Official Welcome to the NHK Sequel Review - Rebuild of Welcome to the NHK

[@Krenisphia]

Welcome to the NHK changed my life back when I first discovered it. I did a double take when I saw this video. Thought they're making an actual sequel. I thought "No way, there's no way that's ever happening..." Turns out I was right. Whatever you may say about it, NHK will always hold a very special place in my heart.

[@Gomangoman11]

One of the most disturbing parts of reading this rebuilding is the follow: "Hey, listen. I don’t really want to change. I want to stay like this forever.” “I know that. We’ve been together for a while.” For a moment, Misaki-chan smiled in the darkness of the park" To me, this is so against what NHK should be about - overcoming! To have satou accept his inability to improve to me is the destruction of his character. Even worse when you Misaki accepts it, enjoys it even. It's watching both these characters falling into their worse verison of themselves. Satou the failure, and Misaki - the girl that needs to find someone worse than her.

[@bobsamurai]

Yea I think wanting to stay that way is also part of the condition, so I can’t fault Sato for that, but you’re right, the story should be leading towards improvement instead of stagnation

[@Mami-Lectual]

@@bobsamurai Was my comment deleted?

[@chris7285]

But don’t you get annoyed by the never-ending overly optimistic story telling? It seems the protagonist always gets his way in every story. I get that “that’s the point” but it’s refreshing to hear that for once it’s going against the grain. Goku wins yet again, Superman wins yet again, etc….it gets old. If you want escapism…..go watch dragon ball z. At the end of the day there’s different ways to enjoy anime, tv shows, movies, etc. many use it for escapism. But a big part of it is also about being able to relate to the characters. At the end of the day how many of real life hikikomori can actually say they’ve actually recovered? Not a whole lot by what I’ve seen and even if so the ones who haven’t successfully gotten out of their own real world problems can probably appreciate a story where the protagonist doesn’t get their way because they can then relate to them even more. Only fans of escapism hate these kinds of twists. That’s part of the beauty to slice of life stories. The relatable characters and relatable circumstances and situations are what make it awesome for some of us. In a way that’s still a fantasy because most people are very shallow and refuse to be as vulnerable as a fake anime character. But that’s the beauty of it. In the real world people are all about the ego and refuse to show their weak side and definitely act like they’re better than they are. They also consider deep topics like this too “taboo” to talk about. Can you really blame an artist for wanting to express these undiscussed situationsin the form of anime? That alone makes it a fantasy and in a way just as much a form of escapism. Anyways I totally get what y’all are saying but if one could learn to separate these stories from each other then it’s sort of like a cheat code to any story being told. Just because the author says this version of the story exists it doesn’t mean that it has to for you as a consumer. This idea of what’s canon and what’s not often dictates how fans feel about these sequels and I think that’s where they shoot themselves in the foot. Look at Star Wars, dragon ball z, etc. There’s always gonna be fans who treat the creators like the gods of the story. Well obviously they are but the cheat code lies in the fact that often the story itself is a made up world. No matter how much the author/creator adds on or changes it’s only as good as it’s perceived. So I don’t understand why consumers/fans don’t just ignore the content they don’t like. If you don’t like how Vegeta turned Majin in Dragon ball z then just tell yourself that the story ended after the Cell Saga. Boom there you go, problem solved. After all it is just fiction anyway you slice it so it’s not like one is more true than the other. Oftentimes fans are getting in their own way by doing these kinds of things. Another way to ruin your consumption of entertainment is to expect too much before consuming. It’s like going into the movie with high expectations. You’re more likely to be disappointed if you set the bar really high before going in. Just a couple simple psychological ways I’ve found loopholes to enjoying other peoples stories. Hell you can create your own story and tell it to other people. There’s definitely gonna be people who find it boring. And there’s definitely gonna be people like me who have a more flexible acceptance for their work because we know it’s just a story at the end of the day. You can tell me a story where the protagonist doesn’t get his way and I’ll still enjoy it even if it goes against my fantasy or moral code. That’s sort of the point from my perspective because it’s refreshing to hear a new twist to storytelling.

[@fvckoff2698]

@@chris7285 the original shouldve ended like this. Sato gets a job because he'll starve to death, misaki commits suicide. Its dark but its better than that happily ever after ending

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

When Takimoto made up the Nippon hikikomori Kyokai metaphor, it was targeting people like YOU who don't pay to hear authors' intent, but ejaculate your own ignorant interpretation all over it. If he WAS all about gaining the proper bootstraps motivation and being a honest working man, begging for YOUR MONEY, he wouldn't have become secluded, or written the original novel. He'd be happily popping pills to fade out all his conspiracy theories. You never had any heart for the ORIGINAL intent or the circumstances of the story even being TOLD. you just want IT to replace you happy pill addiction and be something "relatable", i.e. enforcing YOUR biases. That's what WttNHK is NOT about. It's that EVERYONE is trapped, change is impermanent, and "happily ever after" is not a thing. Not even if you send Matthew Perry's black ships, bomb Japan, and rebuild their economy to serve you entertainment why the Japanese go through karoshi for it, while YOU cry about it on the KZbins. ALL of Japanese storytelling has been built on NON-ESCAPISM and SELF-awareness, not canons for you to BELIEVE like a religion, but gaiden stories, like Bakemonogatari or Dark Souls. Infinite incidences, that only touch your CURRENT reality, but ARE NOT REAL. They are FICTION. GET OVER IT.

[@GauravKumar-vu9td]

Damn after reading your title I thought of immediately purchasing it. But then after seeing the whole video nah uh. Thank you Bob for taking the blow for all of us.

[@bobsamurai]

only thing I can think of was money or drawing attention to the other books hes working on

[@darthmisogyny3828]

There's only two Mangas that made me look at myself Welcome to the nhk Goodnight Punpun

[@bobsamurai]

im reading punpun right now, planning to review it next friday if all goes as planned. great manga sofar

[@bobsamurai]

oh yea, try reading No Longer Human from Osamaru Furuya

[@yaksh2953]

Adding Tatami Galaxy to the list. 👍

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Been watching your channel ever since I started watching NHK (almost 5 years now). Anime hit me real hard, and in the exact point in my life when I related to it. One of the rare three 10/10 anime for me (others are Monster and Perfect Blue). I even liked the ending, because actual real life as no endings, just closures of arcs while a new one begins. I'm kinda relieved this novel is not just "more story", just an alt version. It is pretty wrong to call it a sequel though.

[@bobsamurai]

in ways, its better that this isnt a wholehearted attempt at rewriting the story, but still it's misleading. It's actually inspiring, maybe I can write a better hikikomori story. No idea what I'd do for an ending, but it's like you said, its life.

[@randalljolla]

Time for to treat this sequel like we do the Star Wars Sequels.

[@TheDeathMetalOtaku]

Thanks for your reveiw discovered your channel like a decade ago through my love for nhk and you made read the novel and manga as well around that time too. I was really excited for this when it was first announced but then when he showed the preview on his FB page in English and the first thing I saw was that Satou was still a hikkomori it had me worried for the same reasons you mentioned here. Glad I dont have to waste my time now even though it's very disappointing because nhk was one of my favorite works of fiction of all time.

[@bobsamurai]

Yea, kinda tone deaf. Was it not treated seriously in Japan? We can't be the only ones who find it relatable. There must be people in Japan who also want to see Sato recover

[@TheDeathMetalOtaku]

@@bobsamurai I feel ya man, I find it kinda ironic that he wanted to make a happier story but completley retcons the part where Satou actually improves his life.

[@bobsamurai]

LOL that’s a good point. It felt like they were one dimensional characters for the sake of entertainment, in the same way as Luffy or Spider-Man, instead of real people, which is how they were portrayed in the original

[@ramburgervalentine7621]

Thanks for saveing me money

[@peacefulsleepnoises3584]

Great video bob, nhk was my fav anime through quarantine.

[@KingJagan]

My favorite anime of all time gets a sequel? Edit: It's likely not an anime sequel, but I have read both the light novel and manga.

[@bobsamurai]

i guess it depends on how you define "sequel" lol.

[@Prepare4Selfie]

I needed this men thanks!!!!!

[@barbouayoub]

It's all a conspiracy!!

[@thinhduc5391]

just a funny question but when do you think the rebuild will release in anime version

[@bobsamurai]

anime are expensive to make, so I don't see that happening

[@thinhduc5391]

i wish n.h.k will produce more anime, i just love it so much@@bobsamurai

[@bruno23567]

It's just the first chapter, there's new chapters coming out

[@solitarycrow]

Bobsamurai, I disagree with what you said here. Based on Takimoto's twitter responses, he left the door open for more volumes of this rebuild. This was never meant to be a sequel. Instead, he wanted to make a retelling of the story, just in a modern setting. Think of this as similar to the rebuild episodes to the original Evangelion. I have high hopes for the continuations of the NHK rebuild, because there will be more. In fact, he had mentioned in a tweet that once he is done with this whole rebuild then he will most likely release the complete story as a physical copy. Give the guy a break. This rebuild story was a very hard decision for him, because he knew it would be a high stakes one at that. Just gotta have some patience.

[@solitarycrow]

PS: He literally said in the Afterword that he is opt to expanding upon the Rebuild. He's not yet done with the story.

[@bobsamurai]

It’s hard to give him a break when he calls it a sequel on numerous occasions. Then when I criticize it for being what he calls it, people say the author is wrong or that he didn’t mean for it to be what he explicitly called it. Am I supposed to believe an author doesn’t know what a sequel is? I see it is titled “Rebuild”, but I don’t see why the perceived quality of this chapter is predicated upon having seen the final Evangelion movie. I did read in the afterword that he may create more, but is $7 per 4500 words an acceptable rate? Lord of the Rings would cost $900 per copy at this rate. Anyone would continue writing a story if they could charge $7 per 4500 words. If he said “I’m releasing one chapter of my new book early, for $7 so I can afford to write the rest.” Then this would be totally acceptable because there would be appropriate pretext.

[@Brian-s3m]

@@bobsamurai love the LotR analogy lol Takimoto is prolly trying desperately to avoid a regular 9 to 5 was my guess

[@bobsamurai]

@@Brian-s3m i can't say I blame him, and I hope hes successful

[@sebasfv5705]

I had no idea this thing existed. Sad to hear it's like this, I was very excited entering the video. Still, I hope they make it an ova, only to see the characters again and to hear the iconic music. But dissapointed with the plot of this so called sequel.

[@bobsamurai]

would be interesting to see because even this deals with things that were censored in the anime such drug use

[@redkeyboard3439]

Was just about the read the original novel again because of the sequel but you just saved me time now 😂

[@WickedAnimeTroll]

What is was the point of making this ? The anime at least, had a good conclusion and left the viewer with an upfliting note... I don't know what is there to improve or fix, there is no need for a sequel.

[@tomspringall1]

Firstly Sato and Misaki went on date(s)? i guess i really need to read the manga/LN I've seen nhk before and just finished re watching it, thats why I'm here. The part of nhk that hits the most for me is the social anxiety/awkwardness and what people think of me.... I have a job that's 11hrs a day so I go home, stay home and don't wanna go out, these things were similar to satos issue at first (except the job part) and it certainly does get you thinking about the meaning of life. After rewatching it I looked up If there was differences between anime and manga (as spoiler free as possible ofc) and noticed this 'new' content and its kinda disappointing that it isnt any use.

[@bobsamurai]

I feel you on that. Monetary issues aside, living the reclusive life is preferable to busting your ass for someone else for so much of your life that you can’t live it. Unless you’re saving up to get out by investing in an asset, become a landlord or whatever. The original light novel and manga are way better than this, but I’d honestly recommend Genshiken. It’s got a similar relatable vibe except it doesn’t repeatedly kick you in the feels lol. It’s actually uplifting and wholesome inspiring hope.

[@nogi48]

At lease the cover is nice. Also he opened up a youtube channel.

[@souta79]

I dont expect much other tha it will be like squel like arc of sao tho. the author is resemble like they will put the ideas that they think of and want it to be sometimes its good sometime not but if it welcome to the NHK the more author suffer the more novel better it's tragic vary but hope for it to be the best.

[@Axël_der_Steppenwolf]

yeah i was expecting a sequel but this was more like a short story set in modern times. also i assumed this took place before the end of the novel

[@bobsamurai]

yea in the rebuild, Sato says it's only been a few months since he met Misaki. They met in spring, so it was probably summer. It ended in winter, so there was a lot that was removed if we go by canon rules.

[@0xva]

Got really hyped when I read the title, first time I heard about this "sequel". So sad that it ended up being like this (◕︵◕).

[@bobsamurai]

yea...really a shame. I wanted to see if Sato ever recovered

[@AINEET]

Dude its not a retcon, it's a retelling. In the same way rebuild of evangelion is, just think of this as another multiverse version of the story. The same way you could think of the manga and anime vs novel. They are all different. And I'd say that in order to have a deep understanding and appreciation of this version you need to have seen the others. Misaki for example seems closer to the manga version than the other iterations of her. I'm also glad it starts in media res, which is a good thing, do you really want to see how it begins for a fourth time? It's how in spiderman they keep starting with peter parker in highschool with each reboot... it's so annoying

[@duncanaustin7102]

Maybe you've got to buy the rest of the book with premium currency and lootboxed

[@bobsamurai]

Lmao I knew it was a conspiracy

[@Emerardo]

Have you read chapter 2? I'm hoping chapter 2 is an improvement

[@bobsamurai]

Nah but doubt. Lmk if you read it

[@rickzantua7]

1st reaction seeing the title of this video prior to watching it: Why? What is there to rebuild? I still have to read the novel but I have a feeling that nothing in there needs to be retconned as well. After watching the video: What is he thinking? -- AVGN

[@Ja.abbatta_V]

I heard about something new NHK related was coming out but I thought it was another anime or something. It must've been this and now I don't want it lol I still have to collect the manga and read the novel

[@Gomangoman11]

Both are great, you'll enjoy them

[@popcorn_showers]

ME: an anime to make me experience the same emotions as i did when i watched werucamu enhk Universe: I'll do you one better oh wait nevermind

[@astra_m00n]

All this video has taught me is that I am stupid for still not have watched this show. I am impressed that I could have missed a show like this while I have seen so much nonsense in my Anime-lifetime. Edit: This also reminds me of what some call the "George Lucas Syndrom".

[@bobsamurai]

whaaat? you gotta watch NHK!

[@Gomangoman11]

Watch it!

[@Hchris101]

Very good much enjor

[@MoonShadow333]

I will play the Homestuck epilogues card and consider this as dubiously canon

[@bzrkr444]

Honestly at first it sounds like you read some bootleg fake copy or a preview, but I realized that isn't true after visiting the authors instagram page where he advertises the same english version. This is honestly just really weird, what was the point?

[@bobsamurai]

exactly. I think he was just trying to draw attention to his newer works and make some money, but he failed to appreciate what NHK means to its fans

[@FlagAnthem]

so it is true... *facedesk

[@itismeanttobe]

so it's probably a remake isnt it

[@hype1980]

Just found this video, 100% agree, read it in around 10 minutes and it was garbage! Nothing happens in it! I got my money back from Amazon.

[@gansmith]

I've been a huge fan for years. Personally I really liked the manga the most for how it intensified everything to their logical conclusion and reaching a bittersweet ending as well. I did fall for the hype, bought and read the "novel". I quickly binned it out of memory afterwards. It really is just a dumb epilogues-que continuation that adds nothing and makes no sense to the canon. It is better off skipped. I was actually kinda nervous that this continuation would do more harm than good, but I am actually glad that it was so shallow and downright awful that I can safely stay satisfied with the other 3 very solid versions of such a unique and compelling story.

[@fahaadbandar]

When i heard the title and found out the page number it screamed disaster to me sorry you spent money on it

[@brinthaavan]

Damn that sucks retconned his story to bs

[@ramyozi]

maybe this is only a one shot? either way, it was truly disappointing

[@bobsamurai]

Its possible that the word he used for sequel means something else in Japan and his translator is to blame. I have no idea. a one shot would definitely be appropriate, though it would still be bland by one shot standards lol

[@MCPhatman]

Wait wha?

[@OraNui]

This is one big ooof.

[@dumbsimpleton207]

The original light novel is the only good incarnation of nhk. The anime was watered down and the sequel? It doesn’t come close to how impactful the original nhk was. The rebuild is a cash grab for people who couldn’t get past the originals filter.

[@can10k]

what do you think abt the manga?

[@can10k]

@@dumbsimpleton207 im reading the novel rn its really good

[@sithpikachu7182]

brother sent me a link to this video because we both watched NHK together. This manga sounds terrible. Also subscribed.

[@bobsamurai]

thanks! it's just a short story though. tell your bro I said hi!

[@avengernaruto1854]

That’s a shame this anime special especially when u live it he would make even more bread if he worked on season 2 especially how we have more hiki now

[@bobsamurai]

exactly. he would have earned a lot of money and potentially had another anime adaptation on his hands

[@Prepare4Selfie]

I really feel the passion you have to welcome to the NHK, about this universe material well the cover hehe i mean it's miski there with a guitar and looking all nice. But also I can feel it you want takimoto to release quality not something he just can call a rebuild? Nah man I also loved the characters and everything from the anime, but yes, takimoto disappear for a long time and now he's coming back.

[@civilwarfare101]

This is Highlander 2 levels of Sequel Quality minus the funny.

[@1zd12]

lol what ever even happened

[@caruto85]

Thats kinda disappointing tbh

[@bobsamurai]

totally

[@Ammar.D]

Seems like you've been mugged off Bob. 😁

[@bobsamurai]

ITS A CONSPIRACY!

[@Ammar.D]

@@bobsamurai WAKE UP SHEEPLE! 🤣🤣🤣

[@juhani6307]

It's going to be the same thing as in Rebuild of Eva. It's just going preach of the same themes for the few otaku losers who still didn't get that it isn't okay to be a hikki loser.

[@TheSparrow002]

:D