Watari-kun no xx ga Houkai Sunzen [Episodes 1-26]

Watari-kun’s World: Chaotic Cuteness or Eye-Burning Slop?

Let’s cut to the chase—Watari-kun no xx ga Houkai Sunzen (or Watari-kun’s XX Is on the Brink of Collapse, if you hate mystery titles) is 2025’s summer rom-com that’s either your new guilty pleasure or a one-way ticket to dropping it faster than Naoto runs from Satsuki’s chaos. From the first 26 episodes, this Staple Entertainment anime throws everything at the wall: a siscon MC, a chaotic childhood friend with yandere vibes, and a color palette so bright it might as well be a neon sign screaming “WE’RE TRYING TO BE MEMORABLE.”

First off, Naoto Watari. Dude’s a walking “I only care about my sister” meme. After their parents died, he built his entire life around Suzushiro—ditching clubs, skipping socializing, basically becoming the poster boy for overprotective siblings. Fans on MAL are split: some call him “a decent guy who looks after his sister” (Comment 12), while others roast him as “denser than a ball of lead” (Comment 29) for never catching onto the girls throwing themselves at him. Fair. But let’s be real—without his sister complex, there’s no show. It’s the core of his “rigid routine” that Satsuki blows up like a firecracker in a library.

And Satsuki Tachibana? Oh, she’s the reason half the fandom is still watching. This girl crashes back into Naoto’s life like a tornado with a blonde wig and a hoe (yes, a gardening tool—she’s that extra). The first episode hits you with a surprise kiss that’s so out of nowhere, even MAL users were screaming “OH SNAP!” (Comment 19). Is she a yandere? A tsundere? A chaotic gremlin? Fans can’t decide. Some say she’s “a combination of tsundere and yandere” (Comment 15), others think she’s just “overly teasing” (Comment 28). Either way, she’s the chaos agent this show needs. One minute she’s threatening Naoto with a hoe, the next she’s planting kisses on him in front of his sister. Iconic.

Then there’s Yukari Ishihara—the “perfect girl” who’s low-key crushing on Naoto. Fans are already mourning her inevitable sidelining: “The most perfect girl who’s obviously going to get sidelined by main girl? Check” (Comment 43). She’s the calm to Satsuki’s storm, but let’s be real—calm doesn’t sell in a rom-com this wild. Still, props to her for putting up with Naoto’s obliviousness and Satsuki’s nonsense.

Now, the elephant in the room: the animation. MAL users didn’t hold back. “The colours look like something which can make anyone blind” (Comment 3), “the coloring is kind of really bad” (Comment 41), and “this feels like eye-poison” (Comment 13) are just a few of the burns. Staple Entertainment went for a hyper-saturated, almost cartoonish style, and it’s either a vibe or a visual assault. If you can get past the neon overload, though, the character designs are solid—Satsuki’s sharp grins and Yukari’s soft blushes pop (for better or worse).

The humor? It’s hit-or-miss. The show leans hard into slapstick: Satsuki chasing Naoto with a hoe, Yukari accidentally walking in on make-out sessions, and Naoto’s aunt (a fan favorite, by the way) dropping chaotic one-liners. Some fans call it “dumb fun” (Comment 9), others say “what passes for humor in this might get stale real fast” (Comment 13). The ecchi bits—like the “aggressive kissing scenes” (Comment 1) and random fan service—are either a plus or a turn-off. If you’re into that, great; if not, you’ll be fast-forwarding more than watching.

Plot-wise? It’s your classic “past comes back to haunt the present” rom-com. The big mystery: why did Satsuki destroy Naoto’s garden six years ago? Fans have theories—she was covering for someone, she’s got trauma, or she just really hates flowers. Either way, it’s the thread that ties their chaotic dynamic together. But let’s be real—this isn’t a show for deep storytelling. It’s for watching Naoto flail as two girls fight over him, Suzushiro pout, and Satsuki cause trouble.

So, should you watch it? The MAL fandom’s verdict is split. Some are sticking around for Satsuki: “Was about to drop it until Tachibana appeared” (Comment 10). Others are out after one episode: “1 episode was enough to make me full on hate this” (Comment 43). The 3-episode rule is strong here—most fans are giving it a few more chances to see if the chaos stays fun or gets stale.

For me? It’s dumb, it’s chaotic, and yes, the colors hurt my eyes. But there’s something weirdly addictive about watching Naoto’s life unravel. Satsuki is a scene-stealer, the aunt is a mood, and even Suzushiro’s clinginess is kind of cute (in small doses). If you’re into rom-coms that don’t take themselves seriously and have more energy than a sugar-high toddler, give it a shot. Just maybe wear sunglasses.

Final take: Watari-kun isn’t breaking the mold, but it’s not trying to. It’s summer slop with a side of chaos—and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. 3/5 stars. Let’s see if it collapses or keeps the chaos going.