REVIEW: ‘Twilight Out Of Focus’ Episode 3 — “Our Feelings Aren’t Always Pretty”

The story continues quickly in Twilight Out Of Focus Episode 3 as Mao Tsuchiya (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka and Hisashi Otomo (Yuma Uchida) finally meet in the middle. Episode 2 ended on a cliffhanger as we awaited the two love-struck characters to reconcile after a brief stint of miscommunication following their mutual admission of feelings. In “Our Feelings Aren’t Always Pretty,” the two reach an understanding and move from there, deepening their relationship.

Unfortunately, Twilight Out Of Focus Episode 3 continues to prove its greatest hindrance. While the story is solid, and the character designs are nice enough (especially from the side profile), the animation itself is stiff and awkward even to look at. The project by Studio Deen lacks the weight of the movements, relying on single-panel frames that are simply ripped from the manga interpretations, offering no fluidity. For an episode that is meant to capture the characters’ growing emotions and the intimacy that ensues, it’s shockingly stagnant. It all feels perfunctory rather than emboldened by liveliness.

Mao spends half of the episode realizing just how strong his feelings for Hisashi are, which is where more robust visual motifs would come in handy. Instead, the episode relies on the writing and internal thoughts to convey all of what Mao is feeling. Hisashi is due to shoot the pivotal scene of their student movie where he and the other protagonist kiss. Overcome by jealousy and possessiveness, Mao cannot keep his head clear while shooting. This leads to him tripping over a cable and gaining a minor concussion, paving the way for him and Hisashi to finally have their talk.

Because Hisashi is at least pleased that Mao, too, seems to be shaken up over their last conversation. Mao admits to him that he really likes him, and Hisashi returns the sentiment. It’s a sweet moment, sunbathed and leaning into the twinkling score by Satoshi Hōno and Kaori Nakano. It’s one of the moments where the visuals capture the tone of the series, which is awash with the unbridled joy and confusion of first love. And while Mao still doesn’t have much personality outside of liking films and Hisashi, Hisashi’s playfulness and personality come out strong.

Once their true feelings are revealed, with Mao declaring that he wants to keep Hisashi all to himself, things move quickly. There’s no slow-burn romance here, as the two consummate their relationship later in the episode. To the series’ credit, it does its best at both stripping away some of the more explicit scenes from the manga while maintaining the tone — there’s never a question of what’s going on or a convenient fade to black. Dialogue and closeups are once again relied upon, two aspects that are already staples of the series even though there are only a few episodes in.

As the two lay together afterward, trying to learn more about each other, Twilight Out Of Focus Episode 3 does beg the question of where on earth the series goes from here. With our main characters coupled up and coupled up so quickly, a lot of the romantic tension dissipates. It makes sense why, from the opening credits alone, it seems like more of the supporting cast will be getting screen time to bolster the storylines further.

Plenty of anime have characters who get together quickly, such as Horimiya or My Love Story, but they also have other driving forces and insecurities to help break up the monotony or comedic tones that create new, fantastical situations in each episode. Twilight Out Of Focus currently lacks that added layer.

However, it is admittedly still very early, and there’s plenty of time and space for the series to develop more plotlines that fuel the main characters and their romance. For now, though, it boils down to their getting together and making the movie, both of which are going well. Them getting together quickly isn’t a problem. It will only become one if the series lacks any other dramatic, emotional driving forces that keep viewers engaged.

Twilight Out Of Focus Episode 3 continues to walk the fine line between charming enough and bland due to some dull characters and stiff animation. However, there remains promise for this adaptation as it leans into the story’s romance and allows Mao and Hisashi to, hopefully, flourish due to it.

Twilight Out Of Focus Episode 3 is out now on Crunchyroll.