Go For It Nakamura-kun!!: Watch New Episodes Every Wednesday

“Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! offers a lighthearted, refreshing spin on the boys’ love genre.”

Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! is an anime series by Drive inc. based on the manga of the same name by Syundei. The boys’ love comedy premieres on April 1st on Crunchyroll, and new episodes release every Wednesday.

STORY

Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! follows the story of Okuto Nakamura, a clumsy and shy high school student who falls in love at first sight with Aiki Hirose, a charming and friendly student. Unfortunately, Nakamura has trouble talking to Hirose. Instead, he daydreams about himself in triumphant scenarios where he succeeds, while in reality, he doesn’t. This creates ridiculous situations. In fact, there are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments of embarrassment for Nakamura.

TV Review | Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! (Series Premiere) — Credit: Drive inc.

This plays like a Boys’ Love but not like a typical one. The premiere episode clearly establishes Nakamura’s feelings for Hirose, while Hirose doesn’t really pay attention to him. There’s no indication or sign that Hirose might even care for Nakamura. This makes the series more of a comedy than a romance, as it is a possible unrequited love. And still, it’s really sweet.

The story isn’t about a romance between two people, but a story about the internal struggles of approaching the person you are in love with. This anxiety of wanting to connect with your crush is quite relatable. It explores this topic with great sincerity while also being lighthearted. This series will speak to anyone who has ever felt too shy to approach the person they love. Honestly, it’s quite refreshing to see a Boys’ Love that tries something different. Yes, you have the high school setting that is often a trope of that genre, but it subverts expectations by telling a story you don’t usually see.

VISUALS & CREDITS

Moreover, this series is a beautiful throwback to the soft, pastel charm of ’80s anime. The characters are defined by their rounded, soft-edged faces and highly expressive features, giving every reaction a playful elasticity. This aesthetic is such a joy to watch. There’s something about this colour palette and softness in the animation that makes it a comforting watch.

Finally, when we talk about anime, we have to talk about the opening and end credits. First, the opening credits capture the series’s mood. Indeed, it’s fun presenting the characters in ridiculous situations while also establishing a feeling of possible unrequited love for Nakamura’s crush. Like the animation style, this sequence feels like a nice callback to 80s-90s anime openings. The opening theme is “Glory Days” performed by Senri Oe. It’s a catchy song that fits this colourful opening. Then, the end credits are quite simple but efficient, with just Nakamura. The song is “Sekaide Ichiban Atsui Natsu” performed by Princess Princess. It’s a classic song from the 1980s Japanese pop, and I’m completely here for it.

VERDICT

Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! offers a lighthearted, refreshing spin on the boys’ love genre. It explores the anxiety of wanting to connect with your crush with great sincerity. The series also plays like an unabashed love letter to ’80s anime, echoing everything from its visuals to its music.