Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive [Season 1 Episode 1]

Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Episode 1 Review: A Promising Start with a Dash of Chaos

The first episode of Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? (or Danjo no Yuujou wa Seiritsu suru? Iya, Shinai!! for the purists) dropped on April 4, 2025, and it’s already stirring up conversations. The show, adapted from a light novel series by Nana Nanana, follows the lives of Himari Inuzuka and Yuu Natsume—two high schoolers who’ve been best friends since junior high but are now navigating the murky waters of adolescence, unspoken feelings, and, of course, the arrival of a new girl who threatens to shake things up.

The Premise: Friendship or Something More?

Himari is the bubbly, energetic type who hasn’t experienced love yet, while Yuu is the quiet, plant-loving guy who seems content with their platonic dynamic. They’re part of their school’s gardening club, where they spend their days tending to flowers and avoiding the elephant in the room: the possibility that their friendship might not be as simple as they think.

The episode wastes no time introducing Rion, a new character whose presence immediately disrupts the status quo. Fans on MyAnimeList pointed out how Rion’s introduction was both hilarious and telling—especially the scene where she grabs Himari’s face while Himari, in classic chaotic fashion, retaliates by grabbing Rion’s chest. It’s these kinds of over-the-top moments that give the show its comedic charm.

What Fans Are Saying

The online discourse around this episode is a mixed bag, but one thing’s clear: people are intrigued. Some viewers, like HOOfan_1, joked that the show’s title already answers its own question: “Can a boy-girl friendship survive? Nope, it can’t.” Others, like marklebid, pointed out that the Japanese title (Iya, Shinai!!) literally translates to “No, it can’t!”, which is either a bold spoiler or a cheeky meta-commentary on rom-com tropes.

But not everyone’s convinced. One user noted that the episode felt predictable, with the love triangle setup being obvious from the start. Another compared Yuu to Tomozaki from Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki, praising the show for avoiding the tired “childhood friends who don’t recognize each other” trope. Instead, the show opts for a more straightforward approach—Yuu and Himari know exactly who they are to each other, but the real question is whether they’ll ever admit there’s more to it.

The Strengths: Comedy and Chemistry

Where the episode shines is in its comedic timing and character dynamics. The voice acting is on point, with Himari’s over-the-top energy playing off Yuu’s deadpan reactions perfectly. Even minor characters, like Himari’s ex and her brother (who seems oddly obsessed with Yuu), add layers of humor and potential drama.

One fan on MyAnimeList put it best: “The chemistry between Yuu and Himari is really fun. Even Himari’s ex and Rion immediately managed to have comical chemistry with her during their short screentime.” It’s this kind of quick-witted, chaotic energy that makes the show feel fresh, even if the overarching plot isn’t groundbreaking.

The Weaknesses: Predictability and Pacing

That said, the episode isn’t without its flaws. Some viewers felt the love triangle was telegraphed too early, leaving little room for surprise. Others worried that the show might drag out the “will they, won’t they” dynamic for too long, especially compared to faster-paced rom-coms like Blue Box.

Still, the episode sets up enough intrigue to keep audiences hooked. Will Yuu’s flower-making hobby (which one fan hilariously questioned: “How is he going to preserve something as sizable as a tulip without making it too weighty?”) become a metaphor for his feelings? Will Himari finally confront her own emotions? And most importantly, will Rion’s arrival force these two to finally address the elephant in the room?

Final Verdict: A Solid Start

Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Episode 1 is a promising debut that balances humor, heart, and a touch of chaos. While it doesn’t reinvent the rom-com wheel, it delivers enough laughs and character chemistry to make it worth watching. Whether the show can sustain this momentum—or if it’ll fall into the same pitfalls as other will-they-won’t-they stories—remains to be seen.

For now, though, it’s a fun ride, and if the online discussions are anything to go by, fans are already invested in seeing where this friendship (or lack thereof) goes next.

Rating: 7.5/10 – A lighthearted, chaotic rom-com with potential.

What did you think of the episode? Let us know in the comments!