The following contains spoilers for Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You Season 2, Episode 2, currently streaming on Crunchyroll this Winter 2026 anime season.
If there’s one thing Anyway, I’m falling In Love With You does well, it’s breaking anime fan hearts. Every single episode feels like it drives the emotional knife in just a little bit deeper. Season 2, Episode 2 is particularly brutal, picking up right where last week’s episode left off. Everyone has all these stupid feelings, and it’s just not fair!
Mizuho and Kizuki come face to face for the first time in three years at the fireworks festival. Episode 1 ended on a tearful note, with Mizuho running away from him and through the festival crowd. We have no idea why they broke up, and fair warning, by the end of Episode 2, “I Can’t Give Up,” we still don’t know. But… maybe we have a hint. Let’s see…
Let’s Talk About Airu’s Big Moment In Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You
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There are some interesting reveals in Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You Season 2 Episode 2. First, I’m going to jump to the end to examine Airu’s long-awaited confessional kiss. Kizuki and Mizuho both ditching the Christmas party is confirmation that their friend group situation is changing. Shin is devastated, but he’s not the only one. There have been a lot of subtle clues along the way that Airu has been silently pining for Kizuki.
After the end credits, Airu runs into Kizuki on a run, though he was obviously waiting for him. He gives him water and the two sit down to talk about Mizuho finally calling Kizuki her boyfriend. Airu is happy to see the joy flowing out of Kizuki, but it is obviously hurting him. When the other boy starts going on about Mizuho always being there for him, it stings. Airu takes a chance in this moment and kisses Kizuki before reminding him that Mizuho isn’t the only one looking his way.
We’re left with that moment and everything it says. We see a huge wave rise in the sea in front of them as Kizuki knocks the bottle of water over, spilling it on the ground behind them. The way the two sit there staring at each other with the sun shimmering across the sea in front of them, it’s impossible to tell what Kizuki is thinking. And there’s a part of me that never wants to know because I want Airu to be happy. Almost as much as I want Shin to be happy.
“I Can’t Give Up” Feels More Like “I Accept Defeat… for Now.”
At the Christmas party Kizuki and Mizuho failed to show up at, Shin had obviously been preparing to tip Mizuho’s feelings in his favor. Her not being there is a hard truth he’s forced to face, and it hurts. As the relationship status between Kizuki and Mizuho quickly makes itself obvious, Shin invites her to go ice skating. She’s not sure why, but he makes it clear the moment he asks her if he lost the battle for her heart. He is very hurt, and there’s even a moment where he starts to tell her he can’t be friends with her anymore.
Then he throws a snowball at her face. As much as he’s hurting, he can’t stomach the idea of not being a part of her life, even if it’s just as friends. He starts to suggest that if in ten years, she’s not with anyone… and then he stops himself. Now it’s been ten years. She’s not with anyone. Could it finally be Shin’s time?
Well… I want it to be Shin’s time. I don’t want Kizuki to win for a lot of reasons. Looking back through his relationship with Mizuho, even from the start, it feels very one-sided. She’s the one always caring for him. She’s the one who shows up for him. He pushes his wants and needs onto her, refusing to take no for an answer all throughout Season 1. Then he ditches her without a real explanation? YUCK! My bias to Shin’s responsibility as a human at this point is so strong, I can’t see myself ever joining Team Kizuki.
The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants In Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You
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The flashback memories in this episode of Anyway, I’m Falling In Love with You are so strong. And it’s not because Mizuho ran away from the fireworks festival in ruinous tears. It’s because we get to see the journey of a young man who holds out for years . Shin’s a doctor. He’s attractive. Watch the intro! He’s good with KIDS! There’s no doubt he probably has a lot of romantic prospects. But he’s always quietly waiting in the background for Mizuho to realize what’s right in front of her.
I’m not crying, you are! I never thought I’d become a Shin advocate, considering the way he uses bullying and teasing to show his interest in her early on. But… here we are. Sadly, I have a feeling that Kizuki’s return means one thing: more heartache for Shin. Because the stupid heart wants what the stupid heart wants. Ugh! Stupid hearts!
When Shin starts going back through his memories and realizing he’s always loved her, it’s as liberating as it is heartbreaking. It’s acceptance, a promise to himself to wait. The time might not be right now, but one day… NO, YOU ARE CRYING! And you’re crying because back in the present moment, he still wants her. After taking her out to dinner, he asks her if it’s really over with Kuzuki, and she tells him it’s not, not for her. But he believes he can make it end. Then he asks her out!
She doesn’t have to answer yet, but he knows if they don’t do something, both of them will be stuck in the past. He’s never gotten over her.
Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You Season 2, Episode 2 on a Scale of 1 to 10
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I am so glad this anime is back. I almost forgot how easily it drew me in to its complicated love story mess. Such classic shojo feels, making me want to snuggle up in blankets on this cold winter day and just cry. “I Can’t Give Up” gives me feels I tried to let go of back in Season 1, when it seemed obvious she was going to pick Kizuki. Shin is too good. I want to put a bubble around him and protect him from heartache, but I think it’s much too late for that at this point.
For me, this episode delivers moments I’ve wanted to see since Season 1 ended. It’s getting a full 10/10 from me today! And I can’t wait to see if Episode 3 brings the same emotional resonance next week.
VOID RATING: 10/10
