Alternative Titles
Synonyms: Watanare
Japanese: わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ! (※ムリじゃなかった!?) ～ネクストシャイン！～
English: There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless...
Information
Episodes:
5
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Jan 1, 2026
Duration:
24 min. per ep.
Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Statistics
Score:
8.071 (scored by 1550815,508 users)
Ranked:
#637 2
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity:
#4518
Members:
31,867
Favorites:
221
Available AtResources
Streaming Platforms
May be unavailable in your region.
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Ranked #637Popularity #4518Members 31,867 Despite Renako Amaori's reclusive past, her high school life has become more lively due to her newfound friend group. However, her life turns upside down as two of those friends, Mai Ouzuka and Ajisai Sena, have confessed their love to her.
While mulling over what to do, Renako discovers another member of their group, Kaho Koyanagi, is actually her friend from elementary school! Though she seems like a different person now, Kaho still enjoys anime and manga, which brought the two together before. Moreover, Kaho is now a well-known cosplayer, and pressures Renako to cosplay with her.
Although Renako does not like the idea at first, cosplaying with Kaho begins to improve her self-confidence. But with the confessions still weighing on her, and Kaho making her own moves, Renako has to make up her mind—and fast!
[Written by MAL Rewrite] | |
|
MALxJapan -More than just anime-
| Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
| "Muri Muri Shinkaron (ムリムリ進化論)" by Akari Nanawo (ナナヲアカリ) (eps 1-5)
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| "Mayocchau wa (迷っちゃうわ)" by Philosophy no Dance (フィロソフィーのダンス) (eps 1-4)
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Reviews
Dec 31, 2025
What a start to new year, after big success in theatres all across Japan the 5 episodes that cover entire LN 4 arc are here and they are as good as LN readers are hyping them to be - for some it might even be better than original anime series. Truly a great time for yuri enjoyers.
And yes... This movie has very intense yuri scenes between Kaho and Renako, and those were played in theatres in Japan. And movie was in such demand that they had to expand watch for a few more weeks and in many other theaters. I think this should tell you
...
what to expect.
Animation and music: it is continuing from anime and the quality is still there. No low quality textures or choopy frames, the quality stayed the same like with the original series. Same thing with music, they even kept the amazing OP which is a nice touch.
Overall: animation and music were as good as they were in the original series, great job there.
Characters: Continuing from original series this time we focus mostly on Kaho, which was there but always in the background. She is highly energetic and kind of a dum-dum. But always supportive and in high spirits. Never is a dull moment with her. And here we get to learn about her secret side, and it was a refreshing take on the series. She also get's really good development here thanks to Renako, it was enjoyable to watch her growth. Meanwhile, Renako herself also get a huge development and is able to resolve the issue from the last episode with both Mai and Ajisai. Ajisai is still an angel, but more selfish this time around and I like her even more for that if that's possible after such an amazing arc in original anime last 4 episodes. Mai is also 180 form what she was at the start of the series, and seeing her developed as well from egoistic and prideful self was great experience. Satsuki is the only one that didn;t change, still as cold tsundere as she was in original series.
Overall: character development in this movie/5 episodes was amazing. It carries this series hard and it was great enjoyment form start to finish. Fans of certain characters will be overjoyed for sure.
Story: the story centers around Kaho this time, exploring her as a person as well as her past as she 'recruits' Renako to assist her in her private hobby. The other side of the story is about Renako facing her inner doubt and thinking hard on how to decide on the fact that she is going out with Mai and she also said that she would date Ajisai after her confession. Those who didn't watch original series will be kind of lost in all of this, but those who did watch will find this part of the story very enjoyable. I would rate it in quality on pair with Ajisai arc, which was by far the best one in original anime series.
Overall: the story carries from anime and it is really good. Exploring new character and resolving remaining issues with Renako's love life. For fans of the series this will be great enjoyment.
Overall grade: 9 and well deserved. 10 from me, as a fan of the series I am really amazed at how they did it. It's an example on how to do a good sequel. And in the end, it's reception in Japan's movie theaters speak much better than any review you might read here or on other sites. Although, I had to say that some might find it unpleasant giving how one major issue was resolved. But other than that it is great enjoyment.
I would highly recommend this to anyone. With the advise to check original series first (even if some parts are not good) so that you won't get lost. With this series high BD and LN sales and the success of anime series and this movie the stage is set for season 2. They have enough materials for one and some of the parts in it are extremely good. High hopes for one in 1 or 2 years and will watch it for sure.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Jan 2, 2026
Watching the continuation of Watanare this New Year felt like the perfect way to start 2026. The ending works as a genuinely squeamish closing for the series.
Pros: Strong character arcs , specially Renako’s redemption. The humor lands well , and Renako in a maid outfit (and that half naked scene) seriously made me question my sexuality.. I was merely like asdjkhaskjdhsakj.. The animation quality is still great as always and the opening song are great never get tired of it.
Cons: It’s only a continuation, not a full fresh season.
Overall: It's good if you enjoy the prequel you definitely enjoy this too.. one of the high
...
quality Yuri anime ever released so far in 2025.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
What did you think of this review?
Jan 2, 2026
This was a theatrical release for the final 5 episodes of season 1 and later streamed as normal episodes. It starts off right where episode 12 ended, same production, same quality. So don't trust the inflated rating; anyone who didn't like the initial 12 episodes is not gonna bother watching the final 5, so this ends up acting as a filter to people who initially liked the show. Read reviews, positive, mixed and negative. And don't waste your time, please.
I have already written a detailed review on the main show depicting my full thoughts so I'll just go over my overall opinion.
Visuals and music are
...
fine, yadda yadda you get the point.
The biggest problem with this show is the writing and the characters: It advertises itself as a yuri romcom but fails at delivering a well-written romance or comedy. The story follows the protagonist (Renako) from start to finish on her journey to learn how to love herself while her classroom friends all fall in love with Renako, so we end up with the protagonist constantly jumping from relationship to relationship without any of them being fully fleshed out. Along this, most characters don't act realistic to any degree, they all have their own quirk and the viewer is expected to take them seriously despite how stupid these are, which leads to an incredible contrast during emotional scenes that fail. Furthermore, every emotional scene is backed by some puddle-deep backstory or reason behind it, none of these landed for me and they all felt like a drag. Additionally, there was barely character development to be seen, and the one who matters the most, Renako, acts the same as when the show just started, she just says bigger words.
This show also has a noticeable lack of body-language through most of its runtime, instead relying to the overuse of internal monologues to either express a characters emotions or quip a cheap joke. Everything is served as-is and directly to your face, the story, characters and plot are afraid of going deep and end abruptly for the sake of keeping the story going.
The biggest offender was the absurdity of the ending: Without spoiling much, the whole story just goes on a full circle, Renako cares too much about how everyone around her feels, up until the ending where she finally makes a choice based on her own, but it was the stupidest decision that I would've preferred her to never get into a relationship ever again and live lonely for the rest of her life.
Moreover, everyone else just doesn't seem to reason properly anything in their heads and end up accepting and cheering her on. All of this taking place on top of a stage with microphones set up and hundreds of people watching, but that is never acknowledged because it's not like the protagonist is a shy introvert, right?
I didn't want to repeat myself so if you want a slightly more in-depth review about this show, check out the one I had written for the rest of season 1.
Reviewer’s Rating: 2
What did you think of this review?
45 Entries · 274 Restacks
Poll: Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Nai jan, Muri Muri! (※Muri ja Nakatta!?) (2026) Episode 5 Discussion ( 1 2 )
godzilla9637 - Dec 31, 2025 |
96 replies | by Xavion »»
10 hours ago |
Top Ranking Girls
YuriEmpress - Jan 2 |
36 replies | by ponpokorin »»
Apr 2, 8:15 PM |
Poll: Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Nai jan, Muri Muri! (※Muri ja Nakatta!?) (2026) Episode 4 Discussion
godzilla9637 - Dec 31, 2025 |
21 replies | by Serafos »»
Mar 25, 11:16 AM |
Poll: Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Nai jan, Muri Muri! (※Muri ja Nakatta!?) (2026) Episode 3 Discussion
godzilla9637 - Dec 31, 2025 |
23 replies | by Serafos »»
Mar 25, 11:16 AM |
Poll: Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Nai jan, Muri Muri! (※Muri ja Nakatta!?) (2026) Episode 2 Discussion
godzilla9637 - Dec 31, 2025 |
27 replies | by Serafos »»
Mar 25, 11:16 AM |
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