Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Popular manga debuts as anime; watch out for sexual context.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Komi Can't Communicate
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Based on 44 kid reviews
Kids say the show has a mixed reception; some find it wholesome and inspirational due to its themes of social anxiety and friendship, while others criticize it for oversexualizing characters and relying on suggestive humor. Although it can be humorous and heartwarming, many warn that it includes inappropriate content that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- wholesome themes
- inappropriate content
- social anxiety focus
- mixed reviews
- suggestive humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE, Tadano knows he's unpopular, but he's ready to turn over a new leaf as he enters Itan Private High School. On his first day, he speaks to a girl who's got a locker next to his. She, however, completely freezes when she tries to speak with him, flustering Tadano and making him feel at fault. As he gets adjusted to the classroom, he realizes that this mysterious girl is named Komi, and that she has a fear of speaking. He discovers that she has a goal to make 100 new friends at their high school, but the school is filled with quirky teens who are hard to befriend. Will Komi learn to feel at ease? Will Tadano help her meet her 100-friend goal?
Is It Any Good?
Based on a popular Japanese manga series that has a strong following, Komi Can't Communicate delves into issues of social status, social anxiety, and peer acceptance. Fans of manga and anime might be able to see past the objectification and sexualization of high school girls and trans people, but it's hard to ignore the short skirts and tight blouses that the main character, Komi, is wearing. Lewd comments are more overt in the English-subtitled version than the dubbed version, but the message is pretty clear: A teen in a short skirt who is too anxious to speak can be made into a sex object.
A PSA-style announcement in each episode about taking into consideration that some people have social anxiety and have difficulty communicating is just bizarre. It might be well meant, but it's jarring with the sexualized content. Teens and adults can find better animated content to delve into together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about social anxiety and mental wellness in Komi Can't Communicate. Why is Komi so anxious about speaking in front of others? What could adults do to help her?
Komi's inability to speak draws wanted and unwanted attention from her schoolmates. What if she wasn't a conventionally attractive girl? Would she be treated the same way?
How can digital tools help kids and teens deal with mental health issues like social anxiety? Here are some tips.
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 1, 2021
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate