Title

Welcome to the N.H.K.

Also known as: NHK ni Youkoso!, NHKにようこそ!, Welcome to the NHK, Bem-vindo a N.H.K

by Tatsuhiko Takimoto, Kenji Ooiwa

Score from AniList: 78/100finished8 volumes40 chapters

ComedyDramaPsychologicalRomance

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Sato Tatsuhiro is a drug-addled "hikikomori" (a Japanese shut-in) who thinks a sinister organization, NHK (Nihon Hikikomori Kyoukai), is the cause of all his problems! He falls in love with a girl, Misaki, who he thinks is trying to assassinate him, but doesn't know how to talk to her or if he can trust her. The more he stay in his house watching anime porn, reading manga and doing drugs, the harder it is for him to leave. Only Misaki can keep him from rotting away in his own apartment! (Source: TOKYOPOP)

Chapters available: 40
Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3.5/5

A darkly funny, uncomfortable portrait of a hikikomori who believes a conspiracy is out to get him, with a bittersweet romance and a sharp look at shame.

Pros

Darkly funny and unusually honest about isolation
Sharp, bittersweet romance with a clear arc
A thoughtful look at shame and recovery

Cons

The main character's behaviour can be hard to watch
The tone swings between comedy and despair

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Read the full take

Welcome to the N.H.K. is a darkly funny, uncomfortable portrait of a young man who has shut himself away from the world. He believes a sinister organisation is responsible for his problems, and he falls for a girl he suspects is trying to assassinate him. The premise is bold and often very funny, and the series is unusually honest about isolation, shame and the difficulty of leaving the house. The romance is bittersweet, with a clear arc that gives the story a sense of direction. The honest cons: the main character's behaviour can be hard to watch, and the tone swings between comedy and real despair. Some plot turns feel abrupt, and the story can lean heavily on its lead's self-pity. Still, it is a thoughtful, memorable read for fans of character-driven drama. If you like stories that do not look away from the hard parts, this is worth picking up.