Welcome to the N.H.K. Vol 1: 1st Conspiracy
By Andromeda Sato, a college dropout, comes to the realization one day that he is a recluse. It’s been three years since high school and all he’s done with his life is absolutely nothing. After missionaries come for a visit he realizes that he must get a job so he doesn’t seem like some sort of loser. The problem with that is the place he goes to apply is the place that the young woman that had been accompanying the missionary, works at. After returning home, and having lost his resume, there’s a knock on the door. Refusing to answer it, something is dropped into the mail slot. Retrieving the item, Sato finds that it is his resume and on the back is written a note by the young woman, Misaki. She is offering him a chance to be a part of her project. He then spends the rest of the day debating whether or not he should go and finally decides to. Misaki offers to help Sato with his problem of being a recluse. He denies it of course and after a few more meetings tells her a lie. He tries to convince her, and himself that he’s a normal person. Sato even goes as far as recruiting his neighbor to help him do it. Borrowing a video game developing book, he uses it to tell her he is a video game developer. Unfortunately for Sato, Yamazaki catches him in this lie. After talking, they agree to team up and create a video game. But just not any video game, a hentai game! Sato, having never played one, is given a bunch of games to try out and becomes a bit addicted to them. By the end of the week he’s gone through many boxes of tissues. Having no skills in creating video games, he’s given the task to come up with the story and heroine. This leads him to a world of internet porn photos, trying to take pictures of schoolgirls, and taking trips to maid cafes. This series shows a side of the Japanese subculture that we don’t get to see often but can relate to. There are many NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) out there that we know or may be one of. Of course, Sato’s situation is mild compared to how it can really be. How many people do you know that have been out of work that can still afford to buy beer, pay the pills, and the rent? Not many of the characters are touched on, other than Sato and Yamazaki. I’m looking for better introductions to who Misaki is and who Sato’s high school friend is. She makes an appearance at the end of the fourth episode and appears in many of his flashbacks. His obsession with conspiracy theories in the first episode is because of her. Welcome to the N.H.K. is a story that any Otaku can relate to. We all know someone who has a large collection of manga, anime, figurines, video games…. the list goes on and on. It’s fun to watch Sato get introduced to the Otaku lifestyle. Him and Yamazaki are like kids in a candy store when they go to the cafes and shopping. Reminds me of trips I’ve made with friends to such stores. You hear cries of, “OMG! Check this out!” “I must get this!” “Finally! I’ve found it!” While watching the first episode I didn’t think I would really enjoy this, but with each episode I found myself liking Welcome to the N.H.K. more and more. Watching it dubbed added to the enjoyment. The attitude that came through fit Sato perfectly. The voice actor couldn’t have done a better job. It was better than reading the subtitles and listening to it in Japanese. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this series. It’s something you can show at an anime club meeting that everyone will enjoy. After all, it’s a comedy that pokes fun at us all! DVD Features: “Conspiracy Handbook 101,” Clean Opening Animation, Clean Closing Animation, Previews. Licenser: ADV Films Studio: Gonzo Length: 100mins Retail: (U.S.) $29.98 Availability: 10.02.07
By Andromeda Sato, a college dropout, comes to the realization one day that he is a recluse. It’s been three years since high school and all he’s done with his life is absolutely nothing. After missionaries come for a visit he realizes that he must get a job so he doesn’t seem like some sort of loser. The problem with that is the place he goes to apply is the place that the young woman that had been accompanying the missionary, works at. After returning home, and having lost his resume, there’s a knock on the door. Refusing to answer it, something is dropped into the mail slot. Retrieving the item, Sato finds that it is his resume and on the back is written a note by the young woman, Misaki. She is offering him a chance to be a part of her project. He then spends the rest of the day debating whether or not he should go and finally decides to. Misaki offers to help Sato with his problem of being a recluse. He denies it of course and after a few more meetings tells her a lie. He tries to convince her, and himself that he’s a normal person. Sato even goes as far as recruiting his neighbor to help him do it. Borrowing a video game developing book, he uses it to tell her he is a video game developer. Unfortunately for Sato, Yamazaki catches him in this lie. After talking, they agree to team up and create a video game. But just not any video game, a hentai game! Sato, having never played one, is given a bunch of games to try out and becomes a bit addicted to them. By the end of the week he’s gone through many boxes of tissues. Having no skills in creating video games, he’s given the task to come up with the story and heroine. This leads him to a world of internet porn photos, trying to take pictures of schoolgirls, and taking trips to maid cafes. This series shows a side of the Japanese subculture that we don’t get to see often but can relate to. There are many NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) out there that we know or may be one of. Of course, Sato’s situation is mild compared to how it can really be. How many people do you know that have been out of work that can still afford to buy beer, pay the pills, and the rent? Not many of the characters are touched on, other than Sato and Yamazaki. I’m looking for better introductions to who Misaki is and who Sato’s high school friend is. She makes an appearance at the end of the fourth episode and appears in many of his flashbacks. His obsession with conspiracy theories in the first episode is because of her. Welcome to the N.H.K. is a story that any Otaku can relate to. We all know someone who has a large collection of manga, anime, figurines, video games…. the list goes on and on. It’s fun to watch Sato get introduced to the Otaku lifestyle. Him and Yamazaki are like kids in a candy store when they go to the cafes and shopping. Reminds me of trips I’ve made with friends to such stores. You hear cries of, “OMG! Check this out!” “I must get this!” “Finally! I’ve found it!” While watching the first episode I didn’t think I would really enjoy this, but with each episode I found myself liking Welcome to the N.H.K. more and more. Watching it dubbed added to the enjoyment. The attitude that came through fit Sato perfectly. The voice actor couldn’t have done a better job. It was better than reading the subtitles and listening to it in Japanese. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this series. It’s something you can show at an anime club meeting that everyone will enjoy. After all, it’s a comedy that pokes fun at us all! DVD Features: “Conspiracy Handbook 101,” Clean Opening Animation, Clean Closing Animation, Previews. Licenser: ADV Films Studio: Gonzo Length: 100mins Retail: (U.S.) $29.98 Availability: 10.02.07