Welcome to the N.H.K

***Welcome to the N.H.K.*** (Japanese: N・H・Kにようこそ!, Hepburn: *N.H.K. ni Yōkoso!*) is a Japanese novel written by Tatsuhiko Takimoto, with a cover illustration by Yoshitoshi ABe, and was published by Kadokawa Shoten in Japan on January 28, 2002. The novel was first published in English by Tokyopop on October 9, 2007. *Welcome to the N.H.K.* was adapted into a manga series, also written by Takimoto, with art by Kendi Oiwa. The novel was also adapted into a 24-episode anime television series by Gonzo which aired in Japan between July and December 2006 on Chiba TV. ADV Films.

## Plot/Synopsis:

Twenty-two-year-old college dropout Tatsuhiro Satou has been a hikikomori for almost four years now. In his isolation, he has come to believe in many obscure conspiracy theories, but there is one in particular which he holds unshakable faith in: the theory that the evil conspirator behind his shut-in NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) status is the Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai (NHK)—an evil and secret organization dedicated to fostering the spread of hikikomori culture.

*NHK ni Youkoso!* is a psychological dramedy that follows Tatsuhiro as he strives to escape from the NHK's wicked machinations and the disease of self-wrought isolation, while struggling to even just leave his apartment and find a job. His unexpected encounter with the mysterious Misaki Nakahara might signal a reversal of fortune for Tatsuhiro, but with this meeting comes the inevitable cost of having to face his greatest fear—society.

## MAL info:

**Score:** 8.34

**Ranked:** #183

**Popularity:** #187

**Studios:** Gonzo

**Source:** Novel

**Duration:** 24 min. per ep.

**Rating:** R+ - Mild Nudity

**Producers:** NHK,  Victor Entertainment

## Characters:

* **Tatsuhiro Satō:** (Main) The story's protagonist is a 22-year-old hikikomori and NEET of nearly four years. He is highly unstable, easily manipulated, obsessive, and often blames the N.H.K. conspiracy, a fabrication of his mind, for his shortcomings. He lives in a rented apartment, but depends on his parents' allowance to live.
* **Misaki Nakahara:** (Main) Misaki is a mysterious girl who decides to help Tatsuhiro escape his hikikomori lifestyle. She convinces him to sign a contract, involving him in her "big project", with the goal of making him a normal person. Though seeing right through his actions, she tries reading him (beginner's) psychology books in an attempt to click with his feelings and "save" him.
* **Kaoru Yamazaki:** (Main) "Tatsuhiro's former kouhai (Junior) in high school, who is an otaku. Tatsuhiro once stood up for him when he was still in middle school being beat up by some bullies, since then, he respected him greatly and decided to join the literature club with him when he went into high school. He is currently Tatsuhiro's neighbor and a college student aspiring to be a game creator."
* **Hitomi Kashiwa:** (Supporting) Satou's senpai in high school, now a public servant. Due to stress, Hitomi develops a dependence on drugs. Hitomi met Tatsuhiro when she persuaded him to join the Literature Club, though most of the time they only ever played card games. She has always been fascinated by the concept of conspiracy theories and introduced Satou to the idea.
* **Megumi Kobayashi:** (Supporting) Tatsuhiro's classmate in high school, was the class representative back then. They meet frequently in manga, but none of them realizes the existence of each other until later. After her father died, she had to work in order to support herself and her brother, who is also a hikikomori, though ended up entangled in a shady pyramid scheme. During school, she had a very uptight personality which Tatsuhiro commented about himself to her face. After high school, she retains much of this personality, though has also become somewhat manipulative in order to survive.

## Official sites:

https://myanimelist.net/anime/1210/NHK\_ni\_Youkoso

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome\_to\_the\_N.H.K.#Characters