Watamote has come a long way in expanding the narrative it wants to tell. The major shift was, of course, Tomoko making friends. But it’s beyond that now. Recent chapters have widened the scope to potentially include elements such as updated character designs, LGBTQ dynamics, and in this case, fanservice. Will this subversion of expectations bring the series to greater heights, or will it finally fall victim to jumping the shark?

Chapter 155: Because I’m Not Popular, I’ll Grope Them



This is such a picturesque splash page. Almost makes you forget what the chapter is titled.

Hooray for Above Average Performance! Noting particularly stands out in terms of her best and worst subjects (though I wonder what’s the difference in the two English classes).

Exchanging grades, now? Why that’s illicit sexual activity, Miss Asuka!

Funnily enough, a bunch of us fans were stereotyping her to that extent. Of course, shallow stereotypes are not this series’ thing, so I don’t think it’s out of the question for Katou to be a bit dim. It would fall into her ever-growing list of unexpected characteristics, after all.

Let it never be said that Tomoko doesn’t have a vivid imagination.

Interesting set of fantasies, I must say. Cabaret hostess is nothing new, as it’s Tomoko’s near-wet dream. The Token Hot Councilwoman idea actually focuses on the perception of Katou than the actual job. And the last one is the most out there, though I guess working in cybercrime companies plays off her protective nature. In every case, Katou is sadly relegated to “eye candy” roles with little authoritative power.

Damn, wasn’t expecting that. As for where that proclivity came from, perhaps Katou comes from a mixed family and English is spoken frequently at her home?

The surprises just keep on coming with this girl.

So Katou was actually saying all those “clean” dirty words in plain English, and it wasn’t just present in the translation? That’s an extra layer of humor I didn’t realize I needed.

Wait a minute.

Does…does that mean Katou wants to be a po–

I’d mark this as half-unexpected, half-expected. Tomoko’s knowledge of media literacy and modern literature probably helped her develop some English as a byproduct. But at the same time, reading comprehension can only go so far in furthering your linguistics.

On the one hand: Another date with Katou!

On the other hand: Ew, work.

While I do think that Nemo plays up the whole “ditzy, genki girl” shtick at times, I’ve never really seen her as an airhead. A bit naïve at times, but not to the extent that Yuu is. Of course, Tomoko’s probably exaggerating that side of Nemo’s to suit her own expectations.

I can’t tell if Tomoko is more upset at the fact that Nemo is better than her, if only slightly, or because they’re on the same wavelength academically. Similarities with your rivals can be more frustrating than differences, after all.

Mediocre minds think alike.

As for why Yuri’s relatively decent at civics, I think it’s because Yuri is actually acknowledgeable about socialization, even if she doesn’t practice it herself. A common trait among introverts is being aware of how other personalities and behaviors are accepted in society, how to avoid them when necessary, and when you have friends that will accept the “uncivil” part of you. In short, Yuri can fake it till she makes it.

This would look a whole lot cuter (okay, it still is) if Yuri didn’t look so devious. Girl, I know you’re secretly hoping that you and Tomoko will go to the same college, and that your chances are better if you aim for something easier, and while I can understand how you must feel, that’s still some twisted thinking right there.

Well done.

She says that as though she’s already taught someone before. You think Yuri’s being legit, or is it just another one of her defensive lies?

So that’s Ka-who, I mean–Kaho. This series’ quotient of freckled girls is pretty high.

Now, I’m well aware that these particular words were probably packaged together at random, and only a nit-picking nerd with too much time on their hands would try to overanalyze a pack of flashcards.

But…nope. I can’t shake off the feeling that the words “motherhood”, “suicide”, and “popular” are all connected to Katou somehow, and that’s honestly really freakin’ scary if you think about it.

I really enjoy when Ikko’s art goes full-on shoujo mode. It makes Tomoko’s more perverted moments even more stupidly hilarious.

Um…what? Katou, honey, she’s trying to get into college. Not become an Ambassador of Foreign Relations.

For goodness’s sake, those bedroom eyes, At this point, Tomoko-vision and Katou’s actual appearance are one and the same.

Let’s be honest here. Could you resist a face like this? I thought so.

When you’ve coasted your whole life just putting in the minimum effort, actual hard work can be a huge dose of reality. It’s even more stressful when it comes to studying. It’s a lot harder to meet the higher standards of the one you’re working with, but it’s generally more acceptable than bringing the other person down to your level. It’s a rock and a hard place, Tomoko’s caught in right now.

Something tells me that Katou has very little experience with the word, “No”.

Sometimes characters subvert the stereotype, sometimes they’re played exactly as you’d expect. But even you meet everyone’s expectations like the Delinquent Trio, their dynamics feel organic enough that it doesn’t feel cliché. Even stereotypes can be multi-faceted if given enough care.

Coolest Girl™ has entered the party!

Tomoko has logged off.

I’m sensing a relapse on the horizon. Whenever Tomoko meets someone new, she’s always had an existing friend by her side to calm her nerves. Without that support beam, Tomoko feels even more isolated than she would all alone. Katou is there, but Tomoko still perceives this “distance” between them. Like she said before, she could split the cringe with others, but on her own, she’ll have to take the full brunt of the impact.

The ball’s in your court now, Tomoko. What play will you go for?



I wonder if that’s an in-joke on how Ucchi was incorrectly named, “Sasaki” in an old translation…

By the way, does anybody have a Character Relationship Chart somewhere that they update every time a new character shows up? The one I made eons ago is way outdated.

Poor Tomoko will never cease to be Katou’s bitch.

Putting aside the fact that Tomoko uses sexual harassment as a means for relaxation, it’s no surprise that these study sessions were a lot more easygoing. For one, Tomoko didn’t have to compete with anyone’s standard academically. She only had to exceed her current level, which probably didn’t require any tremendous effort. Two, she didn’t have to worry about looking like a model student in front of her study-mates, who either accept or don’t care how Tomoko looks.

Third and most importantly, she had a Yuu-chan plushie to motivate them.

Remember when it was revealed that Komiyama says some really creepy shit under her breath when she’s in the zone?

Turns out sick minds think alike.

Also, GOD DAMN, Tomoko!

Is it nostalgic in here, or is it just me?

It’s been a while seen we’ve had one of Tomoko’s full-on cringe moments, crazy faces and all. Nico Tanigawa’s still got it.

EXCUSE ME?!?!?!?

Reading this chapter retrospectively, this is actually a VERY important panel.

Katou’s behavior during this whole incident has been veering dangerously close to gratuitous fanservice level, one that is so unheard of for this series. If they had played in straight, I would’ve legitimately criticized it, but what brings it back into reality is that it acknowledges through these three girls that Katou actually is unrealistic. The teasing is called out in-universe, and I have to give props for the mangaka for pulling such a risky move.

Narita is a freak confirmed.

The strange thing is..Fuuka’s right. I don’t think there’s ever been a time where Katou was joking around. The Katou we know has always been absolutely sincere in everything she says and does. The fact that she’s starting to do it is really a testament to how her totally platonic friendship with Tomoko has truly impact–

EXCUSE ME?!?!?!?

Katou is unironically the most terrifying character in the whole series.

Just look at the way Tomoko looks so utterly petrified, drowning in sweat from head to toe, and how she’s crumpling her skirt so fiercely. And there’s Katou, who is completely unfazed while she’s unknowingly(?) scaring the girl out of her wits.

For once, we are all completely in Tomoko’s shoes.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Katou is seriously an enigma.

It’s easy to read Katou’s words as sexually open-minded that borders on pandering to the yuri community. And who knows? Maybe Nico Tanigawa just decided to throw caution to the wind and make Katou openly gay.

But the chapter sets up this whole exchange as something being ‘off’ about Katou’s personality. Is it ignorance, manipulation, or something darker? The fact that Katou seems so innocent actually paints her as also a victim as well as an aggressor. It’s fanservice on the surface level, but haunting underneath that surface.

Oh, right. Tomoko actually has a conscious.

I didn’t realize she was deliberately invoking those sexual harassment tropes where she can perform them on a level without consequences (fyi, it’s not acceptable on any level). A nasty perv she may be, but Tomoko would never intentionally cause anyone real harm.

The more Katou acts like a stereotypical fanservice character, the more I worry there’s something seriously wrong in that head of hers.

Is this like one of those “ruined for marriage” things where an unmarried girl has her virginity taken if someone sees her undergarments? Nice to finally see the line where Tomoko’s pureness and impureness finally cross.

Thank you background-soon-to-be-foreground characters for reading our minds.

Katou’s doing the Yuu thing where she’s putting on a smile that is so obviously masking her anxiety. She’s even got the sweat drops and everything.

If Katou really does have some dark backstory, or if she really does like Tomoko in that way, it’ll make everything she’s done thus far so much more traumatizing in retrospect.

Can Anna get her own spin-off, please?

The dynamic between Yoshida and Reina truly is something special. They’re so transparent with each other, giving each other heavy amounts of shit while using that as a basis for their tighter-than-tight bond. Let it never be said that delinquents never look out for their own.

Now THIS is the kind of “fanservice” I can get behind.

For one, Yoshida is a badass chick, but we already knew that. But giving Tomoko a ride on a scooter is the kind of audience-pleaser idea that is technically random, but still within the realm of plausibility for Yoshida and Tomoko’s characters. And most importantly, it’s a perfect representation of Yoshida’s role in Tomoko life: dangerously protective. Katou may be the mom Tomoko wants, but Yoshida is the mom Tomoko needs.

Now Yoshida just needs to give Yuri and Mako a ride, and I can die happy.

That’s a death flag if I ever saw one.

Tomoko may be freaking out a little, but make no mistake. You can tell she’s having a blast right now. While cruising around in a hotrod may not be her thing for an introvert like her, Tomoko is still appreciative of activities that give you an adrenaline rush. Like she often says, “I’ve always wanted to try it, at least once.”

In a way, this may be the most intimate conversation Tomoko and Yoshida have ever had. It’s easy to think that asking Yoshida personal questions like that would be difficult, but the thrill of riding is alleviating some of that resistance Tomoko had.

Naturally, even a friendly discussion between these two is full of unintended insults and backhanded compliments.

Side note, this whole scene would be amazing in anime form. Just the thought of Tomoko and Yoshida yelling over the scooter’s motor while the wind blows in their faces as uplighting music rises makes me long for the season two we’ll never get.

Sometimes, I wonder if Tomoko is so perverted that she’ll do perverted things without even trying to be perverted.

After narrowly escaping the “evil” clutches of Katou’s endless charm and grace, I can’t blame Tomoko for craving a little normalcy. After Katou ironically perverted Tomoko’s perversions, her comfort zone was calling out to her.

If the whole writing thing doesn’t work out for you, Tomoko, you’ll make one hell of a pimp. If Komi heard this, she’d kill both of you and then herself on the spot.

If even after all this, Yoshida still doesn’t realize that Tomoki is Tomoko’s brother, then there is definitely no helping her.

Glad to see that Tomoko has her priorities in check.

So in the end, Katou remains untainted. It’s probably for the best, both for Tomoko’s character and narratively speaking. Tomoko has gained a lot these past almost-three years, and at times, she gets ahead of herself. But when “opportunities” like Katou come by to spoil her, learning to resist temptation is just another one of the things Tomoko has to figure out.

As for the narrative, I think it’s an indication that Nico Tanigawa are gaming the system a little. To avoid claims of fanservice, or otherwise be accused of pandering too hard, they slowly introduce interesting developments bit by bit to create a natural progression that comes to exist before anyone even notices. It might sound sneaky, but so long as they commit to what they suggest, Tomoko’s growth will always be in earnest.

Even if at the end of the day, Tomoko just wants to grab dem titties.

