I’m sure for many reviewers, putting aside their bias towards Wotakoi is difficult. For older viewers, this is a show that will hit home at some point and I think it’s very “human” perspective is why it has remained a top recommendation for romance/work comedy through the years.

As leading roles, Narumi and Hirotaka bring a lot to the table. While they are as “functioning” as most adults in their mid-20’s, they maintain a relatable air throughout the show. They are consistently flanked by lovable and equally relatable side characters as the plot progresses. Of the many takeaways one might glean from Wotakoi is that relationships often take a village. Love is very seldom exclusively experienced between just the two people in the relationship and often other’s joy and happiness can directly affect our own. As Narumi and Hirotaka’s relationship blossoms, they also begin to learn more about their coworkers and wish for their happiness too.

Wotakoi is not your standard rollercoaster romance with a few arcs or episodes worth of miscommunication and drama. This is likely the reason that it appeals so heavily toward s an older audience. The disagreements or arguments in the story feel honest and earned and the conclusion of said events sometimes don’t feel as satisfying as a grand expression of love or makeup scene, as is often in real life.

It is also impossible to discuss Wotakoi without mentioning its subline “Love is Hard for an Otaku” and its discussion of geek culture. You can comfortably expect 30-40% of the show to revolve around their obsessions, niches, and fandoms. I think for many people, if this is one of your first slice-of-life shows, there’s a lot to learn and the show has a cute way of “explaining” their different styles of geekery. I am extremely partial to “MMO” or “Us in the Game” episodes and Wotakoi has a few of those in essence spread across multiple genres. Hirotaka dabbles in Narumi’s interests and vice versa. There’s a great theme in the differences between how Hirotaka and Narumi express their Otaku-sides. Hirotaka takes a “I don’t care, never have, never will if people know I’m a gamer” while Narumi has a much more secretive expression. This constant tug of war adds another fun tangent to the show which carries across all the characters.

While it seems like I’m taking the “Easy Mode” answer for negatives, the lack of adapted content is truly the downfall of Wotakoi. It ends before the manga does and I’ve heard more than one friend say that they “just wanted more”. I suppose it can’t truly be a negative that an anime makes you want to crack open the manga and devour it whole but I think I speak for the entire fanbase of this show when I say I wish there was more. This feels like the perfect opportunity for the more modern “fill-in” style of season like Horimiya: Pieces. I would even be happy with a movie, anything!

If you’re looking for a show that WILL make you feel good while also indulging your geeky self, Wotakoi has it all. You should prepare to laugh, get emotional, and question how dense people in love may be.