REVIEW: ‘A Condition Called Love’ Episode 6 — “Our First Valentine’s“

While Episode 5 was disappointing, A Condition Called Love Episode 6 rectifies this with its strongest installment. Charming and reflective, the series finally sees Hotaru (Kana Hanazawa) and Hananoi (Chiaki Kobayashi) on equal footing. The former is ready to face her genuine, romantic feelings for the latter as they embark into a new territory. From jealousy to Valentine’s Day, the episode finds its necessary heart in how it allows the central couple to be relatable and human.

The best aspect of the series continues to step from the moments where both Hotaru and Hananoi are open and honest about their emotions. Their love story is cute and easy to engage with, but on its own, it doesn’t reach the highs of the best of the genre. What gives it an extra, necessary spark are the specificities that make the two tick.

Hotaru is still grappling with the baggage of an old friendship that soured. Hananoi deals with some abandonment issues. Due to this, Hotaru is wary of love, while Hananoi is overly eager with his. It makes the back half of A Condition Called Love Episode 6 land.

The first half of “Our First Valentine’s Day” consumes itself with yet another moment where Hananoi seems poised to overreact. Hotaru works with a male friend from elementary school, and Hananoi is instantly distrustful and jealous. It’s not because he thinks less of Hotaru or believes she’d ever intentionally hurt him. He’s worried because, as mentioned, he finds that the people in his life tend to choose others over him.

The introduction of said friend, Yao, also reveals more of Hotaru’s past. He was the boy her friend had a crush on. When a rumor spread that Hotaru liked him, she couldn’t appease her friend, resulting in said friend chopping off some of Hotaru’s hair in retaliation. The moment has left emotional scars. The series smartly suggests even more beneath the surface, as Yao seems to believe that he and Hotaru had more of a bond as kids than she does. Hopefully, this isn’t just Yao having romantic feelings for Hotaru. While it would drum up straightforward drama, it would be a cheap means of doing it.

The introduction, however, helps stem some of the more emotionally satisfying moments of the season so far. Hotaru spends much of A Condition Called Love Episode 6 worrying about how and when to confess to Hananoi that she has feelings for him. Each moment that she believes is the right one, she ends up stalling out, overcome by past fear. However, the continued miscommunication is weighing on both of them. And while he admits and apologizes for it later, it’s clear early that Hananoi is projecting his insecurities onto Hotaru.

It is a significant moment in the episode when she calls him on it. She says she can see that he’s hurting, even if he’s trying to hide it. She asks him why he only seems to worry about her rather than himself. If they’re dating, he should also be able to discuss his concerns with her. In a callback to Episode 5, she drags him to a secluded spot to hug him, “recharging.” She still doesn’t confess, but it’s one of the more romantic moments of the episode with its soft lighting and sunset coloring.

But the most romantic moment comes at the end, with each character stripped emotionally bare. Hananoi is running late for the Valentine’s Day date, and concerned, Hotaru decides to go to his apartment to ensure he’s okay. She finds Hananoi disheveled and bespeckled, covered in chocolate from his failed attempts at making her something sweet. She’s instantly charmed by Hananoi in his natural state, offering that the two bake together instead. When she finally admits she likes him, it’s a slip-up, spurned from the affection she feels at seeing how much effort goes on behind his charade of perfection.

It’s the human version of Hananoi that Hotaru is close to, someone she can open up to about her past. The one worthy of accepting her love. To assuage her concern about the damage love can wreak, he shares with her that food has moved beyond mere sustenance since they began dating. Now, he eats for the sake of enjoying it. Love can make us better, too.

It’s a heartfelt moment that works because of how well we know these characters at this point. Yes, this is partially because, for the most part, they’re the only real characters in the series. But the writing expresses itself confidently through these moments, aided by visual flourishes such as the romanticism in the lighting or the detail of the two huddled together on the same chair.

A Condition Called Love Episode 6 executes a necessary shift in tone as Hotaru confesses her genuine emotions. With the two on the same page, the series opens itself up to greater storyline possibilities as it further mines the rich landscape of good love stories. While it continues to miss on building a tight ensemble, Hotaru and Hananoi are at least strong enough to carry the series when the writing is up to snuff.

A Condition Called Love Episode 6 is out now on Crunchyroll.