Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
k-0da
Go for it, Nakamura-kun!! is an extremely cute, light-hearted rom-com that warmed my cold dead heart. It’s not a perfect work, but its love for young queer boys shone through at every moment.
Go for it, Nakamura-kun!! looks pretty good, which makes it a animation masterpiece by BL standards. The colors are light and bouncy without feeling faded, oozing classic 90's romcom feelings. The series art copies a lot of nineties character design aesthetics, and while usually I take issue with nostalgia bait, the designs are able to stand on their own. The OST is okay to unnoticeable, so that could be worse.
Go for it, Nakamura-kun!! is deeply cute. Its lighthearted, comedic take is so refreshing, that even I, the local “Ivantill should always be unrequited” fell in love. Nakamura is just so ge…
Read at the sourcenx1ryn
Honestly, this anime is very bad. Well, in my opinion.
Its only a cliche of a shy an creppy boy whos in love w an extrovert boy. Just like Kimi ni todoke but in mlm. It isnt good, yall are hyping it is just cliche and the characters are definitely not well written. Also i dont really like slow burns so ig thats another thing i didnt like about this anime (But this is just a personal preference, so u should try it if u like slow burns).
Not gonna lie, u can see better bl animes, with a better story, without the lot of cliches this anime has, and with better characters. So, if u didn’t like Kimi ni todoke u shouldn’t watch this one either. If u like it, u should watch this anime.
But the visuals (drawings n animation) are very pretty ^o^
Read at the sourcethedaddyoh
If youre looking for something to fall asleep to, watch this instantly.
I really wanted a cute, interesting BL that was a breathe of fresh air, and different from most of the romance genre. But this show is comfortably worse than most of the genre, and is only rated so high as its BL. If either of the two main characters were girls this show would be rated a 6.5. Nothing of interest happens at all. Truly bland. One positive is the art style. It really does look good with a softened 90s aesthetic. But the actual story, relationships and everything else is boring as hell. Dont waste your time.
Read at the sourceFyrebirdi
This anime was such a difficult one to rate. It had plenty good things going for it, and just as many bad.
Nakamura is a chronically shy, introverted 15-year old guy who has a crush on a boy in his class. His behaviour is awkward, shy and sometimes creepy. Understandable as his concept of romance is mainly sourced from BL manga, something I think many young people can relate to. But why... WHY... does he constant have to throw his name away? At first I laughed at his idiocy, then started to feel secondhand embarrassment. It doesn't feel great. Feels like I'm laughing at a young kid simply trying to talk to his crush.
What I enjoyed is the anime lives in a hetero-normative world. That's pretty brave for a BL. There's such a fear of perceived (and actual) rejection from straight people tha…
Read at the sourceSwantje20
NEW FAVORITE!
have waited for this show since it was announced 2024. It exceeded all my expectations.
The main characters are loveable, realistic and relatable. The humour isn´t flat, which is often the case with this type of work. The art style is charming and its very beautifully animated. There is a unique ending animation for every episode, which is very rarely done, but this supports the whole experience immensely. The opening is a banger ( stuck in my head since yesterday).
The only weak point is that sometimes it´s so cringe its hard to watch lol and some episodes are basically filler, as there is no progress or even barely an interaction between the two main characters.
Definitely recommend! Please watch and support so there will be a second season!!
Read at the sourcexShiningxMoonx
8.5/10
Go For It, Nakamura offers an earnest exploration of queerness and themes of acceptance. It’s an excellent, if not somewhat flawed character study about a queer boy falling in love while facing the challenges of a heteronormative world.
For better or worse, the highs and lows are turned up to an eleven: crazy daydreams, body shots, and octopus fanservice all make up Nakamura’s universe. Yet what makes it refreshing is that it’s not just about exploring a relationship with a crush, but rather embracing a part of ourselves we are often terrified of. The anime’s episodic nature is funny and heartwarming and the hilarious supporting cast also adds just the right amount of flavor.
Through beautiful, stylistic animation, fun characters, and slow, earnest pacing, Go For It, Nakamura ku…
Read at the sourcekurapikash
It's such a refreshing anime!
It feels different from most romance stories out there, because it's not only about the development of the relationship; instead, it focuses more on the feelings of falling in love. It shows the excitement, the awkward moments, the sadness, and all the small things that happen when you start to like someone. And it feels so real.
This anime is so funny, sweet, and also very comforting. It feels honest, easy to relate to, warm, nice, and something that makes you feel calm inside! So human, so pure!
One of my favs for sure, forever! 🩷
Read at the sourceP_F_V
Nakamura-kun is cute, funny, and lively. The humor and animation are pretty strong, but the big draw is Nakamura himself. The quality of the writing and visuals really make you connect with this insecure gay kid.
I’ve heard that there are more risqué elements in the manga that were scrubbed out in adaptation. Based solely on what has been described to me, I think that the changes sound like a wash. One central plot thread feels enhanced, while some other smaller things feel sanded down or muddled. It does keep the in-universe real life fanfiction, so make of that what you will. Might be a little icky for some that Nakamura doesn’t come to acknowledge he’s crossing a boundary, but it’s not that bad.
There is something I wanted out of the ending that I’m surprised wasn’t delivered, it feel…
Read at the sourcechekkit
"Go for it, Nakamura-kun!!" is one of those shows where I appreciate that it exists, and enjoy it to some extent, but it leaves you wanting. There are some incredible directed episodes that make the heart swoon, but there are also equally cringy, painful, full of gags episodes that make you wonder if it's worth it.
Lets start with the positives. This anime is incredibly enjoyable to watch from an artistic standpoint. It captures that retro style of old time anime and capitalizes on it in a shiny modern coat of paint. It's GORGEOUS and so eye catching, the type of style you'd like to see on a lo-fi music channel. Impeccable vibes through and through. The ending sequences calling back to pre 2000s music is the cherry on top.
And then we have the actual "plot" which is watching Nakamura st…
Read at the sourceNichosta
This anime is... fine. It's not offensive. Ultimately it's about an awkward teen dealing with his crush on a classmate. But it's worth noting that this is ALL it is. The show's plot is thin. Really thin. Quite honestly, not much happens at all. You could cut this show down to less than 3 episodes and walk away with the same experience.
So, what's good about the show?
The art is fantastic! This is a really really pretty show. It reminds me of 90's anime like Sailor Moon!
The main character calls himself gay, out loud, multiple times. Not as a joke, not in panic. Just a declaration of who he is. I was honestly surprised and excited to see that!
The title and credits sequences are fun and nice!
Aaand... that honestly about it.
There's really NOT MUCH holding this show together.
That…
Read at the sourcehachi_08
if you came here for bl and are expecting the two of them to get together, just don't lol. because the story is more about nakamura, his love for hirose, and the struggles he goes through along the way. and i think that’s what makes this series so charming, especially if you’re a queer kid, it makes you relate to the main character in so many ways and root for him. plus, the humor of it which is full of unexpected turns of events or cheesy cliche moments, makes watching it even more enjoyable.
i really loved how the anime differed from the manga in some ways, this was refreshing since i've read the manga many times and i was curious to see how events would turn out. however, some scenes were unnecessarily altered or cut, i especially loved the part in the manga where hirose stood up to th…
Read at the sourcefresitabby
I was expecting nothing but an average comedy BL, but this anime delivered so much more. I got emotional way more times than I expected; the story is so cute and actually interesting, the characters are loveable and relatable, and Nakamura's development is slow but nice to see.
Nakamura as a character is so real. I am not a gay man, but I used to be an outcasted weird loser girl in my teens with a crush so big I thought I could die, and I related to Nakamura so hard, so much. The art and music are also great; it's the final touch that makes this anime a complete masterpiece not only as a BL but also as a romcom in general. 10/10, I will be rewatching this.
Read at the sourcegeorgia_pk
Happy Pride to these two cuties 🐙🦀
Story: Go For it, Nakamura-Kun is a slice of life comedy (except episode 12 </3) that delivers a grounded nuanced story of queer adolescent anxiety that subervts traditional BL tropes by rejecting idealized, immediate mutal romance in favour of slow and awkward realism. The 13 episode arc balances comedic, clumsy scenarios with genuine emotional milestones. The primary narrative of this story is deconstruction and connection. Early episodes function as highly comedic as we follow Nakamura’s various failed attempts to speak to his crush Hirose. The story is presented almost entirely from Nakamura’s perspective allowing the viewers to experience his internal panic, assumptions and exaggerations firsthand. The comedy relies heavily on expressive visual ga…
Read at the sourcecyald
Alright, the anime has finally come to an end. Although I am very reluctant to part with it, I am very grateful for the three months of companionship. As a gay man in reality, I am very excited right now, so I have rambled and written this not-so-rigorous or objective review.
(Note: But because I have never had a crush on anyone, it is unlikely that the complete empathy between me, this gay man, and the protagonist, which you might want to see, will appear.)
1. Tag Correction
Instead of calling this anime a BL anime, it is better to say it depicts a gay boy's crush journey during adolescence (and it is very close to reality). The tag BL gives people a feeling that the two protagonists must fall in love, which is somewhat inappropriate for this anime.
(Of course, I know that many people wh…
Read at the sourceZayRecoverist
THIS! THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A QUEER STORY!!! I cannot express enough how THANKFUL I am towards Syundei, towards THIS WHOLE SHOW, and MOST OF ALL NAKAMURA himself for this story. I think there should be more queer stories about navigating a heteronormative world while being confused and insecure; just validating how you stand out against this world, and despite that there will always be people who accept you. Much like Hirose is to Nakamura, his feelings for Hirose make him want to be more confident in himself. That to me is important storytelling to the queer experience.
I like how this series wasn't necessarily a romance for that because even if it's left ambiguous or not that Hirose might likes him back, it's clear he enjoys Nakamura for his company besides that and we know Nakamura's g…
Read at the sourceaniMayo1234
I didn't think I was going to like this show as much as I do right now. Not in a "I don't watch gay stuff" kind of way, because I literally have an interest stack dedicated to gay shows with great representation. But rather, I thought this show was just going to be a gag anime about an anxious gay character, which it is at first, and it is funny. But by far the highlight of this show is watching Nakamura grow as a person, dealing with his hangups and having all kinds of new experiences with people, and not just about the romance. It made me feel all kinds of things and I think that's what makes this show so great, along with the music (and especially the end credit choices, top tier retro music), and the artistic direction (once again, especially the end credits). As far as slice of life g…
Read at the sourceursunshine
go for it, nakamura kun is one of the most faithful manga to anime adaptations i have ever seen. the artists created a perfect ambiance that translates so well from manga to animation. the show is colorful and upbeat, and the characters look like they popped out of an 80s/90s anime. not only that, but the additional material and revising of the manga’s stories make the show such an enjoyable watch.
this show truly changes the vibe of the manga from more stereotypical fujoshi bl to actually elaborate on a lot of experiences that queer people go through. parts where nakamura would think about hirose in sexual situations in the manga were removed in the anime, which not only made it an easier watch, but also made the story focus more on the themes and less on fetishization. nakamura’s strug…
Read at the sourcebaby_pewe
I can’t believe this stupid, silly show was what reignited my passion for anime.
Boys’ love, a genre we’re all familiar with. Many are fans; some avoid it in case their parents walk in; some have prejudices against homosexuality and refuse to indulge in the genre. I fall in the second category: my religious family would not like to walk in on boys kissing. As someone who is homosexual myself, I’ve been conditioned to feel ashamed of it and hide it all my life (sorry if this review gets personal; this show means a lot to me). “Ganbare, Nakamura-kun!” is adapted from Syundei’s iconic manga of the same name, known for its iconic 80’s artstyle, endearing characters, and relatable depiction of being a gay teenager in a heterosexual dominant world.
The story aligns with many similar ‘socially a…
Read at the sourcehbaby1093
I LOVED THIS SHOW WITH MY WHOLE HEART!
Go for it, Nakamura-kun is one of those blissfully perfect and wholesome romance shows that captures your heart right from the first episode.
It is so fun and charming and I shockingly have no complaints.
If there was anything to find fault with, the only thing I would say, is that I just wish Nakamura was slightly more proactive with his feelings into the later episodes. However, that is it.
I genuinely loved every single thing about this anime, from the characters to the love interest to the plot. It was a thrilling ride that I want to go on again and again.
It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me root for Nakamura and Hirose with all my heart.
I will be desperately waiting for the next chapter of this truly wonderful show.
Read at the sourceMarinate1016
I can’t believe there was once a time where I didn’t like BL because Go for it Nakamura is one of the best romances and shows of the year so far. This was such a refreshingly unapologetically queer story that made me fall in love with the characters and narrative from the very beginning. It also features one of the most beautiful art styles and some of the best production values of the year, even if you’re not usually into LGBTQ series, I highly recommend checking this one out because ultimately good romance is good romance regardless if it’s het or gay.
LGBTQ stories have always been integral to the fabric of anime as a medium. Anime has often been used to create social commentaries on issues that are difficult to talk about in Japanese society. In recent years, we’ve definitely seen an…
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