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Based on a novel, Welcome to the NHK delves deeply into the life of Tatsuhiro Satou, a troubled hikikomori and NEET obsessed with thoughts of conspiracy and distrust. In telling the story of a hikikomori, this series brings to light in anime aspects of Japanese society that are both real and prevalent. We come to see the world through Satou’s eyes, as he meets the mysterious Misaki Nakahara, a young girl claiming to be able to cure him of his antisocial ways. It is from here that his journey begins.

The series tactfully incorporates a certain dark humor with deeply emotional and psychologically driven characters with ... whom viewers quickly empathize. Satou’s path beyond his life as a hikikomori is a colorful one certain to entertain, and offer viewers a distinct insight into Japanese subcultures and trends.

Tatsuhiro Satou is an understandably complex character, who’s struggles are depicted along various levels. However, the series does well to integrate into the story the difficulties and psychological stresses of those individuals that Satou interacts with, as he attempts the transition from social withdrawal, and how they fit into the jigsaw that has become his life. Apart from Misaki, other principle characters include figures from Satou’s past, Kaoru Yamazaki, his former high school junior, and an otaku of the highest order, and Hitomi Kashiwa, his high school senpai. We find very quickly that both come to add much diversity and transformation to Satou’s life in their own unique ways.

The character design of the series is particularly well-formed, neither parody nor overly realistic. Characters maintain real-world features, drawn at thin lined with angular features. Certain attention is paid to background art and the characters’ world, at times incorporating different animation styles in different episodes to emphasize the characters’ situations and experiences.

The series’ soundtrack closely blends with the scene actions, and appropriately lays accent to the characters’ interactions and emotions. In an episode, we may come across points of soft background music to faster and louder rock beats, and even silence when appropriate. The opening and ending sequences are just as dichotomous, their variances in tone matching the protagonist’s unbalanced, but intriguing attitude and views.

Welcome to the NHK follows a series of story arcs, some of which are certainly more entertaining than others. It is obviously met with its lulled points, but these are largely surpassed by its high points. And regardless, it seems each turn aids in some way in developing the characters’ throughout the story. One finds oneself connecting with the characters on varied levels as the series progresses, and ultimately, find satisfaction and enjoyment in its viewing.