16th Jan2024

Top 5: Must-Watch Anime That Feature NEET/Hikikomori Protagonists

by Guest

Article by Liz at The Otaku Box

Hikikomori is the Japanese word for people who struggle with minimal interaction and resort to locking themselves in a room to avoid facing society. In Japan, they are known as hikikomori. In anime, several characters go through the same kind of issue. However, even though they feel miserable, in the blink of an eye, their lives take an unexpected turn and provide a chance for them to prove their worth. The five anime below present protagonists who showed their worth to the world and made me proud!

Welcome to NHK (2006)

Tatsuhiro Satou believes a secret organization is spreading the hikikomori culture

Tatsuhiro may act selfishly and lie as a coping mechanism because he has trouble interacting with people. However, he works hard to overcome that. In the comedy Welcome to NHK, Tatsuhiro believes he’s a victim of an evil conspiracy and strives to overcome his social isolation and anxiety.

Mekakucity Actors (2014)

A quick trip to the store will show Shintaro Kisaragi that he’s so much more than he thought

After spending two years inside his room due to a traumatic life event, Shintaro is forced to go out and buy a new keyboard for his computer. But his quick trip to a department store gets complicated when a group of terrorists attacks the place.

ReLIFE (2016)

Arata Kaizaki is given the chance to rewrite his story

Arata is a 27-year-old man who can’t get a new job after being fired from his previous one. He feels hopeless but sees an opportunity to change his life completely and grabs it. He is invited to become a Test Subject in an experiment that makes him look ten years younger. Once in high school, Arata views it as a second chance at life and makes the most of it.

Recovery of an MMO Junkie (2017)

Moriko left everything for an online game

Moriko led a regular lifestyle for years. After her graduation, she had a stable job and worked nonstop until the age of 30. After quitting, she turned to MMORPGs. This is when she became addicted to online gaming and embraced being a NEET. In this fun romance, Moriko is surprised by how small the virtual and the real world can be!

Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions (2023)

Ron’s talent for solving crimes is unstoppable

Ron Kamonohashi has been living as a recluse since being expelled from the elite Detective Training Academy BLUE and barely escaping execution after getting involved in a murder case while attending the school. When the police detective Totomaru Isshiki seeks him out for help with a complex criminal case, Ron finds the culprit in less than a day despite being forbidden to keep doing investigative work. As the duo starts solving crimes one after another, the Academy BLUE sends operatives after the former student. Ron and Totomaru must join forces to survive and make justice.

Final Thoughts

Beyond absurd fights and crazy hairstyles, anime can show social aspects that must be discussed while conveying solid and inspiring messages. As characters endure their hardships, watchers identify themselves, bond with them, and ultimately become eternal fans, like the thousands that are part of the community of subscribers to the best anime subscription box..

I love it when I can follow a character’s development in anime. Not only when it comes to skills but psychologically, too! What anime characters have the most inspiring background story? Join The Otaku Community to share your thoughts on your favorite characters and shows!

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