REVIEW: ‘A Sign Of Affection’ Episode 9 — “I Don’t Want To Leave”

It’s a near-miracle that, despite its patient and assured pacing, A Sign of Affection (Yubisaki to Renren) remains as engaging as it is. In A Sign of Affection Episode 9, the series maintains its confidence as the world develops around the central couple. While the love story between Yuki (Sumire Morohoshi) and Itsuomi (Yu Miyazaki) continues to be the grounding element of the series, the writing smartly looks outward. Last week, we saw that with the development of Shin (Tasuku Hatanaka) and Emma (Nao Tōyama), during this week, it gives a small bit of focus to Rin (Kaede Hondo) and Kyōya (Ryōta Ōsaka).

As expected in the series, A Sign of Affection Episode 9 is essentially broken into two parts. The first part details Yuki, Itsuomi, Rin, and Kyōya’s day trip to the mountainside. The trip is to help learn sign language, led by Yuki in what Itsuomi calls a “boot camp.” From the girls matching jackets to the group of friends’ animation and facial expressions, the sequence is adorable. There’s an evident fondness and warmth shared between them. We see this in small exchanges, such as when Rin comes up with a game to pass the time in the car that keeps Yuki included.

“I Don’t Want To Leave” has no real major drama, but that doesn’t make the bigger moments feel less significant. Instead, due to the series and its tone, those little moments achieve the same significance as the more meaningful, emotionally explosive moments. We know Rin and Kyōya and have spent time with them, so admitting their feelings is natural. It’s still a sweet moment, especially with Kyōya sharing his feelings, considering he’s been more withdrawn of the two. But the charm comes from their romance beginning with a literal stumble, with Rin twisting her ankle in the admits of their confessions. Despite the series’s inherent romanticism, the touches of realism give it its magic.

We see those touches throughout the episode, often in the backdrops or character designs. Yuki and Rin are shopping at a Uniqlo in the opening moments. Later, in the back half of the episode, Itsuomi and Yuki have a date at an Izakaya before stopping at a convenience store. They aren’t living larger-than-life daily experiences, but their relationship infuses these small moments to give them greater momentum. It shows the magic of small intimacies, such as how the animation captures Itsuomi and Yuki’s clasped hands.

Those details are what bolster the second part of the episode. Itsuomi doesn’t want to stop spending time with Yuki, so he asks her to spend the night. Sending a message to her mom to lie about staying at Rin’s, she is notably awkward despite Itsuomi’s best efforts. Regardless, the series still manages to showcase its mounting comfort. On the one hand, she pushes him out of the room when he tries to change in front of her. But then, in the next scene, we watch as she steals one of his sweatshirts to bury herself in. The show isn’t patient because it’s slow but because it understands small growths regarding familiarity and character development.

Based on the manga by suu Morishita, A Sign of Affection is relentlessly cute. Each week presents a challenge of how best to convey how sweet this show is without growing redundant. “I Don’t Want to Leave” manages to deliver new examples of how lovely this series is. The sequence of Itsuomi pointing out items for Yuki to sign is handled with levity and heart. It’s sincere and comical, like when the girls run from Itsuomi holding a front. The animation, too, finds joy in animating Yuki as she tries to bravely follow Itsuomi into the frigid April waters; her whole body shivers, conveying the cold. We’re also privy to Yuki’s up-close perspective of Itsuomi, as she fondly thinks about how boyish he looks when he laughs.

There’s familiarity in each episode as the romance between Yuki and Itsuomi continues to unravel and develop. But that familiarity doesn’t create a sense of boredom or repetition. Instead, it fosters a greater appreciation for the characters and their mutual feelings for each other. He wants to travel overseas with her, and she wants a job to make it work. These are the most significant conflicts of the episode for the most part, and that relatability makes it worthwhile.

The most significant moment of drama is hinted at and left as a cliffhanger. Oushi (Takeo Ōtsuka) has found out about Yuki and Itsuomi’s relationship and is calling to determine if it’s true. Regardless, he poses little threat. More than anything, it’s likely that he, too, will become enveloped in the fold of the world, allowing his own story and heart to offer.

A Sign of Affection Episode 9 is another lovely installment and a continued breath of fresh air. This series acts as a soothing balm, a respite to more significant dramas and action-packed series. As Yuki and Itsuomi take a more critical step in their relationship by spending more time together, the series continues to establish its storytelling confidence. This show is happy to set its own pace with its style and does so beautifully.

A Sign of Affection Episode 9 is available now on Crunchyroll.