Kuzu no Honkai

To the outside world, Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya are the perfect couple. But in reality, they just share the same secret pain: they are both in love with other people they cannot be with.

Hanabi has loved her childhood friend and neighbor Narumi Kanai for as long as she can remember, so she is elated to discover that he is her new homeroom teacher. However, Narumi is soon noticed by the music teacher, Akane Minagawa, and a relationship begins to blossom between them, much to Hanabi's dismay.

Mugi was tutored by Akane in middle school, and has been in love with her since then. Through a chance meeting in the hallway, he encounters Hanabi. As these two lonely souls spend more time together, they decide to use each other as a substitute for the one they truly love, sharing physical intimacy with one another in order to stave off their loneliness.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Yasuraoka, Hanabi Main

Anzai, Chika Japanese

Awaya, Mugi Main

Shimazaki, Nobunaga Japanese

Ebato, Sanae Supporting

Tomatsu, Haruka Japanese

Minagawa, Akane Supporting

Toyosaki, Aki Japanese

Kamomebata, Noriko Supporting

Izawa, Shiori Japanese

Kanai, Narumi Supporting

Nojima, Kenji Japanese

Kirishima, Atsuya Supporting

Asanuma, Shintaro Japanese

Terauchi, Takuya Supporting

Kobayashi, Yuusuke Japanese

Hayakawa, Mei Supporting

Fujii, Yukiyo Japanese

Moriyama, Take Supporting

Kijima, Ryuuichi Japanese

Fujiyama, Naokado Producer

Higa, Yuuji Producer

Komatsu, Shouta Producer

Andou, Masaomi Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Feb 11, 2025

AllphaDeath

Recommended

This anime is truly spectacular.
If you can look past the physical romance scenes (which are well animated if that's what you're looking for) like i was able to, you sort of discover what this show truly excels at.
The inner monologue of weighing one's boundaries, expectations and desires against another's and the potential of, if not straight up, toxicity that may manifest.

The show does have a main relationship it follows however it quickly branches into depicting many different relationship scenarios and archetypes across the cast. From loving someone who doesn't love you to being loved by someone you've never considered. Friends with benefits to i can ... fix him/her. There is plenty of range to be had here and at times it can feel like you are watching a car crash but are too captivated to look away.

A lot of these characters are extremely well written because of the complete package of the traversal of their journey from start to finish. Initially, you'll be introduced to a character that has X or Y trope, flaw or feature. Instead of leaving a charter stagnant or figured out the plot frequently presents a dichotomy, or mirror image. That is then used as a vehicle for a character to constantly re-evaluate their feelings and the decisions they are making. The many hot and steamy scenes are not just for sex or fan service sake. Characters will often remove their personas and indulge in the vulnerability of their emotions. Sometimes they stay on the path of self destructive behavior, other times you see them attempting to break from it.

The middle portion, or second act , of the show may come off as formulaic, maybe even linear. However, the trade off is to rope in the viewer and depict a wide range of dynamics or social situations that are either relatable or familiar. This is the same time the show starts to plot out hints of redemption arcs. It becomes a transition of rooting for a characters happiness and self worth over just best girl/guy/couple.

Would i recommend this anime to everyone? No.
I don't think i need to get on the soap box of tropes are tropes are tropes. People have different tastes and are at different points of their consumption of this medium. There are some questionable, if not at times, flat out inappropriate dynamics in the show. Some people cant look past that and that's okay. I don't even think this show requires you to engage in moral high ground Olympics. As alluded to earlier, the wide range of scenarios offers the insight of the human condition when it comes to love. Whether or not you've personally have had a lot of relationship experience or not. Have loved. Been loved. Or have seen it in your peers. Its the combination of all of these perspectives that allow the sum of its parts to equal a greater whole and not get bogged down by some of its tropes.

Scum's Wish is a rollercoaster of self awareness, messy love, raw identity and the pursuit of happiness. If you would have told me years ago that my first public review of any piece of media would be a steamy and messy romance anime , i would've been in disbelief. Yet , here i am. What can i say i like what i like and just like this show try's to tell its viewer..
No, you cant fix me.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Jun 15, 2025

Idolaboi

Mixed Feelings

This anime isn’t your typical romance story. Instead of idealizing love, it explores the harsh realities that can unfold in a relationship, showing that not everything is beautiful or perfect when feelings are involved. It raises an important question: Is love alone enough to sustain a relationship, or is there something more?

Honestly, it hits close to home and reflects the darker sides of modern relationships and human behavior. The story is simple on the surface, but its development keeps you engaged. While some parts are predictable, the ending was unexpected, though I didn’t find it entirely satisfying, it still felt appropriate for the story.

In short, ... this anime leans more toward a realistic take on romance, revealing how messy and complicated love can truly be.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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May 12, 2025

nxsoz

Not Recommended

Scum’s Wish had the potential to be a compelling exploration of flawed relationships and emotional desperation, but it ultimately falls short. Instead of delivering genuine depth, much of the drama feels contrived—like an edgy, surface-level take on human connection that mistakes toxicity for complexity.

The unnecessary inclusion of certain taboo elements (particularly the pseudo-incestuous undertones) adds nothing of value to the narrative. Rather than enhancing the story, it comes across as cheap shock bait, catering to controversy rather than meaningful storytelling.

There are glimpses of a good foundation here—loneliness, unrequited love, and the messiness of desire could have made for a poignant drama. Unfortunately, the execution leans ... too heavily into melodrama and hollow provocation, wasting its potential.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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