REVIEW: ‘A Condition Called Love’ Episode 8 — “My First Pet”

A Condition Called Love Episode 8 gets it half right. Now that Hotaru (Kana Hanazawa) and Hananoi (Chiaki Kobayashi) are officially dating, they are settling into the rhythm of what that means. While the first part of “My First Pet” explores their relationship through work and how others perceive them, the back half flounders with a middling, unnecessary plot. It’s a shame because it only manages to highlight some of the weaker elements of the series best covered by robust and dynamic writing.

Split into two parts and two completely separate storylines, A Condition Called Love Episode 8 deals with low stakes aside from some necessary setup. In part one, we learn that Hananoi, in an act of clinginess, applied and was hired to work alongside Hotaru at the bookstore. But while the intentions were to allow the two to spend more time together, it seems to be a good influence on Hananoi, separate from his need to be near his girlfriend. It’s better knowing that Hotaru is happy with the placement, even if she’s a little awkward around him and her coworkers.

But if there’s anything that’s been made abundantly clear throughout the series so far, it’s that Hananoi desperately needs a friend. Someone other than Hotaru to bounce off of. The supporting characters have yet to be well-established enough to be entertaining on their own, but it doesn’t diminish how much it would benefit the character. Hananoi is so resistant to having anyone other than Hotaru in his life. He continually deflects attempts at friendship or is outwardly hostile towards those he is jealous of. Still, somehow, their manager Kuroe has had a positive effect.

In a sweet moment that builds on what we know of Hananoi, we learn that Kuroe recognizes Hananoi as a frequent customer. He was always so happy that Hananoi, over the years, would purchase books from the display stands. The recognition makes Hananoi blush, and it’s one of those understated moments that help ground and humanize a character so seemingly aloof. Hotaru, too, is charmed by it as the two share a romantic moment before leaving for home.

These moments aren’t monumental but shift the characters in the right direction. Hananoi becomes less isolated and less dependent entirely on Hotaru alone. They’re light on their feet and lack the emotional depth of some of the series’ finer moments, but it doesn’t diminish its charm. Unfortunately, the back half of A Condition Called Love Episode 8 does. Hotaru’s friend, Kyo, is invited over to her boyfriend’s for the first time, but her fear of dogs worries her. Hotaru sets her mind to helping Kyo out, which leads them to enlist Yao to help out, much to Hananoi’s chagrin.

This is just thin plotting. Again, some foundational elements are laid out. Yao wonders if he and Hananoi have met before, and the latter’s dismissal suggests a bigger story. Yao also clearly doesn’t understand Hotaru’s awkwardness around him, which stems from her childhood friend’s crush on him. But these brief moments do little to engage us when the storyline is so uninspired and drags on. Kyo’s fear of dogs is one thing, but the hurdles of jumping to place these characters together are exhaustive.

When the storyline fails to engage, the rougher edges show. Character dimensions continue to fluctuate depending on the scene, with proportions mismatched. Another noticeable weak spot is impact. A shot of the characters walking is oddly rendered, their feet hovering over the ground. Elsewhere, when the characters pet the dog, there’s no texture or sign of life. These characters are all weightless, floating above the ground and each other to the point where they feel untethered. When the bobblehead effect occurs in certain scenes, they might as well be about to float clean out of the frame.

It’s a shame because the series deserves animation that helps give the characters a purchase. Their troubles and stressors are relatable, and they don’t deserve to have them diminished. It’s easy to forget those highlights when the animation suffers from clumsy designs.

A Condition Called Love Episode 8 is largely inconsequential. Like the rest of the series, there’s the charm to be found, but it doesn’t stick the landing the way the best episodes of the show have. With stiff and weightless animation and a plodding storyline, “My First Pet” is a miss despite a strong start.

A Condition Called Love Episode 8 is out now on Crunchyroll.