REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 3 – “A Kind Person”

In the tender-hearted coming-of-age story from mangaka Saka Mikami, the ensemble is built out immediately to immense charm. The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 3 is evident as much as we begin to learn more about Rintaro (Yoshinori Nakayama) and Kaoruko (Honoka Inoue) through the presence of their friends.

The ensemble and how the story weaves them together are one of the greatest assets of the series, something that is crucial to the overall development and effect. Because while Rintaro and Kaoruko are the heart, their stories become greater still due to the company they keep. 

The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 3 centers mainly on one critical interaction, although what surrounds it informs the smaller character beats. Like most slice-of-life anime, the lowkey stakes are elevated by the truth of being a teenager: everything feels much bigger than it is, but that doesn’t invalidate the emotions felt. 

Rintaro and Shohei (Kikunosuke Toya), both struggling with their studies, are determined to improve their performance in their upcoming exams. Failure means not being able to participate in the upcoming sports festival, encouraging them to persevere through their mental fatigue. 

The ensemble grows in The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 3. 

These are little beats, but it does a lot to establish the characters, the teachers of Chidori and their level of care, and how Rintaro specifically fits into their unit. While Shohei, Saku, and Ayato were previously introduced, Shohei in particular gets to shine in “A Kind Person.” His sorrow following the ultimatum, which leads to his resolute stubbornness in refusing help from Saku, gives him a greater personality, further strengthened by the charismatic voice work of Kikunosuke Toya. 

All of which leads them to the library, where two significant events unfold. The first is a quieter, subdued interaction that speaks to the character of Rintaro and his unfussy kindness. Two middle school girls are looking for seats and, without any fanfare, he gets up, allowing them his spot. 

It’s one of the moments where it’s tough to reconcile his self-perception with actuality. He’s genuine and soft-spoken, and Yoshinori Nakayama does a lot to help increase his stumbling awkwardness that puts him at odds with who others perceive him to be. He’s tough when need be, but ultimately he’s a gentle giant. 

The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 3 furthers the contrast of selves when he runs into Kaoruko in yet another meet-cute moment. The image of her leaning over a dozing Rintaro is adorable in their mutual, if unaddressed, infatuation. The series understands the inherent sweetness of the manga and builds on it visually with the sun-kissed aesthetic as the two share a moment together. 

“A Kind Person” reveals that there’s more to everyone than meets the eye. 

It’s interrupted by Kaoruko’s friend, Subaru Hoshina (Aya Yamane), whose hostile attitude belies a fierce protectiveness. The clash between her and Rintaro’s group is only settled by Rintaro’s intervention, but it sets the rough-around-the-edges tone for their first meeting.

Of course, there are reasons for everything, and it goes beyond the shared animosity between schools. Subaru, Kaoruko later tells Rintaro, has a general distrust of men, so she is also looking at them through that point of view. It’s an interesting angle for the new character, whose character design is immediately striking, offering a strong contrast to Kaoruko’s. Each member of the ensemble has a distinctive look and cadence that gives them a lived-in feel that helps lend a sense of authenticity to a story so often embroiled in over-the-top emotions. 

The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 3 is a strong and subtle display of the story’s strengths. The characters are the beating heart of the series, and “A Kind Person” helps better develop them as individuals beyond the central romance. Aided by sturdy, if unexciting animation, and a cast of superb voice actors, it’s a reminder that even as the story is just getting started, there’s still plenty to latch onto. 

The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 3 is out now on Netflix. 

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