Review of Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
Looking for some filler that won't mess with your feelings from that last show you really liked but will give you something to enjoy a bit? Jackpot!!! This one and Net-Juu no Susume both looked similar on my list and I expected something similar out of both. However, Net-Juu was the show I wanted, it had heart, soul, a cutesy story and left a strong, fun, meaningful impression despite its content. Wotaku was about what I expected by the cover art, but I was still hoping for more. The key with this one is enjoying it for what it is without reading to much into thereality of it. Or if you like to analyze and contemplate things deeply, then the key is to do the exact opposite, but be warned if this is the kind of life you seek, there is no profundity explored in this one, or rather, there is no profundity TO explore.
The empty philosophy of the show is pretty sad the more you think about it, so it will really depend on your relation to the characters and your closet-sort-of-otaku level. If you're really diving into deep support of anime and characters, finding your life's meaning in digital self indulgence and merchandise consumption, then this one will leave you feeling justified! Did that line make you happy? If not, you will feel about like you just did while watching this.
To be fair, I really liked Nao and that shy character and frankly I thought that was better than the entire rest of the story.
The characters are like really composed and pretty versions of those kids who seem a bit lost in fantasy worlds and who generally can't hold regular conversations. I think a lot of people here will have those they have trouble talking to for lack of skill, comfort, or common ground. However, anytime I've met people like this in real life, they were decidedly less amiable. If you tried to game with them they CRUSHED you mercilessly without regard, if you tried to talk to them they could ONLY talk about what they were extremely into at the moment. It seemed like these were the kinds of people the show tried to convey, but I've met them as adults and they aren't like this. At the same time, as a closet nerd for this and that I couldn't relate either. It expected too much of me: I couldn't both suspend my philosophy of life meaning while also trying to accept this fashionable 'otaku' representation as something legitimate.
Its one thing to be really into things, its another to be a composed adult, and still another to develop a life of real meaning. Sure they can all relate and intertwine, but the show has this unwritten vibe that a life devoid of meaning is somehow fine and normal. Like these characters NEVER wen't to sleep wondering what the meaning of their life was, if they were wasting their time, if it was all worth it. That whole reality is completely ejected, it just doesn't exist in this world, and thats pretty sad to watch. They never find meaning either, they just sort of team up to indulge their fancies and then thats supposed to be satisfying.
I guess my problem with this show is how non-self-aware it is. It really buys its own schtick. The interactions were fun and the show had many laughable moments but the authors apparent lack of understanding regarding why life has meaning and what is actually real and worth pursuing cast a dim tone on it. Naturally those who derive their entire identity and sense of worth from this kind of materialistic meandering might be breathing fire at this point, but thats just it. The void that they are trying to fill that yields the fire breathing upon challenging their worldview is what is missing from this show - I guess you could say its like its soul is gone. Its one thing to get passionate about being a nerd and to talk about the difficulties associating with 'normies' but thats a pretty 'small' plot.
Getting along with people who can't relate to your interests or world is difficult, for 12 episodes. I get it, I've experienced it, I still do, this is not the be-all and end-all of life's meaning. The fact that absolutely NOTHING else is ever explored leaves this one in an odd and highly forgettable, if mildly amusing spot. Compare this to something like Yuru Camp which is up to its eyeballs in heart and soul while exploring simple life events and it gives a clear picture of this shows value or lack thereof.