REVIEW: ‘Hana-Kimi’ Episode 3 – “I Won’t Lose!”

There are certainly moments of charm in Hana Kimi Episode 3, but now that the introductions to the characters and world are complete, it’s time to admit that perhaps this adaptation isn’t for everyone. While plenty will hold nostalgic affection for the series, based on the manga by Hisaya Nakajo, and even more will be thrilled for another shojo in a season shockingly lined with them and josei, not everything clicks. 

The animation itself isn’t so much the issue. However, one needs to look no further than another new josei series this season, working on a small budget, to see that it doesn’t always come down to big-studio money (this is your nod to watch Journal with Witch). That said, it doesn’t help, and it grows more glaring with each episode: despite some fun character acting and, at the very least, a complete rendering of the interior and exterior settings, the limitations aren’t going away. 

But, more than anything, it’s simply an anime that doesn’t appeal to me. So far, the biggest gripe, beyond the animation, is that currently I’m technically rooting for the wrong character. Hana Kimi Episode 3 only confirms that Nakatsu (Kikunosuke Toya) is the best written. Between his mounting panic, his seeming acceptance of his attraction to Mizuki (Aya Yamane), his determination to commit to being a good friend to her even as he’s struggling with his sexuality, and his antagonism toward the pest who keeps taking photos of her without her knowledge, he’s a wonderfully lovable character. 

Why can’t Nakatsu be the love interest?

Embrace bisexuality! Be the primary love interest! But no. Hana Kimi Episode 3 is doubling down on the real narrative, and that’s between Mizuki and her idol, Sano (Taku Yashiro). Sano, who, by the end, “I Won’t Lose!” seems to be realizing he might also have a crush on this hapless girl, who he’s convinced is a guy. 

It’s just that, as of now (and, granted, it’s still early), neither Mizuki nor Sano is all that interesting. The writing attempts to flesh out Sano to make his struggle with the high jump more interesting, but it struggles to sell the depth. Most of the time, Sano gives Mizuki the cold shoulder as she tries to figure out how to appeal to him. 

So many of the issues in Hana Kimi Episode 3 revolve around a lack of communication. Sano knows Mizuki’s poorly kept secret, so he’s looking out for her. But his looking after her appears brutish and cold, so she gets the wrong idea and lashes out. He grows icy, they don’t talk things out, feelings are hurt. It’s a coming-of-age story focused on teenagers, so this isn’t surprising, but it does threaten to derail the narrative as the pacing grinds to a halt. 

Hana-Kimi Episode 3 has cute moments but little else. 

Toya’s deeply infectious performance saves a lot of their interactions. The shift from her normal speaking voice to her corralling one as she tries to befriend Sano – growing more obnoxious and rough around the edges – is well executed. We believe that she’s trying to cover up her secret. 

There’s enough in the series to give it a few episodes, and, as far as can be told, the adaptation seems to be at least softening how it handles certain storylines to scrub the, uh, ’90s out of it. But so little actually happens in Episode 3 that it makes you wonder just how long this story can go on beyond what’s already been told. When the projected love interest knows the big secret, as he is already returning to the sport he loved, how much more can you dig? 

Hana Kimi Episode 3 tries to expand the world a little at a time. From involving more supporting characters to the reveal that Umeda is Nanba’s uncle, there are attempts to make this more of an ensemble show. And there’s something nice about the series admitting the reality of Mizuki’s situation as she gets her period at an all-boys school. But considering the lackluster animation and character design that takes away some of the edge of the manga, there needs to be more. 

Despite some solid moments, Hana Kimi Episode 3 struggles with apathetic pacing. It needs stronger energy or a push to stand out in a season dominated by excellent adaptations, both on the epic and indie scales. It’s cute, but cute isn’t cutting it. 

Hana Kimi Episode 3 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.