REVIEW: ‘Honey Lemon Soda’ Episode 4 — “However Distant We May Be”

Honey Lemon Soda Episode 4 isn’t bad, but it drives home a lingering concern. It’s not just that the story drips with melodrama. But the self-serious tone that is a byproduct of it bogs down the narrative. Everything is a big deal to these characters. And while it’s understandable to a degree — they’re teenagers — it becomes a hindrance when the writing and direction treat those moments with the gravity the characters feel. There’s got to be a better balance of handling Uka Ishimori’s (Kana Ichinose) debilitating insecurity over being bullied in Junior High with her new experiences and friends in High School.

The main two characters, Uka and Kai Miura (Shōgo Yano) remain the major roadblock to the series’ likability. Not because they’re unlikable but because they’re both trapped in their respective archetypes with little to distinguish them. Uka is shy and soft-spoken, whereas Kai is loud and assertive. Uka has a crush on Kai, and Kai runs hot and cold about his affection for her. It’s through these clashes that the outsized responses largely stem from. The series needed better fleshed-out protagonists to make the sillier, dramatic moments work. At least then, their dynamics and personalities would help ground the story.

Honey Lemon Soda Episode 4 picks up directly following Episode 3, with Uka and her classmates still lost in the woods. It takes mere moments for the class to fall into chaos and panic, with one background character bursting into tears at the idea of never finding their way out. It’s one of the many moments where you need to force your eyes to stop their journeying to the back of your head. Uka, obviously, takes this all very seriously and runs away from the group after being blamed for being lost to help and find the correct path to safety.

Teenage angst is on display in Honey Lemon Soda Episode 4.

Kai also takes this very seriously and runs after Uka to get her to calm down, resulting in his impromptu hugging her. It only lasts a moment as Uka recognizes a landmark, but it’s enough of an indicator that he cares about Uka despite Kai reserving his affection. However, it would be nice if he had been more aware of it. The class trip wraps itself up neatly, with Uka sharing all her goodies, such as towels and water bottles, further endearing herself to her classmates.

The anime finds little spots of beauty in the production. The scenery remains a highlight, and the sequence where Kai rests his head on Uka’s shoulder on the bus ride home is another moment where the background, color, and lighting emphasize the emotions Uka is experiencing. She loves him. And while she assumes it will one day lead to frustration when her feelings aren’t reciprocated, she’ll take it.

The back half of Honey Lemon Soda Episode 4 is partially successful in how they handle Uka’s prior treatment. Her reaction to seeing all the gifts and tokens of appreciation on her desk is a lovely way to showcase how she used to find her desks from her bullies. It’s a subtle yet poignant image that helps drive home how far she’s come. However, her crisis over showing her yearbook pushes it into unrealistic territory. She winds herself into knots, worrying about how people will perceive her due to not being in many class photos despite already sharing that she had a troubled Junior High experience.

Uka must contend with her past while moving forward. 

All of which leads to yet another pep talk from Kai. While others suggest to Uka that she might’ve been better off not meeting him, Kai is endeared by her. This point is driven home when, later, they all realize the only photos he smiles in are ones with Uka in them and when he, Ayumi, and co arrive at her house while she’s sick to check on her. These little gestures give Kai more personality, something that’s desperately needed in the series.

The episode lays it on thick, from the writing to the music. But with the simplified character designs and the actual story that’s being told, that narrative, atmospheric weight works in a distracting contrast. There’s got to be a better balance that also allows the characters to flourish.

Honey Lemon Soda Episode 4 has some endearing moments with strong background animation, but it once again falters in tone. The series needs to take a note from its OP and lighten up, allowing the storylines the necessary amount of empathy without such stifling soap opera dramatics.

Honey Lemon Soda Episode 4 is out now on Crunchyroll.