The long-awaited adaptation of the romance manga The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity finally premiered last weekend. The manga has been serialized since October 2021, but it caught my attention after the anime announcement. Reading it up was easily one of the best decisions I’ve made.
For this review series, I’ll avoid spoiling upcoming manga developments. No heavy manga-to-anime comparisons here, just a look at what the show brings to the table. In any case, mangaka Saki Mikami isn’t telling a story built around complex twists or slapstick humor. This is a school romance centered on relatable characters navigating everyday difficulties.
CloverWorks is the studio behind the adaptation. With a strong track record already under its belt, the studio is bringing one of the most ambitious Summer 2025 lineups: Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, My Dress Up Darling and The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity. That’s no small feat. After watching the first episode, I’m confident the studio will continue to deliver a faithful, heartfelt adaptation. This is the kind of adaptation Saki Mikami’s art deserves.
Rintaro Tsumugi: A Tough Exterior with a Soft Heart
The anime first introduces us to Rintaro Tsumugi, a high-school student who is feared by others because he looks like a delinquent. Blond-haired, with a piercing in one ear, tall (very, very tall) and with a menacing look. However, early on, we’re shown Rintaro’s predicament: despite his appearance, he’s a peaceful, well-mannered guy, with a touch of shyness to boot.
Due to other people’s comments, he is insecure about his so-called “intimidating appearance.” Rintaro has a hobby that completely contrasts with how others see him: he helps out at his family’s bakery. In a few minutes the anime points out who Rintaro is and how he battles with other people’s prejudices and his true tender demeanor.
We catch glimpses of Rintaro’s friends, who know about the real personality of his comrade. Though it might seem unusual for a romance anime, the scenes where Rintaro’s friends recognize his true self are some of my personal favorites. I’ll talk more about it when we advance further in the season.
It’s advisable you keep checking your sugar levels too. CloverWorks’ love for animation made a good depiction of the bakery cakes. You should expect recurrent high quality food animation, that will keep you hungry after each episode!
Kaoruko Waguri: Cuteness Overload
It’s time you meet the best girl: Kaoruko Waguri. She’s a regular customer in Rintaro’s family bakery. But first of all, I have to continue praising CloverWorks. The manga devoted plenty of panels and covers to Kaoruko’s design, so it was only natural to worry about how well she’d adapted. Thankfully, those concerns were unfounded.
Kaoruko’s voice actress was perfectly cast. Honoka Inoue truly captured the essence of Kaoruko—an innocent, yet caring and brave girl. She also voices Anne Shirley in the Anne Shirley (2025) anime adaptation, which is currently airing.
Breaking all romance clichés, she invites our Rintaro to have a piece of cake. Considering at this point they are complete strangers, her proactivity should earn our respect. And did I mention the contrast of height between our main protagonists? Yes, this is obvious since their first interaction. In fact, Rintaro confuses her with a middle schooler.
But don’t be fooled: her height doesn’t stop Kaoruko from having a big appetite for sweets. Sweetness attracts sweetness, and we’ll have a lot of it in these series, both literally and figuratively speaking!
The touching moment of the episode was Kaoruko comforting Rintaro. I say comforting because telling someone like Rintaro that she refuses to judge him. That’s pretty strong and straightforward. That’s why it’s clear pretty soon in the story that Kaoruko is more than just a cute girl.
Romeo and Juliet? Hearts on Opposite Sides
You may be wondering at this point: What is The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity about? Part of the plot involves the way Kaoruko recognizes and comforts Rintaro. But no matter how soft the anime may seem, there’s always a bump in the road of romance.
Early in the episode, it’s stated that Rintaro and his friends study in a school with a bad reputation. They are from the modest Chidori Public High School, meanwhile just next to it is the prestigious Kikyo Private Academy Girls’ High School. Don’t ask me why someone would build two schools so completely at odds so close!
In the eyes of Kikyo students, Chidori is a place for delinquents—or something far worse, if their hostility is anything to go by. I found that side of the plot a little bit exaggerated, but the message was clear: no Kikyo girl should associate with a Chidori boy.
When the episode is about to end, Rintaro is alone in his classroom. He’s just thinking about Kaoruko when the unthinkable happens: she appears in the building across the street. Kaoruko is a Kikyo student! Yes, this may not be as “unthinkable” as it sounds. I would say it was pretty obvious, but the anime paced this scene with a good sense of atmosphere. As a manga reader, I still felt the jolt in my chest that Rintaro must have felt at that moment.
What should you expect from The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
To kick things off, please don’t expect a comedy. Not in the usual “romcom” sense. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity is romance in its purest form. I say this not as a critique but as a big compliment. We’re already surrounded by romance comedies (I’m not complaining), so it’s refreshing when an anime becomes mainstream with a warm-hearted story.
On the other hand, some situations might feel like familiar tropes. I’m speaking about the “confronted school” setting. Thankfully, as mentioned before, the anime focused on the characters’ development. You won’t have time to worry about predictable plots, when you’re experiencing the story alongside Rintaro, Kaoruko, Subaru, Sako, Ayato and the rest of the cast.
All in all, The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity is good anime for both romance veterans and those newly curious about the genre. The first episode effectively lays the groundwork for both the main characters and the overall feel of the series. I know the anime will capture many more hearts just as it captured mine.
Let’s experience this journey together! The anime is streaming exclusively on Netflix in Japan, which is where the screenshots are from. It will arrive to the platform in several other regions on July 13, while the U.S. release is scheduled to begin on September 7.
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