Watari-kun no xx ga Houkai Sunzen [Season 1 Episode 22]

Watari-kun no xx ga Houkai Sunzen Episode 22: A Messy, Heartfelt Step Forward

Let’s cut to the chase—this episode’s a rollercoaster of “finally!” moments and facepalms, and honestly? That’s exactly why we’re still here. After 21 episodes of Naoto Watari fumbling through grief, family chaos, and a love triangle that’s more tangled than a pair of earbuds in a backpack, Episode 22 finally gives us some answers… even if it leaves us yelling at our screens half the time.

First off, let’s talk about the star of the chaos: Satsuki Tachibana. If you’ve been side-eyeing her erratic behavior—crashing Naoto’s dates, destroying gardens, that whole “confess-in-front-of-everyone” fiasco—this episode drops the backstory bomb we’ve been waiting for. Turns out, Satsuki’s not just a drama queen; she’s a kid who got abandoned… a lot. Her mom dumped her as a child, she bounced between homes, and the only stable thing in her life? Naoto. When they were kids, he gave her a tiny sliver of hope—and then she lost him. So when she shows up at his high school years later, acting like a tornado in a sundress? It’s not just teenage angst—it’s fear. Fear of losing the one person who ever made her feel like she belonged.

But here’s the thing fans are split on: how she deals with that fear. Remember that scene where she’s spiraling, and instead of talking to Naoto, she… well, tries to throw herself at him? Yeah, that’s the part where half the comment section was like, “Satsuki, get a therapist!” (Fair.) But others get it—like one fan put it, “Her whole life, she’s only ever felt like her body’s the only thing she can offer.” It’s sad, not sexy, and that’s the point. This isn’t some fan-servicey rom-com; it’s a show about broken people trying not to break each other more.

Then there’s Naoto. Oh, Naoto. The guy who can solve his sister Suzu’s homework but can’t read a room to save his life. This episode, he finally stops moping and starts doing—like, actually standing up for Satsuki when her family tries to push her around. But let’s not give him too much credit. Remember that scene where Satsuki basically hands him a “yes” on a silver platter, and he’s like, “Wait, did she reject me?” Cue 1000+ fans facepalming in unison. As one commenter ranted, “HOW!? LITERALLY NOTHING THERE SUGGESTED SHE SAID NO. His stupidity is beyond hope.” Relatable.

And let’s not forget Suzu, the unsung hero of this show. She’s the 10-year-old who’s low-key running the household, and her line about wanting to stay with their aunt forever? Chef’s kiss. Fans loved it—“That was so cute!”—because it’s the kind of small, genuine moment that grounds all the drama. Suzu’s not just a plot device; she’s the reason Naoto’s fighting so hard to keep his family together.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Ishihara. The sweet, loyal friend who’s been pining for Naoto since episode one. This episode? It’s rough for her. She’s still not over him, even though he’s clearly chosen Satsuki. One fan summed it up perfectly: “Poor girl. All she’s doing by still being friends with him is punishing herself.” Ouch. But here’s the thing—some fans are tired of her “woe is me” act. As another commenter put it, “She’s getting what she sowed.” Harsh? Maybe. But in a show where everyone’s making messy choices, Ishihara’s refusal to move on feels less like loyalty and more like self-sabotage.

Visually, Staple Entertainment tried something new—interactive light effects that made the garden scenes feel dreamy. Did it work? Eh. One fan said it looked “gaudy,” and… yeah, it’s a valiant effort, but the budget constraints show. But let’s cut them some slack—this is a summer 2025 anime, not a Studio Ghibli film.

So, is Episode 22 worth watching? Absolutely. It’s messy, it’s slow, and it’s got more unresolved tension than a group project with slackers. But it’s also real. The characters aren’t perfect—they’re kids dealing with grief, abandonment, and the terrifying feeling of liking someone more than you like yourself. As one fan pointed out, “At least this is going somewhere” (looking at you, Rent-a-Girlfriend).

Will Naoto ever stop being a dumbass? Will Satsuki learn to communicate without taking off her skirt? Will Ishihara finally move on? We’ve got four episodes left to find out. But for now, Episode 22 is a step forward—even if it’s a wobbly, face-planting one. And honestly? That’s the kind of coming-of-age story we need. No perfect heroes, no easy answers—just a bunch of kids trying not to collapse under the weight of being human.

Final thought: If you’re here for fast-paced romance, this isn’t your show. But if you’re here for messy, heartfelt characters who feel like real people? Strap in. The collapse might be slow, but it’s worth the ride.