Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! is getting attention for a pretty simple reason: it is upfront about what its lead wants. According to Anime News Network’s review of episodes 1 to 4, the series follows an anxious high school boy who openly longs for a gay romance, and that directness already helps it stand out in a space where plenty of anime still dance around that kind of setup.
That said, the early verdict is a bit mixed. ANN’s main takeaway is that while the premise feels refreshing, the first four episodes do not actually do a lot with it yet. The review says the show avoids turning Nakamura’s sexuality into the punchline, which is a big plus, but outside of that honesty, the story is still finding its rhythm.
Where the anime seems to score immediately is in presentation. ANN highlights the visual comedy, expressive character acting, and strong vocal performances as some of the best parts of the first four episodes. One gag involving a cockroach apparently lands especially well, with the little bug even getting cute commentary moments. The review also says the show works best when it fully leans into its more cartoony side instead of holding back.
The English dub also gets a lot of love. Nasim Benelkour’s performance as Nakamura was singled out for how committed and believable it feels, especially during the character’s panicked rambling, voice cracks, and sudden emotional drops. Reiko’s voice work also got a shoutout for bringing extra chaos and personality to the eccentric cult club president. So if you are the type who watches seasonal anime in dub while multitasking, this sounds like one of those shows where the cast is doing a lot of heavy lifting in a good way.
The bigger issue, according to the review, is pacing. Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! sounds much slower than its premise might suggest. ANN describes it more as a slow-burn romance, with Nakamura and Hirose only starting to feel like actual friends by episode four. For viewers hoping for faster romantic development, that may feel a bit draggy. A lot of the early material apparently revolves around Nakamura being an anxious mess, which can be relatable and funny, but may not feel substantial enough on its own week to week.
Still, the review does point out some more interesting emotional bits under the surface. Episode four, in particular, digs into how Nakamura holds back parts of himself because of how he has been treated before. Even small recurring details, like his love for octopuses, help build that sense of who he is. ANN also notes that the show seems more interested in friendship than straight-up romance right now. Nakamura’s fantasies about Hirose are often less about becoming his boyfriend and more about simply getting close to him as a friend first. Honestly, that angle may hit harder for a lot of viewers because it feels more awkward, more human, and less fantasy-perfect.
There is also a running joke about some of the girls in class being obsessed with boys’ love scenarios. ANN found that funny at times, but felt it got a bit iffy when those fantasies involved real people. So it sounds like the show is charming, but not every gag lands equally well.
For Malaysia and the wider SEA anime crowd, this is probably the kind of title that will split opinion. If you want a loud, fast-moving romcom, this may test your patience. But if you are into retro-styled character comedy, awkward yearning, and a more openly queer lead than usual, there is enough here to keep an eye on. In a region where fans are always looking for anime that feels a bit different from the standard school romance formula, Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! could still build a solid following if the later episodes give its characters more to do.
For now, the vibe seems clear: cute, sincere, well-acted, but still warming up.
Source: Anime News Network