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Being a sociologist by qualification and living in Japan, the hikikomori phenomena really makes me think. For that reason, and for actually tackling the issue as the main plot device, NHK got me very interested very quickly.

I finished it in a week, which is very fast for me. I thought it was excellent for the most part, although what initially interested me in the show was not fully treated in the way I would have liked it to be.

Story 8/10 What is a hikikomori? No-one in Japan I've spoken to seems to know, and nor does this anime. It's something of a shame for something so brave as to brand its lead with the affliction, but NHK ni Yousoko can't decide if being a hikikomori is to be lazy, uninitiated, spoiled or a victim of circumstances.

What could have been a very intelligent and still witty expose of the hidden Japanese lifestyle becomes at worse a farce, at best a vivid depiction of the mind of a slovenly, shy person. But that's the problem. I don't think that a hikikomori can be characterised so simply into feelings that the majority of us can easily slip into.

Our hero seems to eternally live in the world of the teenager coming to age. His parents send him money to continue living that lifestyle; so he does. I, for one, certainly went through a phase where staying inside smoking and drinking, playing computer games and watching anime seemed a marvelous way to spend the rest of my life. What happened to me, and pretty much what seems forever inevitably happening to the lead in NHK is that I got bored of it. It was unsatisfying and produced nothing.

For this very reason Satou-kun embarks on various projects to create something; anything. He makes friends (and does so a little too easily to really convince me he is a hikikomori at all), or meets old ones to help him on his way. And they have their problems too, which are certainly not without their charm. The tough issues of the other characters are excellent, and the actually quite dark treatment of several of them cuts like a knife. The lack of 100% happy endings for some is also a brilliant and unpredictable flare of originality.

However, like with a lot of anime, the setting and palate somehow don't quite match the mood for the difficult moments in the series. Apart from the soft and quiet night-setting for the troubled Nakahara-san, and the strained and ultimately horrible but nicely crafted worlds of pyramid schemes and suicide-pacts, the series strays too far from its psychological basis (in plot and design). It also has a tendency to peek behind doors to places it isn't equipped to handle, and is ultimately forced to resolve those plot-lines with below par and unconvincingly pleasant outcomes. That's a bit of a shame, but the strengths elsewhere make it excusable.

Animation 7/10 To add to what I mentioned about the palate and setting, the animation is sometimes very poor. Whether that is deliberate stylisation, or I just had the raw TV version, I don't know.

However, the character designs are nice, and the backgrounds and locations are well rendered and believable.

Sound 7/10 Nothing particularly special here (other than the mighty Odoru Dame Ningen): familiar voices which do a decent job (Japanese), and fairly standard OP and ED. I did like the OP's pleasant balance between Belle and Sebastian and BoA, but it was nothing to skype home about.

Characters 9/10 Satou is clearly the most important character. Maybe I'm missing the point and he isn't even supposed to be a hikkikomori. Maybe that's just his excuse for being so lazy or how he rationalises his lack of social zeal. Whichever way you look at him, he's incredibly interesting. Other characters remain excellent varied creations riffing on the ideas of loneliness, troubled pasts and awkward life-situations. Interestingly the most grounded character, Yamazaki-kun, is the one with the biggest obstacle to overcome - the impossible to over-play pull of Japanese familial responsibilities.

Overall 8.8/10 It's pretty clear from the space given to it above that the story is the most important and significant aspect of the show.

Reading back though it seems as if I haven't really given credit where it's due. The series was exceptional in many ways - in addressing the issues it did (which is a very un-Japanese thing to do), being so left-of-mainstream when doing so, and in its murky yet hopeful perception of the world. I loved it, really, which is very rare for such a bitter and horrible person as myself :D Even when it abandoned the main thrust of the story, took little walks along the beach and played with other peoples kids in a kind of uncomfortable way, afterwards I couldn't help but forgive it. Gonzo created a world so intensely forgivable that it stole my heart. I wanted more but I wasn't angry about it, and that's so close to the ideal way for a series to end that... well, what more is there to say?

First of all, I just want to say, that this is the first anime I've seen that hasn't been about ninjas, samurai, or action in general. It's a story about life, love, hard times, painful memories, and lost souls. The story focuses on a 22 year old college drop out, who spends all his time cooped up in his room. The longer he stays, the more difficult it is to change. I don't want to give any of the story away, but everyone can relate to these characters. They are real, and their words, and actions genuine. A must see for anyone that has ever questioned themselves, or their existence. Makes you want to tell the world about it!

Like 'A Silent Voice' this is, at root, a story about empathy which hits all the right spots. 'Welcome to the NHK!' has and excellent understated eclectic soundtrack and solid animation for its time. The themes it deals with are serious but a healthy dose of humour prevents it from becoming too much of a dismal affair.

It can sometimes be difficult to find anime that resonates with one as an adult. It may take a while to get to that point, but this is definitely one of them. Highly recommended.

Genuinely amazing anime. Great art and animation, voice actors were excellent. The story was funny and inspirational, as well as relatable and painful. The only anime i've ever watched continuously for a day to get from the start to the finish, and I wasn't disappointed with the ending either. From the start to the finish I loved every moment. Such a great anime (and novel). I will be sure to tell anybody I can to watch it! I think when I am older and I come across my old list on anime's I watched years and years ago. This is one anime I will watch and love again. If you haven't read the novel either, then you definitely should! One to keep on your shelves forever!!

The message of this anime, the feeling of being isolated rejected by the world and eventually coming out of that mindset is absolutely worth taking the time out of your day to watch.

If you have ever struggled with anxiety or other social problems, this show will resonate with you.

This anime was awesome. It deals with current cultural problems in japan. A disease were a person secludes themselves from society and locks themselves in. This leads them to not being able to talk to a stranger. While it centers around this, its also one of the funniest animes i've ever seen. Its the only one that's ever left me laughing so hard i'm gasping for air. Its so good i finished the whole series in 1 day. One thing i did not like was the ending, but i guess they cant do the same ending as the manga since they are not really similar. I will not write more since i don't want to give spoilers about it. If you're not satisfied with the ending, i suggest you go read the manga.

This anime is about an N.H.K. (essentially a shut-in with a computer) who meets a girl named Misaki, who for reasons that only become evident much later tries to help him by having meetings in a local park at night. In order for Sato (everyone but his mom calls him by his last name)to get Misaki to leave him alone he and the next door neighbor, a former classmate named Yamazaki who is obsessed with manga and games,devise a gal game of their own. Slowly, Sato has more contact with others. Although meant to be a black comedy at times, it takes the characters seriously and treats the notion of a shut-in fairly seriously. Yes, Sato is seen as a loser, but the story doesn't wholly insult him for that. I recommend this because in its sometimes manic progression of ideas, you want to see everyone happier. Not for children, but the profanity is not too harsh. Give it a try.

This anime delves into the feeling of being alone, being depressed, being stuck in a cycle of self-destructive behavior with no one to assist you and no one to help you. But I also think it shows you how to get yourself out of such a state, out of depression out of confinement and how difficult it can be. It is a story that a lot of lonely people can relate to but also serves as an inspiring message. The main character Sato while being kind of a loser and someone to pity can allow for self reflection unlike any media I have ever experienced. I can't recommend this for someone who wants to understand depression or relate.

Is it wrong to escape when an entire culture seems devoted to escapism? The Japanese phenomenon of the 'NEET' male - the acronym means 'not in employment, education or training' - is explored here in an anime series with an unusually grim and uncompromising tone. The emphasis of the show is on the dark inner psychology of the main character, a typical porn- obsessed 'otaku' who lives in such denial of his 'NEET' status that he sees himself as a victim of a TV network conspiracy to keep him idle and home-bound, while he lies about having a home office business to anyone who asks what he does for a living. A neighbor of his is not fooled however, and seeks to 'rescue' him from his strange social-anxiety riddled existence. The twist is that his strategy for coming back to normalcy requires him to create porno computer games! What follows is not the usual boy-girl zany comedy or way-out fantasy typical of anime series and this may put off anime fans who are looking for more of the same. This is an anti-escapist drama devoted to recovery and re- assimilation into a culture that casts out the unproductive, which casts a harsh and unblinking light upon the world of its main character. His apartment is cramped and dark and littered, and his mind wanders off into unsavory fantasies about the people around him. He may be harmless and part of a growing sub-group, but he is not living a healthy or sane existence by any means and this series pulls no punches in its portrayal of this particular social phenomenon.

Okay, let me start by saying that this anime is great. This anime is not like any other anime where you would expect lot of fighting and adranaline rush, it is an anime about a man who is a hikikomori (modern day hermits/ neet) and how he deals with that. The anime has fantastic story and some moments that makes you question life. It was adapted from a novel.

The theme song and soundtrack is the best and suits the entire theme of anime.

The show is... interesting. The show is mainly about a loser/deadbeat/incel/hikikomori (insert your term of choice). Seems interesting as I'm curious what they are, how they live in Japan, and how there's an anime about it.

I figured it might be a dark, psychological, thriller of some sort.

Turns out the show isn't really about a Hikikomori but it's almost assuming that YOU are the Hikikomori. There's a ton of sexual, perverted, and just weird fetish-ish scenes that are extremely cringy and even downright concerning.

It seems to be a fan service, incel male fantasy, softcore adult show. Most of the story is just random banter and weird scenarios that isn't natural or believable. It's one-dimensional. There aren't a lot of interesting characters. There's no suspense, no buildup, no drama.

I wish they dove more into the psychology of the main characters. Instead, we're put into their head but without any prior context or character building so we don't really feel we care about the characters as they live out a plain fantasy.

I don't usually write reviews, but I felt like I had to write one for this anime. Even though this show was written in a time (the early 2000s) when a NEET person was probably an anomaly, and not the norm, I feel like it's so relevant in the social media driven world we live in today. Although, you won't find a ton of folks exactly like Sato, but you'll definitely find traits of Sato in a lot of young people living in the world in 2025. The world is more connected than ever, and yet young people are more loneliner than ever.

This show explores topics like low self esteem, negative rumination, social anxiety, beautifully. While it's not the most light hearted show in the world, it does have some good bits of comedy sprinkled here and there. The final message of the show makes the whole experience of it worth it. It tells us that it's ok to feel lonely at times, and that life is hard, and all we can do is face each day and give it our best.

You can binge watch it.the plot covers all aSpects of loneliness. Highly recommended.

Welcome to the NHK revolves around Tatsuhiro Satou, a university dropout entering his fourth year of unemployment. He leads a reclusive life as a hikkikomori.

The subject is a very sensitive one and it is fascinating how accurately it has been shown. Everything looked accurate and genuine. You may not be satisfied with the ending but to me, it was perfect. After all, the Yamazaki's character quote - A drama has a progressive thought, an emotional climax and a resolution but our lives aren't like that. All we get day after day are a bunch of vague anxieties that are never really resolved.

Here the character is not trying to make any difference, rather he is occupied with his own struggles. It is as relatable as it could get for people like me. I could literally feel the pain of Satou, the main character. 'A depressing masterpiece'. Full ratings to this one. If only I could give it 12/10.

Well, I finished this anime about 10 seconds ago, so my memory is still pretty fresh. I have to say, I wish this anime ended after 12 episodes. 24 is just too long because, basically, you see the same thing happening all over again all the time. It is a nice watch, got me motivated to do things, but the main character (Satou) is just not likable in any, and I mean ANY way.

The character development just stops at some point and you feel in the middle that it's just empty episodes, prolonging the anime and showing an endless stream of his "hikikomori"-condition (Being a total non-working nerd, basically) getting better and than worsening again. It's a pain. Sato's behavior is, for the most part, unbelievable. He is shown as a rather smart guy, but then he does the stupidest things. It appears to be just done for a laugh or two and it just decreases the quality of the anime.

The series strong-point however are in its serious episodes, like the "Off-Meeting" around the 12th episode. There you get a nice inside view into a hikikomori's life.

In conclusion, just watch it if you are interested in the social phenomenon of being a "hikikomori", but don't expect anything too logical. Towards the end.. it's more an obligation to watch it till the last episode.

The beginning of the anime was good and comedic. However towards the end it just got dull and the ending was just ehh. I wasn't expecting much from it but after half way through it just lost some spark. The characters are interesting and not in a good way. The lead male characters really sell the show and a a good comedy duo. The female lead characters are not good. Written or as a person just a grey cloud in every scene.

The set up of isolation in a big society was done very well. They made sure to build up simple everyday anxieties into panic attacks to an understandable and funny level.

Overall its a good anime to watch if you have some time to kill but definitely not a fan favorite by any means.

Now this is the kind of show one would expect from GONZO, the studio behind beloved Gantz (2004). They have a knack for making gritty shows with 'realistic' characters possessing nuanced, flexible personalities against an ambient, almost lonely thought-provoking setting! This time it's more focused on psychological drama and slice-of-life.

The MC Tatsuhiro Sato is a tall, 22 year old pitiful, impulsive recluse that suffers from the predominant Japanese youngsters habit of the 2000s of being unemployed / college dropout shut-ins or NEETs otherwise called Hikkikamori's in this anime, and his conflicted day-to-day attitude about what he's doing with his life. Which is an absolute riot to see.

Along the way, he has an endearingly helpful neighbor bestfriend/little brother/former junior that is always there for him. And then there's the adorable, mysterious sociopathic girl that for some reason wants to help this stranger get out of his hikkikamori lifestyle. And that's how his days go. It swings from sadness to wholesome to Burst out laughing moments, and it's mostly a flurry of mixed emotions! The music is so beautiful and moody reminiscent of Drive (2011)'s touching soundtrack and the English voice acting is insanely funny, witty and genius! I absolutely loved this anime watching it from January 1 - 7, 2024! 3:05AM.

I started watching almost two years ago and i thinki have watched enough of them to say that anime is truly one of a kind.

My own life has turned a bit like the protagonist saturo after the pandemic and i think that is the case for so many people around me as well. Pandemic has left so many people in the same situation as the protagonist in this show is and that maybe the reason why watching it at this point in my life really makes me think and that to me was the purpose of this show to sit back for a moment and think about what you're doing with your life and to see a person going through same kind of thing, relating to that person in one way or another and try to be better in your way just like he is trying.

Overall the show is dark especially if you relate to the characters but it has a touch of good humor too so you will be able to enjoy it.