22 Oct 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Welcome to the NHK!]
Just when it looked like Satou's situation had reached a turning point, it all goes pear-shaped again with another distraction that provides him with another 'convenient' escape from reality. The news his mother delivers in her phone call isn't an announcement of bereavement or some emergency as hinted at by the sirens in the background...it is, as far as Satou's concerned, much worse!
I'll admit straight off that my knowledge of online RPGs is similar to that of sport, i.e. zilch. Put it down to my complete lack of competitiveness, whatever. Anyway, many of the gags in this episode went over my head, with the exception of one or two FF parodies. Because of this, the portrayal of the subculture will probably strike more of a chord with other viewers. This isn't necessarily a less enjoyable episode though: what little I understood of it was another interesting piece of social commentary on NEETs, geeks and the like, delivered with
Welcome to the NHK!'s typical pull-no-punches approach.
Basically, Satou is looking for an easy way out again. Threatened with having to make inroads into normality, he's considering making a fast yen through a fantasy world without leaving the comfort(!) of his own home instead. Sadly, after the 'Offline Meeting' arc, the series has set itself a high standard for its second half so this doesn't quite make the grade: the bottom line is that it isn't really covering any new ground. Satou has a problem, then seeks out a situation that will probably do him more harm than good. There are some anime/gaming in-jokes, and he digs himself deeper into his hole with Misaki and Yamazaki looking on in exasperation.
I'm not sure how he will get out of this new situation - the only certainty is that it won't work out in the long run. Apart from this observation of the obvious, I don't know what the RGP arc can possibly add to the series without stalling things. There's a possibility of some social interaction in the form of a strange catgirl (who reminds me of Myrle from Escaflowne, which is probably 100% intentional) but unless there's some sort of 'real world' meeting between her and Satou I don't know whether that will be a wasted opportunity on the part of the show's writers. I'm certainly curious as to who she is - hopefully that'll be addressed in the next episode.
Maybe I'm wrong about all this and the new storyline injects some fresh life into the series and keep it moving; beond the sharp social commentary and parodies, both of which have been covered already, I'm worried that this will be little more than a few filler episodes. One thing's for sure though: something needs to be done about Satou's new 'bright idea'. He's chasing a false hope again, and needs to be dragged back down to earth.
[Filed under Anime Reviews] [Tags: Welcome to the NHK!]
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