 If you liked NHK ni Youkoso! |  ...then you might like Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei |
Fans of both have drawn many parallels between the two shows. They're similar in that they are both semi-episodic comedy-drama with similar themes. The MC is a depressed young man trying to cope with the failures of his life, and is surrounded by weird people. Dark, depressing and slightly psychedelic, they're both great shows, and although not very similar, one will remind you of the other.
Welcome to the NHK is far more depressing than Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei while the later adds a smidgen of bizzaro metaphysics to the later episodes. However they both revolve around a group of oddball people loafing around while helping the main character deal with the failures of his life, in their own way. Not always succesfully.
Both are based on a human-failure-type character to make up an interesting story and teach us life lessons (only highly-aware viewers can actually learn, though).
Both shows talk about a despairing life. Youjouhan Shinwa Taikei focuses on a college campus life while Welcome to the NHK focuses on a drop out and a high school girl. Welcome to the NHK differs by extrapolating psychological themes while Taikei focused on humor, but they all talk about the same thing: socializing is beneficial to life.
Both are episodic shows with protagonists who need to take charge of their lives and both get trippy in the process, though NHK is much darker.
The main reason why I believe these two to be similar, is the feeling that you get after completing the show, especially the last few episodes of it. As a college student myself these shows made me stop and think about where I am at this point of my life. It's actually pretty damn inspiring.
Both follow a college aged shut-in through his episodic adventures as he struggles through everyday problems such as social skills, success, love, libido, and finding your place in the world.
report Recommended by LittleCaesars
Both tell a story about a loser in life. Both also have a same kind of dark humor style. Difference is just that Tatami Galaxy feels like NHK on drugs. Dialogue goes bulletspeed and animation is "inconsistent" and trippy. In a good way.
The truth is, no other anime comes close to what Welcome to the NHK was. But this one comes the closest. Tatami Galaxy is not as depressing, more artsy, and has higher production value.
Both follow adult characters discontent with their lives , and their coming to terms with their issues. Both make use of visual storytelling, though Takei does it more often and more explicitly. Takei is a bit more philosophical, and perhaps harder to grasp than NHK. I really like how they take a more realistic approach to the characters' issues instead of a more idealistic one.
Both anime are about the psyche from the main character and the story is told in a more semi-episodic way. Also the Genre are nearly the same. Both anime have a high psychological level but still keeps in touch with a huge bottle of good jokes and hilarious Character Interactions. Also they use some surreal elements to represent the psyche for a more comprehensible way. As a psychological fan you should definitely watch both shows.
Both shows deal with a college aged boy's coming of age story. Both highlight themes such as loneliness and cosmic irony. They both feature some of the best story telling I have ever encountered (not just in anime, but in general) and are, ultimately, love stories.
report Recommended by nickythemime
Both of these series have a great story, are set in modern day and have characters that are very much like real humans.
report Recommended by DeviantDreamer
Enclosed in your room or on your tatami. Protagonists who want to escape their reality, the life they have borne for years, the mistakes they have had, because of situations that seem to have resulted from a "conspiracy" or a "curse." In addition, they explore different lifestyles of which they always seek to fit in spite of their weaknesses, but only with the opportunity that can be close to them, they can get what they have always wanted.
report Recommended by OtakuNote87
It hurts knowing that things could've been different if different choices were made. These anime blame some type of entity for their own faults in life. While "The Tatami Galaxy" focuses on the could've, would've, and should've scenarios, "Welcome to the NHK" focuses on rehabilitating the social aspect of giving up on life. Life lessons are taught throughout the shows.
Both have a feeling of melancholy where everyone feels like there putting on a happy face when there dying inside. Everyone has there own problems is a message both shows convey
Both are beautiful journeys of young men trying to find a purpose of their lives.
While Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei (also known as Tatami Galaxy) is very different as it is nowhere near as depressing as NHK ni Youkoso (nor is it supposed to be) they are similar in how they look at the effects of life choices, and can be very real and relatable. Art direction is also similar at times, as Tatami Galaxy uses a bit of surrealism and psychadelic scenes to help tell its story.
report Recommended by binsentosan
Both are psychological anime that are extremely unique & make you reevaluate life. If you only watch shounen these probably aren't for you.
Both shows are both Comedy and Drama, while dealing with similar psychological themes of a protagonist and all his failures. Both also have a rather psychedelic vibe and feature weird, but at times depressing characters.
report Recommended by AnimeXHunter
If you liked tatami galaxy, you will like this story of regret, time, anxiety, depression
report Recommended by Bruno_roen
-they have protagonists with similar personalities. -they are both dramedies about antisocial people.
Both protagonists are flawed and prominent themes of failure, opportunity and depression are depicted. Has an emphasis on decision and taking one's own initiative rather then being stagnant and not progressing.
Both series are using surrealism for enriching the narrative.They have invidiual criticism about being hikikomori and unable to socialize.Also both share dark comedy and characters are not good or bad, they are in grey area. If you liked one then you will probably like other.
Both animes have some surreal nature that hints at some sense of delusion. Both animes focus around a protagonist and how that protagonist should best life his life. Both animes include struggles that are relatable and hit home.
Both provide perspective on life after high school. They are about doing something meaningful with your time. NHK deals with a shut-in NEET while Tatami Galaxy focuses on being in college.
NHK and tatamy are historis that talk about maturation, maybe by different methods and with different themes but both stories tell us the story of a young adult with a certain immaturity, trying to advance and become better people, they are stories that speak to us of what is the maturation and facing reality with a very good conclusion in both, also both stories have an attractive design, with charismatic and endearing characters as well as a peculiar sense of humor, both works are the best the industry has been able to offer us and without doubt they are two works that are worth seeing.
report Recommended by PizzaMozarellaa
College-age adults trying to find their purpose in life.
report Recommended by Mediocre_Artist