Alternative Titles
English: Welcome to the N.H.K.
Synonyms: NHK ni Youkoso!
Japanese: N・H・Kにようこそ！
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 24
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jul 10, 2006 to Dec 18, 2006
Producers: Gonzo, FUNimation EntertainmentL
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Psychological
Duration: 24 min. per episode
Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
Review:
Story 10/10
The main plot is about Tatsuhiro Satou who is living for a few years already as a so-called NEET (Not engaged in Education, Employment or Training) and hikikomori (someone who barely leaves his house and locks himself in his own room, hiding from society or even from the own family) in his apartment in Tokyo. One day he comes to the conclusion that he must be the victim of the evil NHK (Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai),an association existing in Tatsuhiro's mind, with has the purpose of making normal people to hikikomoris in order to look down on them. One day he makes the acquaintance of a young lady named Misaki Nakahara. Tatsuhiro thinks that she's part of the NHK. The fact that she seems to help him selflessly, encourages his thoughts about that evil organization and her membership. With his apartment neighbour and former schoolfriend Kaoru Yamazaki, he's producing a dating computer game for the time being which ends up in a lot of verbally violent conflicts. Further on Misaki tries to cure Tatsuhiro of his hikikomori-behaviour by giving him numerous lessons in the evenings on a bench in a nearby park.
The story lacks complexity making it easy and relaxing to watch. Although the story is not breathtaking and may become a little bit boring at some points, I'd still say that all in all it's still pretty good. Being a slice-of-life anime, the progression is moderate and action sequences are practical non-existing. The whole plot brings us nearer to the Japanese society and its many hardships which is an interesting topic in fact.
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.
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.
Enjoyment 10/10
I enjoyed every second of the approximately 8 hours long story and it seemed to me like one long-lasting movie (in a positive way).
Apart from the touching drama, the comedy is hilariously funny.
This series has definitely exceeded all my expectations and i could watch it over and over again!
Gonzo has demonstrated that it is in fact capable of producing magnificient masterpieces despite its numerous average shows.
The main plot is about Tatsuhiro Satou who is living for a few years already as a so-called NEET (Not engaged in Education, Employment or Training) and hikikomori (someone who barely leaves his house and locks himself in his own room, hiding from society or even from the own family) in his apartment in Tokyo. One day he comes to the conclusion that he must be the victim of the evil NHK (Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai),an association existing in Tatsuhiro's mind, with has the purpose of making normal people to hikikomoris in order to look down on them. One day he makes the acquaintance of a young lady named Misaki Nakahara. Tatsuhiro thinks that she's part of the NHK. The fact that she seems to help him selflessly, encourages his thoughts about that evil organization and her membership. With his apartment neighbour and former schoolfriend Kaoru Yamazaki, he's producing a dating computer game for the time being which ends up in a lot of verbally violent conflicts. Further on Misaki tries to cure Tatsuhiro of his hikikomori-behaviour by giving him numerous lessons in the evenings on a bench in a nearby park.
The story lacks complexity making it easy and relaxing to watch. Although the story is not breathtaking and may become a little bit boring at some points, I'd still say that all in all it's still pretty good. Being a slice-of-life anime, the progression is moderate and action sequences are practical non-existing. The whole plot brings us nearer to the Japanese society and its many hardships which is an interesting topic in fact.
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.
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.
Enjoyment 10/10
I enjoyed every second of the approximately 8 hours long story and it seemed to me like one long-lasting movie (in a positive way).
Apart from the touching drama, the comedy is hilariously funny.
This series has definitely exceeded all my expectations and i could watch it over and over again!
Gonzo has demonstrated that it is in fact capable of producing magnificient masterpieces despite its numerous average shows.
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