Ever wondered if the life of a hikikomori all it's cracked up to be? Do you know what it takes to be a "hikikomori?"
Well look no further. My latest Spotlight of this creatively contrived series - a series that is poised to strike a resounding chord in the hearts and minds of many anime fans - could very well be the doorway to your favorite anime of 2006. If it is, feel free to thank me later. ^^;
Name: Tatsuhiro Satou |  'I am a failure as a human.' |
Have you ever wanted to retreat beneath a rock, never wanting to emerge from your own self-proclaimed prison to face the world? Have you ever felt as if your existence within society is no longer welcomed, let alone necessary?
 Satou's tangible lifestyle summed up. |
For a young man with broken dreams, now pressed into a life as a hikikomori for 4 years and still going strong, it seems as though Satou's life has lost all meaning to him. Sleeping at least 16 hours a day, only leaving his room for obtaining cup ramen, while living amongst cigarette butts, beer cans, and emptied containers of filth has become first nature...literally. Conforming to the sadistic words of his high school sempai, that he is a victim of a distinct and powerful conspiracy, Satou submerges into the depths of a surrealistic fantasy that is bent on keeping him captive for the rest of his life - a conspiracy known solely under the acronym "NHK", or Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai. When a magazine solicitor shows up at his door, a girl by the name of Misaki Nakahara, is accompanying her. Satou's own xenophobic- like thoughts of Misaki soon ties them into a face-to-face meeting, in which she claims that joining her "project" will release him from his hikikomori ways. After years of seclusion, can Satou possibly trust this confident, mysterious stranger? What's more, does Satou even want to be saved?
 Satou-kun, you do realize you are talking to your appliances, right? |
Satou using all available brain cells to figure a way out of a bothersome situation.
NHK Ni Youkoso! expertly blends together the feat of parody on various levels and paralleling it to what certain persons have found themselves experience in reality and, perhaps, in the shadowed lair of their subconscious. Satou's very realistic lifestyle has the capacity to draw in the curious and the reclusive - whether you are classified as an otaku or not. The curious will be intrigued of what good could possibly become of Satou & the storyline; the reclusive may find themselves instantly seeing pieces of Satou in themselves. That is the intial key to the sheer success of what has, thusfar, been a stellar series. Admittingly, those who crave action/adventure and frown upon a series that refuses to start off with a bang will probably write this off as mundane and lacking any possibility of being worth one's time. But...and this is a very BIG but (no pun intended)...as one who actually chose NHK Ni Youkoso!, based off of my curiosity of the title, as a random series to view, I do not regret it for a second. In fact, to have missed such an addictive, well-written, very well-paced anime would have been a sin in itself. Not to mention GONZO thought it worthwhile to animate.
 Misaki pushing Satou to join her "project." |
This is my sincere request to you. Watch this series. Be ensnared with unabated curiosity, as I promise you will hardly become as the "cat." I would not classify this anime under shounen or shoujo - NHK Ni Youkoso! is for anyone. You will be absolutely be taken aback at how rapidly this seemingly stiltted storyline is unpacked - lovable, original characters, drama, plot twists, and, most of all, countless moments that will keep you laughing on the edge of your seat craving the next episode. If you've been looking for something breathtakingly creative - a bit FLCLish, only without the repetitive "WTF!" mindtrip and spinoff anime references - amusing, and quite possibly intoxicatingly nostalgic to watch, and haven't yet decided on which of the new fall series tickle your fancy, catch up with NHK Ni Youkoso!. Don't be left behind in the NHK conspiracy; you could be a victim and not even know it.
Hmm... This article didn't even sound like me.. Bwahahaha!! *evil laugh* Thanks Anime-Source for the article!!
Whatnot, I really love this animé. I watched the animé and read the manga. I really really like this one because I see myself in Satou. :P lol.
Anyway, This series, has just been started to be uploaded in crunchyroll.. Watch it HERE NAO!!!
ja ne~
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