REVIEW: ‘A Condition Called Love’ Episode 11 — “Our First Campus Expedition”

A Condition Called Love Episode 11 proves my fear that the series is finally picking up speed right as it’s about to end. Yes, there are still definite issues to contend with. Unfortunately, the animation will never succeed in capturing the depth and scale of emotions present in the manga, but the writing is at least moving things forward. All of that said, fans will have to contend that just as characters are getting necessary development, it’s coming to a close. Because these days, it’s never guaranteed that a shojo adaptation will receive a deserved second season.

“Our First Campus Expedition” is familiar in tone and pacing for a large portion of the episode. Hotaru (Kana Hanazawa) and Hananoi (Chiaki Kobayashi) are out for a work excursion with Yao and Satomura, bowling and going to an arcade to bond. Or, at least, that’s the plan of three of them. Hananoi is still steadfast in his lone soldier idealogy, reluctant to get close to anyone, especially Yao. He holds potentially damaging information now that Yao knows about their shared past and that Hananoi attended the same elementary school as him and Hotaru.

The two are not going to be fast friends. And Yao’s existence causes enough stress that he comes close to telling Hotaru the truth. However, Hotaru can see Hananoi is reluctant to divulge this secret, so he stops him. Despite being together, she believes they’re still privy to their secrets. They should be able to reveal aspects of themselves at their own speed, and currently, Hananoi looks like “the world is about to end” while grappling with his particular secret. Instead, they form a new truce to ask one another more questions unprompted.

It leads to the back portion of A Condition Called Love Episode 11, which tracks the duo through a rainy afternoon in the school. This is used to remind us of the other characters in this story while offering glimpses into the two personalities. Hotaru learns that due to being sick as a kid often, Hananoi picked up long-distance running in middle school to grow stronger. Through this conversation, we also learn about one of the most critical elements of Hananoi’s character.

Hananoi has been largely standoffish throughout the series. While the anime makes it understandable, it comes full circle when he tells Hotaru that his first real friend was someone much older than him. From the flashbacks in previous episodes, we know that “much older” means this man could be Hananoi’s grandfather. But it’s he who encouraged Hananoi, who was there when he was left alone by his parents, and who championed his rebellious phase when he wanted to pierce his ears. But then, the man disappeared out of nowhere, and Hananoi never heard from him again.

While Hananoi never comes across well when he’s unnecessarily rude to Yao or Keigo, it at least makes sense when we realize his glaring abandonment issues. Hotaru notices that Hananoi still talks of him with fondness despite this friend leaving. Hotaru realizes that Hananoi can be friends and probably wants them but isn’t quite there yet. As has often been noted, a strong ensemble is necessary for the best romance anime. There’s a reason why anime such as My Love Story or Love is War are such favorites. My Love Story has Suna, and Love is War has the entire student council outside our leading duo — these series need padding beyond the central couple.

This is especially true when half of the main couple isn’t interesting. Hotaru, up until now, is a hollow character. Her defining attributes are liking food and being kind, but even the latter feels surface-level. She’s at her most attractive in A Condition Called Love Episode 11 because she’s finally not just a character that things happen to. She is the instigator in what she wants as she reaches out to Hananoi, confident in her affection for him. She wants to hold him. It’s the most steadfast she’s been in any decision-making throughout the series.

It makes sense that the two share their first kiss in A Condition Called Love Episode 11. While Hananoi and Hotaru have gone through the ups and downs of being on equal footing, the kiss feels most appropriate at this moment. Hotaru is fully expressing her feelings for Hananoi. The kiss is suitably shot with lush, romantic lighting as the scenes bathes in pinks and purples. It’s a sweet sequence that makes us wish there was more throughout the season.

A Condition Called Love Episode 11 is a frustrating watch, if only because it’s evident that this is where the story starts to kick into gear. Where was this version of the series for the past ten episodes? That said, it’s a sweet, heartfelt installment that fully gets to the root of these two characters.

A Condition Called Love Episode 11 is out now on Crunchyroll.