The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity

The romantic tale of Rintaro and his Ms Waguri finally concluded after 13 episodes. I gave the series a First Impressions article when it started - being something of an weepy old romantic (hey, if Randy Savage can cry anyone can!) I was hoping for something with solid characters and a gentle storyline. Seems that's exactly what Cloverworks had in mind, but even I wasn't prepared for how amazingly chaste this series is over the course of its perfectly paced run.

Taking a step back, the story focuses on Rintaro Tsugumi, the son of a patisserie chef and his cake shop manager wife, he's tall, intimidating and very unsure of himself. He meets Kaoruko Waguri who has become a regular in the shop and a big fan of the cakes. A brief exchange of words sets off a Romeo and Juliet style romance as both go to single-sex schools - Chidori Public High School houses delinquent boys and Kikyo Private Academy Girls' High School is an elite institution for noble young ladies. How they can be next door to each other given the social chasm between them is beyond me, but our leads need to see each other from their classroom windows so logic be damned!

In fact, that really sums up a lot about the series. It's a story about feelings over everything else. Everything is mere backdrop to expressing that first spark of romantic interest mixed with the inexperience and naivety of youth that creates butterflies alongside sleepless nights of over-analysing every interaction. It's a universal formula that we've either experienced long ago or wish for ahead of us. Some may even be lucky enough to be in that phase now, the sweet flush of young love confusing you for the first time - if so, enjoy it!

The series isn't above changing styles for comedic effect - how cute is Kaoruko?

Anyway, we learn that Rintaro has undefined problems that his mother frets over, a melancholy and lifeless disposition that we never learn the cause of beyond his looks. His parents are loving and supportive, so whatever the issue was, it doesn't seem present now. His friends at school are rough and ready, while Kaoruko 's best friend is distrustful of men in general, her icy demeanour threatening to pull the young lovers apart. Except that it never really gets that dramatic, as things get resolved and everyone talks in hushed, earnest tones about their feelings. 

The pace is cosy, as the youngsters get to know each other, dating in all but name and spending time together at aquariums or the beach, sharing lunch alone or with their friends, everyone growing closer as they each unveil their hopes and fears in a group that's supportive and nurturing. There's no real drama - forgetting to put on make-up, an over-reaction here or there and maybe one or two instances of fighting with the local gangs, but it certainly never gets distressing. And that's fine, because this is an anime that wants you to feel warm and fuzzy.

Pretty much how I was looking at the screen while watching...

For those less inclined to achingly long and nervous conversations, this isn't likely to appeal. This is pastel-coloured niceness with a side of cute and a smattering of feelgood sprinkles. Not Conan. If you don't pick that up after 5 minutes, I can't help you.

What I really enjoyed about this series was its snuggly angsty charm, a cast that blushes constantly and where every look is downcast and nervous - when eyes do meet it's like a bomb going off, and that's just... well, it's just lovely. I'm old, married and have a 6 year old, so for me these days are long past, but God it brings back so many memories. Being at school, girls getting their friends to say that they like you, arranging to meet, kissing behind the park tree for the first time, nervous glances and holding hands... just an endless summer of souls touching before life proper kicks in. In my case I had quite a few romantic entanglements, but each one was special in its own way, no matter how it ended. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity captures that spirit perfectly.

Seriously, this series looks gorgeous - Studio Cloverworks firing on all cylinders!

It helps that the show looks terrific - gorgeous backdrops, razor-sharp lines and fantastic character designs, it all comes to life beautifully on-screen, while Moeki Harada's score wrings every emotional beat from each scene. The two main characters are also easy to get behind - Kaoruku is determined in her own, mousey way, while Rintaro wants to do everything he can for the girl he's falling in love with. It's telling that it's easier for him to confront bullies than ask his father for help, but once he enters the kitchen he throws everything into it and as a viewer you're right behind him. When, by the final episode, Kauruko recaps events with a surprising revelation that explains her own motivations for wanting to meet Rintaro, it's a wonderful reminder that these feelings are both new and reciprocal for each of them - the same doubts, fears and anxieties are shared, though expressed differently. Overcoming them together is what makes the magic happen.

So yes, I have much praise for this series, it's a gentle, romantic bit of feelgood fluff that no doubt I'll enjoy rewatching down the line. The joy of watching love bloom, especially in its exaggerated, animated form, is truly wonderful stuff. You'll need to change gears from your average Shonen fight-fest, but it's well worth the gentle ride.