Komi Can't Communicate Review- Netflix Adds Woke Nonsense
This anime streamed in 2022.
Komi Can’t Communicate is a slice-of-life comedy anime based on the manga of the same name, created by Tomohito Oda and published by Shogakukan Inc. The show is directed by Ayumu Watanabe and Kazuki Kawagoe for the Japanese animation studio OLM. The first season consists of twelve episodes and is streamed in North America via Netflix.
Hitohito Tadano (Gakuto Kajiwara) is entering his freshman year in high school with plans to keep his head down after an embarrassing incident at his previous school. He is mesmerized by Shoko Komi (Aoi Koga), a beautiful girl in his class who seems to be popular. However, he soon learns that she has a social phobia, making her nervous and unable to speak with all the attention. They begin to communicate through writing, and he agrees to help her find friends.
These include the troll Najimi Osana (Rie Murakawa), the obsessive Ren (Rina Hidaka), the immature gamer Nakanaka (Rumi Okubo), and the nervous wreck Agari (Yukiyo Fujii). Tadano and Komi also grow closer together as he meets her family, goes to events with their crowd, and helps her come out of her shell.
Oh my gosh, Komi Can’t Communicate is just the sweetest, most heartwarming anime I’ve watched in ages! It’s like a big, cozy hug in the form of a coming-of-age story, showing how a little kindness and understanding can totally transform someone’s world. I was hooked from the start.
Komi is such a relatable darling—she’s this beautiful, popular girl at school, but her social anxiety makes it so hard for her to connect with her classmates. The show nails the balance of humor around her struggles without ever feeling cruel or poking fun at her expense. It’s lighthearted and gentle, which I absolutely adore. Then there’s Tadano, the ultimate boy-next-door. He’s just so genuine, wanting to help Komi make friends without any hidden agenda. Honestly, it’s refreshing to see a guy in anime who’s just… nice, you know?
Watching Komi step out of her comfort zone—whether she’s shopping, joining school events, chatting with strangers, or even trying her hand at a job—made me so invested in her journey. Her little circle of friends grows in the cutest way, and while some characters shine more than others, I found myself cheering for her every step of the way. It’s equal parts inspiring and just plain fun.
That said, there’s one thing that bugged me a bit. Komi’s popularity at school sometimes feels like it gets in the way of the story. I get that the writers probably thought it’d make her friendships easier to build, but I think making her more of a wallflower would’ve added some extra depth and challenge to her growth. It would’ve felt a tad more real, you know?
I actually chatted with a friend who dealt with serious social anxiety in high school, and she said Komi’s experiences hit so close to home for her (minus the whole “accidental popularity” thing). That really stuck with me—it made me appreciate how thoughtfully the show handles her struggles.
Now, I’m not one to get caught up in the whole sub-vs-dub drama. Like, I loved Naruto in Japanese, but Cowboy Bebop’s dub is my jam. Usually, I’m happy with either! But the Netflix dub for Komi? Oh, it left me so disappointed. It’s not the voice actors—Amber Lee Connors was lovely as Komi, and Kyle McCarley totally nailed Tadano. They did their best with what they were given.
The issue is Netflix’s changes, which felt like they were pandering to a certain crowd. In the manga and the original Japanese version, Najimi is this playful, slightly effeminate guy who loves messing with people for laughs—it’s all in good fun. But Netflix turned him into this vague, “gender-ambiguous” character, which felt like they were trying to score points with a super vocal, niche audience. It’s frustrating because it changes the vibe of the character and the story in a way that doesn’t feel true to the source. I’m all for inclusivity, but this just felt forced and out of place. So, yeah, I’m sticking to the subbed version from now on.
Despite that hiccup, Komi Can’t Communicate is still an absolute gem. It’s wholesome, uplifting, and the kind of slice-of-life story that leaves you smiling. I can’t recommend it enough—perfect for anyone who loves a feel-good anime with a big heart!
Check out the teaser below:
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Inappropriate comments, Disturbing images, Minor language, Suggestive humor and themes
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, anime, or novel you would like me to review.