Dec 14, 2009
Going into this series, I didn't know what to expect and had no idea what it was about. I assumed it would be good because of reviews I had seen on different websites, but nothing prepared me for how funny, immersive and tragic N-H-K is. I only hesitate to use the word "deep" because of how that word has been tainted by being used to describe even the most shallow and simple anime.
Despite being able to stand as a great anime on its humour alone, the real beauty of N-H-K comes from its exploration of the depths of human misery and loneliness and its excellent
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portrayal of weak and desperate people who are all suffering in their own way. We are introduced to characters struggling with their crushing social anxieties, phobias, self-worth, confidence, dark pasts and ultimately, their uncertainty of whether their lives are worth living.
I don’t think another anime exists that so perfectly balances the vast array of emotions and content Welcome to the N-H-K has. At times it’s hilarious while at others it’s confusing, suspenseful, dramatic or sad. Romantic, conspiracy and psychological themes such as suicide, escapism, and the most relevant, hikikomori, are all wonderfully expressed. References from Japanese pop-culture and otaku and lolicon sub-culture are drawn from, most of which even a casual anime viewer can appreciate. It's just a little touch that adds to the uniqueness and feel of the series.
All in all this was a refreshing anime to see... It had been a while since another anime had touched me the way N-H-K did. If you like anime like Evangelion, Lain or Paranoia Agent because of their psychological content, you should enjoy Welcome to the NHK just as much.
But even if those types of anime aren’t your cup of tea, Welcome to the NHK’s comedy and story can still satisfy you. The story is not as abstract and confusing as Lain or Paranoia agent, so don’t be turned off just because it deals with similar themes.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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