Review: Watamote
Before I start this I’m going to say read the Manga.
Written by Nico Tanigawa the first volume was released early 2012. Watashi ga Motenai no wa dō Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! Or basically, ‘No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular!’ Watamote, for short, however is well worth the lengthy official title. Usually, because of the geography of our little Island, often the first contact we have with a Manga is accidental, or through a friend who makes it their mission in life to know about this stuff first. How many of us would never know about a Manga if not for the Anime catching our eye? This is one such case. So to be brief, the Manga is definitely worth a look into if you can get a hold of it.
As for the Anime? How do I say enough about Watamote?
It’s painful.
For anyone who’s ever found themselves on the outside of the social bubble, looking in with envy and self-loathing, Watamote is a show that validates most of my confusing childhood; the years spent hating the little social groups but also longing to be a part of them. It centres around fifteen year old Tomoko Kuroki; a socially inept teen trying to figure out how that summer she spent working on her social skills in Otome, a sims-like video game, have left her unprepared for real life. She’s mastered the game. Real life should be a doddle. Right? Hilarity ensues as she slowly realises that people are a lot more complicated than the characters in her game and there’s no real equation for popularity.
The series is produced by Silver Link (Baka to Tesuto to Shoukanjuu, Kokoro Connect) and happens to be one of the many productions directed by Shin Ōnuma (No-Rin, Dusk Maiden of Amnesia) for the company. There’s a strange, often retro, over the top feel to the animation style and there’s definitely some quirky and very bawdy elements pushing through from Ōnuma’s Shaft Production days.
The Japanese voice of Tomoko on the show is brought to us by voice actress Izumi Kitta, whose characterization is beyond perfection. She’s outstanding in the way she takes us from Tomoko’s raging internal diatribes to the quiet reflective moments of ‘Yeah, actually that was just me‘. She also drops those deadpan one-liners like atom bombs.
I’ll highlight the scene where she meets two of her fellow students taking refuge from the rain. I’ll try not to spoil it but there’s a mention of poop followed by dead air and an apology for asking.
The opening and end credit music are also tremendous with the rather fantastic opening performed by Konomi Suzuki and Kiba of Akiba, and voice actress Izumi Kitta singing the song for the first ending; with all the warbling and angst of Tomoko herself.
Aside from the awkward humour we have a close snapshot look into the life of someone not normally portrayed with this much truth.
The Anime looks into the area of the teenager as they begin to develop sexually and mentally. Her character is likeable, often times hilarious and while some situations you see coming a mile away, others sneak up on you unexpected. Not to mention her witty and sardonic narrative of events. You just can’t help but want this girl to succeed.
It makes the unknowing acts of self-sabotage that much more unbearable. Part of you wonders if everything would work out if she just stopped thinking about it. It’s impossible not to see a little of yourself in her, and that’s something that transcends gender.
Social ineptitude, embarrassment, jealousy, anxiety, the retreat from the chaotic and unpredictable pressures of reality to video games; where there’s control and you can actually win. These are things that speak to the anxious teen in all of us; the one that wants nothing more than to be accepted and ultimately finds solace in fantasy.
And as unlikely as it seems, Tomoko does find those moments of acceptance and friendship in the Anime, and they’re warm and fuzzy enough to melt my Christmas hating heart. If I could recommend an Anime to watch. This is it.
[Words, Emma Grimes]
