ANIME REVIEW | "OKITSURA" Showcases Island Fun, Despite Poor Visuals
Last year, the anime world transported viewers to the farthest north part of Japan in Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable. So it makes sense that this year, we’re dragged to the farthest south part of the island nation. OKITSURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She’s Saying goes between being a rom-com and an educational series about Okinawa. However, I can’t quite get the tone this anime was going for.
Like Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable, OKITSURA focuses on a fish out of water. The Tokyo-born Teruaki (Takeo Otsuka) has moved to Okinawa due to his dad’s job, and he feels out of place. Fortunately, two classmates of his are there to help him: Kana (Fairouz Ai) and Hina (Akari Kito). The former is the most helpful, as she can translate from Okinawan to Japanese. As for Hina, whom Teruaki falls for, she can be a good help, but her constant switch between Japanese and Okinawan can make it tough for Teruaki to follow.
Much of OKITSURA is an educational look at Okinawan culture. While some may just see it as another part of Japan, you might as well consider it a different country. The language is different, exclusive customs are worlds away from Tokyo’s, and even the mentality has a different vibe. A lot of what Teruaki experiences is very much what any city boy from Japan (or any other place in the world) would understandably react to.
There are things like the way Mother Nature plays with the people that have its humorous side, especially when rainstorms come and go with the snap of one’s fingers. The differences between Hawaiian shirts and “Kariyushi wear”, Japanese soba and Okinawan soba, and their special bananas also go for some laughs. Traditional dances, a special way of whistling, and even the art of the shamisen surprisingly do a good job highlighting the entertaining contributions Okinawa has given. Even certain words only have a place on the small island, such as an Okinawan equivalent to “bless you” when you sneeze.
Yet when I watched OKITSURA, I couldn’t tell when the show was laughing with or laughing at Okinawa. While it does a good job teaching viewers about the island’s unique aspects, there are times where I felt like the show was mocking the people of Okinawa. Case in point, anytime Teruaki brings up a city custom, Kana and Hina are presented as the dumbest of individuals. Maybe it’s supposed to be the balance for when Teruaki lacks the knowledge of Okinawan customs, but when it’s the island folks’ turn to learn, their “stupidity” can come off as being mean-spirited than light jabs.
However, perhaps the biggest insult is how the show looks. I’m not sure what’s happening over at Millepensee (So I’m a Spider, So What?), but practically every frame of this anime is horrid to look at. Most of the traditional animation is extreme close-ups of characters with PowerPoint-levels of movement. Even its color scheme just feels off, with the colorful island life replaced with something a bit foggier. However, the worst is when it uses 3D animation, with characters looking and moving like they’re from a PS2-era Dynasty Warriors game.
At least OKITSURA sounds great. Kito jumping between normal Japanese and Okinawan as Hina demonstrates the voice actress’s talent and performs with such gusto. Ai also does a good job as Kana, acting as the wisest of the main cast. As for Otsuka’s Teruaki, he’s all right, but why does it sound like he’s always shouting his lines and not just speaking them normally?
The best thing about this anime is its soundtrack. Composers Tomohisa Ishikawa, Yoshimi Katayama, and Ayano Kinjo bring some amazing island sounds to the show’s score, with it rich in shamisen-backed melodies. Okinawan band HY (whom I saw live back in 2007 as part of the Japan Nite tour) delivers the lively and beautiful “Dai Dai Daisuki”, making it easily the best opening theme of the Winter 2025 season. The duo of Kito and Ai share the end credits duties, with their covers of Okinawa-inspired songs “Shimanchu nu Takara”, “Anata ni”, and “Best Friend”.
OKITSURA is in an odd place. On one hand, I think it does a good job teaching Okinawan culture to viewers. However, its poor visuals sometimes make it hard to watch, and its tone regarding the portrayal of the locals might raise some eyebrows. If you are interested in learning more about the southernmost island of Japan, then OKITSURA would be a good start. Those not in the least bit interested in learning Okinawan culture may want to book their anime-viewing time elsewhere.
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OKITSURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She’s Saying can be viewed on Crunchyroll, and has been licensed by Crunchyroll. Episodes 1-12 were observed for review. Promotional consideration provided by Crunchyroll.
