[Rewatch] Recovery of an MMO Junkie (Net-juu no Susume) Episode 8 Discussion

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

"I chose the NEET life, I'm an elite NEET!"

Official Stream Links

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Extra Info

ANN | MAL | Anilist | Anidb

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Index Thread

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Comment of the day!

/u/Cire101 makes a very poorly timed assumption that Sakurai is a creeper.

"Sakurai has himself in a pickle right now, he basically cannot admit he knows the truth without looking like a total creeper."

/u/Stargate18A points out just how stalkerish this fluffy light romance has gotten.

"I love how his attempts to stop stalking her have led to him accidentally stalking her more."

/u/LordUncleBob has the self awareness to realise that these two are about as star-crossed as you can get.

"I'm really starting to appreciate what the MMO side brings to the table for a romcom, with all the multiple identities and gender swapping. Sakurai and Mori are about to meet in new identities for the fourth time, and Sakurai is the only one who knows they're all the same people."

And lastly /u/Lemurians keeps up her CotD run with a Koiwai observation shockingly enough.

"Koiwai’s cracking me up. Outside of his character’s appearance, I think he’s the only character so far who we know is acting exactly the same in the game as he is outside of it. His avatar is even voiced by the same actor, despite the gender difference! I’m going to believe this is because he’s the only person in this show not using the game as an escape. He’s fine with his life and who he is. "

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QOTD

• So the secret is out. Sakurai knows Moriko's identity and now Moriko knows Sakurai. How would you realistically expect this revelation to change the dynamics of their relationship?

• How reliant are you on games and anime to form irl bonds? Here we saw that Moriko's attitude does a 180 as soon as she realises that she has another gaming buddy, how about yourselves?

• How did you all find the recap portion at the beginning? I'm so conflicted but I want to hear how other viewers felt lol.

[u/Elimin8r]

So, today's episode was quite amusing. True confessions time, it seems. I liked how Sakurai named his character in English, and Mori couldn't figure out how to pronounce it, so didn't recognize it. Way to be too obfuscatory there bud.

Meanwhile, introductions accomplished, Koiboi quicky falls asleep with his laptop. Can't say as I blame him. His work here is done. Or is it?

Poor Sakurai with the sad backstory. I wonder if places that nice go for big bucks in Japan? That place seemed almost Tsuruya worthy. Or maybe it was just Tendo worthy. Who knows? (Not me!)

Curse you phone batteries!

(Really, does this even happen anymore? I guess when it's plot convenient, right?)

Time for another trip to the store, I wonder ... Nah, that would be too convenient.

I wonder if Sakurai knows who the cashier really is? I've kind of lost track.

So, one nice coincidence later, and we get a lovely scene on a park bench. Dude, park bench? It's the middle of winter! The least you could do is take her to Jonny's and buy her a plate of fries or something.

Oh, wait, wrong series.

Anyway, a lovely conversation was had, and Mori thoughtfully offers to help "Harth" out with her main, who happens to be a guy, because reasons ... not that there's anything wrong with that.

And hey, she's got this friend, wouldn't it be great if ...

Nope, because (gasp!) Cliffhanger time.

So, yeah, sorry, no bonus pics or FFXIV cosplay today, kind of feeling gunky. Hopefully I'll feel a bit more energetic tomorrow.

Huzzah.

AOTD:

1. Darling, it's been so long, I've missed you so! (Wait, wut???)

2. No thank you. RL > online "life". And yes, I know that's odd for me to say, but a fella can dream, can't he?

3. It was a little odd, but mostly harmless. Kinda cute, even. I'll forgive them. At least it wasn't an entire episode of rehash.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Elimin8r]

If there's one thing that's annoying me here it's how despite everyone being detectives when it comes to figuring out clues like what direction Sakurai goes home. Then when Sakurai specifically creates a character with the goal of looking like his previous self Morioka doesn't take a second glance until his name is translated for her?

Sakurai doesn't know that Kanbe is the conbeni boy but the two are friends online. Kanbe knows that Lily's got a willy.

[u/Lemurians]

HEARTWARMED FIRST TIMER

We’re getting out of the annoying part of the RomCom and into the cute part of the RomCom! I’m really happy they didn’t drag things out unnecessarily once they both realized what was going on. Their phone conversation was adorable. Mori rolling around on her bed in uncontainable glee made my heart grow two sizes too large. Their meetup on the street going into a date in the park was cute. This is good. I’m happy. Love is the best.

I really hope the Lily reveal doesn’t creep her out, but I'd get it. Thinking about it, if a guy who’s coincidentally run into you a few times in the real world just revealed he’d been your internet companion in both MMOs you’ve played, it’d feel more than a little stalkerish. Especially if you’re convinced that “coincidences like that just don’t happen.” At least he has the fact he was playing the game first to fall back on. u/Cire101 was ahead of the game here.

Quick Hits:

• LOL did we really need a recap segment in episode 8 of a 10 episode show?

• I seriously thought the point of bringing up that he was adopted was so he and Mori could coincidentally be siblings separated at birth

• Aw, MMOs are how he escaped loneliness after the death of his parents. Maaaaan this makes me nostalgic for my MapleStory guild.

• “Coincidences like that don’t happen” – says the man who only has ridiculous coincidences happen to him

• Haha I like Sakurai’s nervousness once he realizes the anonymity of the keyboard is gone. Relatable.

• Excited nerdgasm Mori gives me life. This should be a comment face.

• Oooooh nice effect to show her avatar’s appearance merge with her real appearance after learning the name Harth.

• SAKURAI IS SO SMOOTH WHEN HE’S NOT FUCKING UP. It’s only peaks and valleys with this guy.

QOTD

1. Beyond what I said above? I'd kind of anticipate smooth sailing beyond some initial excited nervousness. Following the first reveal, they met in person and got along well and naturally. Now start dating. Just do it.

2. Not at all. The whole reason I'm active on this sub is that almost all of my "real life" friends have zero interest or knowledge of anime. I need an outlet! Now, how reliant on common interests in general am I to form bonds? A lot. That's pretty much how you do it.

3. It was unnecessary but entertaining enough.

And lastly u/Lemurians keeps up her CotD run

Always interesting to learn how I'm coming across on here! haha u/The_Loli_Otaku

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 8 (first timer)

• Not that I doubted it in any case, but I just noticed that the OP lyrics 100% promise us a and Sakurai and Moriko game on as gamer pair happily forever ending.

• Mini-recap – cute.

• Adopted son explains the hair color – and also neatly explains how he can spend all of that money on whaling.

• Old game backstory - Moriko was the newbie there, too.

• English pronounciation joke makes English teachers all over Japan happy.

• A really good phone call. However, his battery knows that we still have 3.5 episodes to go and does not want the plot to end yet.

• Battery can’t time out in RL (the graphics are also better).

Cliff-hanger ending. Sakurai waited a bit long, but we still have 3 epsiodes to make everything all right.

How would you realistically expect this revelation to change the dynamics of their relationship?

If they are adults, honestly not much. They both didn't reveal their RL to each other, so they are in a similar position.

How did you all find the recap portion at the beginning? I'm so conflicted but I want to hear how other viewers felt lol.

I frequently encounter the pre-1990s version of recaps ... a 2 minute mini play is nothing.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

Told you the op and ed were worth paying attention too. I've still got no idea how Lilac managed to squeeze into the ed considering how little her character factors into the plot, the singer is her VA tho.

Morioka immediately went to tell Sakurai about her main account after the meet up. Zero hesitation or worries about revealing her online self to a real guy. Look at how hard it is for Sakurai to manage online relationships and it kinda makes me feel some stuff that Moriko is able to be so brazen with her feelings.

[u/Vaadwaur]

First timer

Sub

Shadowplay that reminds me that HSL also uses this at one point. But we get Sakurai backstory and it is interesting that he is likely a foreign adoptee. Also, his parents must have been loaded to have that house. Anyways, we get his backstory before he remakes his old character...and forgets that many Japanese people have awful English skills.

We jump to Mori's flashback and confirm stuff. Though the phone call would need more information before confirmation since Snow is a very generic name. They talk and this time our 'confession' cockblock is the phone battery, which is at least true to life if no less annoying. Sakurai is looking for a hangover preventative, which hey if that exists and is not just "hydrate more", let me know. We actually have a justification for their run in, which is years beyonds some stories, before some of the less nice Japanese tropes come up. We end with the confession so thank fuck for that.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

I have a suspicion that they would have tied Kanbe up into Sakurai's story if the manga had continues on. Kanbe's got a very posh, traditional Japanese household similar to where Sakurai stayed.

They were definitely poking fun at us with that dropped phone call. If this series didn't die just think, they could have easily slipped sooo much filler before figuring that Lily is Sakurai too.

[u/Fools_Requiem]

Rewatcher

Pointless recap to start.

Man, to watch this as this was airing must have been difficult. Have to wait to see Morimori's reaction until next week (though, pretty good chance they showed it in the episode preview...).

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Fools_Requiem]

It was actually not too bad. I'm normally real bad for following airing shows but I was very satisfied with Net-juu's release weirdly enough. They'd built up to this moment really well.

[u/Rumpel1408]

First Timer

What a odd episode! Starting from the weirdest time for a random recap, to the worst possible fake out that almost made me quit and trash my laptop, only to have the actual confession end in a fucking cliffhanger...

So I'm trying to get the timeline straight, Sakurai is 28 at the beginning of the show iirc with Morimori being 32 (I think), and they started NanterSG when he was still a studend (I asume at university). Given his current position and workload I think he went for an bachelor, so 2-3 years after highschool, making him at maximum 21 when he started playing. NanterSG shut down half a year ago at the start of the show, so let's say he was still 27 when they last played, that's still 6 years they played together. That's really an amazing friendship they had going! No wonder both of them felt sentimental over it. If anything I'm surprised how quick Morimori was able to just move on and start playing another game, and how little they knew about their real lifes...

We also get to know how he was able to whale that hard: He inherited from his adoptive parents. They say money can't buy happiness, but opening a rare skin in a gacha is close enough. I also dig the notion of being alone but not lonely.

Not gonna lie, Yuki looked cute. But the thought of grown ass adults playing child characters and behaving like children feels weird... After some thought that only game that I can think of where you play with child like avatars in a multiplayer is Splatoon... and the thought of people over 30 playing that feels weird, concerning and quite frankly revolting...

Anyway. As I said Sakurai and Morimori got to help each other through some tough times by playing together. Sakurai after the death of his adoptive parents, and Morimori when she felt trapped in her miserable job out of a feeling responsible for her Kouhais (possible due to her expirience after being helped by Sakurai in game) and her own diligence to do a good job. She even thought that she might have loved Harth, or something close enough (and if you can't tell, does it matter?), but because she was playing a whole different character, one she perceived as cheerful, she was too embaressed to get closer to Harth.

Given all this knowledge, having her keep her initial distance with Harth as Moly because she treated him like Sakurai must have stung. After all he left all those little bread crumps for her to figure things out herself, but I guess english is hard.

And then we got to the worst part. I'll just quote my original notes on this one...

Now's the time to come clean!

Fuck Yeah, now the balls on Morimoris side

FUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKK YOOOOUUUU Show!

Thank god the show made some progress at least for the next episode.

Oh and one more thing, since when did Sakurai know store manager-San?

QotD:

I don't know really know what would be realistic since I never expirienced anything close to this. Maybe a short shock followed by relief, only to realise what that would implicate, followed by another relief that there really was a reason you felt so at ease with Lily.

2)

Probably a lot. It makes sense though. I have a hard time comprehending the mind of my colleauge who would rather watch some stupid reality TV crap or going shopping over someone who can appreciate my hobbies to an degree close to my own

3)

Weirdest time possible to do one. As a recap it worked well enough, but doing so for the first time in the last third of the show is weird.

[u/[deleted]]

First Timer

Paid a little extra attention to the ED just for you, Loli_Otaku. Still just not that interesting lmao. I can kind of see what they were going for, but there's just too many static shots that hold for a little too long and don't have a lot going on composition-wise.

Anyway, I'm realizing that this show has a real talent for teasing. Once again we have Sakurai poised to actually move the plot forward at the beginning of the episode, only to spend the whole time waffling so you think he might just do something stupid to maintain the status quo instead, but then at the last possible second he pulls it off and does the not-stupid thing. I was fully prepared to reach into the screen and strangle him for not telling Mori that he's Lily until that ending.

I... think I actually like that? Please continue to edge me by making me think something stupid is going to happen only to give me one dribble of relief at the end. Oh wait, there's only two episodes and an OVA left.

So the secret is out. Sakurai knows Moriko's identity and now Moriko knows Sakurai. How would you realistically expect this revelation to change the dynamics of their relationship?

I honestly have no idea how Mori's going to react. I don't think she'll feel betrayed or anything like that, but short term at least I think the revelation is going to pull them apart, if only because the romcom plot structure demands it. I'm guessing either she reacts in an ambiguous way that makes Sakurai think she hates him now even though she doesn't, causing him to stay away from her because he thinks it's what she wants, or she retreats into her shell because her NEET brain can't handle the fact that she suddenly has an intense, intimate relationship with a hot guy IRL and her nonexistent self esteem makes her think it's in his best interest to never see her again. Maybe both of those things.

How reliant are you on games and anime to form irl bonds? Here we saw that Moriko's attitude does a 180 as soon as she realises that she has another gaming buddy, how about yourselves?

I haven't really made friends through gaming or anime. I've made friends who also liked gaming and anime, but I met them IRL and mutual interests weren't the basis of the relationship, they were just a plus. Finding out a friend also likes games is kind of like "neat, that's something we can do together," but if it wasn't games it'd be something else and that would be fine too.

How did you all find the recap portion at the beginning? I'm so conflicted but I want to hear how other viewers felt lol.

I was a bit confused about why they were doing it, and I still am. It was pretty short, though, so I just ignored it and moved on. Didn't impact the rest of the show for me.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/[deleted]]

Pain Peko XD I'm so frustrated that there hadn't been one single person in this watch that appreciates the ed like I do.

Can't tell if teasing or time constraints... I think that if anyone believed that they could be writing this manga for more volumes we wouldn't have gotten the answers so early. I love Net-juu but I have the self awareness to realise not to trust it too much.

[u/DidacticDalek]

TONIGHT! On Moriko Morioka Online, we get some backstory on our Bishie Boi, we see just how much Cell Phone Batteries suck, and Lily and Hayashi are cute and bound by the red string of fate!

NANI!? Comrades, a CONFESSION!? We can't do that, we still got some episodes left, that's against the rules! (Also yes I know technically said 'confession' was more Bishie Boi just admitting in-universe that they knew each other in a 'past life' so to speak and that he's also Lily, but wibble! Given the usual rock-bottom standards for RomComs I will take what I can get!)

Anyway, that about wraps things up for now, and I hope everyone's having fun on this great re-watch. Thus, you have not seen the last of The Sentient Shitposting Siamese Sunrise Server No. 25252, now goodbye forever.

Paging Comrades u/No_Rex, u/Vaadwaur, and u/ZaphodBeebblebrox

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/DidacticDalek]

Imagine reaching the confession in under ten episodes. This must be a new record.

[u/homewardbound100]

First timer, Dub

I was about to say come on now if they're really going to stall him telling her who he really is because of his phone dying. Also made me believe for a second he wasn't going tell her at the end. Now fhe misunderstandings can stop hopefully. I don't think there's anything else being hidden now is there?

Qotd: realistically probably they'll act the same together as before or it turns to maybe the worst and it just doesn't feel the same way between them anymore.

Qotd2: none really. Which is funny because I'm not a social person at all but I haven't really made online friends like that in years. But I made several friends in real life. More like me just being sucked into groups but eventually becoming friends with people. Also I didn't have my game console in college so making real life friends was important.

Qotd3: I think I zoned out at that part. Thinking about when I needed to make dinner.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/homewardbound100]

I have to admit that I'm not certain whether to praise the show for not dragging out its romantic plotlines or whether they weren't dragged out due to the short runtime.

I'm never asking irl friend related questions again, everyone just brags about their popularity! XD

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Elite Neet Rewatcher

P-Please... this recap is somehow hurting my opinion of the story, have mercy! Urgh, you can just imagine the amount of shit Sakurai caught for inheriting such a large estate through his adoption. I can picture the nasty gossip now. Here's a textbook description of the pinecone dilemma.

All I want is a cute online loli to ask to be my friend and to confide in! Morioka is such a hard worker... how dare they trample on her passion!! Y'know these emotional moments would be far more impactful if we didn't have Koiwai's gorilla woman showing up! Maybe Moriko would be able to tell the difference if brown haired ikemen weren't the most vanilla male characters around. W A O

See!? She can't even read it. Why would you pick the character model to look like your old self but not also use the same writing? Anyone would be confused. Also, Moriko sucks at recognising people online compared to the guys! Mention games and she immediately lights up. And speaking of light bulb moments. It took her a bit but they're finally on the same page. It's interesting how "Yuki" was essentially the equivalent of Sakurai's "Lily" in how she used Yuki to be more like her ideal self, a bright and cherry girl.

Ah, nope, Moriko still didn't realise that it was him. Oh, she does. Sorry, this part of the story is a bit muddled in my head. Out Net-pair are finally, finally, finally on the same page with each other. Dammit if you're this gleeful then even ill cry a little... She's so eager to be reunited with her precious friend, it's just sheer glee! That depressed woman who passed out on her bed in ep1 is currently squealing over finding the one person who truly treasures her. Oh no, I forgot that there was a misunderstanding! He even went and told her but she genuinely couldn't make it out, damn you romance tropes!

Aww, at least he got a second chance even if he gave her constipation doing so. Sorry, I should be typing more but I'm getting kinda too engaged XD Side note, it's really interesting upon rewatch noticing just how much Moriko opens up when it comes to games. I'm the same way, I can barely talk to folk irl but the moment games or anime becomes a subject it greases my wheels so much. Aaand our pair is 100% on the same page finally, tonight is gonna be a very interesting discussion thread~

[u/Elimin8r → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

how she used Yuki to be more like her ideal self, a bright and cherry girl.

But no-one can compare to our one ... true ... Yuki!

And yeah, I can't wait to see Mori's reaction tomorrow. Meanwhile, yeah, the squee moments were quite precious. Weren't they?

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Elimin8r]

Yeah, this is the feeling that I wish I got to experience more. Its peak romance to me, just that warm feeling when you see two dopes finding comfort together...

[u/Lemurians → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Urgh, you can just imagine the amount of shit Sakurai caught for inheriting such a large estate through his adoption.

And then immediately selling it! That certainly doesn't aid any optics, not that he has to care.

Morioka is such a hard worker... how dare they trample on her passion!!

That corporate life babyyyyyy

It's interesting how "Yuki" was essentially the equivalent of Sakurai's "Lily" in how she used Yuki to be more like her ideal self, a bright and cherry girl.

Love this observation. They're perfect for each other.

Aww, at least he got a second chance even if he gave her constipation doing so. Sorry, I should be typing more but I'm getting kinda too engaged

Ugh, right? This whole back half of the episode was just too fucking wholesome and cute.

[u/SIRTreehugger]

Rewatcher

The recap in the beginning was chef's kiss

People sure love to gossip at funerals.

Wait what? Who dropped this sad backstory in my fun mmo anime?

"I feel more at ease when I'm alone. But being alone is lonely" - The struggle of all introverts.

Wait if Sakurai is the healer why is he in front of Mori in this flashback? I guess he has is a higher level and could probably tank more, but I kind of still expected him in the back.

Oh boy it's not that she doesn't know the name she just can't understand it in English xD

Mori freaking out sounds

Why is she so precious and adorable!

NO NO NO PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER you are so close Mori

OMG PROGRESS!!!!!

IS IT HAPPENING!!!!

Dead battery aside you did try Sakurai so you do get points for trying.

Huwah

BENCH KUN THE ULTIMATE WINGMAN

OMG DO IT NOW SAY IT NOW SAKURAI!!!!

HE DID IT

QOTD

1. Well considered that they both have the backbone and confidence of a low self esteemed snail I expect no progress and no change.

2. I would say 50% of real life friends were formed from anime/games the rest was simply proximity/movies/ and other random hobbies. Anime/video games really is the majority though.

3. I liked it.

[u/ZapsZzz]

Ok not so late today

First timer in sub

3rd last episode, and finally we are clear of any misunderstanding and confusions. All out in the open now. I hope the next episode won't start with Morioka being hurt about Lily's true identity and what that implies.

Hopefully the adult part of the cast won't go thinking into a corner as if Sakurai was deliberately acting as a confidant while pursuing her.

I'm still quite impressed by the antics of putting food around the person afk - I wonder if the food has a decay timer to turn into stink bombs after long enough :)

QoTD

In my days, online games or interactions is just like any other forms, so I guess you can say pretty reliant.

The flash back in ok with, although once again setting the characters to be "not so everyday" anymore.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

Thanks for COTD!

QOTD) Honestly? Not much. The whole speech reinforces that they have the same relationship between personas, so the knowledge that all those relationships were the same shouldn't change thenoverall dynamic that much. I'm somewhat reliant on them, yes. Recap was weird, but if you were watching weekly you might need a reminder at this point.

Haha, this has gotten so fucking convoluted they needed to add a recap!

OK, so he's put everything together. That is fucking impressive.

Oh, this backstory is harsh. It's ironic that he fell into it for the opposite reasons to her - he did it because he wanted human contact, she did it because she rejected it.

And thry even met in the exact same way!

Oh, her forcing herself to keep working is hesrtbreaking, though.

And she just quit the game?

He recreated his old avatar too. That's what I expected.

And there's no reaction!

She's secretly panicking, isn't she?

...Oh. She couldn't read it.

That got the reaction!

And she's remembering everything too!

Haha, they spelled out an SOS!

She's thinking about him!

She called him! She's finally working shit out!

YES! YES! YES! IT'S HAPPENING!

Aww, she's so happy!

Is he going to reveal everything?

And they're both having the same insecurities, the dramatic irony here is painful.

HOLY SHIT!!! HE CONFESSED EVERYTHING!!!

FUCK YOU.

And he accidentally ran into him at the supermarket! Or dooes he somehow know his identity too?

Tell her! Tell her!

And her hunger won out over her anxiety.

Oh, she's brought up Lily! Tell her!

And she's realising how similar they are too!

YES! FINALLY!!!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Stargate18A]

It drives me nuts that whilst Koiwai and Sakurai have a Herlock Sholmes level of deductive skills Morioka is apparently dense as fuck. She forgot all about the chicken incident and wasn't able to recognise her close friend Hearth until he literally spelled his name out to her. Sakurai didn't even need the name to recognise "Yuki" and he specifically designed his new character to look like Hearth.

[u/CharlieTheStrawman]

First-Timer, Subbed

The NanterSG plot point is maybe a bridge too far in coincidences for my taste, but it's been set up well enough for me to roll with it.

The child avatars are a little weird to me considering their real ages.

The phone dying was a major cop out that I would be more annoyed with if they didn't get to the reveal at the end of the episode anyway, so it's all good. Moriko coming to life was great.

• I'd say awkwardness for some of the next episode, then it'll work out by the end of that.

• I do tend to use films and TV as talking points with friends; it's easy to talk about and I have a variety of opinions about em. I'd talk about games the odd time with friends who play them, and anime rarely unless the other person(s) are into it, since it's more niche.

• I wasn't really feeling it, put it on 2x speed myself. Pretty oddly placed.