Hands Off Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun [S01E10: Aroma-Chan Must Take a Rest 1]

Let’s cut to the chase—if you’re into ecchi anime that doesn’t take itself too seriously, you’ve probably stumbled on Hands Off: Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun. But episode 10, “Aroma-Chan Must Take a Rest 1,” is where the show either wins you over or makes you hit pause and question your life choices. Let’s break it down, shall we?

First, a quick recap for anyone jumping in: Kouyou Kotesashi is a first-year high schooler with insane massage skills (like, “fix a strained muscle in 5 minutes” insane) and dreams of becoming a sports doctor. To get a med school scholarship, he enrolls at Seiwa University Affiliated High—an athletic powerhouse—and works as a dorm manager to pay bills. Unsurprisingly, he’s surrounded by quirky female athletes who all seem to need his magical hands (wink wink).

Episode 10 focuses on Aroma-Chan, an energetic athlete clearly burnt out from overtraining. The premise sounds simple: she needs rest, so Kouyou steps in with his expertise. But here’s where things get… interesting (or ridiculous, depending on who you ask).

Fans over on MyAnimeList have mixed takes, and let’s start with the not-so-great ones. One user called the writing “lazy” for leaning into obvious ecchi tropes—case in point: the scene where Kouyou uses a “special massage technique” taught by his mom to rub Aroma-Chan’s chest to relax her. Another commenter joked, “So his mom taught him that tit-rubbing technique? 9_9 I realize many ecchi go for low-hanging fruit but even this is beyond that.” Ouch—hard to argue with that; the scene feels forced, like writers wanted fan service without thought.

Then there’s the MC criticism: multiple users called Kouyou one of the “lamest” main characters in recent ecchi history. Why? He’s passive—goes along with whatever girls ask without pushing back. One fan compared him to Wedding Rings’ MC as a “lame MC of the year” contender. Kouyou’s lack of agency makes it hard to root for him; he’s a ping-pong ball bouncing between characters without control.

But it’s not all bad. Some fans think the episode is “not terrible for this kind of thing.” Ecchi isn’t known for deep plots, so if you want silly fan service and lighthearted moments, you might not hate it. The animation is decent—cute character designs, and massage scenes (when not cringy) are well-done. The pacing is quick (a plus for those who hate slow builds), though it makes some moments feel rushed—like Aroma-Chan’s transition from stressed to calm. As one fan put it: “She was more worked up than ever—how did that relax her? Is this supposed to be them pent up and finally relaxing after he gets them off?” Valid question—logic is thin here.

Some fans even joked about the episode’s length: “Well, at least it’s short. (That’s What She Said)” —a classic dad joke fitting the show’s silly vibe. The episode sets up part 2, so if you’re invested in Aroma-Chan’s story, you’ll stick around. But if you want substance? This isn’t it.

At the end of the day, Episode 10 is classic ecchi: fan service, silly moments, and enough controversy to talk about with friends. Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it worth watching if you love the genre? Maybe—just don’t expect depth. It’s the kind of show you put on when bored and want to turn your brain off. Just don’t tell your mom you’re watching for the “massage techniques.” She might have questions.

So—team “dumb but I love it” or team “nope”? Let us know (keep it friendly, okay?).