REVIEW: ‘Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You’ Episode 1 — “An Awful Birthday”

Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1, “An Awful Birthday,” produced by Typhoon Graphics, introduces viewers to Mizuha Nishino (Sakura Shinfuku). We learn about her, her friends, and what transpired on her 17th birthday that would shift the course of her life.

A certain atmosphere is often expected when one thinks of high school romance. The busy energy of students navigating class, laughter between friends echoing in halls, and the sounds of athletics and other club activities fill scenes with the exuberance of youth. This expectation is quickly broken as Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You embraces silence throughout its opening chapter. The story drips with feelings of isolation as it establishes the timing of its narrative in 2020.

Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 Uses the Pandemic to Establish Its Narrative.

While the series only refers to a new “infectious disease” as the cause for the quiet, the series uses the lockdown of that year to great effect, as it introduces the cast and the stress that year brought. Firework festivals, sports competitions, and many other school-life expectations have been canceled. Opening with this element immediately cues the viewer into an understanding of what the cast is already going through before Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 even begins to add its core narrative’s drama to the mix.

As that narrative begins, Mizuha is beginning her day. As we join her on her way to school, we are introduced to the four childhood friends that serve as her inner circle. The writing in this introductory scene feels smooth and natural. It’s easy to believe these personalities have spent years melding together into a natural friendship unit.

After Mizuha is established as part of her group, we get some time to see her by herself. We learn a bit about the character’s hopes as she internally monologues about her desire to experience an ideal high school experience. Unfortunately, things are less than ideal as her day goes bad after a run-in with a classmate falls short of expectations.

From here, Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 proceeds to the only scene of the episode that doesn’t feature its primary character, leaving the young girl behind to follow one of her four friends, Kizuki (Kazuki Ura, Blue Lock). What is revealed about the young man and his attitude towards Mizuha is concerning. His possessiveness towards his childhood friend raises concerns about his character.

Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 Portends a Problematic Dynamic Between its Main Characters.

Shortly after this scene, we see Kizuki confess his feelings to Mizuha when the pair have a moment to themselves. The episode tries to play out the moment as something romantic. But key elements hold it back from achieving this effect. Not the least of which is the impact of the preceding scene with Kizuki. His possessive attitude makes his intentions towards his friend feel less than honorable. This feeling is reinforced due to some lighting choices that are made within the scene.

The scene takes place at night. It’s bathed half in hard, internal lighting and half in a cold, blue nighttime glow. At the start of the scene, both characters are wrapped in bright lighting. However, when Kizuki professes his desire to be Mizuha’s boyfriend, the character is suddenly removed from the brightness and wrapped in the cold blue of the night. This gives his confession an ominous feeling, though it’s unclear whether it is intentional or not.

Before any response can be given, Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 jumps away, leaving Mizuha’s response, if any, unknown. From here, there is another scene with the core five friends together. This scene continues to build out the group’s history in a way that flows naturally. It also showcases a sharp shift in Kizuki’s personality, as he acts far more forward towards Mizuha than previously. An awkwardness persists between the two for the remainder of the episode untill it culminates in a final scene between the two.

While Kizuki’s previous actions felt questionable, how Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 ends pushes them into the realm of problematic. Once more alone with Mizuha, the boy lacks respect for the girl’s autonomy as well as her feelings. Much like the confession scene, the episode seems to be trying to play off the moment of Kizuki’s forcefulness towards his friend as romantic. Soft music plays in the background, striving to create a high note for the episode to wrap on. However, Kizuki’s actions directly contradict this tone, leaving its narrative in a very strange place.

Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 delivers some strong elements. The natural way it presents lifelong friends skillfully illuminates the group dynamics at work. The setting is also well-executed, as the isolation and uncertainty of 2020 play out well in the setup for the narrative.

However, the series’ presentation of Kizuki overshadows all these strengths. The episode’s attempt to present a budding romance overlooks clear red flag moments. If these elements are not resolved to address the inappropriateness of his actions, the story is headed in a bad direction.

Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You Episode 1 is streaming on Crunchyroll on January 9th.