When Nakamura Teruaki moves from Tokyo to far‑off Okinawa, he has no idea the cultural gap will be so wide. Despite his cheerful nature, the sudden change leaves him a little overwhelmed ‑ everything feels unfamiliar, from everyday customs to the way people talk.

One classmate fascinates him in particular. There is just one problem ‑ the girl speaks only in Uchinaaguchi, the traditional Okinawan language that Japanese speakers cannot understand at all. Fortunately, her friend Higa Kana, noticing Teruaki’s growing interest, happily steps in as interpreter. She secretly harbors feelings for the new boy herself, so every translation becomes a small emotional trial.

Day by day, thanks to his new friends, Teruaki uncovers more and more captivating aspects of Okinawan culture, which gradually stops feeling foreign to him.

Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru (2025) – Audiovisual Design

Video

Even in the promotional video, I could already tell that Okitsura would look above average, and the first episode (along with every one that followed) confirmed that. The incredibly vivid colors perfectly captured the calmness of the rural setting and the friendliness of its people. The use of color is nothing short of masterful.

The same goes for the level of detail. The character designs, shading, and environments all overflowed with intricacy.

Sound

Kitou Akari delivered an outstanding performance as one of the main heroines — specifically, Kyan Hina. She was the one tasked with speaking in Uchinaaguchi, the traditional language of Okinawa. This language differs so significantly from standard Japanese that it is often considered not a dialect, but a separate language altogether. I’m curious how her performance sounded to native speakers from the region. Fairouz Ai was cast as the other girl, who can also be considered a main heroine — Higa Kana.

Both the opening and ending songs went straight onto my playlist. As for the soundtrack, I’m sure I’ll be playing it many more times as well.

Story and Characters in Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru (2025)

Introduction

Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru (Okitsura) is probably one of the most innovative tourism advertisements I’ve ever encountered. Why make typical promotional videos or commercials when you can create an anime with charming girls and an engaging romantic plot? Okinawa is one of the most fascinating places on Earth, yet many people know little about it aside from the presence of U.S. military bases. For three months, this series offered viewers an intensive course in Okinawan culture and history. Though primarily aimed at a domestic audience due to its strong focus on language, it also serves as an incredibly interesting resource for learners of Japanese. And I have to admit — this kind of propaganda works. After watching it, I wanted to visit Okinawa, just like I bought a Honda Super Cub almost immediately after watching Super Cub.

Brief Plot Summary

When Nakamura Teruaki moves from Tokyo to far-off Okinawa, he doesn’t expect the cultural gap to be so vast. Despite his cheerful nature, the sudden change leaves him a little overwhelmed — everything feels unfamiliar, from customs to the way people speak.
One classmate fascinates him in particular. There’s just one problem — the girl speaks only in Uchinaaguchi, the traditional Okinawan language, almost completely incomprehensible to speakers of Japanese language.

Fortunately, her friend Higa Kana, noticing Teruaki’s growing interest, happily steps in as interpreter. She secretly harbors feelings for the new boy herself, which makes every translation a small emotional trial.

Day by day, thanks to his new friends, Teruaki discovers more and more captivating aspects of Okinawan culture, which gradually stops feeling so foreign to him.

What is the series about

Each week brings 3–4 new facts about Okinawan culture and language, presented in the form of separate story segments. All of this is wrapped in a romantic subplot that keeps the narrative flowing, as the protagonist gradually falls for a local girl.

The educational content is truly excellent — the series is packed with information and highlights differences between Okinawa and mainland Japan that many foreigners may not be aware of. And how could they know, when even many Japanese consider the region something of a mystery?

Characters

The main character is from mainland Japan and doesn’t understand the local culture — or the girl who’s stolen his heart. This provides a perfect setup for teaching the audience about Okinawa. Nakamura Teruaki, nicknamed Teeruu, is a high school student from the mainland who moves to Okinawa. Right from the start, he struggles with the local dialect, which is a total mystery to him. He’s the typical protagonist for this kind of story — a bit naïve, but kindhearted and oblivious to the feelings of the girls around him. He’s a perfect fit for the role for two reasons: first, he represents someone who knows nothing about the local culture; and second, his romance storyline ties everything together beautifully.

Higa Kana is a supporting character. She speaks fluent standard Japanese and acts as Teruaki’s interpreter for Kyan Hina (the object of his affection), as well as his guide to Okinawan culture. She’s the one who steals the hearts of most viewers — mine included. There’s no contest here. Her feelings toward Nakamura are portrayed in a subtle way and form one of the most touching elements of the show.

Kyan Hina is a local girl who becomes the focus of the protagonist’s affections. She’s highly expressive and deeply connected to her culture, family, and traditions. Hina essentially only speaks Uchinaaguchi — even her peers sometimes struggle to understand her. Hina and Kana have been friends since childhood and are basically always together. In almost every episode, we get glimpses of their early years. As a result, Teruaki ends up spending a lot of his free time with both of them.

The interactions between this trio form the heart of the series — their trips around the island, discovery of local traditions, and everyday situations create a warm atmosphere that makes Okitsura such a unique and pleasant experience.

Educational Value

Okitsura is an anime whose main appeal lies in short segments devoted to uncovering fascinating facts about the small island of Okinawa. This format, stretched across 12 episodes, never feels tiresome and works perfectly for most of the topics presented. It’s a story that draws you in with the promise of a potential romance, but keeps you watching because you start getting genuinely interested in Okinawan trivia.

Though each segment follows a question-and-answer format between newcomers and locals, the anime often takes creative liberties. It includes many humorous scenes with characters portrayed as animals or beings from local folklore. While the plot is largely episodic, it remains engaging thanks to the fact that every episode brings something new and surprising.

Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru (2025) – Evaluation and Summary

Okitsura brought me joy with every single episode. My cold Saturday evenings were filled with the warmth of Okinawa, and the idyllic atmosphere truly helped me unwind after a week of work. Every aspect of the series made me genuinely look forward to the next episode.

I understand not everyone will appreciate Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru as much as I did. Still, if you enjoy the first episode, you can be confident that every one after that will not disappoint.

Finalny werdykt

Final evaluation

Which Translation Do I Recommend for Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsurasugiru (2025)?

Crunchyroll (official). It’s rare to see an official translation done so well. I really can’t complain about anything. The adaptation shows great respect for the original script, the language, and the culture. I strongly recommend it.

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