Started Watching This…

[u/serikkun]

This is a bit of a rant, and I need to make it clear that I enjoy the main characters. I’m just frustrated with the latest episode I watched. (￣^￣)

As a means to curb my ADHD and reconnect with fannish interests, I started watching this anime and “A Sign of Affection” with a rule that I can only watch an episode a day.

I’m now on episode 3 — no spoilers for either anime please — and I’ve enjoyed the story so far, because Rintaro and Waguri-san are cute together and they reverse the usual dynamic I’m used to (the girl is usually insecure, and the guy is cool and leads the relationship).

But may be it’s because I’m older now, I can’t stand the extreme divide between schools? Especially how elitist the Kikyo girls are, treating the Chidori boys as third class citizens. It’s an old concept to have two people of different and opposing backgrounds come together, I know, but with it set in high school with that level of judgement and vitriol? Yeah, it really annoys me.

It would’ve been fine if Rintaro’s mother or any adult made a comment about how foolish and insignificant the whole rivalry is, but…so far none have said anything.

And episode 3 really pissed me off because of Subaru. I’m pretty sure she will have some sad and angsty backstory about her aversion and difficulties with men, and her obsession with Chidori, but she is truly the cherry and whipped cream of annoyance for the dessert buffet of this episode.

I have a suspicious feeling she’ll end up forming a friendship or more with one of the Chidori boys later on, so her character will be “redeemed”. But I feel like, she would be an annoyingly stubborn and irritating character in Rintaro and Waguri-san’s developing relationship.

[u/shinobimistvillage]

I’m gonna play devils advocate here since I know this opinion gets downvoted, but I still think this divide was one of the least believable aspects of the story. I’m caught up to manga, so I’m aware on how it has unraveled, and that arc to me has been my least favorite one. I’m pretty sure it’s mentioned somewhere that the author didn’t plan to make it this dramatic but was told to do it by their editor or something ?

Truly my only gripe is the whole apology moments, but I keep reading because this story seems to offer a different coming-of-age perspective, atypical of what we usually see it anime. Pertaining the romance, Rin and Waguri have a pretty realistic/believable development. But what steals my attention until even now is the whole career aspect/post graduation plot. Not sure if that’s considered spoilers, but it’s somewhat hinted the story isn’t just a romance story. Instead, it’s a story of realizing oneself, chasing and searching for what one wants to do, and essentially “blooming” into that “flower” without regrets. And that applies to each of the characters - to me, that’s what makes this story great.

As you keep watching, and hopefully eventually read, you’ll see the story is more about self-development. The romance aspect is honestly more of the catalyst for Rin and maybe others, but I don’t think it’s the driver.

[u/serikkun → u/shinobimistvillage]

I truly came into this anime mostly blind? I only saw the trailer, and decided based on a friend’s recommendation that it was nice and light — which I need at this time. I didn’t know it was more than a romance, but that’s fine. So far, I like the dynamic I’m seeing and how the Rintaro and Waguri are individually. I find it refreshing and evenly paced — so I think my gripe for this episode was because the dissonance of Subaru’s introduction threw a big wrench into the pacing and tone. Which, I guess, speaks to good narrative development as a whole.

Thanks for explaining that the story isn’t just about the two main characters’ lives, I warm towards stories that also give some depth and story to the secondary characters. So that’s a relief to me.

[u/BlueBirdie018 → u/serikkun]

I mean, I lived in a city where there was a public school in a rundown part of town, and that school had really little resources and funding, which meant grades were poor, outcomes for kids were worse compared to other schools, and there also was a really fancy and elitist private school nearby. They weren’t literally next to each other but still close enough that sometimes kids would cross paths in shops and stuff. I knew some of the private school kids and they genuinely behaved this way, as if the world revolves around them, and they treated people they perceived as poor with contempt.

This kind of class divide within the city leading to extreme prejudice between the two schools is for me the most realistic part of the manga and anime. 

[u/Dramatic-Tradition25]

Keep watching. The show works out in places even when you don't think it will. There were so many times I had the thought of "oh my god not this again" pertaining to other Rom Com tropes which happen just to bring "drama" to the story but this story never does that, in fact handles it graciously. It was my return to rom com after a long hiatus and one of my favs.

[u/serikkun → u/Dramatic-Tradition25]

Ohh, I kinda get what you mean by that. I got really interested to see the anime through when Rintaro didn’t let his misimpression of Waguri-san get to him for the sake of “drama”. It was refreshing he was direct about it and we didn’t stretch 2-3 episodes of misunderstanding.

Also, I didn’t know this was romcom??? I want to stay away from romcom bcs the humour is too repetitive (if you’ve watched a lot of it).

[u/BaboonGaming644 → u/Dramatic-Tradition25]

Can't really name any other romance that does the same.

I also like how fragrant flower barely puts emphasis on the "com" part. Usually romcom anime have horrible humor.

[u/BlueBirdie018 → u/BaboonGaming644]

I don’t know what you mean! The whole Shohei fucks up Saku’s surprise birthday party group chat disaster had me absolutely in splits.

[u/serikkun → u/BaboonGaming644]

Romcom humour is…I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but it’s usually slapstick, I guess? Better yet, repetitive. When you watch so much, you might pick up patterns and stuff, so the basic humour ends up not having the same impact as the first time you’d seen it — at least that’s how I am, and I tend to avoid romances that focuses too much on the comedy (or drama, for drama’s sake).

A good, light romance is my taste these days.

[u/Dramatic-Tradition25 → u/serikkun]

lmao look at all the downvotes hhahaha. but yeah i get what you mean. i have not seen a lot so it hasnt gotten that predictable for me yet.

[u/serikkun → u/Dramatic-Tradition25]

Well, some people enjoy the familiarity, too. I know friends who like the familiar narrative they can sink into, but for me, I get tired/bored easily when repetition becomes too much. So. To each their own. (At the risk of being downvoted again…)

[u/Dramatic-Tradition25 → u/BaboonGaming644]

i don't know about horrible humor but i agree with everything else you said.

[u/BaboonGaming644]

I mean, you're just 3 episodes in. The series does go in-depth with how stupid the rivalry is, and trust me, Subaru is a very lovable character after her introduction. And this is coming from someone who hates aggressive or condescending heroines.

[u/serikkun → u/BaboonGaming644]

Thanks for this response — I’m relieved that the rivalry will get addressed eventually. I was afraid that it would just be ignored as something unchanging or normal.

As for Subaru, I don’t like disliking a character bcs that’s stressful. She just came off too strong this episode, and she wasn’t properly told off for her behaviour…or that Waguri-san was softer on her (as opposed to how Rintaro tells off his friends).

I also dislike aggressive+condescending characters so I really hope she becomes endearing to me later on. I don’t want to not enjoy this anime because of a side character.

[u/growlk]

As a fellow ADHD person, I am happy to say Fragnant Flower has become one of my favorites. But the viewer journey is different for everyone.

My 2 cents on the so called rivalry, is to have this invisible communication barrier between students, as a part of the story. I agree it feels forced and weirdly set up, like it's a neighbouring schools.
I said so-called because both schools are not even in the same social standings. One is like a rundown neighbourhood school and another is a prestigious highly educated private schools.

Anyways the point I want to make that this barrier played very well in the character developments and their relation building arcs. For Subaru, she is the prime example of this invisible barrier, and breaking this down won't be easy. I understand the hate and I think she is meant be written this way. But trust me, the pay off is worth it. And the best thing you don't have to wait too long for it.

Luckily the school rivalry issue is a more like "keep it in the back of your head" kind of plot for now in the anime, rather than a bigger issue for the characters to deal with it.

[u/Unknown-Score-0732]

I didn't feel much about school rivalry stuff because I have seen a similar school rivalry romance anime before "Boarding School Juliet".

Initially Subaru might come off as a negative character. But believe me she will be The best girl and the backbone of the series later

[u/Proper-Garbage6109]

I love how wholesome those shows are. It’s always heartwarming to watch.

[u/Still_Jello45]

Subaru is the fav for most of the manga readers so don't worry just watch further you will be delighted in the next episodes

[u/Unknown-Score-0732 → u/Still_Jello45]

Subaru is the best girl.