaging with others.

Produced by Ajia-do Animation Works, the series premiere is nearly meditative in the introduction. Director Yūta Murano, the framing takes care in catching the details of the world. This is especially true in capturing the sign language being used. Beyond that, there’s a satisfying tactility to the world that helps depict how Yuki sees it. The snowy cityscape, the flickering lights that light Yuki’s walk home, the snow that softly piles on their umbrellas — it all enriches the delicacy of the pallet.

The writing by Yōko Yonaiyama matches, patiently allowing the characters to come into their own. The episode begins with Yuki wondering if love could be comparable to snow in that both enter our worlds silently. It’s an easy indicator of the show’s tone, of sincerity worn on its heartfelt sleeve.

The watercolor aesthetic breathes further romance into the series, which embraces its genre with gusto. The dreamlike quality strengthens the story and the meet cute between Yuki and Itsuomi. It’s made immediately clear they entice each other. Naoko Yamada’s brilliant A Silent Voice was already going to be an easy comparison (if lazy), but the lighting and cool hues used further emulate it.

A Sign of Affection Episode 1 is enormously winsome. “Yuki’s World” is an inviting premiere that promises a robust and central cast and a chemistry-driven romance. Aided by textured animation and observational direction, the series quickly pulls us into its orbit, especially for us yearning for romance anchored in introspective character work.

A Sign of Affection Episode 1 is available now on Crunchyroll, with new episodes each Saturday.