Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It r=1-sinθ ⬢ Unnecessary, And What The Hell Was With Episode 12?

Original Run: April 2, 2022 - June 18, 2022
Number of Episode: 12
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Based on the Series Created By: Alfred Yamaoto

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It r=1-sinθ. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Following the inconclusive results obtained on their Okinawa trip, brilliant scientists Ayame Himura and Shinya Yukimura (voiced respectively by Sora Amamiya and Yuuma Uchida) are no closer to proving their “love” for each other is real. However, they remain determined to solve the mysteries surrounding couples, attraction, and intimacy.

Fortunately, Ayame and Shinya have the support of their entire lab, and they will not rest until they prove “love” is a scientific fact.

Series Positives

In the Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It Season 1 (Science Fell in Love 1) review, it was clear that – at the time (December 2020) – a second season was in the works. Remembering that thought is essential since the prospects of a continuation will become a recurring theme throughout this review. But the short of it is, Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It r=1-sinθ (Science Fell in Love 2) would be fighting an uphill battle that, frankly, it didn’t need to undertake.

As far as unnecessary sequels go, there were things to enjoy about Science Fell in Love 2. Crucially, the love story between Ayame Himuro and Shinya Yukimura still worked. Or, at least, it worked in the sense that these two still made for a believable couple. Theirs was a romance which could only blossom between them. After all, their respective personalities weren’t exactly conducive to more – let’s use the word – standard ideas of what makes for a good romantic partner.

Both Ayame and Shinya (especially Shinya) were often brutally blunt. Their logical, evidence-based thinking caused them to see the world in facts that could be proven and calculated. During their couple time, they spoke with words often found in research papers rather than poems. As long as there was a clear line of sound reasoning, the two could spout out usual mood killers without altering their uniquely intimate atmosphere.

However, that was also the case for Science Fell in Love 1, which, spoilers, ended with them sharing their genuine feelings for one anothers, as well as their first kiss. Despite an instance to the contrary, that got them to where any outside observer would consider them a couple. And although season two tried to continue the love experimentation, there was one key difference between the installments.

Unlike before, Ayame and Shinya in Science Fell in Love 2 were much barer about their love for one another. Albeit in their uniquely scientific way, our leads wouldn’t – or couldn’t – hide the way felt around each other. If season one appeared to close the door on a follow-up, season two ensured that any more would be excessive. The original story is done.

And yet, this franchise could have a future provided it shifts focus away from Ayame and Shinya. They were the dominant force in season one, but that wasn’t entirely true here in season two. Their labmates had more chances to sit in the spotlight.

Notably, the will-they-won’t-they relationship between Ena Ibarada and Kosuke Inukai (voiced respectively by Nichika Oomori and Jun Fukushima) advanced significantly. Science Fell in Love 2 also implied there is much more to the two’s backstories, enough so they could likely lead their own spin-off show.

Then there was Kotonoha Kanade (voiced by Natsuko Hara), who essentially became the star of this season’s second half. We got the chance to delve into her character, and she no longer served just as the show’s straight man. It turns out Kotonoha has far more trouble past, which began to cause a small rift between her and her lab mates. Such a dynamic could have added much to the series, provided the story elected to carefully incorporate what was hinting to be a bit more serious edge.

Too bad Science Fell in Love 2’s definition of “carefully” meant blindsiding the story by kneecapping its firmly established silly premise with a sledgehammer.

Series Negatives

Let’s get a few things out of the way first. To start, Science Fell in Love 1 was as good as it was due to its unexpectedness. The ridiculousness of the show’s setup and subsequent execution was fun throughout. On top of that, the season provided a satisfying enough conclusion. There was no need for a part two.

Thus, Science Fellin Love 2 needed to answer an important question:

“What more can we do?”

The season’s answer allowed for this installment to be watchable but not necessarily – well – necessary. Unsurprisingly, when you give an ending that wraps up nicely, there’s not much more one could want.

Season two’s first attempt to rectify this was to increase the overall sex appeal of the series. This isn’t to say season one was void of fanservice. But it wasn’t a dominant force either. The characters’ personalities and the story were always front and center. Thus, any extra sexiness was just that, extra; it wasn’t a crutch.

In Science Fell in Love 2, that is precisely how it came off as. And if you want a show with attractive characters, there are better options than this.

Putting the increased fanservice aside, the science-speak, which was prevalent throughout season one, failed to have the same humorous effect in season two. Granted, that’s assuming you found this element enjoyable the last time. If you didn’t, it only gets worse here. Why? Because, again, the show was beating a dead horse.

Then things took a strange turn when, in episode six, the entire point of the show got resolved. Through their research, definitions, and feelings, Ayame and Shinya proved, as a scientific fact, they loved each other. Great, but then there was still half a season to go.

Science Fell in Love 2 was already working with nearly nothing. Suddenly, it found itself with absolutely nothing.

The next step would have been going all-in with the show’s side characters. Fortunately, as stated earlier, Ena and Kosuke were right there to take up the slack. However, the season went with Kotonoha.

That, on its own, would have been fine, and things looked promising. Kotonoha started seeing this one guy, but she was worried about how her perceived strangeness might damage her chance for a “normal” romance.

As a result, the rest of the season primarily focused on Kotonoha coming to terms with who she was. Plus, she needed to realize the guy she was dating was not right for her. He made a few comments that demonstrated he wouldn’t treat her with respect. Kotonoha would eventually see that, and this is all getting spoiled because this show went off the goddamn rails in the final episode.

You wouldn’t think Science Fell in Love would be the type of series that would require a trigger warning, but nevertheless:

WARNING – Episode 12 contains depictions of sexual assault and attempted rape. View discretion is advised.

WHAT THE HELL SHOW?

Why do this? Why go this hard for no reason? You don’t spend two seasons as a goofy romantic comedy to then throw out a curveball like this. And then you have the absolute nerve to include your quirky brand of jokes during Kotonoha’s rescue – who, AS YOU REMEMBER, had been abducted and assaulted.

Science Fell in Love 2 was already on track to become a forgettable sequel that didn’t need to happen. But to have what this season did be in the final episode, it left a horrible aftertaste on an otherwise lighthearted anime.

Final Thoughts

This could have been a passable watch if it wasn’t for one baffling narrative choice. Things were already flowing against this season, and the show wasn’t meeting the challenge.

There’s one thing to go out with a whimper. But to totally nuke everything you had done at the last second, what about that is a good idea.

Season one was an unexpectedly fun time. Season two could have just lived in its predecessor’s shadow by simply not doing what it did.

Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It r=1-sinθ wasn’t earning a recommendation. However, if you haven’t seen the series, maybe take a second to reconsider giving it a shot.