The heroine's surname Kuroki, not an uncommon name in Japan, literary means Black Tree, implying the dark and subdued mindset of the awkward teenage girl. Tomoko is a very common, even forgettable, and slightly old fashioned first name in the 21st century Japan, i.e. her name is neither ''cute'' nor ''cool'' name for an anime heroine.
WataMote was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America and MVM Films in the United Kingdom. It was simulcast by Crunchyroll during its original run.
Episode 1 was previewed at a screening in Akihabara Gamers, Tokyo on June 29, 2013. Regular broadcasting began on July 9, 2013.
Based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by two people under the pseudonym Nico Tanigawa. It began serialization on Square Enix's Gangan Online service in August 2011 and is published by Yen Press in North America.
A 4-panel spin-off manga of the original manga manga was serialized in Gangan Joker between January 2013 and July 2015.