This anime was strong at so many points with the character growth and the overall situations all of them had to face. All of the story arcs took off at a great pace but it wasn't until the "Off" meeting episode that it really showed its true colors as an anime. All of the characters at one point or another ,with the exclusion of one, battles rigorously with thoughts of and at several points, attempts, suicide. Overall its attempt at trying to show the perseverance of these characters was greatly overshadowed by their unwillingness to face their own problems head on and trying to find peace within others and not themselves. I was hoping by the end an enriching and gentle life lesson would be told but in reality it was even worse in a manner when Sato attempts to kill himself in hopes that Misaki won't do it herself. He fails of course but in the last few minutes of the final episode Misaki shows Sato a new contract stating that neither would give in to the evil of the "NHK" by killing themselves if the other person wasn't willing as well. Sato himself admits that this was nowhere near a solution to either of their deep-seeded issues but concedes to the contract in hopes of spending a little longer with Misaki. Overall I was impressed by the vivid portrayal of young peoples missteps and pains, but I was at a loss without a deeper meaning to connect this all to. Besides blaming it all on furry Gray things with tacky hats.
Review of Welcome to the N.H.K.
