Wash It All Away [Episode 1]

Wash It All Away Episode 1: A Slow Soak into Seaside Serenity

January 5, 2026 marked the debut of Wash It All Away (Japanese: 綺麗にしてもらえますか。), a slice-of-life anime from studio Okuruto Noboru that dives into the quiet world of Wakana Kinme, a 20-something running a small laundry service in the coastal town of Atami. For fans craving calm amid chaotic modern anime trends, this first episode is like a warm towel fresh from the dryer—cozy, familiar, and a little wrinkled around the edges.

The episode opens with soft pastels and the gentle hum of a washing machine, immediately setting a tone that’s less “action-packed” and more “afternoon nap.” Wakana’s days revolve around folding linens, chatting with regulars, and sipping tea while the sea breeze drifts through her shop. It’s a deliberate choice to lean into the mundane, but as one MyAnimeList user noted, “seeing a cute girl doing laundry is not as good as cooking, on the chore scale of attractiveness.” Fair point—laundry lacks the sensory flair of Food Wars! or the whimsy of Laid-Back Camp. Yet there’s charm in the details: the way Wakana carefully removes metal staples from a shirt (a detail another fan found “strange” but realistic) or the quiet pride she takes in a job well done.

But beneath the calm lies a subtle mystery. Midway through the episode, a throwaway line reveals Wakana has no memory of her life before moving to Atami two years ago. It’s a jarring twist that feels like a soap bubble in a still pond—small, but it ripples. “The thing about her not having any memory from before 2 years ago kind of hit me by surprise,” one viewer admitted. This hint of depth saves the episode from feeling too “calculated,” as another critic put it, suggesting there’s more to Wakana than her ironing board.

The supporting cast is thin but promising. A local innkeeper pops in briefly, and a mother-daughter duo brings in a blouse stained with squid ink pasta—relatable chaos that grounds the story. However, some fans are already restless. “Things could get very boring very fast,” warned one reviewer, echoing the sentiment of those who “couldn’t make it through the first episode before my Do-I-Care-Or-Not meter hit zero.” Slice-of-life thrives on character chemistry, and right now, Wakana’s world feels a bit empty.

Visually, the anime shines. Okuruto Noboru’s art style is soft and luminous, with sun-dappled streets and ocean views that make you want to book a beach trip. The animation is simple but effective—no flashy fight scenes, just the quiet rhythm of a small town. It’s the kind of show you watch with a cup of tea, not a energy drink.

So, is Wash It All Away worth your time? If you’re a fan of Aria or Barakamon, yes—this is slow-burn comfort food. But if you crave plot twists or high stakes, you might check out after 10 minutes. As one viewer summed it up: “I’ll keep this on trial for another episode or two and hope that we see some good supporting characters.” For now, it’s a gentle start—like a load of laundry on a delicate cycle. Will it wash? Only time (and more episodes) will tell.

Final Thought: Sometimes, the best stories aren’t about saving the world—they’re about saving a favorite shirt from a coffee stain. Wash It All Away understands that. Now pass the fabric softener.