Reviews

Sep 19, 2021
Preliminary (197/? chp)
Tomoko is iconic. Weird to say, but people who have never watched this anime or picked up a single chapter of this manga know Tomoko. They are a meme. And that meme is usually centered on a complete loser.

Watamote (shorthand of the much longer title) is fantastic. Yes it has a major shift at some point in the series, yes it is not the same lately, but I think this is a deliberate choice in showing growth. This manga has been going on for a few years, people who related to Tomoko probably graduated before she did (or rather, will seeing as she is still in school). But let's look at how that affects the story.

In the beginning Tomoko is a mess, debilitatingly so. It is basically a mental illness, her ability to communicate is non existent. She is alienated from others, her interactions are only through the virtual. This is played up for comedy, but overall it is a sad state to be in. Even early on Tomoko is affected by the kindness of others, because overall the message of the manga is already showing. People tend to attract each other. No one wants to be alone. Later, Tomoko begins making friends through circumstance. Completely at random, friendships are made. Honestly, my friends are all circumstance. I never tried, it just happened. Tomoko experiences that as well.

People might dislike the newer volumes, but it is supposed to show growth, hopefully experienced by you as well. Tomoko no longer stutters, she no longer feels alone and isolated. Hell, at times she feels like she has no free time to herself anymore and laments it, but comes to the conclusion that she feels more fulfilled being "forced" to do things with others. She even says oh no i'm becoming normal. Her friends reassure her she isn't normal, that's why they like her.

Tomoko doesn't "change" to fit a mold, she's still herself. Yet, the perspectives of others and her constant growth eventually brings her to a new "way" of being herself. She's still true, but has the advantage of a loving group of people. There are still jokes, they just shifted to a more school centered gag marathon than just Tomoko going "guaaaaaaaah" for the 50th time. Everyone goes "guaaaaaaaah" sometimes, but they can still have friends.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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