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(3.98/5)Great for language learning, if you can stand it
I only got through the first 3 chapters, so take this with a grain of salt.
Language: I think the book is excellent for language learning. There's a lot of interesting vocab (much of which is repeated), and most of the sentences are pretty comprehensible (if you're at the level for this). The one aspect that was mildly challenging for comprehension is sometimes the main character is going back and forth between reality and delusions/breakdowns, and it can feel a bit blurry as to what's what.
Story: In any case, the story is way too focused in the head of the main character, and his despair, self-loathing, anger at everyone & everything (himself included), etc. This results in an extremely drawn out pacing with almost no plot development (the most exciting events that occurred so far are the main character walking around town, freaking out at religious solicitors, failing to apply to a job due to social embarrassment, and discovering his neighbor is actually his high school kouhai, who's now an eromanga obsessed hikikomori). In addition his whole conspiracy theory about the NHK turning people into hikikomori feels really half-baked (which I guess is intentional). I imagine things improve (and to the MC's credit, he's trying to improve himself), but after three chapters in it's not nearly interesting enough to to put aside my frustrations. It isn't bad writing per se, but for me it feels very similar to how I felt watching Evangelion.
Conclusion: If the above rant hasn't turned you off, you'll probably enjoy the novel, and I recommend it. I just wanted to leave the review for other people who might be turned off by the same things, to spare them some potential frustration.
Great book about life
Probably my favorite book I've read so far. Helped me a lot personally to find meaning in my life.
NHKにようこそ！
It's a nice book, I liked it. I could relate to a lot of things, it's interesting how similar lives of Hikikomori are. It had some very questionable parts, but I think that's part of the experience, as it properly transplants you in the mind of a Hikikomori. Even though it's been over 20 years since this book had been released, I think it stands the test of time Incredibly well, almost to say that the book would look the exact same, had it released in 2025 (well maybe there would have been a chapter about AI girlfriends or something) I think the most accurate thing I can say about it is that it's very real. I think everyone should give it a read.
Welcome to the mf Nippon regional biché
Highly recommend others to read this book if its at your level. Really interesting story and not that long of a book either. This book does a pretty good job of reusing vocab that is a little more specific to this book and is easy to pick up on.
Good for vocab
I don't know how it is level 32, felt waaaay harder for me vocabulary-wise, and I got full score on N2 reading just before starting this book (the part about mc's drug trip was especially challenging). Maybe I just know a bunch of other vocab but idk. Never met so many 四字熟語. The story wasn't that enjoyable, but I made a rather unwise decision to read it while being somewhat depressed myself, though can't say I relate much to the mc. I don't know why I even bothered to read it until the end. Some scenes felt like a literary equivalent of edging. Like bro I did not need to read allat, just get to the point already!