Best Anime About NEETs

Key Takeaways

Anime explores deep topics like mental illness, poverty, and war, adding depth to NEET characters’ stories.
NEET-centered series like “Heavens Memo Pad” and “No Game, No Life” provide quirky tales of NEETs’ adventures.
NEET-focused anime like “Recovery of an MMO Junkie” and “Welcome to the NHK” tackle social anxiety and loneliness.

As a mental health advocate, I find these anime series to be a captivating exploration of the human psyche, particularly focusing on individuals grappling with social anxiety, loneliness, and the complexities of modern life.

Anime often explores a wide range of societal and financial concerns beneath the storyline, but sometimes these themes become the primary focus of the show. Topics such as poverty, aftermath of war, and grief are among those that anime delve into and scrutinize while maintaining their status as an enjoyable form of entertainment. Mental health issues frequently take center stage in anime, with numerous series exploring diverse aspects of how conditions like depression or anxiety impact individuals and the strategies they employ to deal with or accommodate these challenges.

Many times, these shows tend to be comedies, featuring characters who are either social recluses or individuals not engaged in formal education, employment, or vocational training. These characters often exhibit extreme personality traits, such as being manic or stoic, and find themselves facing unexpected challenges due to simple tasks. Some of these anime delve deeply into this theme, providing viewers with an engaging journey towards recovery or a humorous adventure. Here are some top-notch anime that center around NEET characters.

14 Heavens Memo Pad

Even A NEET Needs Some Excitement

Studio: J.C Staff
Number Of Episodes: 12
Streaming On: HiDive

Narumi seems to fit in just fine at high school and appears normal, but deep down, he feels detached from everyone around him. His disconnectedness stems from a turbulent childhood that made it difficult for him to connect with his peers, leaving him feeling out of sync, even when by himself.

Initially unwilling, Narumi is drawn into a nightclub he dislikes, where he crosses paths with the notorious hacker, Alice. For the first time, something captures his curiosity, leading him deeper into Alice’s life and her covert detective work. As the NEET duo collaborate, an unsettling chain of events unfolds, ultimately unleashing a whirlwind of chaos.

13 Battle Programmer Shirase

Being Alone Isn’t All Bad, But Everyone Needs A Little Adventure

Studio: AIC
Number Of Episodes: 15
Streaming On: HiDive

Shirase is an incredibly brilliant computer engineer able to navigate the web like it was a simple puzzle. Unfortunately, Shirase does not use his skills to earn a living, instead, he works for free doing services to stop cyber crimes. Shirase confines himself to his home, and every employer that requires his service is shocked to see his living arrangements compared to his skill. With minimal effort, Shirase is an unmatched cyber sleuth who can overpower entire teams of hackers. Battle Programmer Shirase is a quirky and goofy series that fans of Nichijou will enjoy.

12 Osomatsu-San

A Family Of Lovable Do Nothing’s

Six brothers, all alike and residing together, shun the outside world and refrain from taking on responsible roles due to sheer idleness. With an unusual blend of characters, each sibling finds themselves drawn into zany escapades aimed at surviving life without exerting any labor or making an effort.

Viewers will soon find themselves deeply invested in each brother, appreciating their distinct quirks and eccentricities, as well as enjoying the fantastical journeys they embark on. Osomatsu-san, a somewhat bawdy comedy show, offers multiple perspectives on the idle lifestyle of NEETs, featuring an array of one-of-a-kind characters.

11 Occult;Nine

Obsession Leads To A Series Of Mysterious Events

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Number Of Episodes: 12
Streaming On: Crunchyroll

16-year-old Yuuta manages a blog that debunks supposed supernatural incidents occurring in the city. Alongside his closest companion, Ryouka, Yuuta finds himself drawn into an intricate sequence of otherworldly occurrences. This mysterious chain of events threatens to engulf not only Yuuta and Ryouka but also others, leading them deeper and deeper into a puzzling, deadly maze of mystery, murder, and the arcane. The unlikely band of associates must collaborate to uncover whatever malevolent force is gradually drawing them towards impending disaster.

10 No Game, No Life

Clocking Out On Life To Take On A God In Another World

Bother, Sister Sora, and Shiro are two individuals living idle lives, who find themselves transported into a new world under the tyranny of a game deity. Determined to challenge the game deity, they devise a plan: to conquer his creation, outdo him at his own game, and seize control of the realm from him.

In a nutshell, characters Sora and Shiro from the anime “No Game No Life” are quite quirky and have little incentive to engage in anything other than spending their days immersed in video games. Consequently, when they get the chance to do this forever, they eagerly seize it. This captivating isekai anime is a must-watch for many anime enthusiasts.

9 Good Night World

A Mind-Bending Adventure About Trauma And Accountability

Studio: NAZ
Number Of Episodes: 12
Streaming On: Netflix

The title “Good Night World” might seem like an ordinary Isekai anime at first glance, but it takes an unexpected turn when real-life troubles start causing both the virtual world and reality to vanish. Arima, a quintessential NEET, has squandered his future and plunged into the nation’s most favored MMO. Desperate to flee his oppressive family, Arima discovers a substitute family within the game and becomes fully immersed in it.

As Arima’s world becomes increasingly indistinct, he struggles to discern truth from illusion. When the cruelty of the game he cherishes spirals out of control, it falls upon him alone to put an end to the carnage.

8 I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying

Opposites Attract, Because Love Comes In All Forms

A comedic show unfolds around a contrasting couple, where the husband’s speech often leaves his wife, Tsunashi Kaoru (voiced by Tamura Yukari), perplexed. She is a sweet, diligent, and versatile office worker with a vibrant personality, who occasionally indulges in drinking.

Character named Nozomu Juse, voiced by Sakai Toshifumi, is an intense Otaku who spends his entire day in his room, earning a living through an online blog. The story unfolds as this couple navigates the journey of a harmonious yet somewhat tumultuous marriage, learning to embrace each other’s idiosyncrasies and tolerate them.

7 The Wallflower

One Bad Day Can Be The Breaking Point

The Wallflower narrates the story of Nakahara’s Sunako, a young girl who experiences heartbreak from unreturned affection. Spoken by Yukiko Takaguchi, Sunako shares her feelings and is met with rejection due to her looks. Subsequently, she vows to reject all forms of beauty and immerses herself in the occult, becoming increasingly fascinated by it.

In a somewhat unusual turn, the story takes a reverse harem direction when Sunako is compelled to reside in her aunt’s manor alongside several young men who aim to transform her into a refined lady. This marks the beginning of an exciting series of events as Sunako undergoes a change, growing less confrontational and rediscovering herself with the aid of her new companions.

6 BToom!

Even Someone With No Skills Can Be Useful

Studio: Madhouse
Number Of Episodes: 12
Streaming On: Crunchyroll, HiDive

Boom! Tracks the story of Sakamoto, Ryouta, a jobless teenager lacking ambition and notable accomplishments beyond excelling at a widely-played game called “Btoom!”. Caught off guard, Ryouta is mysteriously transported to a deserted island where his favorite game has been brought to life, with him being thrust directly into the heart of it.

In the game “BToom!”, he now depends on a fellow player, named Himiko, to help him stay alive as other players aim to eliminate him. Given the game’s graphic and intense nature, viewers should be aware that it contains mature and potentially disturbing content.

5 Rozen Maiden

Healing Is A Process

Studio: Studio Deen
Number Of Episodes: 13
Streaming On: HiDive

The captivating anime titled “Rozen Maiden” follows a young individual named Sakurada, who’s had a rough time with school and prefers to live secluded within the confines of his home, indulging in online shopping rather than venturing out.

One fateful day, an enigmatic package arrives at my doorstep, altering the course of my existence forevermore. Intrigued, I embark on winding up a peculiar doll, unaware that this simple act would draw me into a riveting contest among the Rozen Maidens – a battle to win the title of Alice, gain human form, and encounter their creator. This unexpected turn of events reels me back into a realm I had never dared to imagine, as an increasing array of dolls materialize before my very eyes.

4 Mekakucity Actors

A Series That Focuses On Leaving One’s Comfort Zone

Studio: Shaft
Number Of Episodes: 12
Streaming On: Crunchyroll

Kisaragi Shintarou has been leading a rather quiet life for the past two years, being a homebound NEET who rarely ventures out. The narrative unfolds during a heated dispute, when he accidentally spills soda onto his computer. Leaving home stirs up his anxiety less than the thought of surviving without his computer.

Yuuta ventures to a department store where he encounters several peculiar individuals with uncommon talents. Unwittingly, Shintarou finds himself among this questionable group, embarking on bizarre journeys that reveal the secrets of each member, eventually leading him towards a community he can consider his friends.

3 Recovery Of An MMO Junkie

Companionship Comes In All Forms

The Anime titled “Return of the MMO Junkie” is a charming and entertaining show that chronicles the day-to-day escapades of Morika Morioka, a 30-something individual who prefers solitude and indulges in her preferred online game. The series delves into Morioka’s social challenges and romantic life, which she explores in a somewhat ambiguous manner through her favorite virtual world.

Fate’s intricate web led Morioka to cross paths with a coworker within the game, sparking an intense bond between them. A twisting path of love and hesitation nudged Morioka out of her comfort zone and into romantic entanglements.

2 Bocchi The Rock!

Budding Guitarist Takes On Social Anxiety And Stage Fright

Born into a musical family, Hitori nurtured a deep affection for the guitar since childhood, eventually honing her skills to an astounding level through dedicated practice. Regrettably, apart from her parents and online subscribers who’ve never laid eyes on her due to her severe social anxiety, she remains relatively unknown in the music world.

Initially shy and struggling to speak up around strangers, Bocchi courageously ventures into forming a band. Remarkably, the individuals she encounters help coax her out of her comfort zone and onto the stage. With their support, Bocchi gradually comes alive and starts sharing her music with the world.

1 Welcome To The NHK

A Dive Into The Psychological Damage Of Loneliness

One of the most acclaimed and recognized anime series, titled “Welcome To The NHK,” centers around the lives of individuals known as NEETs. This animated series delves into the life of Satou Tatsushiro, a 20-something NEET who is also a hikikomori, struggling with emotional trauma from his childhood and overwhelming feelings of depression and anxiety.

As I, a once-reclusive gamer, my life takes an unexpected turn when I befriend a spirited girl named Misaki. She’s determined to break me free from my NEET lifestyle and reintroduce me to the world. This journey leads me down various paths – as a game writer, a teacher, and even dabbling in romance. Yet, despite these changes, I often find myself slipping back into my secluded habits.

2024-09-15 11:54