Hands Off: Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun Episode 9 Review: Miyuki’s Charismatic Takeover Is The GOATED Episode Of The Season

Okay, let’s cut to the chase—Episode 9 of Hands Off: Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun is the banger we’ve all been waiting for. Fans on MAL and Reddit are losing their minds over it, and for good reason: this episode cranks everything up to 11 with Miyuki-chan stepping into her role as a charismatic leader, top-tier animation, and a wild mix of fanservice and actual massage knowledge. If you thought previous episodes had their moments, this one’s a masterclass in balancing fun, heart, and… let’s just say very visually engaging content.

First off, the premise: Miyuki, the volleyball team’s star athlete, decides to learn Kotesashi’s legendary massage skills to help her teammates recover better. What follows is a training session that’s equal parts hilarious, wholesome, and unapologetically ecchi. Studio Quad clearly poured extra budget into this episode—those jiggle mechanics? Chef’s kiss. Fans were raving about the animation quality, with one commenter joking, “Dem titties got more frames than the entirety of OPM Season 3… they made the right choice.” And honestly? Can’t argue with that. Every movement feels intentional, and Miyuki’s energy practically jumps off the screen.

But here’s the surprise twist: this episode isn’t just mindless fanservice. It’s actually informative? Who knew we’d be learning about muscles like the multifidus, erector spinae, or QL while watching a rom-com? At the 5:20 mark, Kotesashi breaks down those exact muscles, and at 7:20, he drops a gem of a tip: use your body weight instead of just your thumbs when massaging. Fans loved this unexpected mix—one comment said, “This had a great mix of fanservice and advice on performing massages; Koyo better give Miyuki a good massage as he promised before this series is over.” Another joked, “I try to understand physiology but it’s really HARD to concentrate…” Relatable, right? Who hasn’t gotten distracted by Miyuki’s dedication to training?

Miyuki’s character shines brighter than ever here. She’s not just a pretty face—she’s a leader who cares deeply about her team, and her eagerness to learn shows how much she wants to support them. Fans are calling her the new best girl for a reason: her wholesome vibe, her capability as an athlete, and how she owns every scene she’s in. One fan gushed, “Miyuki is so fucking hot… she wanted a massage from Koyo that would’ve been nice to see.” Another said, “Beautiful episode! Definitely one of the best.” When she steps up to guide her teammates, you can’t help but root for her—she’s the kind of character you’d want to have in your corner.

But not everything was perfect for everyone. A few fans were salty about skipped manga scenes—like the vice captain’s cute moment or the Watamote girl’s appearance. One commenter said, “Solid episode, but I’ll have to go back and re-read due to skipped parts.” Another mentioned missing the vice cap scene because she was “really cute.” Hey, when you’re cramming a manga into 12 episodes, you’ve got to make cuts—even if some fans are upset. Fingers crossed the Blu-ray adds those extra bits!

And then there’s the ending: the shift back to Aroma, the tsundere we all love to hate. Fans have mixed feelings here—some are straight-up annoyed (“I hate tsunderes, but maybe he can fix it & her. LOL”) while others are curious to see how Kotesashi handles her bike accident. One fan even said, “Next episode is going to be annoying as hell due to it focusing on Kusunoki.” But let’s be real—tsunderes add that drama we can’t get enough of, even if we pretend to hate them. We’re all gonna tune in anyway.

Overall, Episode 9 is a total win. It balances fanservice with actual heart (Miyuki’s leadership arc is chef’s kiss), and the unexpected massage tips make it feel like you’re learning something while having fun. The animation is top-tier, Miyuki gets the spotlight she deserves, and the fan reactions just prove how much this episode resonated. If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for? Grab some snacks, turn up the volume, and enjoy—just don’t blame me if you end up Googling “multifidus muscle” later.

P.S. If you’re a Miyuki stan (like me), this episode is a must-watch. She’s the best girl, no debate. Fight me in the comments if you disagree. And for those upset about skipped scenes—keep an eye out for the Blu-ray extras! Fingers crossed they add the vice cap’s moment.

This episode is the definition of “peak” anime. Don’t sleep on it.
— A Miyuki Stan Who Now Knows Too Much About Muscles

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