I was once under the impression that Wotakoi was over after the first OVA but to my surprise, two more were later made in 2021 to promote that last two volumes of the manga the show is based on. Oddly enough, these episodes are animated by Lapintrack and not A-1 Pictures, as with all the previous episodes. It’s weird to see a studio change for just two episodes but it’s not too jarring of a change. Lapintrack is pretty darn close with replicating the anime’s art style. And to be frank, it’s not like this show is a particularly pretty one to begin with.
This OVA is centered around the tertiary pairing in the show, the one between Naoya (Yūki Kaji) and Kou (Aoi Yūki). I’m happy to see Kou get the spotlight one more time. She’s a pretty interesting addition to the cast and I like her chemistry with Naoya but she’s introduced so darn late into the anime, the penultimate episode in fact. I get that the show was just following the manga but it feels pretty pointless to introduce a major character if there’s barely any time left to feature them. Admittedly, there’s still not much time to work with but at least Kou gets the spotlight more than once.
The first segment has Kou hanging out with Naoya and his friends at an arcade. By chance, Naoya sees Kou exit out of the ladies’ room and it’s here that he finally realizes that his friend is a woman. That the anime originally didn’t get to this amazes me. It was literally right around the corner. Naturally, the situation gets extremely awkward. Kou is beyond embarrassed and Naoya can’t believe that he’s made such an insane blunder. I really like that this conflict is resolved via the MMO everyone plays. That would be where Kou would resign herself to when she’s feeling down and it’s sweet of Naoya to talk to her in an environment where Kou feels most comfortable to be in. Plus, this gives us the superb joke of Kou struggling to properly communicate with Naoya even in a video game.
After that, we see another hangout at the arcade, this time with the addition of Hirotaka and Narumi. This is in fact, the first time our main couple meets Kou (and for all I know, it’s probably the only time that happens in the anime). I appreciate the inclusion of this scene. Save for some indirect contributions, there hasn’t been much crossing over between the tertiary couple and the main cast. It’s exciting then to finally see Kou meet Hirotaka and Narumi for the first time. This segment is also just fun and wholesome. How cheeky of the show to introduce Kou to Narumi first, allowing for a repeat of someone assuming that Narumi is Naoya’s girlfriend. Naturally, the episode takes the opportunity to have Kou and Hirotaka bond as fellow gamers. You know you’re good at games if Hirotaka is openly acknowledging your skills.
Towards the end of the episode, Kou and Naoya checks out a movie together. Props to Naoya’s other friends for deliberately opting out of the hangout so that Naoya is alone with Kou. Those two are totally rooting for them. Kou notably changes her hairstyle and dons more feminine clothes suggested to her by Narumi. This of course takes Naoya by surprise and it seems to mark the first time where Naoya looks at his friend in a romantic sense. It’s also fun watching Naoya think long and hard about how he should compliment Kou’s new appearance.
The ending of the episode is a bit frustrating. Kou telling Naoya that she likes him before then friendzoning him is on point for the character. Poor girl lacks so much confidence in herself so I can buy her needing time to properly confess her feelings. I also have to admit that Naoya’s initial confusion towards the confession is pretty funny and it’s a good way to further build towards his own realization that he’s attracted to Kou. That said, it is a bummer to see these two stuck in a sort of stalemate when the main two couples hooked up a long time ago. There’s probably some progress with this relationship over at the manga but it’s still a pity that the anime doesn’t get that far.
Xenodude Scribbles 