REVIEW: ‘Komi Can’t Communicate,’ Episode 15

Komi Can’t Communicate Episode 15 is a Japanese Netflix Original anime directed by Ayumu Watanabe and animated by Studio OLM. This slice-of-life comedy anime is an adaptation of the popular manga series created by Tomohito Oda. The voice acting cast for the Komi Can’t Communicate consists of Aoi Koga (Love is War) as Shouko Komi, Gakuto Kajiwara (Fire Force) as Hitohito Tadano, and Rie Murakawa (Re: Zero) as Najimi Osana.

In Episode 15, Yamai and Nakanaka get some help from Tadano better understand Komi to get closer as friends. Elsewhere Tadano listens in as some of his classmates imagine what it would be like to date some girls in their class. Meanwhile, Katai makes an effort to further his friendship with Tadano. However, Katai is so nervous about exuding a tough and manly exterior that some of his actions are awkward and confusing.

The animation is on point, and the team behind Komi Can’t Communicate does not disappoint. The tone of Episode 15 comes off as more lighthearted than comical this time around. That is not to say this episode is without any humorous moments because there are few. I didn’t find myself laughing as much as I have in the past. However, it is primarily a great dose of the wholesome goodness that makes Komi Can’t Communicate great. My favorite wholesome moment in Episode 15 is watching Tadano and Katai’s friendship develop further.

What made the moment between Tadano and Katai so wholesome and remarkable was that Tadano reassured Katai that he should try to be himself. This was important because Katai projects a tough masculine exterior on the outside. On the inside, he struggles with anxiety which makes him nervous when he tries to make new friends. Growing up, Katai believed that he had to be strong, tough, and aloof to make friends as a boy. I thought it was essential to show Katai receive reassurance from Tadano, a mother boy, that he doesn’t have to try so hard and that he can be himself around him.

Lastly, After 15 episodes, the show is starting to lean more heavily into the romance side of being a romantic comedy. However, the romantic chemistry between certain characters becomes more evident to the audience. It is entertaining to watch how the budding feelings and bonds slowly form between certain characters, especially when it comes to Tadano and Komi. However, the Komi Can’t Communicate also hints at potential relationships between other characters.

This episode also changed things by not making Komi the center of attention for the most part. Instead, this episode shined more light and attention on supporting characters like Yamai and Nakanaka. I found this to be a nice change of pace for the series and offered the opportunity to see Komi from the same point of view the supporting characters see her. 

Additionally, I felt the moments where Yamai and Nakanaka get help from Tadano to better understand and communicate with Komi were great examples of how this show looks at friendship and communication. Although the initial point behind Yamai and Nakanaka was that they, like many other characters, are so focused on what they expect or want Komi to be that they miss out on opportunities to get to know her as a friend. 

However, they eventually learn a lesson in how they can do better in observing and communicating with Komi as a friend instead of projecting their expectations onto her. Additionally, this part of the episode showed why Tadano, the most average and least eccentric of the cast, is the most important in the series. This is primarily because Tadano is very skilled at being observant and empathetic towards others which allows him to see them for who they are, not what he wants them to be.

Lastly, the best treat of Episode 15 is that it gives the Aoi Koga, the voice actress behind Komi, the opportunity to show off her abilities a bit more. I won’t give any spoilers away, but I will say that Aoi Koga gets to put a completely different tone to Komi’s voice in this episode. I found it very impressive as the tone is different from anything we have seen with Komi before, but still, managers fire perfectly.

All in all, Komi Can’t Communicate Episode 15 is a wholesome lighthearted watch. Highly recommend hopping on Netflix to give this episode a look, as it is a shining example of what Komi Can’t Communicate is at its core when it comes to communication and friendships.

Komi Can’t Communicate Episode 15 is streaming now on Netflix.