Love Through A Prism Review: A heartfelt coming-of-age tale

Fangirl Feelings (skip this section if you don’t want spoilers)

There’s some sort of undeniable magic seeped into this anime. From the moment we enter the world of “Love Through A Prism,” viewers are met with magic in the art style and character individuality. Though every person is truly unique, they all complement the dynamic main character friend group so well. Almost immediately, this anime presents a familiar enemies-to-lovers troupe with our leads.

Lili instantly makes you want to root for her throughout the series. She’s curious and energetic, while at the same time, balanced, thoughtful and passionate in her pursuit of the arts.

Then, there’s Kit Church. He’s quiet, always painting and doesn’t seem to take much interest in Lili initially. He’s also the number one student at the Academy, making him Lili’s instant nemesis.

While the series presented this nemesis narrative, it seemed that Kit desired to always protect our lovable Japanese girl, even at the possible expense of his own reputation. He secretly gave her blue paint, offered her advice on speedy sketching, and no scene showed this side of thoughtfulness from Kit more than when his father offered to bring Kit’s friends to the Church estate.

Before I jump into my ABSOLUTE favorite moment from the series, Kit mentioned in one of his earliest meetings with Lili that she reminded him of his horse Aphrodite, drawing many questionable glances from the friend group. Once we get to the mansion, the Greek goddess-named mare is a gorgeous rare, white breed with a majestic presence and free spirit. By this comparison alone, viewers can conclude Kit has already began to see Lili as someone he has to protect but also allow her the freedom to be herself.

OKAY… on to my favorite moment in the anime.

Lili and Kit’s friends are invited to an exclusive aristocrat gathering happening later that evening, but she doesn’t attend as she has no clothes. Upon hearing this, Kit requests that the main housekeeper dress her in a stunning Cinderella-like gown, which we later learn to be his mother’s dress and nicknamed the Silver Lily.

The scene took my breath away. *I will tell my children this was my Bridgerton*

For a moment, time stood still as the two of them swayed across the open ballroom with all eyes adorned upon them, and Lili truly being the star of the show. While there may have been a moment that Kit could’ve fallen in love before this, I believe this moment solidified any doubt.

As the series continues, our two leads seem to face endless conflict that pull them deeper and deeper apart from Kit’s shallow fiancé Lady Catherine, the passing of the Head of the Church family, Lili’s financial stress and boundless other issues that cause rifts within the entire friend group. At times, it felt like the story forced these issues into the narrative — especially the fiancé arc (🥱).

There are occasional glimpses of hope sprinkled between like Lili finally getting the coveted top spot, but it takes until the final two episodes to feel a sense of happiness again.

My second lead syndrome was also REAL BAD toward the end of the show. I wanted Shin to get the girl.

Summarizing the thoughts of Lili’s bestie Dorothy, Kit is the man that makes her heart flutter, the one she really wants to chase, but in reality Shin was the right husband (At least, that’s what I’m going to myself). It reminded me a bit of “Can This Love Be Translated?” and how Hiro didn’t get the girl in the end.