It is this latter part that Net-juu no Susume gets so well. Real life can be hard and painful. Work and school are stressful, and interaction with people in real life that seem to have so little in common can also be a struggle more than a savoir. And that is where MMOs and other forms of escapism come in. And while the show is focused on MMOs, it’s experience translates very well to anyone who has spent a good deal of their time and interactions online. I personally rarely played MMOs, but because I’ve been online for so long I could understand exactly what she was going through and exactly how she felt.
Furthermore, one of the benefits of these online personas is it enables the user to showcase themselves in ways that they can’t in real life. For example for the two main characters they are able to play as characters whose genders are different from what they are. And this is quite important, it allows for a more wider view of the world as well as lets one experience life in a way that they may feel more comfortable with or more in tune with. It’s another part of them that they’re able to expose and act upon, one that might be locked up if interactions were purely in person. I know this very well from personal experience as my online persona is different from my offline one. And honestly I’d say my online persona is more true to how I am, especially considering some groups that I interact with. It’s hard to exhibit traits that go against the socieital norms in person but online it’s easy. No one has to know how you’re supposed to bound, you get to act however you feel like. And that power goes a long way to show the bonds that the characters have and it’s unique authenticity.
Bonds are not just exhibits of proximity but something that can transcend time and space. And in Net-juu they show that very clearly with the bond that the guild has. They don’t know each other in real life. They all came together on a shared interest and with that they’re able to make friends and get close. So close to the point that Lily and Hayashi are able to have deep and meaningful conversations about their lifes and the struggles that each of them face. It’s a touching relationship and it’s wonderful to see two friends that trust and care for each other so much.
Net-juu isn’t trying to judge, it’s accepting of the different factors that lead people to choose the life that they decided to choose. Why can’t the two main characters meet online and form a strong bond with that? Why can’t Moriko decide to give up her business life in favor of becoming a NEET? Being a NEET isn’t only about being talent-less and lazy, it’s about stress and all sorts of issues that one might not be able to deal with. For Moriko there is a clear understanding of the issues of business life and the effect that it had on her mental state. It is also clear how much the game means to her as a release, as somewhere where she can feel happy. She isn’t a talent-less loser, and in fact she was great at her job by all accounts, but it just goes to show what issues and problems that one can have that leads them down the life that they choose.
While Net-juu’s strength is in communicating these atypical lifestyles it also creates a great romance as well. Because we get to see the main love interests interact with each other without pretense, in a format that allows them to truly bond, we’re able to see the natural connection and chemistry that is exhibited between them. So while the love interest parts in real life may be a bit samey and tropey, they’re only enhanced by how real and meaningful it feels in the game.
Not only that but it’s able to make a unique show by focusing on a woman who had been well established in the work force rather than the proliferation of young teens that usually dominate romcoms. And while I have no problem with them (and in fact quite like them) this certainly comes as a breath of fresh air while also providing a different perspective that is easier for some to relate to. The characters are also well designed and showcase an array of strengths and weaknesses. Moriko has strengths and weaknesses, and her insecurities related to her position, despite the skills that she does have, is one elements that most people who are jobless can relate to.
All of this does wonders for establishing their relationship as one to root for. The show may stick itself in common romance tropes but the things it does different are done different enough to make the show impactful and heartwarming. And that’s all that it really needs. It’s not a masterpiece of art design or sound quality, and in fact is more around average in those two criteria, but rather a well designed romance that showcases a unique experience while also providing loveable characters to get engrossed in. I recommend this to any romance fan, or anyone who wants to see how bonds online can work. Because this show nails it. After all it doesn’t matter if it’s online or offline, love is love, and while the show explores both, it shows a unique experience that can only be made online. One that I’ve myself experienced and enjoyed. And to be a good romance on top of that? Wonderful.
