A Sign of Affection is the latest Shoujo anime that has fans raising the bar for relationship standards.
The series follows Yuki, a deaf woman, as she navigates through her life. One day, she is approached for directions. As she struggles to answer, a stranger swoops in and answers for her. This catches her attention, and she is immediately curious about him.
A Sign of Affection comes as a breath of fresh air. Not only is one of the few Shoujo animes focusing on adults, but it also centers on a deaf woman. The series could’ve focused on the hardships of being othered in society. However, it does not. Instead, the series focuses on the shifts in communication between Yuki and everyone she encounters depending on their relationship with her and their knowledge of sign language.
Effort Goes A Long Way
After discovering who the helpful stranger was, Yuki makes it her mission to connect with him. When she formally meets Itsuomi, his very forward nature throws Yuki off.
Whenever he sees anything that piques his interest, he zeroes in on the subject and learns as much as he can about it. This is what draws him to Yuki. After meeting her, he realizes he knows nothing about deaf culture. He makes it his mission to learn sign language from Yuki.
Itsuomi’s diligence in learning sign language endears him to Yuki. He teaches her about the rest of the world through his travel stories and mementos, and she teaches him about the world she lives in.
In a world where the bar for a decent relationship is at an all-time low, it’s nice to see a healthy relationship unfold based on mutual interest, respect, and care.
A Mature Approach
Typically, shoujo animes focus on teens and their experiences with falling in love for the first time. While they are excellent, sometimes a viewer wants to see adults navigate the dating world. This allows for mature topics and more realistic storylines.
We meet these characters at a crossroads in their lives. Watching each character struggle with what life throws at them, be it a sleight against them or deciding between a relationship and a career is something that everyone can relate to at any stage. However, due to the character’s ages, there’s an added nuance to the gravity of the situation as the stakes are higher in their case.
When it comes to romance, both characters approach jealousy and uncertainty differently. While Yuki is unsure, the Itsuomi is confident. However, the couple’s differences do not move the story into a toxic dynamic. Instead, the characters talk out their insecurities and remain steadfast in their commitment to one another, despite what outside forces try to sabotage their relationship.
A Sign of Affection will have a 12-episode run. It’s unknown if the series will be renewed for a second season. In the meantime, the manga has 10 volumes out, with more coming in the future.
