Tomoko Kuroki (CV: Izumi Kitta) is a socially awkward geek who spends a lot of time playing otome games, listening to drama CDs and watching anime. When she is getting into high school she’s certain she’ll be popular, but regardless of what she does, she’s always alone, and the people closest to her doesn’t seem to notice her problems at all.
Watamote (or “However I think about it, it’s your fault I’m not popular!” translated into English and with the official English title WATAMOTE ~ No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Unpopular!~) can be seen in two ways. One is that it’s extremely depressing. Other is that it’s funny as hell. It’s the hit or miss anime of a century. I can see how it’s depressing and how it might seem terrible to laugh at it because Tomoko’s life sucks. Her only friend from middle school doesn’t even realize how much Tomoko struggles. Regardless chances are that you’ll find it awkward, if not at all times, at least once in a while.
I personally find it funny as hell. I can laugh at it because I see myself in Tomoko and her experiences. I even find that it’s not that bad, which probably means I had it worse, but that aside, I can laugh at it because I see myself in her and I can laugh at myself, regardless how pathetic others might see it. Unlike others I’ve seen, who recognize their past self in Tomoko, I actually recognize both my current and past selves in her.
But I can laugh at it and myself, maybe because I’m just that comfortable in myself, even if I’m socially awkward.
I know some people see this show as one that will make people think their lives aren’t that bad by laughing at those that have it harder, but I don’t see it like that. To me this is a show about the struggles you can go through as a geek or hikikomori and whether you can laugh at it or find it depressing is dependant on whether you have enough self-distance to laugh at and whether it’s something you’ve come over or not.
But it’s a hit or miss anime.
I like it because I can laugh at myself. Other will not find it even a portion of it as amusing. It’s all up to that. Or, well, if you like laughing at other to feel good about yourself. But if you do that, you probably should deal with your own problems. This girl could just as well be me and I can laugh at that, but I wouldn’t laugh at anyone who actually deals with the same issues as him or her.
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WataMote – No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! – Vol.1
WataMote – No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! – Vol.2
WataMote – No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! – Vol.3
WataMote – No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! – Vol.4
WataMote – No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! – Vol.5
WataMote – No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! – Vol.6
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