Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru [Season 1 Episode 1 to Episode 12]

Anime Review: Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru (Season 1, Episodes 1-12)

A Love Story Lost in Translation

If you’ve ever struggled to understand someone’s accent or dialect, Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru (or Okitsura for short) might just be the anime for you. This rom-com, adapted from Egumi Sora’s manga, follows Nakamura Teruaki, a guy who transfers to Okinawa and falls head over heels for a local girl named Kyan. There’s just one problem: he can’t understand a word she says because of her thick Okinawan dialect.

The premise alone has sparked a lot of chatter online. Some fans are excited about the unique setting—Okinawa isn’t your typical anime backdrop—while others are already rolling their eyes at the “bland male protagonist” trope. But let’s dive deeper into what makes this show stand out (or blend in) with the crowd.

The Good: A Fresh Setting and Quirky Humor

One of the biggest draws of Okitsura is its Okinawan setting. Unlike most anime that stick to Tokyo or generic high schools, this one immerses you in the vibrant culture of Japan’s southern islands. From the scenery to the dialect, it’s a breath of fresh air. Fans on MyAnimeList have pointed out how rare it is to see Okinawa portrayed in anime, let alone as the main setting.

The humor largely revolves around Teruaki’s struggles to decipher Kyan’s dialect, with Higa, another local, acting as his reluctant translator. This leads to some genuinely funny misunderstandings, like when Kyan says something sweet, and Teruaki panics because he thinks she’s insulting him. It’s a lighthearted take on language barriers, and it works—most of the time.

The Not-So-Good: Predictable Tropes and a Generic MC

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Nakamura Teruaki. A lot of fans online are already calling him out for being yet another “bland, self-insert protagonist.” One Reddit user joked, “He’s so unique they didn’t even put him on the poster!” Ouch.

While the show tries to make up for this with Kyan’s charm and the supporting cast, Teruaki’s lack of personality does drag things down. Some viewers have compared him to the MC from Makeine, another rom-com with a similarly forgettable lead. If you’re tired of protagonists who exist solely to react to quirky love interests, this might not be your cup of tea.

Another point of contention is the animation quality. A few fans noted that while the backgrounds are gorgeous (shoutout to Okinawa’s beaches), the character animation feels stiff at times. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable, especially in dialogue-heavy scenes.

Fan Reactions: Love It or Hate It?

The online discourse around Okitsura is split. Some fans are all in for the Okinawan vibes and the rom-com shenanigans. One commenter on MyAnimeList said, “I love how the show makes me feel like I’m in Okinawa, even if I’ve never been there.” Others, however, are less impressed. “Another generic rom-com with a twist that doesn’t go anywhere,” wrote a skeptical viewer.

A particularly funny thread on Reddit debated whether Okinawan girls in anime are just “default anime girls with a tan.” (Spoiler: They’re not.) Meanwhile, some fans are already theorizing how the show will handle translations in other languages—will the dialect jokes land, or will they get lost in subtitles?

Final Verdict: Worth a Watch?

If you’re a fan of rom-coms with a unique twist, Okitsura is worth checking out. The Okinawan setting and dialect humor give it a fresh feel, even if the protagonist is as exciting as plain rice. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s fun, lighthearted, and perfect for a lazy weekend binge.

Just don’t expect it to redefine the genre—unless, of course, you’re really into regional dialects.

Rating: 7/10 – A charming but flawed rom-com that shines brightest when it embraces its Okinawan roots.

What do you think? Have you watched Okitsura? Let us know in the comments!