REVIEW: ‘A Condition Called Love’ Episode 4 — “Our First Shrine Visit”

After the standout Episode 3, A Condition Called Love Episode 4 returns to more patient pacing. That said, while the first half meanders and casts Hananoi (Chiaki Kobayashi) in an unflattering light, the second half picks itself up. Based on the manga by Megumi Morino and produced by East Fish Studio, the series still needs to develop its supporting cast to level up to some of the all-time shoujo greats. But “Our First Shrine Visit” at least offers up some significant character development between Hotaru (Kana Hanazawa) and Hananoi.

The first half of A Condition Called Love Episode 4 primarily takes place at a local shrine as Hotaru and her friends, along with Hananoi, ring in the new year. It’s been a week since Hotaru has last seen Hananoi. The two could not spend New Year’s Eve together, and Hananoi feels the separation. Hotaru fails to notice until her friends point it out to her, shocked that she can’t pick up on the same cues. Meanwhile, Hananoi is offering the bare minimum effort to get along with Hotaru’s friends, even appearing outwardly hostile towards her friend’s boyfriend.

Hananoi only wants to spend time with Hotaru and is beginning to realize how divided her attention is. He recharges through their proximity while Hotaru realizes there’s still much for her to learn regarding relationships. She feels the distance apart is normal. It’s yet another reminder that one of the strongest aspects of A Condition Called Love is the understanding that both leads have a lot to learn when it comes to romance. Hotaru might not be able to pick up on emotional cues of when Hananoi desires more of her undivided attention. Still, Hananoi, too, is unable to understand why he might be coming off too strong.

This leads directly into the stronger second half. To better understand Hananoi, Hotaru gets a part-time job at a bookstore. From her time with him, Hotaru has gleaned that Hananoi is an avid reader. From reading, while he waits for her to arrive to walk to school to the number of volumes on his bookshelf, it’s a passion she can easily determine. That said, even that taxes Hananoi as he worries about how much time he’ll spend with her.

His fix is waiting for her to leave work and walk her home. Hotaru acquiesces in a moment of recognition, happy to walk with him, especially if it takes some of the weight off his shoulders. One of her biggest determinations in this “relationship” is to be the person who makes Hananoi smile. And he does when she agrees to walk home with him. But, when he stays over for dinner, she realizes that she, too, withholds whole truths from him. To further understand him, she needs to reveal more of herself.

This leads to her sharing a moment in elementary school when a girl she believed to be a friend suddenly cut her hair during class. That is why Hotaru continues to wear her hair short. But she blames herself for the incident, citing her inability to read others’ emotions. Hananoi quickly comes to her defense, noting how she actively tries to understand him and his feelings, even if it takes effort. He, in return, shares with her that he was a “gloomy” kid, unable to make friends. They’re two of a kind then, Hotaru remarks.

The moment brings the two closer together, revealing more about the central relationship. We learn more about them as individuals while finding more areas where they’d be naturally drawn to one another despite their differences. Hotaru, because of these revelations, finds herself patting Hananoi on the head in an act of clear affection. She quickly withdraws when he turns, shocked and flustered. However, the moment marks a clear divide in who she is and where she’s heading. She might not be able to see her emotions as romantic, but there’s clearly something stirring in how she feels about Hananoi.

These scenes are necessary, too, because they further humanize Hananoi beyond his flaws. He’s just as prone to blushing and becoming flustered as Hotaru is. It’s what makes their match so charming. That said, the episode does highlight some pressing, ongoing hindrances. While the character designs are largely pleasant enough, the facial animation in Episode 4 is off-kilter if nothing fresh. There’s a lack of fluidity to some of the motions that adapt to awkward rendering despite the excellent utilization of color and tones.

A Condition Called Love Episode 4 is light on significant moments but finds warmth in the latter half due to the character development. While the series lacks a solid ensemble to help anchor the story, it comes alive in the leading duo’s interactions.

A Condition Called Love Episode 4 is out now on Crunchyroll.