This week, our Grand Tour takes us to one of the most unique series we’ve ever covered: Gonzo’s 26-episode cult classic Welcome to the N.H.K.! Based on the 2002 novel by Takimoto Tatsuhiko, this 2006 series explores Japan’s hikkikomori (social withdrawal) phenomenon, modern Otaku cultur...
This week, our Grand Tour takes us to one of the most unique series we’ve ever covered: Gonzo’s 26-episode cult classic Welcome to the N.H.K.! Based on the 2002 novel by Takimoto Tatsuhiko, this 2006 series explores Japan’s hikkikomori (social withdrawal) phenomenon, modern Otaku culture, internet-era suicide pacts, and many more contemporary issues, doing it all with startling clarity, immense empathy, and a whole lot of very wacky humor. It’s a finger-on-the-pulse series for Japan in the mid-2000s, but one with many resonances for viewers all over the globe, leading to a rich and engaging conversation between our hosts. There is no other show out there quite like Welcome to the N.H.K. – it almost feels like a conspiracy…
Enjoy, and come back next week as we watch the Yu-Gi-Oh! series The Man doesn’t want you to see: the original 27-episode Toei anime from 1998 (a.k.a. “Season Zero”).
Time Chart:
Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15
Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:09:15
Eyecatch Break: 1:09:15 – 1:10:01
Welcome to the N.H.K. Review: 1:10:01 – 3:43:42
End Theme: 3:43:42 – 3:45:12
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“Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku. “ice” – Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com