Mixed Feelings About Komi Can't Communicate | Social Anxiety & Selective Mutism in a Comedic Anime

[@maylunaberry5315]

The whole thing about other students worshipping her was so overdone, and it got extremely annoying half way through. I hated that so many characters like Yamai and Agari never attempt to have a genuine bond with Komi. Besides a named few, Komi is not making any more friends, she's just unintentionally building a posse.

[@cinderella0contrella]

I really don't like that they made it the reason people don't talk to her is because she's so pretty that everyone falls in love with her and gets nervous because that really downplays the actual struggle and effects of selective mutism like I feel like it's almost used as a point of comedy I wish they just put more of a serious spin on it I'm not saying they should make it like a serious depressing show just I wish Parts like Komi literally had zero friends until meeting Tadano was more developed I guess

[@trivia000]

honestly people not talking to komi because she looks intimidating and unapproachable is kind of realistic to me

[@tom_something]

I kind of wonder if Komi's magnetism and reverence by others in the series is meant to demonstrate that anxiety isn't just some kind of after-effect from being ostracized. Her classmates view her as beautiful, graceful, and alluring, so there's no "excuse" for her to suffer from social anxiety. And yet she does, because social anxiety does not care about those things. It doesn't take them into account.

[@notgoodatonlinenames9943]

6:05 I think najimi was the most accurate in how people who don't struggle with anxiety perceive people with anxiety before they get to know them.

[@unicornfriends55555]

TRUE!

[@katt-kek]

I actually have selective mutism , and this anime portrays these things a lot , also i love this so much

[@laurenmungaray3912]

I have it too, it's not fun.

[@Jesus-wh4sm]

I used have it and it sucked honestly. I hope you find ressources can that help you guys with your struggles.

[@meredithinserra4670]

Hi, Sarah! I am so glad I found you! I taught music, mostly at the elementary level for over 20 years. I taught thousands of children, many with special needs and special talents. I only encountered one student many years ago with Selective Mutism. Whenever possible I consulted with specialists in our school system on ways to work with this child. I'll call him "Henry," which is NOT his real name. Henry was smart, well mannered, and loved by his classmates. Henry easily communicated with his classmates, both in class and on the playground in social situations. In his regular classroom with his regular teacher he eventually responded directly to his teacher in a limited way now and then. I was told to try to include him as often as possible, call on him to respond, give him opportunities to communicate in small groups so he would become more comfortable communicating in my classroom, never penalize him for not responding, and give him plenty of time to respond whenever the opportunity arose. I tried many things to encourage him, but sometimes I felt I may have made him MORE anxious by applying too much pressure to respond. When we sang songs together as a class, I noted he always joined in. Once we were playing a guessing game where the students took turns. When it came to his turn, his classmates were very encouraging and cheered him on. We all waited and waited to see if Henry would respond. I always wondered if waiting for him to respond would actually increase his anxiety. After waiting a minute or two, which FEELS like a long time, I would usually just smile at him and say, "Maybe another time?" And he would shake his head "yes" with a smile on his face. He often looked like he WANTED to respond, but he couldn't do it. I never felt like I was doing the right thing for Henry since I never got to hear his voice. Please tell me what works best for students like Henry. Do you think I was doing the right things? I think I offered him the chance to write his words since he couldn't speak them. I can't remember because it was many years ago, but I don't think he was into doing that.

[@sandramonserrat2816]

I felt the same with that character, is not even funny :'( she's scary

[@Dollsunified]

Hello, I just wanted to say, thank you for creating this video! As someone who struggles with SM, this was excellent to see. I have just discovered this channel, and I am so very grateful for how open you are in your videos:) Yes, yes, YES and YES; I agree with what you said. However, I, personally, would like to see more background characters with SM, too. Much like how there are usually few characters with autism, there are few with SM. Whilst, I can't really talk for those with autism, due to the fact I'm not neurodivergent, I will say that media needs to be more inclusive. Rather than just the one character, we could have multiple, to show how common something is, that we aren't just focusing on them as they are the protagonist, but because we are important. Or simply, just like how every character speaks. If speaking can be represented, why not the other just as likely side of the coin? Thanks again, Dollsunified

[@Beergaming69]

Yamai kidnapped Tadano and got away with it

[@keiny_jhon]

I haven't watched the show but form little ive seen from it the anume just makes fun of komis social anxiety

[@sandramonserrat2816]

Yes Mihashi is the best!

[@05grace91]

A similar anime that like Komi that i recommend are Bocchi the Rock and Handa Kun.

[@sandramonserrat2816]

Same with the idealization of Komi :c

[@ChipperFoxtrotVA]

I'm in a similar mixed feeling about this anime. Honestly, as popular as this anime is on both sides of the Pacific pond, I think this anime is overrated like Clannad and Toradora. I have Autism and had social anxiety, but I didn't have trouble with improving on basic encounters compared to TWO seasons with Komi. You would have thought by now she had gotten better with it compared to another anime. Also, the pacing is off, the other characters were okay to cringy, most of the humor were misses and, as someone who loves anime pretty close to the manga, I admit this anime is near-literally TOO close to the manga (as mindblowing as that is! ROFL!!!)! Don't get me wrong, this anime does a good job with representing social anxiety, but I recommend watching Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu and even Say "I Love You" over this. And besides, Cannonballin' [Crullers] coffee >>> CHARbakes/BURNTbakes coffee!!! XD

[@blackcopycat4967]

THIS!!

[@luv-lq6ch]

Not to mention the oversexualition of Agari and most of the female characters, keep in mind these are children.

[@tatianasan3222]

Ilyyyy

[@leosthrivwithautism]

Your channel is growing faster than mine and rightfully so! Your quality is amazing! I think a right balance of entertainment and information. Keep up the phenomenal work! 👍

[@thesmilyguyguy9799]

:)