It’s no secret that The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague has been my favorite anime this season. Every episode feels like that sweet treat you eat after dinner. However, this does not mean the show is without faults. For me, there aren’t many because I’m someone who takes things for what they are. While I’m never afraid to dive deeper into my thoughts if I dislike or have criticisms, I believe sometimes we have to enjoy things for what they are.
I see that there are some criticisms online for The Ice Guy for how slow it moves. I can see that but I also know what it is and I don’t mind it moving slowly. The show is about the journey to the relationship, so it will take the entire season to do that. But something that stood out to me in this episode, which I’ve noticed before, is the lack of depth in the other characters and relationships.
The Ice Guys and The Office Girls
In the first half of this episode, there is a powerful storm that shuts down the trains. As a result, the girls Fuyutsuki, Komori, and Otonashi stay in a business hotel close to the office. Saejime and Himoru end up staying the night with Katori, who recently moved nearby. Everyone has drinks and the fun times begin.
For me, this is what left me wanting more. In the girls’ hangout, they bring up the guys. Otonashi asks Komori what’s going on with her and Saejime, Komiri questions Otonashi about Katori, and both Otonashi and Komori ask Fuyutsuki about Himoru. Fuyutsuki states she has never been in love but the other two notice how hard Fuyutsuki is blushing. On the guys’ side, Saejime and Katori game while Himoru texts Fuyutsuki.
While these moments were cute, they were also very underwhelming. I wish the scene had been used for all the characters to learn more about each other, even outside of their love interests. I would love to have seen the girls cutting loose and talking about everything, not just relationships. Or maybe talk more candidly about relationships! The guys would have also benefited from a more open conversation with each other. There are only two episodes left of The Ice Guy so I don’t have much hope that there will be deeper friend developments but I will live.
The Birthday Gift
The second half of the episode focuses on Himoru trying to find a moment to gift Fuyutsuki the earrings we saw him purchase in the last episode. I’m really proud of Himoru here because he really was trying to talk himself out of gifting them to her due to the commentary from the girls he overheard on the street. However, he made up his mind and was determined to gift them to her.
I think my favorite part of the episode was discovering that the snowmen can talk to Himoru, as we see them encouraging Himoru to give Fuyutsuki the earrings. I love them so much and it was so cute.
On the day of Fuyutsuki’s birthday, she could not be busier. Every time Himoru tries to approach her, she is called by a coworker or higher-up for assistance. When Himoru finally catches her, he asks her to walk home together.
On their walk, Himoru starts second-guessing their interactions and makes himself so nervous that he freezes an entire area, trees included. This is similar to the scene in the OP. Fuyutsuki is so taken aback and in awe, she asks Himoru if she could consider this her birthday gift. Himoru takes this opportunity to give Fuyutsuki the earrings, which she puts on right away.
End of the Ice Line
With only two episodes of The Ice Guy to go, we are at the end of the line in terms of what will happen next! It is undeniable (as it’s been since episode one) that Himoru and Fuyutsuki have so much chemistry. It is time they take the leap and make it official. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
You can watch The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague on Crunchyroll.
