Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsura Sugiru

OKITSURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She's Saying

Characters

Teruaki Nakamura

MAIN

Hina Kyan

MAIN

Kana Higa

MAIN

Suzu Higa

SUPPORTING

Tetsu Higa

SUPPORTING

Naoya Higa

SUPPORTING

Sachiko Kyan

SUPPORTING

Oki Memo Shisha

SUPPORTING

Yae Agena

SUPPORTING

Tensuke Uema

SUPPORTING

Isao Shimoji

SUPPORTING

Narrator

BACKGROUND

“Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Knew What She’s Saying” – A Heartwarming Dive into Love and Culture in Season 1

In the vibrant and sun-soaked setting of Okinawa, the 2025 anime Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Knew What She’s Saying (based on the manga by Egumi Sora) delivers a delightful blend of romance, comedy, and cultural exploration. Premiering on January 5, 2025, and running for 12 episodes, Season 1 of this slice-of-life rom-com has captured hearts with its charming characters, gentle humor, and a refreshing focus on Okinawan culture. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this anime a standout in the crowded romance genre, exploring its themes of love, cross-cultural connection, and the unique linguistic and cultural tapestry of Okinawa.

A Fresh Premise Rooted in Cultural Nuance

Okitsura follows Teruaki Nakamura, a high school student who moves from Tokyo to the laid-back island of Okinawa. Upon arriving, he’s instantly smitten with Hina Kyan, a lively and outgoing local girl whose thick Okinawan dialect, Uchinaaguchi, leaves him utterly baffled. Unable to understand her, Teruaki relies on Hina’s friend, Kana Higa, to translate, setting the stage for a love triangle tinged with cultural misunderstandings and heartfelt moments. The premise is simple yet effective: a fish-out-of-water story where language barriers and cultural differences fuel both humor and romance.

What sets Okitsura apart from other romantic comedies is its focus on Okinawa’s distinct identity. Unlike many anime set in urban Japan or generic high school settings, this series embraces the island’s unique history, language, and traditions. From sata andagi (Okinawan donuts) to kariyushi wear (traditional Okinawan shirts), each episode weaves in educational tidbits about Okinawan life, presented through Teruaki’s wide-eyed perspective as an outsider. The show’s love for Okinawa feels authentic, with creator Egumi Sora (who now resides in Okinawa) infusing the story with a warmth and intimacy that celebrates the island’s culture without reducing it to stereotypes.

A Love Triangle with Heart

At its core, Okitsura is a story about connection, and the love triangle between Teruaki, Hina, and Kana is its beating heart. Teruaki is a likable, if somewhat oblivious, protagonist whose earnest attempts to connect with Hina drive much of the comedy. Hina, voiced by Akari Kitō, is a bundle of energy, oblivious to Teruaki’s crush and uninterested in romance, which adds a layer of humor to her interactions. Her use of Uchinaaguchi, a language distinct from standard Japanese, is both a plot device and a celebration of Okinawa’s linguistic heritage. However, the show’s handling of her dialect has sparked some debate, with critics noting that Hina often speaks legible Japanese, making Teruaki’s confusion feel exaggerated at times.

Kana Higa, voiced by Fairouz Ai, emerges as the emotional anchor of the series. As Hina’s friend and translator, Kana harbors her own feelings for Teruaki, creating a classic unrequited love arc. Her jealousy and subtle attempts to get closer to Teruaki are portrayed with nuance, making her a standout character. Many viewers and reviewers have found Kana more compelling than Hina, with some episodes shifting to her perspective, highlighting her complex emotions. This dynamic adds depth to the love triangle, as Kana’s role as the “translator” becomes a metaphor for her struggle to bridge her own emotional gap with Teruaki.

The supporting cast, including classmates Isao and Tensuke, and even a quirky shisa (Okinawan lion-dog statue) that pops up to explain cultural details, adds levity and charm. The show’s humor is gentle, often stemming from Teruaki’s culture shock—like mistakenly shouting “I love you” in Uchinaaguchi or misunderstanding local customs. While the romance remains light and unresolved by the season’s end, the slow-burn approach feels fitting for a story more focused on personal growth and cultural discovery than dramatic love confessions.

A Visual and Auditory Love Letter to Okinawa

Produced by Studio Millepensee, Okitsura boasts solid animation with vibrant backgrounds that capture Okinawa’s stunning landscapes—think turquoise seas, lush greenery, and colorful festivals. The art style shines in its depiction of the island’s natural beauty, making it a character in its own right. While the character designs are fairly standard for the genre, they’re expressive and suit the lighthearted tone. Some critiques have pointed to budget constraints, particularly in the use of basic CGI for dance scenes, but the overall visual package is engaging.

The sound design is another highlight, with the opening theme, “Dai Dai Daisuki” by Okinawan band HY, setting a lively and authentic tone. Each episode features a different ending theme, with Akari Kitō and Fairouz Ai covering Okinawan songs like “Shimanchu nu Takara” by Begin. These covers, compiled in the Okitsura Cover Songs CD released on February 12, 2025, add a layer of cultural richness, immersing viewers in Okinawa’s musical heritage. The decision to leave Uchinaaguchi dialogue unsubtitled unless translated on-screen enhances the viewer’s experience of Teruaki’s confusion, though some argue it could have been localized better for clarity.

Cultural Commentary and Missed Opportunities

Okitsura excels as a love letter to Okinawa, offering insights into its traditions, food, and language. Episodes explore everything from the history of Okinawan soba to the cultural significance of finger whistling and traditional dances. These moments are both educational and entertaining, appealing to viewers curious about Japan’s regional diversity. The show draws parallels to Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable!, another anime celebrating regional culture, and even references Zombieland Saga for its tourism-boosting charm.

However, the series doesn’t shy away from criticism. Some reviewers have pointed out its simplistic portrayal of Okinawa as a “laid-back” paradise, which can feel reductive given the island’s complex history as a former independent kingdom annexed by Japan. The dynamic between Teruaki (a mainland Japanese student) and his Okinawan classmates occasionally feels like a colonizer-colonized narrative, with Teruaki’s ignorance bordering on insensitive. For instance, his reliance on Kana to translate rather than learning Uchinaaguchi himself has been called out as a missed opportunity for growth. Critics argue that the show prioritizes quirky humor over a deeper exploration of linguistic and cultural divides, which could have elevated the story.

Reception and Impact

Season 1 of Okitsura has garnered a solid reception, with an IMDb rating of 6.6 and praise for its blend of humor, romance, and cultural education. Fans on platforms like Reddit have lauded its regional focus, with some calling it a “tourism booster” for Okinawa, akin to how Zombieland Saga promoted Saga Prefecture. Viewers appreciate the likable characters and the show’s ability to balance lighthearted comedy with cultural insights, though some express disappointment over the lack of romantic progression and the underuse of a new character introduced in Episode 11.

The series has also sparked discussions about representation. Okinawan culture, often sidelined in mainstream anime, takes center stage here, but the portrayal of Uchinaaguchi as “quirky” rather than a legitimate language has raised eyebrows. For international audiences, the show’s exploration of a language barrier resonates universally, drawing comparisons to dialects like Scots or Hawaiian Pidgin. This cross-cultural appeal, combined with its availability on Crunchyroll, has helped Okitsura find a global audience.

Why You Should Watch

Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Knew What She’s Saying Season 1 is a charming addition to the 2025 anime lineup, perfect for fans of slice-of-life romances like Horimiya or My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU. Its blend of humor, heart, and cultural exploration makes it a refreshing departure from typical high school rom-coms. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, its focus on Okinawa’s unique identity and the endearing (if slow-burning) love triangle make it a worthwhile watch.

Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant setting, the gentle comedy, or the chance to learn about a lesser-known facet of Japanese culture, Okitsura offers a breezy and heartwarming experience. As Teruaki navigates love and life on the island, viewers are invited to fall in love with Okinawa itself—a place where the ocean breeze carries both romance and revelation.

Where to Watch: Stream Season 1 on Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, or purchase episodes on Amazon Video, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store.

Final Verdict: A delightful mix of romance, comedy, and cultural celebration, Okitsura Season 1 is a love letter to Okinawa that’s as educational as it is entertaining. While it stumbles in fully addressing its cultural complexities, its charm and heart make it a must-watch for anime fans craving something fresh.