As an older anime fan, the kind who still remembers catching Cowboy Bebop on Toonami back in the day. I’ve often found it hard to connect with the flood of high school romance anime we see today. Stories about shy teenagers discovering love over one fleeting summer don’t always resonate when you’re navigating the realities of adulthood. That’s why discovering a series that reflects the relatable, awkward, and sometimes heartwarming aspects of working adult life feels like such a breath of fresh air.

This is where, “The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague” steps in. A show that perfectly resonates and targets its preferred demographic. Giving us working adults a bit of a romantic retreat from the monotony of working life. From the way it presents its adult characters in situations that feel entirely relatable and grounded, to exploring budding relationships that form from genuine connections and admiration of people often living with childhood insecurities. A lot of what builds the core of this anime are from the very same aspects of adult life that we lament or even find daunting.

Where the show starts this is from how it presents and grows our characters.

Taking a leap of faith on a chance relationship.

One of The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague’s greatest strengths lies in its characters. Rather than relying on exaggerated anime tropes, it gives us a cast that feels refreshingly human.

At the center is Himuro, a reserved yet endearing young man whose frosty exterior is both literal and metaphorical. His magical snow abilities are a clever metaphor for social anxiety. From the way he freezes up and inadvertently pushes others away, mirrors how difficult it can feel to connect in adulthood. Opposite him is Fuyutsuki, his kind and understanding colleague who brings a warm, encouraging presence to every scene she’s in. However she herself was always told that she was cold or distant. Making her a hard to approach person. That was until Himuro entered the picture. Watching their relationship develop from small, quiet moments of support at work, to hints of deeper affection feels incredibly organic.

Supporting characters round out the cast with just enough quirk and humor to keep things light, while still keeping the focus on Himuro and Fuyutsuki’s growing bond. Each of their interactions shines a little light on a universal truth: that even as adults, we’re all still carrying little insecurities from our youth, and that kindness goes a long way. As a result each character grows in tandem with the main cast as they navigate an ever increasing field of complex emotions and revelations. The fact that we again, get to experience this from a standpoint of adults, makes this show so much more impactful, than it wouldn’t typical high school romance. That isn’t to say a high school romance can’t be relatively relatable, it’s just harder to relate back to.

An anime that’s frugal with your time but loaded with enjoyment

The biggest issue anyone ever faces when watching anime, is how it respects the viewers time. Thankfully, The Ice-Guy and his Cool Female Colleague is just that; respectful. With only 12 episodes to enthrall you, it takes each episode with a loaded approach. While it might seem obtuse to cram as much development into an episode as it can, it does so with care and the mindfulness that seems lacking from many shows as of late. From how it draws you into expanding and explaining the delicate nature of Himuro to the ice-cold outward appearance of Fuyutsuki, each one comes off explained and full of development. Which makes it equally hard to believe that they managed to condense their budding relationship into 12 episodes so perfectly.

On top of this, the English dubbing has a solid performance delivery. Not all English dubbing efforts are made equal, but the cast does an excellent job of brining their respective characters to life. Both, Lee George as Himuro and Kristen McGuire as Fuyutuski, do such a tremendous job of taking the translated script and deliver an emotional story through their performances. It’s the length of episode and the thoughtful work with the dub that ensures this show won’t become a show that makes you feel obligated to watch versus wanting to simply enjoy it.

So the big question over all is this a show worth your time? We at OtakuGamerZone would say: YES! Between the excellent characters and the respect for the viewers time, this is far from a frozen office romance and one that’s an enjoyable slow, burn. I could see the slow burn aspect of the shows romance to be off putting for those who want passionate moments frequently.

Watch The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague on Crunchyroll today!

---

Liked what we posted or noticed a typo? Want to suggest something for us to check out? Feel free to leave us a comment or send us an inquiry via our contact page