The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1 is now out on Netflix Japan. But just like Blue Box and Sakamoto Days, Netflix is once again holding back the release for the rest of the world. Asia will get the series on July 13, and netflix just confirmed that USA will receive the anime on September 7th. Netflix turned out to be a huge disappointment because this anime was one of the most awaited romance titles of Summer 2025.
The studio behind the production and animation is CloverWorks, and they did an excellent job. The first episode adapts the manga’s 1st chapter exactly. There are no rushed scenes, and nothing was skipped at all. The emotional beats are handled properly, and the tone stays consistent with the source.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms Episode 1 visuals look clean. The art style fits the slice of life theme, and character designs look very close to how they are in the manga. The animation in the first episode is mostly stable.
Just watched the Episode 1 of The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
— chibiriceballsempai (@chibiriceballs1) July 5, 2025
GOSH, I LOVE IT. Gotta read the manga just to see what else goes on in this story, but I'm SOOO on board with this new anime animated by CloverWorks!
If you're able to watch it, I definitely recommend!!! XvX pic.twitter.com/ovMoxFSOVh
It is not high end like some big anime, but there is nothing that looks off. Movements feel natural, and expressions are handled well. The color palette is a bit too bright in some outdoor scenes, but it works fine for the school-life setting.
Rintaro’s facial expressions are drawn extremely well, and the anime makes it clear how he is misunderstood. Kaoruko’s reactions are also timed well, especially in the cake shop scenes. Direction uses angles and lighting properly in emotional moments.
What Happened in The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1?
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1 begins exactly like the manga. Rintaro looks at the curtains of the girls-only school and says he will never have anything to do with that world. That small line sets the tone. Right after, we get to see how students from both schools avoid each other.
Then we see Rintaro’s friends and the main point of the story, Rintaro has a scary face, so everyone avoids him, even though he is kind. The anime keeps this light but shows that this misunderstanding is the main thing the story will explore.
The tissue scene with Usami is also adapted properly. It shows the divide between the schools and how the rich girls treat the boys from Rintaro’s school. The direction gives this scene just the right amount of time.
First Interaction Between Rintaro and Kaoruko
The anime shows both schools before the first interaction. Rintaro goes to Chidori High, and Kaoruko is from Kikyo Academy. Rintaro’s family runs a cake shop called Patisserie Plain. That is where Kaoruko appears first, during a rainy evening.
This scene is handled nicely. When Kaoruko gets startled, her reaction is animated well. The cake shop background has a warm feeling and gives a sense of space. When she returns the next day, the expressions are softer, and the camera angles focus on their emotions.
Waguri Kaoruko and Rintaro via The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1, Credits: CloverWorks 
Waguri Kaoruko and Rintaro via The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1, Credits: CloverWorks 
Waguri Kaoruko and Rintaro via The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1, Credits: CloverWorks
Rescue Scene and the Ending
The last part of the episode is where story and animation come together nicely. Kaoruko is approached by the same two guys who earlier tried to mess with Rintaro’s friends. Her cake falls outside the shop, and Rintaro’s mom notices it.
Rintaro runs out and finds her. The animation during the rescue is really good. The moment he blocks the punch and hits the wall is done with proper frame timing. There is nothing extra added, and it stays grounded to match the tone of the anime.
After saving her, Rintaro bows and apologizes, but Kaoruko thanks him instead. She tells him he’s kind and that people misunderstand him. The episode ends with Rintaro looking at the school window and seeing Kaoruko, finally realising she is from Kikyo Academy.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1 Review
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1 is a really good start. The pacing is good, CloverWorks did not mess with the source material, and the animation is consistent. It may not be as detailed as Blue Box in terms of visual polish, but in terms of direction, animation, and adaptation quality, it is right up there.
If CloverWorks keeps this level going, this could be one of the better school romance anime of the year. The only issue is Netflix’s regional delay again, which just kills the weekly excitement.
Review
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 1 Summary
Rintaro meets Kaoruko without knowing she is from the rival school. People are scared of him because of his face, but he is actually kind. They slowly get closer after meeting at his family’s cake shop. Later, Rintaro saves her from two guys trying to mess with her. The episode ends with Rintaro finding out that she goes to Kikyo Academy. The pacing is good, animation is excellent, and CloverWorks stayed faithful to the manga.
