MINDSET:
Wait, GONZO is making an Anime not about horrible CGI and fan service?
SYNOPSIS:
NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) is a type of social outcast who always stays inside of the house, and as he/she refuses to leave to the outside world due to major psychological issues and is not in employment. Satou a 22 year-old man as our protagonist, is a NEET himself, thinks everything is a conspiracy and is truly their just to be manipulated by the “NHK”. As he is in desperation to find a cure of he's infection by getting out there for a job is far too frightening for him. Until he was commissioned for an option to take a project to stop himself from being in such a horrendous mess in he's life.
REVIEW:
Anime that lean over the concept of NEETS, Hikikamori and the Otaku world tend to be far too light hearted for me to take them with actual seriousness, like how in Oreimo, Kouska being a hardcore Otaku is more of a character quirk and is more focused with her incest relationship of her brother, but even such concept is redeemed spoilt because Anime has to sugar coat the controversy having an inhumane moral saying, “its OK to have sex with Your sister kids!” or look at this poor Lolicon living as a NEET is a realistic example on how to live as a master detective!
However; NHK steps up like a man, spits on its own hand and shakes the hands of the audience with legitamate respects regarding its unconventional themes and subject matter, while making rather dark jokes on its duration.
Though mature, You can't help Yourself but to at least have a smirk on Your face on its dark comedic humour that it isn't too slap-stick as a your normal comedy, but has very fitting awkwardness to fit the hilarity of the situation, like how Kaoru an Otaku first meeting Satou saying on how much he loves dating sims and hentai games, and to be real here, this is like the only Anime when there were times that made me legitimately laugh! What I love about the comedy is also how this exaggeration can also be interoperated in real life, which makes feel much more entertaining.
Characterisation blended with mature conceptualisation tend to feel contradictory with most shows airing, but its obvious that NHK does this very right since in some way, the characters relate themselves to real-life human situations, like an identity crisis, financial danger, society having more acceptance with Otaku culture etc. You get a really good grasp with there situation, and it all feels rather humanely realistic.
Each character develops in some way shape or form, but what really sells this show is when it says it is psychological, it truly is psychological. You really do see the characters going through different kinds of despair, like being alone, hopelessness, without meaning, the show constantly gives You some very mature insight of what the characters are actually going through, unlike what most Anime these days either being made for escapism or failing to respect the audience.
NHK has a very character driven narrative, it centres itself around it while making You laugh with dark tid bits of humour. I couldn't say that much of the story, except that the ending, wasn't as Amazing, but it did felt like a solid conclusion.
GONZO is actually doing a one time only job when its not actually mixing action with bouncy jugs with horrible CGI, its nothing too special, and is only sufficient for its job. In fact, what I mostly loved of the Animation was the lack of CGI and big bouncy juggernauts to distract me in the first place. It has a nice, clean and very consistent budget, though character designs are a bit more unique than usual and only have 0 to 3 shades of colour, the animation is very sufficient, nothing note worthy, but its nice anyways.
Listening to the rather peaceful yet rather uniquely calm OST, I do feel as its more than efficient and relaxing to listen to than most OST I listen these days. It mixes a lot of instruments, like acoustic and electrical guitars, peaceful singing, sprinkled sound effects, drums, pianos etc. It feels different, but it really fits the mood quite perfectly for its deep sense of realism and dark under tones. Though the metal I don't really like. As for the OP, it gets You into the mood, but skip the ED since it does seem bizarre in my tongue, and it does have its fair share of more intense and sombre songs.
LEGACY:
Most of the modern shows tend to be more relient on escapism and sugar coating such topics, and some create the illusion that its actually discussing these moralic issues in modern society, but its not even trying in reality, like Oreimo or Watamote etc. (I'm looking at You Hollow!)
Such Anime like this, come in every decade or two. (if not, ever) It steps out from the whole business side of things, and finally treats the audience like adults while it becomes one of the most cherished and most valued works of the Japanese Animated mediums of history. Will it still just a cherished by the fan base 8 decades later? YES. (and I also agree with the fan base)
SCORES:
8/10 – It centers around such characters psychology in a very mature manner.
7.5/10 – For the story centering around such concepts that would not be taken seriously if it was made for the more main stream appeal.
6.5/10 – Sufficient Animation, yet a bit different.
6.5/10 – Nice OST, with a large range of emotion it covers.
8/10 – Because this Anime took me seriously, and took everyone seriously with respect! *Bows down GONZO*
FINALE: 8.5/10!
