Recovery of an MMO Junkie: A NEET's Journey of Self-Discovery

Recovery of an MMO Junkie

Our society is diverse, consisting of various individuals, including everyday workers, prodigies, celebrities, intellectuals, delinquents, leaders, gamers, charmers, and innovators. You name it, and you'll find someone in today's society who fits that description or contrasts with who you are. However, our society tends to perceive one group of people negatively: NEETs. NEET stands for "not in education, employment, or training," and it often carries the stereotype of gamers living in their parents' basements. In a show like this, we gain insight into the life of a NEET and how their social interactions align with their norms.

Signal.MD produced the anime television series adaptation "Recovery of an MMO Junkie," also known as "Net-juu no Susume." Conisch composed the music for the series, which Kazuyuki Fudeyasu and Kazuyoshi Yaginuma both wrote and directed. On October 6, 2017, it debuted on the Japanese streaming service GyaO. On October 9, 2017, Tokyo MX and other stations broadcast it on television.

Crunchyroll simulcasted the series, and Funimation started streaming a SimulDub on October 30th, 2017. Additionally, Crunchyroll streamed the OVA on December 15, 2017. This series consists of 10 episodes and is based on a web manga of the same name, falling under the genres of comedy and romance, alongside themes revolving around an adult cast and video games. Each episode lasts approximately 23 minutes, and the series is rated PG-13, suitable for viewers 13 years of age or older. Rin Kokuyō created the manga series. It was serialized on the Comico app from October 2013 to June 2015, and two volumes were published.

The story revolves around Moriko Morioka, a 30-year-old who finds herself unemployed and, surprisingly, content for the first time since high school. After leaving her job of over 11 years, she delves into online games to fill her newfound free time, and in the virtual world of the MMO game Fruits de Mer, she reinvents herself as the charismatic male character named "Hayashi."

Freed from the obligations of the natural world, she now immerses herself in the game and quickly befriends Lily, a kind and adorable healer. But as Moriko becomes more engrossed in her new virtual life as Hayashi, she embraces a reclusive lifestyle in real life, rarely leaving her apartment unless absolutely necessary.

Unbeknownst to her, there is another player in the MMO game named Yuuta Sakurai. He is a shy 28-year-old office worker who lives in the same town as Moriko. Despite having a job and friends, he is troubled and very similar to Moriko.

Both are portrayed as MMO junkies who are fed up with their routine and escape into a world of RPGs to relieve themselves. By chance, they unexpectedly meet at a convenience store one night, dismissing the encounter as just another awkward interaction with a stranger. However, little do they know that fate has something more significant in store for them.

Entering this anime was surprisingly effortless, thanks to the main character, Moriko Morioka. Many would consider her a "NEET" after quitting her job and immersing herself in the MMO, but what makes her intriguing is the gender swap as she breaks the stereotype of a nerdy male protagonist.

In that place, we have an attractive, unmarried female character. Many viewers may find her relatable due to her straightforward and timid personality. As a show that explores the life of a NEET, she starts to fit the role perfectly with her social awkwardness. Meanwhile, Hayashi is a handsome male knight in the game, completely contrasting with her real-life self. This anime cleverly intertwines fiction with reality, setting the stage for a fairly compelling story.

The character development, particularly that of protagonist Moriko Morioka, is one of Recovery of an MMO Junkie's strongest points. Moriko was a dejected 30-year-old when we first encountered her, having resigned from her stressful corporate job to become a NEET. She turns to massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), where she assumes the persona of a male character named Hayashi, for relief from her social anxiety and awkwardness.

Through her adventures as Hayashi, we see Moriko slowly come out of her shell. Her friendship with the kind healer, Lily, helps her gain confidence. Her interactions with her eccentric guildmates in @HomeParty provide her with much-needed social interaction and enjoyment, lessening her isolation. The game becomes both an escape and a catalyst for positive change.

At the same time, a fortuitous meeting with the dashing Yuta Sakurai sets Moriko's real-life development in motion. Sakurai is Lily, but she does not know it. As their paths cross in-game and in real life, Moriko must confront her insecurities and learn to connect with others as her true self.

The series does an excellent job of portraying Moriko's social anxiety in a relatable way. From overthinking every interaction to panicking when a store clerk tries to make small talk, many of Moriko's struggles will feel familiar to introverts and the socially awkward. But Recovery of an MMO Junkie doesn't look down on her. Instead, it celebrates each small triumph as she gradually overcomes her fears with the help of her online and offline friends.

Yuta Sakurai also gets some compelling development as we learn about his history with MMOs during a lonely period in his life. His caring nature shines through both as Lily and his IRL self, making him an endearing romantic interest. The supporting cast adds humor and heart, from the teasing Koiwai to the laidback Kanbe.

Recovery of an MMO Junkie is a sweet, funny, and relatable story about finding connection and confidence in unexpected places. The bumbling but lovable Moriko shows how online friendships can be as meaningful as "real life" ones—and how, with courage, the virtual and the actual can intersect in wonderful ways. The series may be short and simple, but its earnest exploration of adult nerds' lives makes it special.

The term "NEET" has grown in popularity in anime, appearing in many recent series. Although it may not be the most desirable lifestyle to spend an entire day at home doing nothing, many of us secretly desire it, which is why we can identify with these characters. Video games and chatting with strangers online are Morioka's lifeblood.

These people treat her as an average person rather than a social outcast, showcasing the acceptance and etiquette of the internet community. The show focuses on how, through meeting new people, our MC gradually breaks out of her shell and becomes more socially active, recovering from her NEET behavior.

Having adult characters in the anime instead of high schoolers may seem promising. Still, the show must fully explore the potential of portraying adult NEETs. Rather than delving into the complexities and responsibilities that adult characters would typically face, the anime treats them similarly to high school-age characters for some reason.

Thus, the superficial difference in age does not add significant depth to their characterization; it becomes apparent that the show disregards the realistic challenges of adulthood as Moriko manages to sustain herself financially despite being unemployed.

Additionally, many issues the characters encounter could quickly be resolved through essential communication and problem-solving skills, which one would expect from adults of that age. However, the anime disappointingly lacks characters with common sense, and this is a colossal con you will feel throughout.

Indeed, including adult characters in this story doesn't significantly impact the plot or themes. The narrative could have been crafted with younger characters, making only minor adjustments to events or changing certain aspects while maintaining a similar purpose or intention. It's understandable to feel that the potential of having adult characters could have been more utilized in this particular anime, which gave me the impression of a missed opportunity.

On the MMORPG front, remember that it is not the main focus of the anime, especially in the latter half. This does not mean it’ll be ignored entirely, as you’ll have the pleasure of experiencing some excellent parody elements that get thrown at you very casually. The best example of this is the Loot Box episode! The point is that everything started with this game and initially served as the basis for a large part of the story's development.

The art style in this anime falls into the generic category, particularly regarding the in-game visuals. The show often relies on basic background settings, such as a tree, a blue brick castle, or a fountain, with few creative or exciting elements. Much of the show involves characters engaging in conversations against these simple backdrops.

However, outside of the game world, the main character's art style offers a bit more creativity, adding some nice flair to her appearance. As the story revolves around a game, the characters are designed to be colorful and eye-catching, and despite the main character's messy long hair, she is undeniably cute. On the other hand, the male characters in real life tend to lack distinctiveness, as they often look pretty similar, with only variations in hair color or the addition of spectacles.

The opening theme song, "Saturday Night Question" by Megumi Nakajima, sets an energetic and lively tone for the anime, capturing the story's spirit and creating anticipation for the upcoming episodes. On the other hand, the ending theme song, "Hikari, Hikari" ("Light, Light") by Yūka Aisaka, brings a sense of warmth and tranquility as each episode comes to a close. It adds a touch of emotional resonance and provides a fitting conclusion to each installment.

Regarding the voice actors, Noto Mamiko, who is 37, brings a sense of maturity to her character. Her natural voice lends authenticity to the role, and it's no surprise that she effortlessly portrays a more mature character without relying on a youthful tone.

The same can be said for Sakurai Takahiro, who is in his 40s, expertly utilizing his natural voice to embody the maturity required for his role. This trend extends beyond these two voice actors, as the seiyuu for the other real-world characters also employs their natural tones, contributing to the believability and authenticity of the performances.

Overall, Recovery of an MMO Junkie is a delightful treat, particularly for gamers who enjoy slice-of-life stories with a touch of romance. The story is decent, the characters get enough development, and Sakurai and Morioka are among the cutest couples I’ve ever shared an anime journey with.

As for whether I recommend it, I leave the final decision in your hands. Are you a fan of cliché portrayals of NEET characters woven into the narrative to stretch out each scene and fill the 23-minute time slot? Do you enjoy the occasional attempt at slapstick humor along with the endearing blushing and stuttering that are hallmarks of shojo anime? If so, then, by all means, this anime might just be your cup of tea. If not, however, your time is better spent elsewhere.