REVIEW: ‘A Condition Called Love’ Episode 5 — “Our First Date”

A Condition Called Love Episode 5 highlights this romance anime’s best and worst aspects. As Hotaru (Kana Hanazawa) incredulously continues to worry about how legitimate her feelings are for Hananoi (Chiaki Kobayashi), she faces some significant shifts in their dynamic, pushing her towards a decision. Before major developments happen, we’re stuck wading through redundant story elements and off-kilter character animation. It’s a shame because the character insight is there, and there’s an exciting story of self-acceptance and love at its center, but the adaptation isn’t proving adept in bringing it to life.

Based on the manga by Megumi Morino, one crucial element of the story shines through in each episode. While Hotaru is given the direct narrative of figuring out what love is, so too is Hananoi. It helps soften some of Hananoi’s rougher edges while granting both a sense of authenticity. These teenagers’ emotions are tumultuous and ever-shifting as they seek out their place in the world. It makes sense that they would’ve had it all figured out.

It brings out one of the most revealing moments of the series so far. Unfortunately, it happens at the very end, so there isn’t much time spent meditating on it. But Hotaru points out that his self-sacrificing ways have worried her about Hananoi since she met him. He did it in Episode 1, digging through the snow for her hairpin. He does it again here in shielding Hotaru from a miskicked soccer ball that instead hits him, rendering him momentarily unconscious.

He shares with her that there’s a reason for it. In a moment of vulnerability, he confesses that nothing ever seems to be enough. No matter how hard he works or how kind he is, someone is always chosen over him. Time will tell if he means this beyond romantic partners — and considering his parents are constantly away, it would seem so. But it’s a moment that reminds us that Hananoi is just as new to these emotions as Hotaru. And it’s this moment that propels Hotaru further as she promises she cares for him and won’t be choosing someone else.

Unfortunately, the rest of A Condition Called Love Episode 5 doesn’t live up to this one standout moment. There are some cute moments, however. Their lunch date on the roof showcases how far they’ve come, and Hotaru is comfortable with their physical proximity. Their date is sweeter still, with Hotaru determined to escort him this time. Of course, her plans fail with the movie they see being too scary and the restaurant she wanted to bring them being closed. But they rally, finding other charming spots and gift shops to spend time with.

These moments have some of the worst animation, however. Specifically, the rooftop. It all comes down to clumsy rendering and presentation. The shots lack cohesion from the stilted animation of Hotaru’s run to their near kiss which looks like two different frames laid over one another. Again, it all improves as the story continues, but the initial few scenes immediately throw things off.

It doesn’t help that the first storyline is such a non-issue. Hotaru worries about a girl being interested in Hananoi and how to express herself to show her developing emotions towards him. However, it didn’t need a full half of an episode. This is especially true considering the back half, and their date is so much more engaging, even if the series remains barren in creating a solid ensemble.

It’s hardly bad. Seeing all the missed opportunities for something more than satisfactory is a shame. The story has a sweet center, an engaging love interest, and a charming protagonist. There’s just an awkwardness to the adaptation that fails to fully connect with us, especially in comparison to the source material. The highs are undeniable; I just wish there were more of them. In the final confession, the screen illuminates itself with a color story we’ve yet to see in this series, with warm blues and yellows decorating the sky above their heads. Even this type of switch in tone and style is enough to keep the series visually interesting, even when it lacks narrative momentum.

Despite the shortcomings and growing frustration with pacing, A Condition Called Love Episode 5 ends on a note that provokes us to keep watching. We want to know what happened to make Hananoi so insecure. We want to see how Hotaru inevitably accepts her feelings and how their romance further blossoms. The big moments are stellar; it’s everything getting us to those points that create tedium.

A Condition Called Love Episode 5 is out now on Crunchyroll.