Welcome to the NHK is a psychological shoujo anime that would fall into the slice of life, comedy, and romance categories.The story follows Satou, a 22 year old college drop-out who has given into his fears and has become a hikikomori. (Hikikomori's are people who are so reclusive that they won't leave their own home, and in some cases have an extreme fear of doing so.) He believes everything to be a conspiracy, and that there is an organization behind it all. The NHK. (Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai) Which in reality, he has made up as an excuse for his own fears. He lives out his days in his apartment having conversations with his appliances and only going to get food at a convenience store late at night. That is until one day a girl and her Aunt knock on his door trying to sell something to him. That's when the girl decides to make him her project and cure him of his "disease".
And so the story begins...
I have to say this anime is one of the strangest shows I have ever watched. And that's saying something. This show can manage to draw you in, while still being completely ridiculous. I think what's so compelling about this show is that the characters are very real. Their emotions and short comings are things you see in real people. Of course it's anime so everything is over the top, but that's what makes it fun.
So you have the main character Satou who is a complete screw up and when he's not completely pitiable, he's being an ass. Then Misaki, the girl who decides that she's going to cure him. Misaki is one of the most fascinating characters you will run into in a series. There is a lot of mystery surrounding her past, and why she wants to help Satou. In fact you don't find out her ulterior motive for helping him until near the end.
Then there's Yamazaki, Satou's neighbor who also happened to be his junior in high school. Satou and Yamazaki shared a short incident in school together, and after finding out that they're neighbors become friends. Yamazaki becomes an important character in the series, and is probably the most likable.
The whole cast of characters in this show are original with strong personalities that complement each other. They all have their own quirks and flaws which really helps flesh them out. In fact most of the characters have more bad qualities than good which makes them seem more realistic.
You follow Satou through his whole journey starting with admitting he is, indeed, a hikikomori. Watching him struggle through his problems is a hilarious trip of it's own. Like, for example, when he's feeling anxiety about doing something his appliances gain faces and encourage him not to do it and that it's all a conspiracy planted by the NHK.
Another great thing about this show is that they're not afraid to make the characters look ugly. People aren't perfect, and they don't look perfect all the time either. You see Satou in so many stages as he works through his problems you feel like you personally know him, and even understand him.
And Satou isn't the only one with issues throughout the series. All the characters are struggling in their own way to find themselves and make a place in the world. All this is done while keeping a light and airy atmosphere. How they managed that I don't know, but it's very impressive and makes it a very enjoyable anime that you get a lot of laughs out of.
Now the animation isn't anything grand. There are times the faces look off and nothing is very detailed. It's so-so and could have been a lot better but it's nothing that should turn you away from the show. The facial expressions are over-exaggerated which makes them hilarious and the voice acting is superb. The soundtrack suits the show and helps make a lot of the scenes. Especially the ones between Satou and Yamazaki.
Overall I give Welcome to the NHK an 8/10. The story is fun but manages to keep a serious undertone about it. The comedy comes in at the perfect times and you're laughing more than you're not. I highly recommend it for people who enjoy a bit of drama and a whole lot of silliness.
Oh, and something interesting I learned after watching this was that hikikomoris actually exist. I had never heard of a hikikomori and I assumed it was made up for the show. I was reading a news article about it and it's actually really sad!
Anyway, that's all for tonight.
Till next time
