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With a medium-sized cast of characters, Genshiken provides a rich and realistic portrayal of otaku life, showing the otaku as not necessarily a positive or negative subculture, but simply one that is.

The characters designs are unique, with distinct yet reasonably subdued designs backed by an elaborately detailed look at the otaku world around them. The artwork changes significantly over time, but it manages to remain at a high quality all throughout. The only point in which the art suffers a little is in the volume 8 4-panel comics.

The series can be divided into roughly two parts, with the arrival of the character Chika Ogiue. Her appearance results in a gradual shift from a more general view of otaku life to more personal character studies, prioritizing their lives as human beings over the fact that they are otaku. However, that should not be cause for alarm, as the characters remain true to their existence, and the story Shimoku Kio proves is emotionally satisfying.

I cannot recommend Genshiken enough.

Summary: Genshiken starts off good. Then Ogiue appears. Which turns it from good to great. No, great isn't a sufficiently positive adjective for it.

So I'll say that Genshiken turns from good to Ogiue. read more