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Welcome to the Tokino Bathhouse where you will find dozens of beautiful maidens with amazing magical powers! Kazuto and his sister Rika are running their late grandfathers bathhouse while going to school. Some time back a Valkyrie from outer space, named Valkyrie, crashed into the bathhouse. Kazuto almost died from the crash landing but Valkyrie saved him by giving him part of her soul. The outcome is that Valkyrie transforms into her younger self. She can only become her adult form when she kisses Kazuto and she seems to only do that when she wants to protect him.

This DVD set includes OVA seasons 3 and 4. The extras are textless songs and trailers. The case has the reversible cover that I do so love. The art on the inside cover is done in a different style than the anime though. Are you wondering, why so quick to the features talk? What about the anime? Hmmm well… I didn’t like it at all. The show tries to be fan service, romantic, and bring you a zany kind of humor. It fails more often than not. The fan service is odd or disturbing in that most of it is of Valkyrie getting naked during her transformation from tiny her to the adult form. One, I don’t want to see a young girl kissing a high school boy. Two I definitely don’t want to see her do it naked. Three, I don’t want to see the little girl literally transform in front of my eyes in the way they chose to show it. Her boobs are the first thing to “grow up” then the view changes to her ass which doesn’t really appear to change, her legs get longer and then you finally see her face mature.  Kinda creepy. I remember trying to watch the first episodes of season one and only making it through maybe two before I was done. If I hadn’t been watching it for reviewing purposes I would have only made it about that far this time as well. When you aren’t watching Valkyrie’s service there is her cat girl maid Sanada to oogle. She more than once strips in public to dress in her super hero get up to save Valkyrie and Kazuto; she also spends quite a lot of time in jail. 

Everything seems to be preparing for the ultimate wedding between Valkyrie and Kazuto but it never happens. Season 4 just ends with a non ending that made me even more annoyed with the whole thing. You keep watching expecting the happy ending and there just isn’t an ending. There isn’t even a partial ending that will ensure you that there is more to come. Nothing.
If you want to watch a show that will bring good fan service, make you laugh, and even provide a good romantic back ground story then you should just watch Welcome to the N-H-K. It’s out in a convenient slim pack box set on four discs with the gorgeous reversible covers. This is a show you can’t pass up for any reason.

Welcome to the N-H-K follows a part of Sato’s life where he is a hikikomori. Sato is convinced that his long standing unemployment and dropping out of college are the cause of a huge conspiracy.  When Sato believes he is at the end of his limits Misaki comes into his life telling him that she can help him to rid himself of his hikikomori ways. She draws up a contract that will have them meeting in a local park every day so she can help him. Although Misaki is supposed to be helping Sato he often goes to his neighbor and long time friend, Yamazaki when he needs someone to talk to. You’re supposed to think that Sato is the one who needs the most help but every character that you come across has just as many if not more problems than Sato.  Welcome the N-H-K explores the extremes of the otaku. You see anime/manga lovers, MMORPG users, and everything in between, at their worst.  With each new obsession comes a greater fear of the conspiracy to tie Sato down but it also brings more laughs for us the viewers. With a show this funny you wouldn’t expect that it could also make you cry and even more it will make you think. Really think. What is normal?

Let Sato’s plight bring you hours of entertainment and watch as he forges relationships with the outside world even as a hikikomori. This show is well worth the money as it is definitely one to watch again and again while the other I would suggest that you rent it first.

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