The visual style of Welcome to the N-H-K takes a few chances by playing with camera speeds, odd lens choices, and using crazy dream-like visual sequences.

The visual style of Welcome to the N-H-K takes a few chances by playing with camera speeds, odd lens choices, and using crazy dream-like visual sequences. Things don't get as crazy as the last television episode of Evangelion, but there is a definite flair to the look of the show. It isn't often that animators will spend time animating the flaring out of nose hairs for some crazy upward angle with an extreme close-up shot. If someone can explain the phallic sprites that appear to Sato in his dreams, please feel free to do so. Some of the best scenes visually are when Misaki is standing there holding her umbrella in a classic anime style with slow-motion Sakura blossoms blowing by, juxtaposed with some incredible goofball spasm physical comedy. Character models are nicely varied and creatively different, with obvious attention to detail on all the ladies. While there is no real graphically explicit sexual content, there is a ton of implied sexual situations and images that are either blurred or are cut off just before "the moment."

Sound is most impressive all around. Both the Japanese and English language tracks are done incredibly well. Usually listening to these kinds of comedies with the English track is an experiment in masochism, but to my pleasant surprise it was rather enjoyable. Some of the minor characters have the typical poor vocalization, but all of the English voice actors for the main characters do an excellent job of emoting and expression. The music is great. The opening theme will be a karaoke favorite and the ending theme is Japanese punk goodness. Throughout each episode, thoughtful background music is strategically placed to reinforce the mood of the scene. The music is perfectly composed and really helps to pull the viewer into the story.

Sound is most impressive all around in N-H-K. Both the Japanese and English language tracks are done incredibly well.

Extra features are a little sparse, but watchable. There are clean opening and ending animations to aid those in the anime karaoke set. DVD credits and previews are par for the course, so nothing too spectacular there. But there is a section labeled "Conspiracy Handbook 101." It is a group of definitions to help explain some of the more important terms used in this series to the uninitiated in anime fandom. Not the most entertaining thing, but it is nice when there are additions like these on a DVD to help those who don't live in Japan to understand a particular section of Japanese pop culture.

There is plenty to see and plenty to talk about for everybody in Welcome to the N-H-K. It is priced in the average range for an anime, and there is even an art box available for those fans interested in collecting the entire six- volume series. I think that Welcome to the N-H-K is the sort of title that will appeal to all types of anime fans, but the people who would get the most out of it are the recovering hardcore fans. Who knows, maybe Welcome to the N-H-K will turn out to be one of those titles that helps the viewer to learn a little something about themselves.

Chris Feldman is a freelance 3D modeler and animator whose work has been featured in television, games and manufacturing. He is an active member of the pop art community, as well as a long-time staff member/promoter of anime and comic conventions. In his very finite spare time, he volunteers teaching animation to kids.