Post by redroses2 on Sept 16, 2011 0:19:50 GMT -5
Even though it's 1:10AM and I have an appointment at 9AM, I watched the teaser for Welcome to the NHK.
And I adore it.
Despite having a protagonist that would otherwise come off as obscene, creepy, and exceedingly spineless, it managed to engage me and appeal to me in a similar way to Princess Jellyfish. Both are about recluses/otaku, and both are about the protagonist trying to find a way to integrate themselves into society. Welcome to the NHK, however, has a more serious tone to it than Princess Jellyfish, and it's not pulling any punches when it comes to showing just how revolting the protagonist's living conditions are or how difficult it is for him to live in both the way he is now and in the way that he wants to live. It also does a really good job at showing how screwed up he is in the head - to the point where I'm betting he has some form of mental illness on top of his phobias, anxiety and paranoia.
It's clear that he's scum, but it makes you feel for him - and even relate to him to a degree. I've certainly had days where I seriously want to become a shut-in to avoid so many unpleasant things. So despite the fact that, outside of his own head, he's really a pathetic individual, he's actually super engaging inside his own head, which is where the viewer gets put as soon as the episode starts.
Yeah, the guy's a perv and there's some ecchi scenes in the first episode, but it's hard to hold that against him when it's literally the only reason he actually found the incentive to leave his apartment, especially after you see just how miserable he is inside and out of said apartment.
I'm definitely going to watch more of Welcome to the NHK.
And I adore it.
Despite having a protagonist that would otherwise come off as obscene, creepy, and exceedingly spineless, it managed to engage me and appeal to me in a similar way to Princess Jellyfish. Both are about recluses/otaku, and both are about the protagonist trying to find a way to integrate themselves into society. Welcome to the NHK, however, has a more serious tone to it than Princess Jellyfish, and it's not pulling any punches when it comes to showing just how revolting the protagonist's living conditions are or how difficult it is for him to live in both the way he is now and in the way that he wants to live. It also does a really good job at showing how screwed up he is in the head - to the point where I'm betting he has some form of mental illness on top of his phobias, anxiety and paranoia.
It's clear that he's scum, but it makes you feel for him - and even relate to him to a degree. I've certainly had days where I seriously want to become a shut-in to avoid so many unpleasant things. So despite the fact that, outside of his own head, he's really a pathetic individual, he's actually super engaging inside his own head, which is where the viewer gets put as soon as the episode starts.
Yeah, the guy's a perv and there's some ecchi scenes in the first episode, but it's hard to hold that against him when it's literally the only reason he actually found the incentive to leave his apartment, especially after you see just how miserable he is inside and out of said apartment.
I'm definitely going to watch more of Welcome to the NHK.
