Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Saki is very attractive. Distractingly so. The man could be saying the weirdest things, and I’d still be pausing the episode like, “Okay but look at his face though.” The art team gave him those soft eyes, that sharp jawline, and anime boy hair that looked like it was styled by angels. That is, until he cut it—and no, I will not forgive him for that. Hair crimes aside, Saki’s character starts off a little rocky. He has some behavior that made me raise an eyebrow (clingy, impulsive, emotionally immature), but thankfully, that’s kind of the point. His whole arc is about unlearning what he thinks love is and figuring out what it actually means to care for someone. And by the end, I found myself really liking him—not just because he was pretty, but because he grew.
Hotaru was also a pleasant surprise. She’s not your typical shoujo heroine—she’s emotionally reserved, thoughtful, and honestly unsure if she even wants a romantic relationship. Watching her slowly open up to the idea of being loved and loving someone else was touching. Her growth felt subtle but genuine, and it was nice to see a romance anime that gave equal emotional attention to both leads.
Now, that said… this anime does have its fallbacks. The pacing can be uneven—some episodes feel like they rush through important emotional beats, while others drag out moments that didn’t need that much time. The tone also wobbles between serious emotional introspection and sugary fluff, and sometimes it doesn’t blend perfectly. There were moments when I wished the story had gone a little deeper into the emotional complexities it was brushing up against. Like, it almost had something really profound to say about emotional growth and young love, but it played it safe a few too many times.
Some side characters also felt underdeveloped. There were hints of interesting dynamics with friends and family, but they never got the time they deserved. More emotional support scenes or even conflict with those outside the main couple could’ve added richness to the story.
Visually, though? Decent enough to carry you through. The pastel-heavy art style gave the whole show a soft, dreamy aesthetic. It felt like floating through a bubble bath of cherry blossom petals. The atmosphere made it easy to just relax and vibe with the story, even when the plot wasn’t doing anything groundbreaking.
So, final thoughts: A Condition Called Love isn’t revolutionary, and it’s far from perfect—but it is comforting, sweet, and at times genuinely moving. If you're in the mood for something soft, a little awkward, with just the right amount of romantic fluff (and a very hot male lead), this is a solid pick.
It didn’t blow me away, but it made my heart feel warm, and sometimes, that’s exactly enough.
