One of those really unique mangas out there. For those who grasp the true meaning behind this story and the authors intentions you will find that this is truly worth the time to read. Some people where critisizing how the characters didn't make sense and that they couldn't relate to them. To me I think that was the point, and if one really looks deep within ones self you will find similar sentiments and traits to one of the characters in this story.
Art is great, really enjoyed it. Also, loved the romance between the two leads but was hoping for a fatefull encounter towards the very end of the manga (even though I believe that it was Misaki that was ringing his door bell at the end).

It was nice and interesting in the beginning, but it went downhill at the end, very fast. I read mostly because I was interested in the whole hikikomori thing, but after a while it got boring, and I couldn't stop thinking : What the fuck is wrong with this people ? Seriously maybe I don't know enough about Japanes culture but all characters in this manga are nut jobs and would need professional help.

I really dont know what to comment on this series - its really one of my favs. The way the plot develops is outstanding.
And... Those face expressions Sato kept on... inventing throughtout the whole thing - I will never forget them ಠ_ಠ

Fun story about a loser who goes through almost everything that could happen in a losers life. pyramis schemes, computer games you name it. I guess everyone in Satos position would like to have a Misaki in their lives.

... Last updated on January 11th, 2008, 10:37am

As I started this manga I thought it would be another weird one like Fooly Cooly, but worse. However it somehow deals with a lot of psychological issues, in a comedy setting. The artwork is pretty random as it can go from great to outrageous by the turn of a page. It remains funny and interesting through-out but the romance element didn't make sense half the time, because just like the male protagonist, I couldn't even understand the way the girl thinks or her strange thought patterns. ^_^

*spoilers within*

I love this series from the beginning and it quickly became one of my favorite manga, characters are well developed and it mixes some of the society's issues with comedy, but after a while, it became repetitive and the plot had became pretty random just for the sake of comedy.

I've seen all 40 chapters (40 being the last chapter), during the climax of the story, different characters had different serious issues built up and it had developed to the point where they've reached a dead end, however those problems simply diminished and they just went back to square one (might be what we should expect from a hikki).

Of course, there shouldn't really be much to expect from a social withdrawal, so the ending were pretty predictable, the whole process and characters developement were the gems of this manga, there just wasn't that big of a conclusion towards the end to me because everything just sort of "happened".

I liked the original novel a bit more and the ending scenario (similiar to that of the anime) were much more epic and conclusive to me, however I enjoy this manga and it was one of the most depressive story I've read since evangelion.

This manga was kind of boring. Don't get me wrong I only read about 2 volumes. I found that it wasn't as funny as the user comments said it was. Usually I find how good a manga is by the comments, but people have different taste I guess. My opinion revolves around the fact that I thought this manga had no excitement in my eyes. I gave this series a 4 for the art, since its well developed. I'd like to see this author do a better series.

... Last updated on June 30th, 2007, 8:13pm

It a great story that mixes serious issues with humor.

This is more horrifying then the most horrifying manga* I've read (and i scare easily); sader then the saddest tragedy manga* i've read (which i avoid because I hate tear jerkers); and more romantic the the hundreds of shoujo manga* I have read.

*note: almost all of said hundreds of series have been read in the past couple months....

I wish I could say that NHK was a good manga. It is clearly a labor of the author's heart. If only it weren't so excruciating.

I'll admit that I was initially very positive about NHK, but my enjoyment of the manga declined all too quickly. After the first few volumes, the story rapidly spirals away from simply being "the trials and tribulations of a hikkikomori" and develops instead into a study of the interrelationships of the mentally ill. I admire the tackling of such a mature and difficult topic, but I can't say that it's done well. The characters become increasingly irrational and unlikable, and consequently more difficult for the reader to project onto. The narrative becomes increasingly disjointed, and it is often difficult to determine what is fantasy and what is reality. Perhaps the author intended this as a way of re-enforcing the idea of the characters' mental stability, but as a reader it just made me feel more disoriented and alienated from the world of NHK. Whether the attempt is intentional or not, the result jarring and frustrating, as it becomes increasingly difficult to grasp meaning from the manga, if indeed there is any.

While I applaud the author's intent, I find that I can neither enjoy it nor extract any artistic value from it. Though there may be some value to be found in this story, it's an arduous journey getting there.