Watari-kun’s ****** Is About to Collapse [Season 1 Episode 22]

Watari-kun’s ** Is About to Collapse: Episode 22 – Slow Burn Drama That’s Finally Lighting Up

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re here for fast-paced romance or instant gratification, this show isn’t for you. But if you’re into messy, real-feeling characters who stumble more than they stride? Episode 22 of Watari-kun’s * Is About to Collapse* might just be the turning point you’ve been waiting for—even if it takes its sweet time getting there.

First off, let’s get the basics straight. This Crunchyroll-exclusive series (streaming since July 2025) follows Naoto Watari, a high schooler who’s put his life on hold to raise his little sister Suzu after their parents’ death. Enter Satsuki Tachibana, his chaotic childhood friend who crashes back into his life, unearthing old memories and turning his rigid routine upside down. Episode 22, which dropped on November 29, finally dives into the root of Satsuki’s wild behavior—and let’s just say, it’s not just teenage angst.

Fans have been begging for context on Satsuki’s past, and this episode delivers… sort of. We learn her mom abandoned her as a kid, leaving her to be raised by her foster family. The kicker? Her foster mom’s miscommunication about her brother Naozumi’s wedding sent Satsuki spiraling, convinced she’d lost her chance to inherit the family inn. As one MyAnimeList user put it, “All of her erraticness and destructive behavior stems from being abandoned time and time again.” Suddenly, her tendency to lash out or push people away makes a lot more sense—even if it’s still frustrating as hell.

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Naoto’s infuriating lack of awareness. When Satsuki practically hands him a win (after 22 episodes of back-and-forth!), he still manages to misread the situation. “After thinking about it again, I believe she rejected me,” he says—how? Literally nothing suggested that. As a fan ranted, “His stupidity is beyond hope.” It’s like watching someone fumble a basketball when the hoop is wide open. But hey, at least he’s finally taking action? Sort of. The episode hints he’s ready to step up for Satsuki, which is more than we can say for the first 21 episodes.

Suzu, Naoto’s little sister, steals the show here. Her line about wanting to stay with their aunt forever? “That was so cute!” another user gushed. She’s not just a plot device—she’s the heart of the show, grounding Naoto when his love life (and sanity) threaten to implode. And let’s not forget Ishihara, the “nice girl” who’s been pining for Naoto since day one. Watching her still be friends with him after all the mixed signals? “Ishihara has a heart of gold,” one fan noted, though others think she’s just punishing herself. “It’s time to let it go, girl,” another commented. Preach.

Visually, the episode tries something new—interactive light effects that play with the environment. Does it work? Not really. As a viewer pointed out, “The individual elements just don’t blend well together, and it ends up looking gaudy.” But props to the studio for trying; it’s a small bright spot in a series that’s often criticized for its slow progression.

Now, let’s address the haters. Yes, the show moves at a snail’s pace. “The progression is so unbelievably slow holy hell,” one fan complained. But here’s the thing: this isn’t Rent-a-Girlfriend (thank goodness). As another user defended, “This is at least going somewhere.” Episode 22 proves that—we’re finally peeling back layers of Satsuki’s trauma, and Naoto’s starting to grow a backbone.

The real star of this episode, though, is the character development. Satsuki’s vulnerability shines through when she admits, “I can’t handle having hope.” It’s a raw moment that makes her earlier chaos feel less like drama and more like survival. And Naoto? He’s finally realizing that being a good brother doesn’t mean ignoring his own happiness. As one fan put it, “First for Umezawa and now for Satsuki—seeing him step up regularly is long overdue.”

Of course, no episode is perfect. Satsuki’s habit of reducing her worth to her body still rubs people the wrong way. “Why does she do that every single time her mood is bad?” a user asked. It’s a valid critique, but it’s also tied to her trauma—she’s been taught her value lies in what she can give others, not who she is. It’s messy, but it’s real.

So, is Episode 22 worth watching? If you’ve stuck around this long, absolutely. It’s not a fireworks show, but it’s a match being lit. With four episodes left, we’re finally seeing the characters we’ve grown to love (and hate) start to heal. As one fan summed it up: “Glad their relationship seems to make some progress finally. But we still have four episodes to go—what will happen until the end?”

Only time will tell. But for now, let’s savor the small wins. After all, in a show this slow, every step forward counts.

Final Verdict: 7/10. Slow, messy, and frustrating—but finally, finally going somewhere. If you’re into character-driven drama, stick with it. Just don’t hold your breath for a quick fix.

— A fellow anime fan who’s learned to embrace the burn.