Review of Recovery of an MMO Junkie

Netjuu no Susume a.k.a Recovery of an MMO Junkie-- an anime that recovers the protagonist but unfortunately, not the audience. The premise should be pretty relatable for otaku out there, especially the ones swimming in the sea of adulthood. Morioka Moriko is a self-described "elite NEET" as it is her choice to quit her job (and the real world altogether) and establish a brand new existence in an MMO realm named "Fruits de Mer". Unexpectedly, though, soon she finds it really hard to completely escape reality as more often than not, real world can be more surprising and adventurous than the made-up one. Obviously, looking atthe premise, this anime may be too difficult to enjoy for kids and pre-teens. However, for the older ones, Netjuu no Susume is probably the long-awaited mint syrup for the soul.

Here we could feel exactly what Moriko is going through. Her deconstruction from being a functioning adult-slash-office worker into being a socially-handicapped shut-in is depicted without exaggeration or mockery. Moriko is perhaps the finest anti-heroine we have seen for quite some time now. We as audience root for her to recover from her slumps, to the point of which it is only sensible to have a finale blessed with happy endings and new beginnings. However, is such recovery the best for Moriko? And more importantly, the audience?

I dare to argue that the last three episodes are such whimpers compared to the majestic first seven. Since Episode 8, it has started to seem like our protagonist will find her place in real world again and up to the finale, there is no more depth or wisdom left to explore. There is this lingering feeling that no matter what, such happy ending must occur-- and that is slowly becoming disconcerting. Of course, there is always that classic expression saying "all's well that ends well" but for a human being going through such deep disillusion and disappointment to the point of which nonexistence is a voluntary decision, wouldn't it be better for Moriko (and the audience) to learn a thing or two by the end of the journey? Yes, Moriko can still find happiness again but is happiness the only thing that she needs to pursue? What about inner strength? What about discovering what one truly wants in real life? Why does it feel like everyone --including Moriko and Sakurai and Signal.MD studio-- forgets why this MMO junkie is an MMO junkie in the first place?

Ultimately, a simple bow-tie ending can only serve as an evening medicine. This anime is still recommended for otaku out there and this anime is still a pretty accurate depiction of modern depression. However, it is best to deem this anime as 'relatable', and not 'therapeutical'.

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