Do you know what a Hikikomori or NEET is?

Have you seen any anime or people talking about hikikomori or NEET? Ever wondered what those words mean? In this article, we will try to explain in detail what a Neet and a Hikikomori are, what the differences are and how these terms came about. First let's start by talking about the Japanese word hikikomori.

Hikikomori (引き篭り) is a term that literally means isolated at home, it is used to refer to people who have severe levels of isolation, usually young people between the ages of 13 and 39 who are often supported by their parents or work online. NEET is basically the same thing but has its differences.

The Problems of a Hikikomori or Neet

It is estimated that there are over 1 million hikikomori or neet scattered throughout Japan. This Number cannot be counted exactly as they do not participate in anything in Japanese society, being true ghosts like the Johatsu that disappear without a trace.

These Japanese who live isolated inside the room is already a serious case of public health. Thousands of young people find themselves in this situation due to the high degree of perfection demanded by Japanese society. Many people end up being pressured too much to the point of creating psychological problems.

Most of the time the Hikikomori or Neet tend to have low self-esteem, fear of people, fear of leaving the room and in some cases even sociopathic tendencies. There are cases of people in their 40s who are dependent on their parents and live isolated in their room, living on social networks and in anonymity.

Young Hikikomoris often exclude themselves socially even from their families, where mothers leave snacks outside their rooms so they can get them. They interact with manga, anime, games, and with the infinite amount of choices they can have with the world. otaku.

Do you know what a hikikomori or neet is?

What makes someone Hikikomori?

People tend to become a Hikikomori for the following reasons:

  • The high level of perfection demanded by society;
  • Low self-esteem;
  • Many isolate themselves by preferring fantasy to reality;
  • Psychological disorders;
  • Traumatic experiences;
  • Excessive shyness;
  • Depression;
  • Anxiety;
  • Panic Syndrome; Bipolarity;
  • Schizoid personality, among other disorders;
  • The ijime (bullying);

Many have suffered bullying or traumatic experiences at work or at school, causing these people to end up being disappointed with society as a whole, generating a withdrawal from social interaction with all those around them. At least some of the problems listed above are reasons for someone to be a hikikomori or neet.

Do you know what a hikikomori or neet is?

What is the difference between Hikikomori and Neet?

The word NEET (nitto;ニート) originated in the United Kingdom and came to be used in other countries such as Japan. This acronym literally means “Não está atualmente envolvido em emprego, educação ou treinamento.” which translating means “Currently without employment, education (without studying) and professional training.

Basically they are two words with different definitions. Hikikomori is used to refer to people who live isolated indoors and never go out. .

The word NEET is very broad and is often used not just for bums but for people who work from home or are looking for a job. Basically NEETs are people who do not contribute to society, most often hikikomori.

Do you know what a hikikomori or neet is?

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Hikikomori Treatment Program

In 2007, the Japanese government implemented a program to assist hikikomoris, social workers establish contact with them through letters, phone calls and then invite them to go out to the cinema, squares, malls, stimulating social contact and, consequently, reducing the state of isolation. .

These social workers are called “Super Sisters”, because they are female and are able to raise many young men in this situation. We can see a great example by watching the anime NHK ni Youkoso! Welcome to the NHK! In England, support groups for those who suffer from the same problem have proved to be quite effective.

The treatment is carried out by encouraging the young person to participate in social, cultural and sports activities. The first step is to be a trustworthy person and show that the patient can trust her, as hikikomori are extremely sensitive to human interactions and got that way precisely because they don't trust people.

Do you know what a hikikomori or neet is?

Anime that experience the life of Hikikomoris

In addition to the mentioned NHK ni Youkoso which we strongly recommend, there are other interesting anime that show the life and personality of a Hikikomori. See some below:

No Game No Life - The brothers Sora and Shiro are inseparable, both in the real world and in the game world. Their combined individual skills make them an invincible team: Sora, with his amazing intuition and knowledge; and Shiro, with his intelligence that goes beyond that of a genius prodigy. In the real world, they are hikikomori, reclusive, and anti-social, but in the gaming world, the two are part of the 『 』 (Kuuhaku (空白?lit. “white space”)), a mysterious group of online gamers who win all games with an amazing score. Player account names are always left blank, so they are known as “blank”.

One day, after defeating a mysterious opponent in an online chess game, the brothers are offered by their opponent to be reborn in his world, Disboard - a fantasy world where everything is determined through games. When they accept the proposal, Sora and Shiro are summoned to Disboard by the God of that world, Tet, and get to know their opponents. Together, the brothers begin their journey to rescue the weak human race from Imanity and conquer the world, then challenge Tet for the title of God.

Kamisama no Memochou - This anime tells an investigative story where detective Alice and student Fujishima Narumi unravel mysterious urban cases with the help of various NEETs.

List of Anime by Hikikomori or Neet

Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
Anime NameYear
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! Movie: Legend of Crimson2019
No Game No Life2014
Re:ZERO - Starting Life in Another World2016
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! two2017
Welcome to the NHK!2006
ReLIFE2016
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! 2 OVA2017
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world!2016
Eden of the East2009
Recovery of an MMO Junkie2017
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! OVA2016
Osomatsu-san The Movie2019
Mr. Osomatsu2015
Mr. Osomatsu 2nd Season2017
Recovery of an MMO Junkie Special2017
Heaven's Memo Pad2011
Btooom!2012
Neeko's VTuber debut.2018
Mr. Osomatsu 3rd Season2020

Some isolated anime characters from our friend Thunderbout:

There are many other anime that have at least one character and show their life as hikikomori, some famous ones are:

  • Denpa Kyoushi;
  • Rozen Maiden;
  • Sasami-san@Ganbaranai;
  • ReLIFE;
  • Chaos;Head;
  • Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken;
  • Btooom;
  • Satou Tatsuhiro (favorito absoluto) - Bem-vindo à NHK
  • Kaoru Yamazaki - Welcome to the NHK!
  • Kuroki Tomoko - Welcome to the NHK!
  • Jintan - Ano Hana
  • Oreki Houtarou - Hyouka
  • Lain - Serial Experiments Lain
  • Ryuunosuke Akasaka - Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo

What do you think of Neet or Hikikomori? Know anyone? Do you know any anime or drama that portrays this situation? Comment and share with friends.

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