REVIEW: ‘Cherry Magic!’ Episode 4

Adult romances don’t always get the appreciation they deserve in anime, with the majority of stories that get adapted focusing on high school years. That said, the tide is starting to change. Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard (Sanjusai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii) hits the right note of adult comedy and sincere emotion. Now, in Cherry Magic Episode 4, the ship is sailing.

Over the course of the last few episodes, Kiyoshi Adachi (Chiaki Kobayashi) has been processing his feelings toward his co-worker Yuichi Kurosawa (Ryôta Suzuki). The catch is that, just like the title entails, Adachi has a magical power that allows him to hear people’s inner thoughts when he touches them. The gimmick of the series is what makes it so endearing. Instead of allowing his revelation of Kurosawa’s feelings for him to stick with him negatively, he empathetically explores them. For three episodes, we’ve seen Adachi trying his hardest to parse through his thoughts, both platonic and romantic.

In Cherry Magic Episode 4, the audience peaks behind the curtain. While the last episode gives us insight into why Kurosawa fell in love with Adachi, this episode is about Adachi realizing that he’s found feelings for Kurosawa. It’s been pretty apparent to the audience, but here, Adachi is embracing them, even if it comes with negative feelings, too. Like getting jealous for the first time. But to understand that jealousy, the episode takes time for you to understand why Adachi has been single and why he is a virgin at the age of 30. He sums it up best: romantic trauma.

Every time Adachi fell for a girl, she fell for someone else. Having his heart broken before he even extended it built up a wall so thick that he had a difficult time understanding how and when to let someone else in. Luckily, his new power has made it so that Kurosawa gets over that wall whether Adachi wants it or not.

The main conflict in Cherry Magic Episode 4 is a misunderstanding. When Adachi sees Kurosawa out with a woman, he immediately believes that she’s his date. Instead of talking it out, Adachi jumps to conclusions and immediately starts bashing himself. Adachi’s jealousy manifests as self-loathing, and it makes it clear why he is so sensitive in accepting any romantic feeling toward his co-worker.

Adachi doesn’t think he’s handsome enough for Kurosawa. He doesn’t trust that he can compete with a woman so beautiful. And in the end, he’s intimidated by the mere idea that Kurosawa has had exes. The fact that all of this happens in Adachi’s internal monologue alone makes it better. Adachi is mousy and anxious. Ultimately, he has to explore his emotions and reactions to really understand why Kurosawa feels so special.

After running home in the rain after spotting Kurosawa and the woman, he gets sick. Then, in traditional Japanese romance fashion, Kurosawa shows up to take care of him. It’s cute, but it also brings Adachi to a turning point. He likes Kurosawa romantically, and finally, he understands the mess of emotions he has been fighting. The revelation itself is thoughtfully constructed. There is emotional build-up and tension. Finally, Adachi is left on the edge of confessing his feelings, only to be interrupted.

Cherry Magic Episode 4 is heartfelt. It’s awkward in all the right ways. Thankfully, it’s starting to push the relationship we all showed up for forward. My only critique is the fact that the story needs to pick up the pacing. We’re nearly a third of the way in. Compared to the other adaptations, the movement through the story is almost glacial. Adachi has had three episodes to think about his feelings, and Episode 4 solidified them. Now it’s time to act.

But Adachi and Kurosawa aren’t the only couple in this episode. Tsuge, the friend who helped Adachi realize his superpower, is surprised when he brushes hands with the new deliveryman and realizes he, too, has mind-reading powers. It’s a funny coincidence that takes up a section of Cherry Magic Episode 4 and establishes the set-up for a side couple. While it does detract from the main story, Tsuge’s sweet interactions with his new crush are worth it.

Cherry Magic Episode 4 is everything I love about romance anime. Especially when they capture relationships between adults. I just need it to move faster.

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard Episode 4 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.