Watari-kun no xx ga Houkai Sunzen

Watari-kun's ****** Is about to Collapse

Characters

Satsuki Tachibana

MAIN

Naoto Watari

MAIN

Suzushiro Watari

MAIN

Tamayo Watari

SUPPORTING

Makina Umezawa

SUPPORTING

Yukari Ishihara

SUPPORTING

Shigenobu Tokui

SUPPORTING

**Watari-kun’s ** Is About to Collapse Season 1: A Disquieting Dive into Trauma and Tangles

Watari-kun’s * Is About to Collapse* Season 1, adapted from Naru Narumi’s manga, is a psychological rollercoaster that defies the expectations of a typical high school rom-com. Airing from July 4, 2025, on Crunchyroll, this anime weaves comedy, drama, and romance with an unsettling undercurrent, creating a narrative that’s as intriguing as it is disorienting. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this series a standout, exploring its unique elements, strengths, and flaws without any promotional fluff.

A Premise Rooted in Pain

The story follows Naoto Watari, a high schooler who’s become the sole caretaker of his 10-year-old sister, Suzushiro “Suzu” Watari, after their parents’ death two years prior. Living with their eccentric aunt, Naoto’s overprotective devotion to Suzu earns him the “siscon” label at school. The arrival of Satsuki Tachibana, a childhood friend with a murky past tied to Naoto, disrupts his carefully constructed world. The mysterious “” in the title—deliberately obscured—hints at something fragile in Naoto’s life, be it his sanity, relationships, or emotional stability. The anime’s refusal to spell it out early keeps viewers guessing, setting the stage for a slow-burn psychological drama.

Unpacking the Narrative: A Web of Subtle Tensions

Season 1, spanning 26 episodes across two cours (with episodes 1–7 available as of August 15, 2025), thrives on its ability to balance familiar anime tropes with an eerie, off-kilter tone. The show blends high school romance and comedy with darker themes of trauma, codependency, and unresolved grief. Naoto’s relationship with Suzu teeters on the edge of unhealthy obsession, portrayed not as a punchline but as a coping mechanism for their shared loss. Satsuki’s reentry, marked by a provocative kiss and cryptic references to a destroyed garden, stirs up past wounds, suggesting a deeper, possibly sinister history.

The “garden” metaphor, heavily discussed in fan forums, symbolizes happier times for Naoto and Suzu when their parents were alive, contrasted with Satsuki’s act of destruction, which may reflect her own troubled past. This layered storytelling—where every character hides something—creates a sense of unease that sets the series apart from standard rom-com fare. The love triangle involving Naoto, Satsuki, and his crush Yukari Ishihara adds complexity, but it’s the psychological depth, not the romance, that hooks viewers.

Strengths: Atmosphere and Ambiguity

The anime’s greatest strength is its unsettling atmosphere. Simple art and minimalistic backgrounds amplify moments of emotional weight, like hollowed-out eyes or stark black panels, to convey dread without overt horror. This restraint makes the show’s creepier moments—like Satsuki’s stalker-like behavior or Aunt Tamayo’s fixation on Naoto’s late father—hit harder. The series excels at “less is more,” using subtle cues to suggest that something is deeply wrong beneath the surface.

The voice acting, led by Shūichirō Umeda as Naoto and Yumika Yano as Satsuki, is stellar. Umeda captures Naoto’s quiet strength and simmering anxiety, while Yano’s Satsuki oscillates between playful and menacing with ease. The opening theme, “Yuurei ni Naritai (I Want to be a Ghost)” by Yuika, and the ending “Ai Ai Ai Ai Ai” by Pedro, enhance the show’s quirky yet haunting vibe.

Unlike many trope-heavy anime, Watari-kun doesn’t linger on fanservice or overblown reactions. It moves briskly, teasing mysteries—like the garden incident or Satsuki’s poverty and loneliness—without dragging them out excessively. This pacing keeps viewers engaged, eager for the next revelation.

Flaws: Tropes and Uneven Execution

Despite its ambition, Season 1 stumbles in places. The reliance on anime clichés—siscon protagonist, childhood friend with a secret, love triangle—can feel derivative, especially in early episodes. Some viewers find the characters’ exaggerated behaviors, like Naoto’s overreaction to Satsuki’s past or Suzu’s childishness despite her age, off-putting or unrealistic. The animation, handled by Staple Entertainment, is serviceable but bland, with generic character designs and minimal flair, which can undercut the story’s emotional stakes.

The series also risks alienating viewers by withholding too much. The ambiguous “” and slow drip of backstory can frustrate those craving clarity. Episode 3, focusing on Yukari’s idealized view of Naoto, feels like a detour, and some subplots, like the aunt’s fanservice-heavy moments, clash with the show’s darker tone.

What Sets It Apart

Watari-kun isn’t just another harem anime. Its psychological depth and willingness to explore taboo themes—like codependency and potential incestuous undertones—without crossing into exploitation make it a bold experiment. The show’s ability to gaslight viewers into questioning what’s real or imagined mirrors Naoto’s own unraveling. Fans on X have noted its “evil” undertones by episode 5, hinting at a darker turn that could elevate the series further.

The garden backstory, speculated to involve Satsuki’s toxic family and her lashing out at a symbol of Naoto’s happiness, adds a layer of tragedy that grounds the drama. The show’s refusal to spoon-feed answers forces viewers to piece together the puzzle, making it a thinking person’s anime disguised as a high school rom-com.

Critical Reception and Community Buzz

Reviews are mixed but intrigued. Anime News Network praises the manga’s “unsettling atmosphere” and “simple yet effective art direction” (B+ overall), while Beneath the Tangles calls the anime “trope-filled” with a compelling mystery at its core. MyAnimeList forums buzz with theories about Satsuki’s motives and the garden’s significance, though some users find the show’s lack of a clear “hook” or relatable characters a drawback. YouTube reviews from YourNerdGasm highlight the series’ slow build and polarizing tone, with episode 5 (“Ideal Partner”) sparking debate about Naoto’s relationships.

Final Verdict

Watari-kun’s * Is About to Collapse* Season 1 is a daring blend of high school hijinks and psychological unease. It’s not for everyone—those expecting a straightforward rom-com may find its ambiguity and dark undertones jarring. But for viewers who enjoy dissecting complex characters and unraveling mysteries, it’s a gripping, if imperfect, journey. The series’ strength lies in its ability to make you question everything, from Naoto’s sanity to Satsuki’s true intentions. As it heads into its second cour, the promise of deeper revelations keeps it on the radar as one of 2025’s most unique anime offerings.

Rating: 8/10

• Pros: Haunting atmosphere, layered characters, compelling mystery.
• Cons: Clichéd elements, bland visuals, slow pacing for some.
• Best For: Fans of psychological dramas and slow-burn narratives.

Stream it on Crunchyroll, and brace for a story that’s as unsettling as it is captivating.¹