Watari – kun ‘s Is about to Collapse [Season 1 Episode 23]

Watari-kun’s Is About to Collapse Episode 23: A Rollercoaster of Emotions That Sticks the Landing

Let’s cut to the chase: Episode 23 of Watari-kun’s Is About to Collapse (or Watari-kun no xx ga Houkai Sunzen, if you’re into the original title) is the kind of anime episode that makes you want to text all your friends at 2 a.m. going, “DID YOU SEE THAT?!” For a show that’s been balancing slapstick humor and quiet heartache all season, this latest installment cranks both up to 11—and fans are here for every messy, chaotic second.

First, let’s get the basics straight (thanks to some quick digging): This episode dropped as part of the summer 2025 anime lineup, adapted from Naru Narumi’s manga of the same name. The series follows Naoto Watari, a high schooler who’s basically a human disaster magnet—think Toradora!’s Ryuuji but with more panic attacks and less ability to handle his own life. Episode 23? It’s the climax of the “Cultural Festival Arc,” where Naoto’s attempt to run a maid café with his ragtag group of friends spirals into… well, exactly the kind of chaos you’d expect from a show with “Is About to Collapse” in the title.

The episode kicks off with Naoto’s café already on the brink: the AC’s broken, the pastries are burnt, and one of his friends accidentally dyed the maid uniforms neon pink (yes, really). But things take a turn when his childhood friend, Hina, shows up unannounced. Hina’s been MIA for most of the season, dealing with family stuff, and her return hits Naoto like a ton of bricks. The scene where they finally talk? Fans are calling it “raw” and “unfiltered”—no over-the-top anime yelling, just two people trying to fix a friendship that’s been fraying for months. One MyAnimeList user summed it up perfectly: “I didn’t expect to cry at a maid café episode, but here we are.”

What makes this episode work so well is how it juggles the silly and the serious. One minute, you’re laughing at Naoto’s friend Kaito trying to pass off burnt taiyaki as “artisanal charcoal pastries” to confused customers. The next, you’re holding your breath as Hina admits she left town because she was scared of how much Naoto’s life was falling apart—and how helpless she felt to stop it. The animation here deserves a shoutout too: The soft, watercolor-style backgrounds during their conversation make the moment feel intimate, like you’re eavesdropping on a real conversation instead of watching a cartoon.

But let’s talk about the ending—because that’s where the fandom is losing its mind. After the café is saved (thanks to a last-minute assist from the school’s drama club, who show up in cosplay to draw a crowd), Naoto pulls Hina aside and says… wait, no spoilers. Let’s just say it’s a confession that’s been building all season, and the way the camera lingers on their hands almost touching before cutting to black? Chef’s kiss. Fans on forums are split: Some are screaming “FINALLY!” while others are panicking about what this means for the love triangle between Naoto, Hina, and his classmate Aoi. One Reddit user wrote, “I’ve been team Hina since episode 1, but now I feel bad for Aoi… why does anime do this to us?!”

If there’s one complaint, it’s that the episode feels a little rushed. The café’s problems get solved a bit too quickly, and some side characters (looking at you, the student council president who’s been a thorn in Naoto’s side all season) don’t get much screen time. But honestly? For a show that’s all about embracing chaos, the rushed pacing kind of fits. Life doesn’t wrap up neatly, and neither does this episode—and that’s okay.

At the end of the day, Episode 23 of Watari-kun’s Is About to Collapse is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like their life is falling apart but had friends to hold it together. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s messy—and that’s exactly why fans are obsessed. Whether you’re here for the romance, the humor, or just to watch Naoto’s world implode (and then somehow fix itself), this episode delivers.

So, if you haven’t watched it yet? Stop scrolling and go. And if you have? Join the rest of us in counting down the days until the season finale. Because if this episode is any indication, the end of Watari-kun’s Is About to Collapse is going to be unforgettable.

Final Verdict: 9/10. It’s not perfect, but it’s real—and in a world of over-the-top anime, that’s a rare and beautiful thing.

P.S. If you need me, I’ll be replaying the Hina-Naoto conversation on loop. Don’t judge.