| The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity | |
 Firsttankōbon volume cover, featuring Rintaro Tsumugi (left) and Kaoruko Waguri (right) | |
| 薫る花は凛と咲く (Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic comedy[1] |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Saka Mikami |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Shōnen Magazine Comics |
| Magazine | Magazine Pocket |
| Original run | October 20, 2021 – present |
| Volumes | 21 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by |
|
| Written by | Rino Yamazaki |
| Music by | Moeki Harada |
| Studio | CloverWorks |
| Licensed by | Netflix (streaming rights) |
| Original network | Tokyo MX,GYT,GTV,MBS,BS11,AT-X |
| Original run | July 6, 2025 – September 28, 2025 |
| Episodes | 13 |
 Anime and manga portal | |
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (Japanese:薫る花は凛と咲く,Hepburn:Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku) is a Japanesemanga series written and illustrated by Saka Mikami. It has been serialized onKodansha'sMagazine Pocket website and app since October 2021, and its chapters have been collected into 21tankōbon volumes as of December 2025. The story follows a boy attending a delinquent-populated public high school inMinato, Tokyo who encounters a small-statured girl from anelite, all-female private academy attended by members ofnoble families.
Ananime television adaptation produced byCloverWorks aired from July to September 2025. Both the manga and anime have received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for their writing, characters, art style, voice performances, and emotional portrayal.
By December 2025, the series had over 10 million copies in circulation.
Chidori Public High School and Kikyo Private Academy Girls' High School are next to each other with contrasting reputations. Chidori enrolls lower class delinquent boys, and Kikyo is a prestigious academy enrolling honorable, noble girls. The schools have a long-standing rivalry.
Chidori student Rintaro Tsumugi attends to customer Kaoruko Waguri at his family's bakery. He is surprised that Kaoruko sees his kindness, and he later saves her from harassment by delinquents. Rintaro discovers to his shock that Kaoruko attends Kikyo Private Academy. They aspire to learn about each other as their friendship grows.
After winning the 105th Newcomer Manga Award for her one-shot mangaKurage no Uta (海月のうた;lit. 'Song of the Jellyfish'), author Saka Mikami's editor suggested her to create a manga series. Mikami wanted to draw a manga in which all the characters were kind. In an interview she stated that the second chapter was especially difficult to write, as her initialstoryboards were rejected three times. Mikami had already decided in the first chapter that the boys' school and the girls' school wouldn't get along, but her editor suggested to make it a little more tense.[11]
When designing the characters, Mikami started with their appearances. She explained that she likes couples with a large height difference, so she decided to make Rintaro tall and Kaoruko short. She was also unsure whether to make Kaoruko from a wealthy family; however, in the third chapter she decided to make her from an ordinary family. Because she likes contrasts, Mikami thought it would be a good idea to have Rintaro – who has a "scary face" – work in a family-ownedcake shop.[11]
Aniplex producer Shoko Hori, a longtime fan of the manga, said she loved the gentle world depicted in the manga. She wanted to somehow make it into an anime and consulted with her superior Kyoko Uryu. At that time,Kodansha introduced them to the idea of adapting the manga into a film.CloverWorks also expressed strong interest in producing an anime adaptation and, with the support of Uryu, the anime project was launched.[12]
Although the place names in the manga series are fictional, the production team wanted to maintain a sense of realism, as they believed the depiction of everyday life was essential to the story. After consulting with Mikami, they went to scout the places she used as references when drawing the illustrations. For the model of the school, they visitedMatsumoto Fukashi Senior High School [ja] inNagano Prefecture, and for the model of the library, they visitedChigasaki City Library [ja]. Since Rintaro's family runs a cake shop, director Miyuki Kuroki recommended several shops that could serve as models, and they researched those shops. To ensure the cake-making process was portrayed accurately, they collaborated with the Tokyo Confectionery School and researched both the kitchen utensils and the cake-making methods.[13]
Written and illustrated by Saka Mikami,The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity began serialization onKodansha'sMagazine Pocket website and app on October 20, 2021. The series has been collected in 21 volumes as of December 2025.[14]
Kodansha publishes the series in English on their K Manga service.[15] AtAnime Expo 2023,Kodansha USA announced that the series would be published in print starting in Q2 2024.[16]
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 9, 2022[17] | 978-4-06-526609-0 | June 4, 2024[18] | 979-8-88-877138-9 | ||
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| 2 | May 9, 2022[19] | 978-4-06-527851-2 | August 6, 2024[20] | 979-8-88-877139-6 | ||
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| 3 | July 8, 2022[21] | 978-4-06-528386-8 | October 8, 2024[22] | 979-8-88-877140-2 | ||
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| 4 | September 9, 2022[23] | 978-4-06-529144-3 | December 3, 2024[24] | 979-8-88-877141-9 | ||
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| 5 | November 9, 2022[25] | 978-4-06-529641-7 | February 4, 2025[26] | 979-8-88-877142-6 | ||
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| 6 | January 6, 2023[27] | 978-4-06-530334-4 | April 1, 2025[28] | 979-8-88-877143-3 | ||
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| 7 | March 9, 2023[29] | 978-4-06-530959-9 | June 3, 2025[30] | 979-8-88-877144-0 | ||
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| 8 | May 9, 2023[31] | 978-4-06-531601-6 | August 5, 2025[32] | 979-8-88-877145-7 | ||
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| 9 | August 8, 2023[33] | 978-4-06-532607-7 | October 7, 2025[34] | 979-8-88-877205-8 | ||
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| 10 | November 9, 2023[35] | 978-4-06-533508-6 | December 9, 2025[36] | 979-8-88-877261-4 | ||
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| 11 | January 9, 2024[37] | 978-4-06-534168-1 | February 3, 2026[38] | 979-8-88-877303-1 | ||
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| 12 | April 9, 2024[39] | 978-4-06-535156-7 | April 7, 2026[40] | 979-8-88-877394-9 | ||
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| 13 | July 9, 2024[41] | 978-4-06-536120-7 | June 9, 2026[42] | 979-8-88-877405-2 | ||
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| 14 | October 9, 2024[43] | 978-4-06-537044-5 | August 11, 2026[44] | 979-8-88-877522-6 | ||
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| 15 | January 8, 2025[45] | 978-4-06-538053-6 | October 13, 2026[46] | 979-8-88-877618-6 | ||
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| 16 | April 9, 2025[47] | 978-4-06-539040-5 | — | — | ||
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| 17 | June 9, 2025[48] | 978-4-06-539745-9 | — | — | ||
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| 18 | August 7, 2025[49] | 978-4-06-540356-3 | — | — | ||
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| 19 | September 9, 2025[50] | 978-4-06-540813-1 | — | — | ||
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| 20 | October 9, 2025[51] | 978-4-06-540814-8 | — | — | ||
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| 21 | December 9, 2025[14] | 978-4-06-541886-4 | — | — | ||
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| 22 | March 9, 2026[52] | 978-4-06-542955-6 | — | — | ||
These chapters have yet to be published in atankōbon volume.
Ananime television series adaptation was announced during theAniplex Online Fest event on September 16, 2024.[53] The series was produced byCloverWorks and directed by Miyuki Kuroki, with Satoshi Yamaguchi as assistant director, series composition by Rino Yamazaki, character designs by Kohei Tokuoka, and music by Moeki Harada. It aired from July 6 to September 28, 2025, onTokyo MX and other networks.[3][c] The opening theme song is "Manazashi wa Hikari" (まなざしは光;lit. 'The Gaze Is a Light'), performed byTatsuya Kitani, and the ending theme song is "Hare no Hi ni" (ハレの日に;lit. 'On This Sunny Day'), performed byReira Ushio.[55] The special ending theme song "Hitohira" (ひとひら), performed by Hitomi Miyahara, is used for the thirteenth and final episode.[56]Netflix is streaming the series globally, and it premiered alongside its televised broadcast in Japan, while the worldwide release has various premiere dates.[d]
| No. | Title [59][60] | Directed by [59] | Written by [59] | Storyboarded by [59] | Original release date [61][c][d] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Rintaro and Kaoruko" Transliteration: "Rintarō to Kaoruko" (Japanese:凛太郎と薫子) | Miyuki Kuroki | Rino Yamazaki | Miyuki Kuroki | July 6, 2025 (2025-07-06) | ||||||
Rintaro Tsumugi is a student who attends Chidori Public High School, an institution for delinquent boys. Situated beside his school is the prestigious Kikyo Private Academy Girls' High School, who looks down on Chidori with disdain. Rintaro also works at his family's bakery with his mother Kyoko. He attends to a young girl who is a regular customer, though the girl quickly leaves. Rintaro learns from Kyoko that the girl's name is Kaoruko Waguri, and fears he may have frightened her due to his intimidating appearance. The next day, Kaoruko asks to talk to Rintaro, and she reveals they had met before and that she does not find Rintaro intimidating, surprising him. Rintaro suddenly finds Kaoruko being harassed by a group of boys who owed Rintaro a debt, and they claim she should not get close to him. Kaoruko calls them out on only knowing him at face value, as Rintaro comes to her defense when one of the boys attempts to hurt Kaoruko and scares them off. Kaoruko thanks him and promises to visit the bakery in the future. Rintaro thinks back on Kaoruko's care for him and wonders on her next visit, when he sees to his shock that Kaoruko is a student at Kikyo. | |||||||||||
| 2 | "Chidori and Kikyo" Transliteration: "Chidori to Kikyō" (Japanese:千鳥と桔梗) | Haruka Tsuzuki | Rino Yamazaki | Haruka Tsuzuki | July 13, 2025 (2025-07-13) | ||||||
Rintaro listens to his friends Shohei Usami, Saku Natsusawa, and Ayato Yorita express dismay on Kikyo's students loathing them, causing Rintaro to believe he and Kaoruko will become distant due to their school affiliations. After school, Rintaro and a group of Chidori students find Kaoruko waiting by their school's gate. Shohei threatens Kaoruko, forcing Rintaro to defuse the situation. Rintaro believes that Kaoruko was expecting him, leaving him unusually warmed. Saku later asks Rintaro on his recent behavior, assuring him they will listen. Rintaro refuses to divulge information, disappointing Saku. Rintaro returns to the bakery and sees Kaoruko waiting. Kaoruko affirms Rintaro's assumptions and remarks she can be able to know him better, before leaving with a sullen expression. Kyoko stresses to a confused Rintaro that Kaoruko sees him beyond his affiliation, giving him clarity. Rintaro meets Kaoruko by Kikyo's gate the next day, apologizing and promising to set aside his biases and learn more about Kaoruko as a person. | |||||||||||
| 3 | "A Kind Person" Transliteration: "Yasashii Hito" (Japanese:優しい人) | Satoshi Yamaguchi | Honoka Katō | Satoshi Yamaguchi | July 20, 2025 (2025-07-20) | ||||||
Rintaro and Shohei face difficulties with exams, so they head to a public library to study. As Rintaro finds out Kaoruko would not be able to visit the bakery, Shohei leaves to ask for Saku and Ayato's help. Rintaro sees Kaoruko tutoring her classmate, learning that Kaoruko is studious. Rintaro later asks Kaoruko to tutor him, when a silver-haired Kikyo student named Subaru Hoshina confronts them. Subaru demands Rintaro to back off from Kaoruko due to his Chidori affiliation, as Shohei returns with Saku and Ayato. Subaru angrily leaves with Kaoruko, with Subaru and Saku exchanging insults before Rintaro calms them down. Kaoruko then apologizes for the previous mishap at Chidori, surprising Subaru and Rintaro's friends. Subaru questions Kaoruko's action, and Kaoruko states Rintaro and his friends are good people, shaking Subaru's belief of all men being loathsome. Kaoruko later calls Rintaro to clarify that Subaru is a kind friend and compliments his courageousness during the mix-up. They decide to do a study session in the weekend and begin speaking casually. Meanwhile, a wistful Subaru looks at a framed childhood photo of her and Kaoruko, as she begins to question what she truly believes in. | |||||||||||
| 4 | "Warmth of the Heart" Transliteration: "Kokoro no Ondo" (Japanese:心の温度) | Jirō Arimoto | Rino Yamazaki | Miyuki Kuroki | July 27, 2025 (2025-07-27) | ||||||
Rintaro and Kaoruko meet up for the study session, as both individuals become flustered with each other. Rintaro explains to Kaoruko that he wants to pass the exams so that he can attend an upcoming sports festival with his friends. Kaoruko points out how Rintaro values them, prompting her to further explain that Subaru's behavior and discomfort around men was rooted from her past and thanking him for not judging Subaru. After Kaoruko goes home, Subaru confronts Rintaro and asks to talk. Subaru requests Rintaro to stop meeting Kaoruko out of concern for Kaoruko's safety within Kikyo. When Rintaro questions why she cares about Kaoruko, Subaru explains she had been bullied by boys as a child for her hair color and Kaoruko stood up for her, leading Subaru to protect her in any way she can. Despite Subaru's pleas, Rintaro respectfully declines and leaves, feeling dismay on his honest answer to an understanding but disappointed Subaru. Rintaro passes the exams thanks to Kaoruko's guidance, leaving him glad. Rintaro's happiness is, however, short-lived when Saku finds a written note from Kaoruko in Rintaro's notebook, shocking and enraging Saku. | |||||||||||
| 5 | "Premonition of a New Beginning" Transliteration: "Hajimari no Yokan" (Japanese:はじまりの予感) | Ryosuke Oka | Rino Yamazaki | Miyuki Kuroki & Ryosuke Oka | August 3, 2025 (2025-08-03) | ||||||
Saku confronts Rintaro on his connection with Kaoruko, but Rintaro refuses to elaborate. Rintaro later thanks Kaoruko for her help, though he is disheartened after Kaoruko tells him to have fun in the festival. Rintaro distances himself from Saku, worrying Shohei and Ayato. The two catch up to Saku and hear his fears of Rintaro not trusting them. Shohei counters that Rintaro helps them without knowing it and Ayato adds Rintaro was expressing his genuine feelings, assuring Saku that he will open up in time, though Saku remains skeptical. Rintaro later helps at the bakery, where Kyoko learns he passed his exams. Kaoruko visits them to buy pastries and congratulates Rintaro. Seeing Rintaro's sadness, however, Kaoruko cheers him up to feel better. Rintaro reflects on Kaoruko's warmth as he celebrates with Kyoko. Kyoko shares her gratitude on Rintaro's recent achievement, recounting how he was burdened by hardship as a child. Kyoko also catches on that Rintaro has been changing positively, much to her happiness. Later, Kaoruko meets with Subaru at a playground they used to play in, and Subaru reveals she had talked to Rintaro. | |||||||||||
| 6 | "Self-Loathing" Transliteration: "Daikirai" (Japanese:大嫌い) | Makoto Katō | Rino Yamazaki | Makoto Katō | August 10, 2025 (2025-08-10) | ||||||
| "I love you!" Transliteration: "Daisuki" (Japanese:大好き) | |||||||||||
Subaru reflects on Kaoruko's caring demeanor, remarking she wishes to be like her as she talks to Kaoruko about her meeting with Rintaro. Subaru expresses guilt on trying to break apart Kaoruko and Rintaro's friendship, only for Kaoruko to apologize for worrying her. Subaru looks back on how she was consumed by anxiety and cries, believing she only hinders Kaoruko. Despite this, Kaoruko reiterates she is a kind friend, adding she has always been by her side since their childhood and cherishes her. After Kaoruko states she still wants to see Rintaro, Subaru asks if she loves him, which Kaoruko confirms. Feeling relaxed, Subaru shares Rintaro's answer of still wanting to see Kaoruko, flustering the latter. As the two walk home, Kaoruko receives a message from Rintaro asking to meet with Subaru. The next day, Rintaro and Subaru talk, where Rintaro asks how he should meet with Kaoruko in the future. Subaru, seeing Rintaro's care for both her and Kaoruko, reassures him that she resolved the situation with Kaoruko and tells him they can meet far from their schools. Subaru then asks Rintaro if they can be friends, surprising Rintaro. | |||||||||||
| 7 | "Coolest Guy Ever" Transliteration: "Kakkoii Otoko" (Japanese:かっこいい男) | Hideaki Takahashi | Rino Yamazaki | Satoshi Yamaguchi | August 17, 2025 (2025-08-17) | ||||||
Shohei, Saku, and Ayato grow suspicious with Rintaro's withdrawn behavior, so they secretly follow him to a restaurant and see him meet with Kaoruko and Subaru. The trio overhears Rintaro planning to clear up everything to them. Kaoruko and Subaru accept his sincerity, leaving the trio stunned. As Rintaro, Kaoruko, and Subaru go home, they are cornered by the same group of boys who owed Rintaro being joined by their upperclassmen. One of the boys touches Subaru's hair, discomforting her. Shohei, Saku, and Ayato intervene and tell Rintaro to leave with the girls. Rintaro complies, and Ayato beats up the group after learning they hurt Rintaro. Ayato calls Rintaro to reassure him they are fine, as he warns the injured group that Rintaro is a cool guy before leaving with Shohei and Saku. At Chidori's sports festival, the trio meets with Rintaro, where Saku apologizes for his previous behavior and reaffirms his trust for him. Warmed by Saku's words, Rintaro scores a victory for his class, leaving them overjoyed. | |||||||||||
| 8 | "The Meaning of These Feelings" Transliteration: "Kanjō no Shōtai" (Japanese:感情の正体) | Haruka Tsuzuki | Honoka Katō | Haruka Tsuzuki | August 24, 2025 (2025-08-24) | ||||||
After the sports festival, Rintaro formally introduces his friends to Kaoruko and Subaru. The girls thank Shohei, Saku, and Ayato for helping them the previous evening, and Subaru apologizes on her poor behavior during the confrontation at the library. Saku also apologizes on his prior insults towards Subaru, as she and Kaoruko gift the boys a selection of pastries. Subaru remains worried of befriending Chidori students, but Shohei reassures her that they do not care about their school affiliations, surprising Subaru and the group begins to bond. Kaoruko later requests Rintaro to a hangout, and they head to an aquarium. Rintaro nervously thinks their hangout is akin to a date as he and Kaoruko spend time. The duo also assists a lost child, who interprets them as a couple which flusters Rintaro. The child shares her admiration towards her crush's smile, leading Rintaro to look back on his recent admiration for Kaoruko. After reuniting the child with her parents, Rintaro and Kaoruko watch a dolphin show, where Kaoruko expresses joy towards Rintaro opening up more. Rintaro fully realizes that he has fallen for Kaoruko. | |||||||||||
| 9 | "Blond Hair and Pierced Ears" Transliteration: "Kinpatsu to Piasu" (Japanese:金髪とピアス) | Makoto Katō, Midori Masaki & Xing Zhi Li | Honoka Katō | Makoto Katō, Midori Masaki & Xing Zhi Li | August 31, 2025 (2025-08-31) | ||||||
As Rintaro begins to constantly think about his recent hangout with Kaoruko, Shohei asks if he, Saku, and Ayato can visit his place. Realizing he has not yet opened up about his family and business, Rintaro agrees to the request, leaving his friends in surprise with his family's bakery. Kaoruko and Subaru later join and the group settles down in his living room while Kyoko prepares lunch. Shohei then asks how Rintaro got his blond hair and ear piercings, leading Rintaro to reveal he was inspired by the appearance of a foreign baker at a bakery he and his family visited during his youth. When Rintaro mentions he grew up without friends, Shohei and Kaoruko retort that the people who avoided him did not truly see his kindheartedness. Kyoko overhears their conversation, leaving her grateful for their care of Rintaro after supporting a lonely and burdened Rintaro in the past by also dyeing her hair and piercing her ears. Rintaro thanks Kyoko for her efforts in accommodating him and his friends, further warming her. The group plans their summer break, only to be reminded of the upcoming exams. Kaoruko suggests they all do a study session. | |||||||||||
| 10 | "Summer Storm" Transliteration: "Aoi Arashi" (Japanese:青い嵐) | Yūki Nakano | Rino Yamazaki | Chizuko Kusakabe | September 7, 2025 (2025-09-07) | ||||||
The group heads to a restaurant to conduct their study session. Subaru experiences difficulty with one of Kikyo's test questions, and Saku easily solves it to the group's astonishment. The boys later pass their exams, allowing them to enjoy the break. They join their classmates to play bowling, where Rintaro reflects on becoming more open to his friends. The group spots Kaoruko and Subaru walking with their friends and Shohei attempts to greet them, only to be silenced by Saku and Ayato to avoid trouble. The trio then sees Rintaro staring at Kaoruko's direction, prompting Shohei to bluntly ask if he likes Kaoruko. A flustered Rintaro confirms their suspicions, much to Saku and Ayato's exasperation. Rintaro thinks of what it is like dating someone, and he approaches Ayato for advice. Ayato admits he has no knowledge on dating, though he expresses his joy of Rintaro opening up to them, reassuring him that he will support his endeavors. The boys later chat through text, when Rintaro receives a message from Subaru about Kaoruko's upcoming birthday, surprising Rintaro. | |||||||||||
| 11 | "A Morsel of Warmth" Transliteration: "Nukumori no Hitokuchi" (Japanese:ぬくもりのひとくち) | Hikaru Yamaguchi | Honoka Katō | Satoshi Yamaguchi & Hideaki Takahashi | September 14, 2025 (2025-09-14) | ||||||
With Kaoruko's birthday approaching, Rintaro has difficulty in thinking what he can gift to her. Kyoko suggests he bake a cake for Kaoruko with the help of his father Keiichiro. Rintaro is reluctant, citing his inexperience and Keiichiro's exhaustion, but Kyoko reassures him Keiichiro is open to assist him. Rintaro requests Keiichiro's help, prompting a passionate Keiichiro to ask the type of message he wants to convey to Kaoruko with the cake. Rintaro replies with wanting to show his gratitude to her and begins intensely training under Keiichiro. Rintaro also messages Kaoruko on wanting to meet up on the day of her birthday, flustering her. Rintaro slowly improves his baking in time for Kaoruko's birthday, much to Keiichiro and Kyoko's delight. Rintaro meets with Kaoruko and gifts her the cake. Rintaro reveals he baked it and expresses his gratitude to Kaoruko, stunning her. They part ways as Kaoruko tastes Rintaro's cake at her home. Kaoruko then calls Rintaro and shares her enjoyment with his cake, leaving a glad Rintaro to relay the news to Keiichiro and Kyoko. Rintaro also states his willingness to help at the bakery during summer break, which his parents eagerly accept. | |||||||||||
| 12 | "Bewilderment at the Beachside" Transliteration: "Umibe no Madoi" (Japanese:海辺の惑い) | Yuichi Shimohira | Rino Yamazaki | Tomohisa Taguchi | September 21, 2025 (2025-09-21) | ||||||
Rintaro, Kaoruko, and their friends travel to the beach to start their break. Rintaro shares to Saku his recent enjoyment with baking while the group buys snacks and fireworks. The group arrives at the beachfront, though Subaru remains dour and worries she is ruining their trip. Kaoruko senses Subaru's anxieties and helps her open up to Rintaro and his friends. Saku remarks they already enjoy her company, easing Subaru's concerns. The group prepares the fireworks as evening arrives, while Saku gifts Subaru donuts after noticing her hunger. Subaru aspires to be able to love herself the same way as Kaoruko cherishes her in the future. She joins the boys to buy additional snacks and fireworks, while Rintaro and Kaoruko stay at the beach. The two discuss recent events when Rintaro inadvertently confesses his feelings to Kaoruko, surprising and flustering them both as Subaru and the boys return. The group heads back home and goes their separate ways, where Rintaro aims to correct the mishap and calls Kaoruko. | |||||||||||
| 13 | "Kaoruko and Rintaro" Transliteration: "Kaoruko to Rintarō" (Japanese:薫子と凛太郎) | Miyuki Kuroki & Makoto Katō | Rino Yamazaki | Miyuki Kuroki & Makoto Katō | September 28, 2025 (2025-09-28) | ||||||
Rintaro arranges to discuss with Kaoruko about the recent confession, and Kaoruko chooses to meet during the summer festival. Rintaro clarifies his love to Kaoruko, explaining that he felt lonely upon realizing their time together would eventually end and admitting he wants to experience more joy with her. Hearing this, Kaoruko reveals to Rintaro that the day they actually first met at the bakery occurred when she was burdened by personal issues. She cried upon tasting his family's pastries, and further felt warmth when Rintaro attended to her, adding that he had saved her on that day. Kaoruko admits she would regularly visit the bakery in the hopes to speak with Rintaro. After Rintaro, now unaware of their first meeting, noticed her again, Kaoruko made efforts to learn more about him and discovered that he attended Chidori, causing her love for Rintaro to blossom. Kaoruko then thanks Rintaro on clarifying his feelings and reciprocates his love. Rintaro expresses his gratitude on being able to discover new things thanks to Kaoruko's efforts, as they begin a new chapter in their lives as a couple. | |||||||||||
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity was nominated for the 2022Next Manga Awards in the web category and was ranked sixth out of fifty nominees.[62] The series was also nominated for theTsutaya Comic Awards and ranked second.[63] It ranked seventh in the Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2023.[64] The series was nominated for the 47thKodansha Manga Award in theshōnen category in 2023;[65] it was also nominated in the same category for the 48th edition in 2024,[66] and the 49th edition in 2025.[67]
The series had over 4.3 million copies in circulation by March 2025,[68] over 7.5 million copies in circulation by September 2025,[69] and over 10 million copies in circulation by December 2025.[70]
The anime has received widespread critical acclaim. Paulo Kawanishi ofPolygon praised its writing, art, animation, and characters while stated, "When an anime walks a more common route by using the classic tropes of a genre, most of the result depends on the quality of the writing and animation, like we've seen in the past withAo Haru Ride andHorimiya.The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity proves that by turning the world of teenagers into a garden of potential flowers whose beautiful colors I'm eager to see".[71] Ayaan Shams Siddiquee ofThe Daily Star wrote: "It's almost impossible not to root for [this series]. WithCloverWorks' gorgeous production and the source material's story that sidesteps the genre's usual pitfalls, this might just be one of the most enjoyable romance anime to come out in recent years. If you've grown tired of recycled romcom formulas, this show will remind you why the genre can still be exciting when done right".[72]
Writing forAnime News Network, Rebecca Silverman gave the series' final episode a perfect rating, complimented its romantic storytelling and Kaoruko's point of view towards Rintaro. She concluded: "For a romance with minimal touching, no official dating, and no kissing,The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity is incredibly romantic. Freed from the trappings and tropes of the romance genre, it is instead able to focus on the emotional component. It follows the characters' growth not just romantically, but also as they discover their own dignity and learn how to at least respect themselves, and those allow them to fall in love".[73]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Abema Anime Trend Awards | Opening Animation Award | "Manazashi wa Hikari"byTatsuya Kitani | Won | [74] |
| AT-X | Top Anime Ranking | The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity | 6th place | [75] | |
| 2026 | D-Anime Store Awards | Heart-Pounding Anime | Won | [76] | |
| 12th Anime Trending Awards | Anime of the Year | Pending | [77] | ||
| Boy of the Year | Rintaro Tsumugi | Pending | |||
| Girl of the Year | Kaoruko Waguri | Pending | |||
| Couple or Ship of the Year | Rintaro and Kaoruko | Pending | |||
| Supporting Boy of the Year | Saku Natsusawa | Pending | |||
| Supporting Girl of the Year | Subaru Hoshina | Pending | |||
| Best in Character Design | The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity | Pending | |||
| Ending Theme Song of the Year | "Hare no Hi ni"byReira Ushio | Pending | |||
| Drama Anime of the Year | The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity | Pending | |||
| Romance Anime of the Year | Pending | ||||
| Best Voice Acting Performance - Male | Yoshinori Nakayamaas Rintaro Tsumugi | Pending |
