The world of anime and literature has received unexpected news: the famous novel “Welcome to the NHK“(NHK nor Youkoso!)which captured a generation of young people by exploring themes such as social alienation and the “hikikomori” phenomenon, announced his return. According to Kadokawa's catalogue, the new novel titled “Shin NHK ni Youkoso!” will be released on October 25, 2024, written again by Tatsuhiko Takimoto.
The official synopsis reveals that the story follows Tatsuhiro Satou, who after dropping out of university, has fallen into isolation (hikikomori). However, his life changes when he meets Misaki Nakahara, a high school student who offers him an unexpected proposal: “I am an angel who saves lost young people, and I am going to help you.” From there, a strange relationship begins in which Misaki tries to get Satou out of his isolation with “hikikomori counseling” sessions in a park overnight. At the same time, Satou and his only friend, Yamazaki, decide to embark on creating hypnotic music for adults, dreaming of changing their lives.
What has surprised fans is that it is not a remake or a direct continuation of the original novel, but rather a reimagining. The story adjusts to current times, incorporating elements such as conspiracy theories, technology and modern themes such as religious radicalization, terrorism and drugs. This new version is described as a reconstruction of the work for the Reiwa Era, facing contemporary problems that young people must face.
The announcement did not go unnoticed among fans of the novel and the animewho quickly took to social networks to share their opinions. Some expressed excitement, while others were skeptical about the relevance of this new installment.
- «I don't understand why it was so popular, the story is boring».
- «It reflected well the feeling of being someone with nothing to offer, something that still resonates today».
- «Could it be that the author needs money? He said he had earned enough not to work anymore.».
- «It's not the sequel I expected, it seems more like a kind of remake».
- «The original story was ahead of its time, this may work even better now».
- «The anime was very good, it managed to convey that feeling of generalized madness».
- «We need an anime remake, especially in this day and age.».
The original novel, published in 2002, was a reflection of the disillusionment and social problems of young Japanese people at that time, and was adapted into an anime in 2006, gaining a cult following both in Japan and abroad. In this new installment, many expect the story to retain the somber tone and social commentary that made “NHK ni Youkoso!” such an impressive work.
Fountain: Yaraon!
