The premiere of Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You (titled Love for short) at Anime Frontier captivated the audience, following the screening of the first two episodes of Honey Lemon Soda. Although some viewers left before Love began, the room still maintained a strong crowd, and it was clear that many were engaged and enjoying the experience. The reactions from the audience suggested that they were enjoying Love just as much, if not more, than the previous screening—an opinion shared by many, including myself.
The anime introduces us to Mizuha, a 17-year-old high school student whose life takes an unexpected turn due to the disruptions caused by the 2020 pandemic. Mizuha, who had hoped for a magical high school experience, finds herself facing disappointment as events she was eagerly anticipating are canceled. Among the challenges she faces, the boy she likes—a member of the school’s swim team—loses his motivation to swim due to the absence of competitions. The series picks up on Mizuha’s 17th birthday, which is marred by the fact that her parents forgot, and the realization that her crush isn’t interested in her.
Despite the setbacks, Mizuha’s life is far from devoid of joy. Her group of friends—a lively bunch of boys—throws her a surprise birthday party, and one of them, her popular childhood friend, asks her out. The first episode of Love had the audience laughing and cheering, particularly during a dramatic moment towards the end that left everyone exclaiming “OOOOHHHHH!!!” with excitement. The atmosphere in the room was lively, and it was clear that viewers were thoroughly enjoying the show.
As a personal favorite among the premieres I watched on Saturday, Love left a strong impression. The anime’s setting in 2020 suggests that we may see more stories reflecting this period in the coming years as it continues to fade from our collective memory. However, one notable inconsistency was the absence of COVID-19-related elements—such as face masks—despite the anime’s pandemic backdrop. The characters continue attending school in person without masks, a detail that raises questions about the show’s commitment to accurately portraying the pandemic’s impact. This discrepancy left me curious about how the series will address the broader context of the time as it unfolds.
Visually, Love offers a distinct aesthetic, characterized by a soft, spring-like color palette that blends pastels with gemstone hues. This unique visual style sets the anime apart and adds to its charm. In all, the first episode of Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You is an enjoyable and promising start, filled with heartwarming moments and enough intrigue to make it a series worth following when it premieres in January.
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