Review of WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!
Watamote is one of the most unique, down-to-earth, in-your-face anime series that I've ever watched (albeit slightly exaggerated). I don't think you can find another equivalent series anywhere. (If there is, please tell me!) This series can be renamed "Tomoko and her series of unfortunate events". It seems like the whole world is against her in every corner that she turns. In other words, nothing seems to go well, ever. Although I was glad that there seemed to be a glimmer of light for her nearing the end of the series. Character: The first thing that attracted me to this series (and kept me watching)was Tomoko. Although my own experiences may not be as dramatic, I found myself relating to her circumstances and empathising with her as she struggled through life. There are times when I hated having to form groups because I felt I never belonged anywhere. There are times when you see your friends developing and progressing at a rapid pace, leaving you behind in the dust. I love the peace of being alone, having my own me-time, but at the same time I worry that I'm wasting my life away and will continue to be forever alone.
Another character that I really liked was Tomoki. Or rather, I really liked the interactions between Tomoko and Tomoki. It's so cute how they look like each other (the eye bags thing must be genetic). I just don't understand why Tomoki never gave his sister any advice as he watched her ruin her own life.
Story: This anime is one of a kind. I appreciated how Tomoko never really escaped from her plight because in reality it's just not that easy. I watched animes in which the female protagonist is plain, unsociable and awkward but a guy loves her for some reason. Because of that she blossoms into something beautiful. That is an enviable case which I really hope would happen in reality, but things don't always work out that way. But I'm glad that Tomoko has one true friend in her life that truly cared for her and stuck with her no matter how weird her friend was. Sometimes we don't need many friends in life, we just need those few authentic gems who we find along our journey. I kind of wish her friend or brother or mother or SOMEBODY just told Tomoko the truth and guided her out of her doldrums. But then again, in a culture of politeness, criticism may not be as easy or natural. It reminded me that sometimes the people who say the cruel, cold, hard truth may really be the kindest of all.
Music: I absolutely love the ending song. Kudos to Izumi Kitta for sounding like the most sloppy, drunk, crazy, messed up, psychotic girl ever. This is one out-of-tune song that's on the top of my songlist. Why? Because Tomoko's character shines from this song.
Overall Enjoyment: I'm not sadistic enough to say I enjoyed seeing Tomoko suffer, but I really liked the comedy behind the show and her very interesting thought process. That also made me realise that sometimes the way we view ourselves and the world around us can be really really wrong and we don't even realise it.
So what exactly makes a person popular? I think the answer was subtly revealed later on in the series. When a person takes her own gaze away from herself and genuinely cares & serves others. People don't care how great you are until they know how much you care.