The appeal and evaluation of "It's your fault that I'm not popular!": A realistic depiction of otaku culture and humorous elements

"It's your fault that I'm not popular!" - A masterpiece anime that depicts the real suffering and laughter of youth

"Watamote" (hereafter "Watamote") is a TV anime series that aired in 2013 and is based on the manga of the same name by Tanigawa Nico. This work is a comedy that depicts high school girl Kuroki Tomoko's dream of becoming popular, but her struggle with the gap between reality and her dreams, and it has provided many viewers with sympathy and laughter. Below, we will introduce detailed information about the work and its appeal.

Overview

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

July 9, 2013 - September 24, 2013

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TV Osaka, RKK Kumamoto Broadcasting, AT-X, Niconico Video

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

Niko Tanigawa

■ Director

Shin Onuma

■ Production

・Production: SILVER LINK.
Produced by Watamote Production Committee

■Works

© Nico Tanigawa / Square Enix, "Watamote" Production Committee

Story and Characters

The main character of "Watamote", Kuroki Tomoko, dreams of becoming a popular high school girl, but the reality is harsh, and she spends her days without making any friends or a boyfriend. The gap between her inner self and her outer appearance, and the comedy that comes from that gap, is the greatest attraction of this work. Tomoko is extremely shy and doesn't stand out in class, but in her mind she makes a series of radical remarks that make the viewers laugh.

Tomoko's younger brother, Kuroki Tomoki, is a middle school student who is a regular member of the soccer club, has many friends and is popular with girls. His presence, which contrasts with Tomoko, makes Tomoko's troubles even more prominent. Although Tomoki is fed up with Tomoko's words and actions, he sometimes shows a gentle side, which makes him well-liked by viewers.

Yu-chan, also known as Naruse Yu, is an old friend of Tomoko's, and they were close in junior high school because they shared a common hobby. However, she seems to have changed since entering high school, and her relationship with Tomoko has become complicated. Her presence emphasizes Tomoko's sense of loneliness, but she is also an important character who shows the possibility of friendship.

The appeal of anime

The appeal of "Watamote" is, above all, its story and characters, which depict the realistic struggles of adolescence. Many viewers can empathize with Tomoko's worries and failures, and they want to root for her growth. Furthermore, her inner voice and radical comments not only make viewers laugh, but also help them understand her inner self more deeply.

The anime was produced by SILVER LINK. and directed by Shin Onuma. The character designs and general animation direction were handled by Hideki Furukawa, the art direction was Maki Morio, the cinematography was Kazuya Iwai, the color settings were Miyuki Kowata, the editor was Kentaro Tsubone, the sound director was Satoshi Motoyama, and the music was by Sadesper Record. The visual beauty and sound created by this team of staff further enhance the appeal of the work.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme, "No Matter How I Look at It, It's Your Fault I'm Not Popular," was written, composed, and arranged by Kiba of Akiba, and sung by Suzuki Konomi n' Kiba of Akiba. The song features lyrics that reflect Tomoko's feelings and a catchy melody that resonates with viewers.

The ending theme "No Matter How I Look at It, I'm Not at Fault" was written by Aki Hata, composed by Koshiro Fukumoto, arranged by Mito, and sung by Izumi Tachibana, who plays Tomoko Kuroki. The song features lyrics that delve deeply into Tomoko's inner thoughts and a gentle melody, helping viewers understand her feelings.

Recognition and Awards

Watamote has been popular with many viewers since it was first broadcast, and has especially resonated with young people struggling with the troubles of adolescence. The realistic portrayal and comedic elements of the work have also been highly praised, winning it numerous awards. Specifically, it won the Newcomer Award at the 18th Kobe Animation Awards, and was also selected for the Excellence Award in the Animation Division at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival, organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. These awards are proof of the high quality of the work and its support from viewers.

Related products and media development

In addition to the original manga, Watamote has also had a large number of related products released, such as drama CDs, character song CDs, and figures. An OVA was also produced in 2014, and a second season was announced in 2015. These media developments demonstrate the popularity of the work and the enthusiasm of its fans.

Response from viewers

"Watamote" has been met with a great response on social media and the internet since it was first broadcast. In particular, many viewers sympathized with Tomoko's worries and failures, and many voiced their support for her growth. The realistic portrayal and comedic elements of the show were also praised, with many viewers sharing their laughter and emotions. These reactions are proof of the appeal of the show and its support from viewers.

summary

"Watamote: It's Your Fault I'm Not Popular!" is a masterpiece anime that depicts the realistic struggles and laughs of adolescence. It is a work that makes you sympathize with the protagonist Kuroki Tomoko's worries and failures while also rooting for her growth, and has been well received by many viewers. The realistic depiction, comedic elements, and the beautiful visuals and sound created by the staff's technical skills combine to provide viewers with deep emotion and laughter. Please watch this work and walk with Tomoko through her youth.