Crunchyroll’s controversial romance breaks a major cliché in an unexpected way

Warning: Spoilers for episode 11 of “A Condition Called Love”!!

Normally it would have been a notable event that the official couple in the animeA state called love before the season finale, which actually happens. This is because such a development is already a rarity in romantic anime. However, it is the fact that the couple in question is Saki and Hotaru that makes the development even more shocking. Part of this feeling of unexpectedness instilled in most viewers stems from why most critics feel A state called love to be so controversial. The real reason, however, lies in the exciting trend of the season – Hotaru’s general newness in love.

Although Hotaru’s character has grown exponentially in the last few episodestheir initial lack of understanding of what love is and myself their inability to actually feel such a feeling were so extreme that no amount of character development could have convinced the viewer that she would ever be willing to kiss anyone, not even Saki.

The controversy surrounding Saki’s alleged “love bombing” and his controlling nature towards critics definitely added to their confusion. However, recent episodes had already confirmed that Hotaru was not bothered by Saki’s presumptuous personality and she not only tried to adapt to this behavior, However, some would say that he even encouraged these negative feelings by giving Saki the opportunity to express them while trying to hide them.

The kiss happens at the most unexpected moment of any romantic anime

Based on the original series by Megumi Morino

Of course, Hotaru doesn’t take the initiative herself and kiss him on the lips. She lets Saki do it in the most submissive way possible, using subtle words that have no meaning on their own unless considered in the context of a previous conversation. Although she eventually tells him directly and in as many words as possible, Hotaru manages to do it as indirectly as possible, and that had to happen only after her first attempt failed.

Although it’s pretty direct for Hotaru, she initially tries to give him her permission by kissing him in a spot where there’s the least contact – the middle of his head, where there’s actual hair interfering with his skin, rather than kissing his forehead. Still, it’s monumental after seeing her hesitate so many times before, as she agrees both verbally and in some form physically.

This does not even take into account that the whole scene takes place in the 11th episode and not in the season finale, let alone in the penultimate episode of the First Season. If there is a kiss at all in a romantic anime, it is usually delayed until the series finale, and if it happens earlier, it is usually in the last episode of season 2. If it happens in season 1, it is at the very end, not the episode before.

Hotaru and Saki actually fit together perfectly, even if critics claim otherwise

Despite the initial controversy, the anime has proven to be an effective love story

Of course, some might say that Hotaru only accepts Saki because she is new to a relationship and doesn’t know that his behavior is inappropriate. However, the fact that she has clearly never been bothered by Saki’s actions or personality simply makes her a better partner for him.

And if Hotaru does indeed seem concerned about Saki’s overbearing nature, the series’ unprecedented honesty allows viewers to see that her unease stems from a concern for him or curiosity about what prompted Saki’s behavior. It is A state called love‘s honesty and the fact that their own quirks only make them perfect for each other.