Komi Can't Communicate

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Komi Can't Communicate
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Shoko Komi (left) and Hitohito Tadano (right)
古見さんは、コミュ症です。
(Komi-san wa, Komyushō desu)
Genre
Manga
Written byTomohito Oda [ja]
Published byShogakukan
English publisher
ImprintShōnen Sunday Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Sunday
DemographicShōnen
Original runMay 18, 2016 – January 29, 2025
Volumes37 (List of volumes)
Television drama
Directed by
  • Yoshihito Okashita
  • Eiji Ishii
Produced byHiroyuki Onuma
Written byFumie Mizuhashi
Music byEishi Segawa
StudioTV Man Union
Original networkNHK General TV
Original run September 6, 2021 – November 1, 2021
Episodes8
Anime television series
Directed by
Written byDeko Akao
Music byYukari Hashimoto
StudioOLM Team Kojima
Licensed byNetflix (streaming rights)
Original networkTXN (TV Tokyo)
Original run October 7, 2021 – June 23, 2022
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
icon Anime and manga portal

Komi Can't Communicate (Japanese: 古見さんは、コミュ症です。, Hepburn: Komi-san wa, Komyushō desu; lit. 'Miss Komi Has Difficulties in Communicating') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tomohito Oda [ja]. It was serialized in Shogakukan's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from May 2016 to January 2025, with its chapters collected in 37 tankōbon volumes. The series is licensed in North America by Viz Media. The story centers around Shoko Komi, a high school girl who suffers from extreme social anxiety and struggles to communicate with others. With the help of her classmate Hitohito Tadano, they embark on a mission to make 100 friends and improve Komi's communication skills.

An eight-episode live-action television drama adaptation was broadcast from September to November 2021, while an anime television series adaptation produced by OLM aired from October to December of the same year; a second season aired from April to June 2022. The anime adaptation is licensed by Netflix for worldwide streaming.

By January 2025, the manga had over 16 million copies in circulation. In 2022, the manga won the 67th Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen category.

Premise

See also: List of Komi Can't Communicate characters

On her first day attending the elite Itan Private High School, Shoko Komi immediately receives an overwhelming surge in popularity due to the unprecedented stoic beauty and refined elegance her classmates perceive her to possess. However, only Hitohito Tadano, an exceedingly average schoolboy who sits next to her, discovers that behind her bishōjo appearance, Komi has a severe communication disorder. Tadano learns that Komi's goal is to make 100 friends, and resolves to help her reach her goal.

Media

Manga

See also: List of Komi Can't Communicate chapters

Written and illustrated by Tomohito Oda [ja], Komi Can't Communicate was first published as a one-shot in Shogakukan's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday on September 16, 2015;[4][5] the manga was later serialized in the same magazine from May 18, 2016, to January 29, 2025.[6][7][8] Shogakukan collected its chapters in 37 tankōbon volumes, released from September 16, 2016,[9] to March 18, 2025.[10]

In November 2018, during their panel at Anime NYC, Viz Media announced that they acquired the license for the manga.[11] The first volume was released in North America on June 11, 2019.[12] On May 9, 2023, Viz Media launched their Viz Manga digital manga service, with the series' chapters receiving simultaneous English publication in North America as they are released in Japan.[13]

Drama

An eight-episode live-action television drama adaptation was broadcast on NHK General TV from September 6 to November 1, 2021.[14][15][16][17] Aiko performed the series' theme song "Atashitachi" (あたしたち; "We").[18][19]

Anime

Main article: List of Komi Can't Communicate episodes

On May 11, 2021, an

OLM was announced. The series was directed by Kazuki Kawagoe, with Ayumu Watanabe serving as chief director, scripts by Deko Akao, character designs by Atsuko Nakajima and music by Yukari Hashimoto.[20][21][22] The series aired on TV Tokyo from October 7 to December 23, 2021.[23][24][a] Netflix streamed the series worldwide on a weekly basis starting on October 21, 2021.[25] Cider Girl [ja] performed the opening theme "Cinderella",[26] while Kitri [ja] performed the ending theme "Sympathy" (シンパシー, Shinpashī) in episode 1, and the ending theme "Hikare Inochi" (ヒカレイノチ; "Shine, Life") from episodes 2–12.[27][28]

On December 23, 2021, Netflix announced the series would receive a second season.[29] It aired from April 7 to June 23, 2022, in Japan,[30][31][b] and premiered worldwide on Netflix on April 27 of the same year.[33] Miku Itō performed the opening theme "Ao 100-iro" (青100色; "100 Blue Colors"), while FantasticYouth [ja] performed the ending theme "Koshaberi Biyori" (小喋日和; "Fine Day for Small Talk").[30]

On December 12, 2022, the official Komi Can't Communicate Twitter account announced that the anime production team did retakes of the animation for episodes in both seasons that had already been streamed on Netflix.[34]

Reception

By September 2018, the manga had over 2 million copies in circulation;[35] 5.2 million copies in circulation by February 2021;[36] over 6 million copies in circulation by December 2021;[37] over 7.4 million copies in circulation by June 2022;[38] over 12.7 million copies in circulation by July 2023;[39] over 14 million copies in circulation by February 2024;[40] and over 16 million copies in circulation by January 2025.[41]

In 2017, the series ranked eighth in the third Next Manga Award in the print category.[42] Polygon named the manga as one of the best comics of 2019.[43] It won the 67th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōnen category in 2022.[44][45]

In 2020, the series topped the "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation" poll conducted by AnimeJapan.[46] The anime won Best Comedy at the 6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2022. Shoko Komi was nominated for Best Girl while the series was one of the nominees for Best Romance.[47]

Critical response

Manga

In a review of the first volume from

fanservice worked in" that fits within the manga's tone, despite some characters' awkwardness. Peralta concluded that the series is "basic in premise, but slightly more nuanced in execution".[49]

Reviewing the first volume, Leroy Douresseaux of Comic Book Bin described the series as a shōnen and shōjo mix that "offer[s] readers young male and female characters forced together for a common goal, with some romantic elements", noting, however, that it is not its central focus, also calling Oda as "quite adept at creating small situations out of this narrative's central conceit."[50] In her review of the first volume, Sheena McNeil of Sequential Tart praised the story, characters, and humour, calling it "a hidden gem, definitely worth checking out". McNeil, however, criticized some of Komi and Tadano's interactions with other classmates.[51] Morgana Santilli of The Beat made a positive review of the series, praising its premise, comedy, characters, and the relationship between Komi and Tadano, calling it "cute and fun, something that injects a little positivity into a world that frequently seems to shun collaborative efforts to help others".[52]

Anime

IGN included the series on their "Best New Anime to Watch (Fall Season 2021)" list.[53] Isaiah Colbert of Kotaku included the series on the "11 Best Anime of 2021" list, praising it for its comedy and for addressing the issue of social anxiety.[54]

Notes

  1. ^ TV Tokyo listed the air dates for the series on Wednesday at 24:00, which is effectively Thursday at midnight JST.[23]
  2. ^ TV Tokyo listed the air dates for the series on Wednesday at 24:00, which is effectively Thursday at midnight JST.[32]

References

  1. ^ "VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW PUBLISHING ACQUISITIONS AT ANIME NYC 2018". Viz Media. November 19, 2018. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  2. Oricon News (in Japanese). June 18, 2019. Archived
    from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Goslin, Austen (May 11, 2021). "Komi Can't Communicate's newly announced anime already has a trailer". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  4. Mantan Web. September 9, 2015. Archived
    from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  5. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 16, 2015. Archived
    from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  6. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 18, 2016. Archived
    from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  7. Oricon News (in Japanese). January 29, 2025. Archived
    from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  8. ^ Tai, Anita (January 14, 2025). "Komi Can't Communicate Manga Ends in 2 Chapters (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  9. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 16, 2016. Archived
    from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  10. ^ 古見さんは、コミュ症です。 37 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  11. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (November 17, 2018). "Viz Media Licenses My Hero Academia: Smash!!, Komi Can't Communicate, Beastars Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  12. ^ "Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  13. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (May 9, 2023). "Viz Media Simultaneously Releases Shogakukan Manga Titles in New VIZ Manga App". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  14. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 23, 2021. Archived
    from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  15. ^ Mateo, Alex (July 22, 2021). "Komi Can't Communicate Manga Gets Live-Action Series on September 6". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  16. Mantan Web (in Japanese). September 6, 2021. Archived
    from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  17. Mantan Web (in Japanese). November 1, 2021. Archived
    from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  18. ^ 増田貴久主演『古見さんは、コミュ症です。』に吉川愛、溝端淳平ら出演へ 主題歌はaiko. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). Blueprint Co., Ltd. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  19. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 4, 2021. Archived
    from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  20. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 11, 2021). "Komi Can't Communicate Romantic Comedy Manga Gets October TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  21. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 11, 2021. Archived
    from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  22. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 18, 2021. Archived
    from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  23. ^
    Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 4, 2021. Archived
    from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  24. Mantan Web (in Japanese). December 23, 2021. Archived
    from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  25. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 14, 2021). "Netflix Debuts Komi Can't Communicate Anime on October 21 With Weekly Stream Outside Japan". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  26. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 14, 2021). "Komi Can't Communicate Anime's Video Previews Theme Songs, Lists Netflix Streaming Globally". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  27. ^ Komatsu, Mikako (October 13, 2021). "Check Out Komi Can't Communicate ED Theme Music Video about Another Clumsy Girl". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  28. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio; Mateo, Alex (August 17, 2021). "Komi Can't Communicate Anime Unveils 1st Video, More Cast, Ending Song, October 6 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  29. ^ Mateo, Alex (December 22, 2021). "Komi Can't Communicate Anime Gets 2nd Season". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  30. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (March 1, 2022). "Komi Can't Communicate Anime's 2nd Season Reveals New Opening/Ending Theme Song Artists, Additional Cast, April 6 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  31. ^ 古見さんは、コミュ症です。「コミュ73 ホワイトデーです。」 (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  32. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 16, 2022. Archived
    from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  33. ^ Mamon, Mike (April 23, 2022). "Best New Anime to Watch (Spring Season 2022)". IGN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  34. ^ 古見さんは、コミュ症です。公式 [@comisanvote] (December 12, 2022). Netflixにて好評配信中の1期、2期のエピソードがリテイク版になりました！アニメ制作陣が細かなところまでこだわってのリテイク版🐈 古見さん達の日常と成長をぜひもう一度ご覧下さい💼 https://netflix.com/jp/title/81228573 #古見さん #komisan #Netflix #リテイク版 [The episodes of the 1st and 2nd seasons, which are currently being distributed on Netflix, have been retaken! A retake version that the anime production team paid attention to even the smallest details. 🐈 Please take another look at Komi's daily life and growth. 💼 https://netflix.com/jp/title/81228573 #komisan #komisan #Netflix #retakeversion] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
  35. Mantan Web (in Japanese). September 12, 2018. Archived from the original
    on December 19, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  36. ^ 『古見さんは、コミュ症です。』20巻発売！PV&TVCM公開中!! (in Japanese). Shogakukan. February 18, 2021. Archived from the original on April 4, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  37. ^ 『古見さんは、コミュ症です。』TVアニメ2期制作決定、2022年4月放送を目指して鋭意制作中！ 原作者・オダトモヒト先生、声優の古賀葵さん&梶原岳人さんからのお祝いコメント到着. Animate Times (in Japanese). December 21, 2021. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  38. ^ 春アニメ『古見さんは、コミュ症です。』第23話（第2期 第11話）【コミュ71「伝線です。」ほか】のあらすじ&先行場面カット公開！. Animate Times (in Japanese). June 13, 2022. Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  39. ^ 古見さんは、コミュ症です。 30 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  40. ^ 【TVアニメ「古見さんは、コミュ症です。」】1期&2期Blu-ray BOX発売記念オダトモヒト先生 描き下ろしイラスト公開！ 本イラストが週刊少年サンデー表紙も飾ることが決定！ (in Japanese). Avex Inc. February 15, 2024. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  41. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 29, 2025. Archived
    from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  42. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 23, 2017. Archived
    from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  43. ^ Polo, Susana (December 30, 2019). "The best comics of 2019". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  44. ^ 決定!!第67回小学館漫画賞最終候補作!! (in Japanese). Shogakukan. December 1, 2021. Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  45. ^ Mateo, Alex (January 18, 2022). "Komi Can't Communicate, My Love Mix-Up!, Do not say mystery Manga Win 67th Shogakukan Manga Awards". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  46. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (March 24, 2020). "180,000 Manga Readers Vote for Their Most Wanted Anime Adaptation". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  47. ^ Coats, Cayla (February 9, 2022). "Meet the Winners of This Year's Anime Awards". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  48. ^ "Komi Can't Communicate – The Spring 2019 Manga Guide". Anime News Network. May 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  49. ^ Peralta, Gabe (July 11, 2019). "Komi Can't Communicate Vol. #01 Manga Review". The Fandom Post. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  50. ^ Douresseaux, Leroy (June 10, 2019). "Komi Can't Communicate: Volume 1 manga review". Comic Book Bin. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  51. ^ McNeil, Sheena (July 1, 2019). "Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 1". Sequential Tart. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  52. ^ Santilli, Morgana (December 16, 2019). "REVIEW: Coming out of our shell with KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE". The Beat. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  53. ^ Mamon, Mike (October 29, 2021). "Best New Anime to Watch (Fall Season 2021)". IGN. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  54. ^ Colbert, Isaiah (December 12, 2021). "Kotaku's Best Anime of 2021 – Komi Can't Communicate". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.