Reviewing Animeigo's release of the first 40 episodes of the anime, Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network wrote that "Yawara!" seamlessly blends romance, humor, life hurdles and sports intrigue. He strongly praised Yawara Inokuma's character and noted that the series is far more focused on romance and coming of age than it is judo. The reviewer finished by lamenting that they do not make anime like this anymore, as they seem to have forgotten the appeal of a simple story told well; "Yawara!" "is quite simply, the most purely enjoyable series in years." Kimlinger went on to pick Yawara Inokuma as his 2008 Character of the Year and called her "possibly the most insanely likeable character ever devised—all the more so because she is as flawed, selfish and naive as any real adolescent girl." While including the series on a list of the best anime from 1989, his colleague Daryl Surat wrote that she inspired numerous fighting video game characters. Namely in the "Street Fighter" series where Ibuki has a similar background and temperament, and Karin Kanzuki is very similar to Sayaka Honami.