We here at oprainfall don’t just love video games: we’re big fans of anime, too. So in celebration of the medium, we’re here to give you our thoughts on what we’ve been watching each week as we watch it. Old, new – anything goes.
Currently Airing:
Komi Can’t Communicate
So after taking a bit of a holiday break, I ended up binge-watching all 11 episodes of Komi Can’t Communicate on Netflix over New Year’s, and man I wish I’d started watching it sooner. This show is fantastic, so I knew I had to write about it for our oprainfall anime write-up. Shoko Komi has debilitating social anxiety to the point where it’s difficult for her to speak to another person. Unfortunately for her, she’s also the most popular girl in her class because of her beauty and aloof nature. Hitohito Tadano is an average student who happens to sit next to Komi in homeroom, but where others make up elaborate reasons for why Komi won’t speak with them, he pretty quickly catches on that she simply has trouble communicating, and so begins a really touching friendship. I’ve never struggled with social anxiety, but I have always had trouble making friends, so I immediately resonated with Komi’s desire to make 100 of them. Her fear of being disliked or having her actions misconstrued were ones I’ve absolutely felt before, and I’m not ashamed to say this show got me in the feels more than once when exploring those issues. For a romcom, Komi Can’t Communicate has a really big heart, and with its eclectic cast of characters, there’s something for everyone. The standouts for me are Komi and Najimi Osana, Tadano’s gender nonconforming childhood friend who steals every scene they’re in (and wears the most adorable outfits). Absolutely give this show a try if you can. It’s got great music, fantastic animation, and a really heart-felt story. Can’t recommend it enough. – Leah
– You can watch Komi Can’t Communicate on Netflix.
Mieruko-chan
Mieruko-chan finishes the story with Zen after another talk with Miko along with her friends. He starts to move on from what happened in the past. The plot line about the the individual who’s been targeting cats in the neighborhood was also concluded with Zen stepping in as he previously said he wanted to do. Miko wonders about where she stands with the spirits at the shrine and ends up having a nightmare about it. Although they have saved her a number of times, it’s understandable considering there’s little that she understands about them. Finishing up we see how Miko has become a bit used to the spirits and deals with them as she goes through the day. With the manga still going I wouldn’t mind seeing a new season, but in the meantime the manga will work. – Walter
– You can watch Mieruko-chan on Funimation. The manga series is currently being published by Yen Press.
