REVIEW: ‘A Condition Called Love’ Episode 3 — “Our First Christmas”

A Condition Called Love Episode 3 continues to develop the relationship between Hotaru Hinase (Kana Hanazawa) and Saki Hananoi (Chiaki Kobayashi).”Our First Christmas” is the series‘ strongest episode thus far, going beyond the straightforward archetypes the characters have inhabited until now. While the two aren’t entirely on even footing as Hotaru still contemplates her feelings for Hananoi, there’s a necessary push of forward momentum. It’s a charming, heartfelt episode that allows our protagonist greater depth than depicted in the first two episodes.

Following last week’s emotionally charged cliffhanger, A Condition Called Love Episode 3 picks up exactly where it left off. Hananoi remains hovering over Hotaru, distraught. He tells Hotaru that she doesn’t understand how much he feels for her, cares about her, and thinks about her constantly. But before anything else can reveal itself, Hananoi collapses from a fever. Stricken, Hotaru races to alert his grandmother, the only family he has nearby. It partially explains his more outward emotional state despite him always wearing his heart on his sleeve.

The moment leaves Hotaru feeling guilty. She realizes that she’s been toying with his emotions since they started their trial dating. While he was kind enough to allow it to be a trial stage, that doesn’t negate his genuine feelings for her. She realizes she needs to be more considerate. While her guilt outweighs her actual actions — she is a teenager, after all — they’re relatable and accurate to the character’s age. Everything feels too big and incompressible as a teenager. And it makes her more likable (though she already was) because we see our insecurities represented through her. She’s simply trying her best and hoping to conform to a societal standard that dictates a specific type of love.

She wants her love story. However, she is still learning what that love means to her. In A Condition Called Love Episode 3, we see romance through the vehicle of making someone’s day better — memorable. Hotaru and Hananoi made the deal to start trial dating with the projected end date as Christmas Eve. They make plans, and while Hotaru worries he’ll abandon them after he falls sick, he proves himself once again if determined. He arrives at the skating rink she attends to support her younger sister, ready to whisk her away on their date.

It’s one of the moments in the episode where we see more of Hotaru’s genuine emotions. She shares with Hananoi that since their last visit, she’s carried a level of guilt with her, heavy with the concern of how much emotional damage she brought to him. Seeing him in person fills her with relief. He, in return, shares that she is not obligated to give him an answer. It might be their proposed deadline, but he’s happy to wait it out and hear from her whenever she’s ready. In the meantime, he takes her on their date in one of the series’ sweeter, more insightful sequences.

The goal is clearly for Hananoi to charm Hotaru. And he does. She loves the amusement park he brings them to and is happy to indulge in all the food stalls that dabble in cuisines worldwide. Ultimately, she gets her princess moment when he lifts her off her feet and tells her that this day is special because of her. It’s her birthday, something he surprisingly knows, and he knows that due to the time of year, she doesn’t quite get to feel like it’s her “special day.” He intends to ensure it feels special and that she is the sole focus.

And she does. So much so that she hopes that if she does fall in love, it will be with Hananoi. But what makes the sequence so wonderful and character-driven is how much we learn about Hotaru’s kindness. She shares in her enthusiasm. After a good bite, she tells Hananoi to try food and buys him a cute scarf from a souvenir shop. He tells her as much, sharing that he falls for her more and more each day because of the openhearted kindness she exudes. She believes this is normal and that everyone behaves like she does. But he tells her that her empathy and easy kindness is a rarity.

The writing is strong throughout, from relatable dialogue to internal reflections. While Hotaru’s family could do with more development, their introduction works in tandem with the rest of the story. The animation, too, takes a step up in production. This is most notable at the amusement park, with all the trees adorned with Christmas lights, leaving their world aglow.

A Condition Called Love Episode 3 is a strong installment that finally delivers a fully formed picture of who these characters are. They still have room to grow, but there’s a better sense of where they’re starting from and what they can achieve through progress. With charming dialogue and a whimsical aesthetic, it fully captures the necessary romanticism.

A Condition Called Love Episode 3 is out now on Crunchyroll.