REVIEW: ‘A Sign Of Affection’ Episode 12 — “Our World”

A Sign of Affection Episode 12 leans into its inherent visual romanticism. As Yuki (Sumire Morohoshi) and Itsuomi (Yu Miyazaki) embark on their first actual, official date, the flower imagery of the series engulfs the frames. It’s a fitting send-off as the entirety of the story has languished in this style of whimsy and manages to merely amplify it in the season finale.

Yuki and Itsuomi go to a public garden of the former’s choosing. While she initially worries about whether or not she can pick a satisfactory date spot for someone who traverses the world, her insecurities are for not. Not only does Itsuomi enjoy doing anything that brings Yuki joy, but he is also visibly pleased with her choice. This is especially true as he watches Yuki take photos of all the flowers in bloom, snapping photos of any that catch her eye. From the start, the series has positioned Itsuomi as someone seeking to see the world through Yuki’s eyes. A Sign of Affection Episode 12 allows him this opportunity through something as innocuous as scrolling her gallery feed. Yuki’s eyes chase natural beauty, from the cascading wisterias to the vibrant azaleas.

It makes the episode’s title, “Our World,” stick out more. It’s no longer just Yuki’s world that Itsuomi is trying to share a lens with. Instead, the two share their perception, taking in one another and consumed by their abundance of love. The series, based on the mange by suu Morishita, loves the romantic decadence of florals. They decorate the cover pages of the manga, and the series, directed by Yūta Murano, brings that to the visuals.

The scene captures what makes A Sign of Affection such an engaging series. While Yuki and Itsuomi are the heart, the show has a proclivity to touches of subtle grandeur that speak to the overarching nature of the story. For a show so consumed by love, of course, their date would lead them to a flower garden. Flowers are so often, in their way, signs of affection from one to another. The depiction is gorgeous. The animation team captures the beauty of this space not just in the details of the flowers themselves but in how they allow light to filter in. It creates a stunning image as Yuki and Itsuomi find comfort in their shared space.

When Itsuomi asks why she’s taking so many photos of the flowers, she confesses it’s because she can’t help but find it charming how flowers all wait their turn to bloom. It’s a lovely character insight. She doesn’t see flowers as pretty things with short life spans but as parts of the world that patiently wait until they can turn their face to the sun. This writing makes A Sign of Affection Episode 12 stand out in a season made up of them. Even when we believe we understand a character in and out, the dialogue reveals more significant insights.

It makes the duo’s final confession even more emotionally potent. Itsuomi finally shares why he loves traveling so much. The reason is relatively simple. He struggled to communicate with his classmates after moving to Germany when he was six. Frustrated, he finally scrounged up the courage to ask to play soccer with another kid. He was undeterred despite his German lacking polish. From then on, he decided he couldn’t always rely on books; he needed to put himself out there to know and understand someone honestly. The flashback is delightful. It indicates that Itsuomi, though more mature now, has always carried an aloof and easygoing attitude with him.

Yuki already loves the message. Itsuomi sent it through text, putting a barrier between them, though that didn’t stop her from feeling everything he said. She admires him and his clear-eyed vision of his dreams and future. But what destabilizes her is his final goodnight. He confesses that he could spend a mere five minutes with her and walk away feeling better. He loves everything about her. And while this sends her into a blushing fit, she can’t help but echo what he says on the other side of the phone screen. She loves everything about him. Given more time, they both believe they can love one another even more than they already do.

If there’s any drawback, it’s how the ending rushes through crucial plot points. From Oushi (Takeo Ōtsuka) deciding to study sign language further, to Shin (Tasuku Hatanaka) and Emma (Nao Tōyama) deciding to go on a date, or the Rin (Kaede Hondo) and Kyōya (Ryōta Ōsaka) update, it all shoulders the weight of a show tying a neat bow on supporting characters. Considering the show has only covered about half of the manga so far, it’s discouraging to see the story breeze by. It’s understandable in case there isn’t a season two, but these characters deserve greater time and exploration.

Regardless, A Sign of Affection Episode 12 is yet another visual stunner. The unwavering stability of Yuki and Itsuomi’s relationship anchored the finale as the story embodies the boundless nature of love. There’s no bad forecast for their future — just a lifetime of moments that will endear the two to each other even more. And sometimes that’s the type of love story we want to see.

A Sign of Affection Episode 12 is available now on Crunchyroll.