NHK ni Youkoso!
Synopsis
* Based on a novel by Takimoto Tatsuhiko, turned into a manga with illustration by Ooiwa Kenji.
Satou Tatsuhiro, a 22-year-old socially withdrawn loner, barricades himself in his apartment, subsiding on a meagre allowance sent by his parents, only venturing to the outside world to buy food under cover of darkness. One day, afraid he might miss the utility person, he opens the door to find a cute, mysterious girl, accompanying an elderly religious solicitor.
Through what seems to be a chain of coincidences, the girl, Nakahara Misaki, enters Tatsuhiro`s life, and promises him that she will cure him of his anti-social condition, provided that he follows the rules that she sets out for him.
This takes Tatsuhiro from a desperate attempt at creating a galge computer game, to unwittingly joining a suicide cult, to participating in a pyramid scheme, to immersing himself in a MMORPG, along the way touching upon everything between hikikomori and otaku culture, existentialism, solipsism, theology, suicide, sacrifice and love.
Satou Tatsuhiro, a 22-year-old socially withdrawn loner, barricades himself in his apartment, subsiding on a meagre allowance sent by his parents, only venturing to the outside world to buy food under cover of darkness. One day, afraid he might miss the utility person, he opens the door to find a cute, mysterious girl, accompanying an elderly religious solicitor.
Through what seems to be a chain of coincidences, the girl, Nakahara Misaki, enters Tatsuhiro`s life, and promises him that she will cure him of his anti-social condition, provided that he follows the rules that she sets out for him.
This takes Tatsuhiro from a desperate attempt at creating a galge computer game, to unwittingly joining a suicide cult, to participating in a pyramid scheme, to immersing himself in a MMORPG, along the way touching upon everything between hikikomori and otaku culture, existentialism, solipsism, theology, suicide, sacrifice and love.
Episodes
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Episode 1 : Welcome to the Project!
Sato’s totally convinced that he’s been turned into a recluse through the media manipulation of the N-H-K. When mysterious Misaki enters his world, she claims she can help him tame his inner-demons.Regular Episode 2006-07-10 2 -
Episode 2 : Welcome to the Creator!
Even as Misaki reaches out to help him, Sato tries to convince her that he’s got his life in order. But after he claims to be working as a video game creator, Sato’s neighbor takes steps to turn his lies into truth.Regular Episode 2006-07-17 2 -
Episode 3 : Welcome to the Beautiful Girls!
Instead of working to develop the game, Sato’s busy doing research for the project. Unfortunately for Kaoru, all that means is watching his partner spend hours playing sexy games and looking at porn.Regular Episode 2006-07-24 2 -
Episode 4 : Welcome to the New World!
Kaoru has succeeded in turning Sato into a total otaku, but he hasn’t succeeded in inspiring him to work. A trip to Akihabara might remedy the situation - if they can stay out of the maid cafes.Regular Episode 2006-07-31 2 -
Episode 5 : Welcome to Counseling!
Misaki finally gets what she wants when Sato confesses the truth of his reclusive excuse for a life. The contract is signed and the counseling begins - and Sato immediately makes the session awkward.Regular Episode 2006-08-07 2 -
Episode 6 : Welcome to the Classroom!
Even though a raging panic attack is practically guaranteed, Sato journeys out into the world to investigate rumors that Kaoru might have a cute girlfriend at school.Regular Episode 2006-08-14 2 -
Episode 7 : Welcome to the Moratorium!
Sato’s mom is about to invade his space. Fearing what she’ll think when she sees his reclusive lifestyle, Sato spins a web of lies in which Kaoru and Misaki find themselves tangled.Regular Episode 2006-08-21 2 -
Episode 8 : Welcome to China Town!
Sato overhears his mother telling Misaki that she knows the truth behind her son’s lifestyle. But rather than clear the air, all three continue the ruse, allowing for some awkward moments.Regular Episode 2006-08-28 2 -
Episode 9 : Welcome to a Summer Day!
Kaoru gets rejected when he asks a girl out, and Sato’s feeling pained by his changing feelings for Misaki. Maybe showcasing their game at the upcoming con will distract them from their girl troubles.Regular Episode 2006-09-04 2 -
Episode 10 : Welcome to the Dark Side!
Sato and Kaoru begin tailing Misaki after they grow more and more suspicious of the mysterious girl’s true motivation.Regular Episode 2006-09-11 2 -
Episode 11 : Welcome to the Conspiracy!
With the game finished and ready to go, Sato and Kaoru gear up for their trip to the con. Unfortunately, they find their plans in jeopardy after a call from Hitomi.Regular Episode 2006-09-18 2 -
Episode 12 : Welcome to the "Off" Meeting!
Sato joins Hitomi’s internet group for a real world trip to a sandy island, but the group’s dark vibes have him thinking that fun in the sun is the last thing on anyone’s mind.Regular Episode 2006-09-25 2 -
Episode 13 : Welcome to Paradise!
Sato’s gotten himself wrapped up in a suicide pact! If his friends can’t figure out what’s really happening and make it to the island, Hitomi’s internet group will be logging out for good.Regular Episode 2006-10-02 2 -
Episode 14 : Welcome to Reality!
After the island, the members of the group are given a trip to a hot springs resort where each will face loved ones eager to prove life is worth living. Can Misaki do the same for Sato?Regular Episode 2006-10-09 2 -
Episode 15 : Welcome to the Fantasy!
Sato’s need for cash drives him to join a MMORPG. His plan: sell virtual goods for real world money. As his time in-game begins to interfere with his day to day life, he meets and forms a party with Mia.Regular Episode 2006-10-16 2 -
Episode 16 : Welcome to the Game Over!
Sato’s back to his reclusive ways, but just as Misaki and Kaoru decide to intervene, the world of online fantasy comes crashing down - it turns out Mia is actually someone Sato knows!Regular Episode 2006-10-23 2 -
Episode 17 : Welcome to Happiness!
Megumi vows she can help Sato overcome his antisocial ways, but when she takes him to a run-down building where he finds only a sales pitch, Sato has to figure out what the girl’s real motives are.Regular Episode 2006-10-30 2 -
Episode 18 : Welcome to No Future!
Sato sees that Megumi has swindled him, and when he confronts her, she somehow manages to trick him and his friends again! When they knock on her door to end the mess once and for all, Sato’s worlds collide!Regular Episode 2006-11-06 2 -
Episode 19 : Welcome to the Blue Bird!
With Megumi locked up, her little brother’s forced to fend for himself. When he lands a new job, Megumi starts seeing that she might need to rethink her life.Regular Episode 2006-11-13 2 -
Episode 20 : Welcome to Winter Days!
With Kaoru leaving Tokyo soon to return to his life on the farm, he and Sato have to step it up if the game is to be completed.Regular Episode 2006-11-20 2 -
Episode 21 : Welcome to Reset!
Sato is left to his usual ways just in time for Misaki to test his progress on a New Year’s Eve outing. While out on the town, Sato loses Misaki - and finds Hitomi.Regular Episode 2006-11-27 2 -
Episode 22 : Welcome to the God!
Finally reunited on New Year’s Eve, tension grows between Misaki and Sato after he lies about spending time with Hitomi - and the tension grows even more when the lies continue at their next session.Regular Episode 2006-12-04 2 -
Episode 23 : Welcome to Misaki!
After she tests him with a macabre quiz, Misaki tells Sato their plans for the next day: the graduation exam. No matter the outcome, their relationship is about to change.Regular Episode 2006-12-11 2 -
Episode 24 : Welcome to the N.H.K.!
After desperation drives them to the edge of a cliff, Sato and Misaki find they might have finally killed the parts of themselves that cause so much pain and agree to continue living on their own terms.Regular Episode 2006-12-18 2