Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 review: A must-watch Winter 2025 Shoujo romance with a fresh take on harem

Produced by Typhoon Graphics, Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 is set to premiere in Japan on Friday, January 10, 2025. Also known as Douse, Koishite Shimaunda, this Shoujo romance anime adapts mangaka Haruka Mitsui's popular manga of the same name.

The debut episode introduces viewers to the female lead, Mizuho Nishino, and explores her school life during a turbulent time marked by new emotions and challenges. This backdrop sets the stage for a blossoming romance in her life.

This Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 review delves into how the premiere performs as a fresh addition to the Shoujo romance genre, analyzes the production elements that establish the story's foundation, and assesses its narrative strengths to determine if this series is worth adding to your watchlist this Winter 2025 season.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers from the series and reflects the author's opinions.

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Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 review: A heartwarming mix of romance and slice-of-life fans shouldn't miss

Mizuho in Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 (Image via Typhoon Graphics)

Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1, titled An Awful Birthday, delivers a captivating premiere that establishes the story's foundation. By introducing the central plot and characters, the episode begins to delve into their emotions, subtly hinting at budding romantic developments—common yet relatable experiences for teenagers.

The premiere's narrative is thoughtfully crafted, presenting a well-balanced storyline that explores a wide range of emotions such as heartbreak, joy, evolving friendships, the delicate transition from friendship to romance, conflicting feelings, and uncertainty.

Shin and Shugo in Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 (Image via Typhoon Graphics)

These intricately woven elements reflect the real-life challenges and emotional growth of youngsters, making the story both relatable and captivating. The debut episode's seamless progression blends slice-of-life, school, drama, and heartfelt moments, all wrapped in a delightful and wholesome vibe, offering a focus on character development, emotional depth, and world-building.

By exploring themes of friendship and romance in a compelling way, the show effectively captures its audience's attention and immerses them in the characters' lives. The narrative is particularly intriguing by the inclusion of reverse harem as a core element, offering a refreshing twist on the more typical harem trope.

Kizuki and Mizuho in episode 1 (Image via Typhoon Graphics)

Through its realistic portrayal of teenage emotional struggles and relationships, the narrative captures its audience's attention and draws them into the characters' lives, leaving a lasting impression.

With an impressive balance of romance and drama, the premiere sets a high bar, raising expectations for Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You as a potential standout addition to the Winter 2025 lineup.

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Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1: An overall production criticism

Under the skilled direction of Junichi Yamamoto, Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 makes a remarkable debut. Studio Typhoon Graphics delivers a stunning production, showing excellence across all aspects, including animation, scriptwriting, character design, musical score, and voice acting. Every element is crafted with precision and care, contributing to a strong start for the series.

The animation stands out with its soft, visually appealing style and vibrant, lively imagery. Each scene is meticulously designed, capturing the show's essence and enhancing its charm. The character designs are particularly noteworthy, drawing viewers in with their attention to detail and aesthetic appeal.

Airu in the premiere (Image via Typhoon Graphics)

The overall visual experience is both delightful and immersive, making it a feast for the eyes. The voice cast delivers exceptional performances, bringing the characters to life with authenticity.

Sakura Shinfuku as Mizuho Nishino, Ura Kazuki as Kizuki Hazawa, Sion Yoshitaka as Shin Kashiwagi, Chiba Shouya as Airu Izumi, and Satoshi Inomata as Shugo Hoshikawa all embody their respective roles flawlessly. Their portrayals remain faithful to the source material, amplifying the characters' depth and adding vibrancy to the overall narrative.

Keiji Inai's music composition further enhances the experience, perfectly complementing the story's emotional tone and atmosphere. Together, these elements result in an impressive opening installment, setting high expectations for the series.

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Final thoughts

Mizuho's crush (Image via Typhoon Graphics)

In conclusion, Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You episode 1 delivers an impressive and promising debut that not only entertains but also resonates emotionally with viewers. Typhoon Graphics' exceptional production quality sets the stage for a heartfelt romantic drama in the premiere.

With its fresh, immersive storytelling and engaging visuals, the episode establishes a solid foundation and builds anticipation for the rest of the series. This impressive start makes it a must addition to the Winter 2025 watchlist for anime fans.

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