There are plenty of cute anime girls who lock themselves away from the world for one reason or another. They’re either NEET girls who have no jobs or the hikikomori who shut themselves indoors. Though society looks down on them, we cultured otaku will hold these cute girls aloft, even if they prefer we don’t.
1. Shizuri Ideura (NEET Kunoichi to Nazeka Dosei Hajimemashita)
“NEET” is literally in the title here, so we know what to expect. Shizuri is a powerful kunoichi warrior who has dedicated her life to protecting Tsukasa Atsumi, a descendant of a mighty samurai clan. Though she has peerless skills befitting the future leader of her clan, Shizuri prefers a shut-in lifestyle filled with snacks, video games, anime, and manga. She slays youma whenever they attack Tsukasa, so she’s probably earned some lazy days.
Yakitomato and Kotatsu released their NEET Kunoichi to Nazeka Dosei Hajimemashita webcomic on January 25th, 2020. No. 9 has released ten digital volumes in No. 9 Comic, and three physical volumes from ASCII Media Works were in the Dengeki Comics EX imprint.
2. Elda (Otaku Elf)
Elda is actually an isekai protagonist. She’s a centuries-old elf from another world who appeared in Japan in time to meet Tokugawa Ieyasu. She has lived in a prominent shrine with a devoted following of villagers, even into the modern age. Despite her divine appearance, Elda is a complete hikikomori who would rather laze about with energy drinks and snacks to fuel gaming marathons. Her attendant Koito Koganei insists that Elda is useless, but they are still firm friends.
Elda first came to live in Tsukishima in a manga series written and illustrated by Akihiko Higuchi. Kodansha began publishing his work on June 17th, 2019, and six volumes have been released already.
3. Shiro (No Game No Life)
Shiro is one-half of『 』, the username belonging to a peerless gamer. She — like her step-brother Sora — is a hikikomori who prefers to spend all day gaming. Shiro should get a free pass on this one however, she’s a true genius who has become fluent in multiple languages and she has never once lost a chess match. However, Shiro becomes almost catatonic if Sora isn’t near her. She has a keen interest in games, but whether or not she is an otaku is up for debate.
Now’s your chance to get your own hyper-intelligent hikikomori girl. The Shiro 1/7 Figure from No Game No Life is available for purchase right now.
No Game No Life set up the chess game of a lifetime as a light novel series by Yuu Kamiya and published by Media Factory on April 25th, 2012.
4. Terakomari “Komari” Gandesblood (The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess)
Hikikomari is in the Japanese title, but it’s close enough. Komari locked herself away from the world at large years ago, and it wasn’t so she had more time to watch anime. A certain incident in her past left her deeply traumatized. That, coupled with her lack of evident vampiric ability, made this vampire princess seem nothing special. Despite that, her father gave her command of an army. It might be a while before Komari can continue her hikikomori lifestyle. Maybe she should take up some anime after all.
The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess began as a light novel series written by Kotei Kobayashi and illustrated by Riichu in 2020. A total of nine volumes have been published so far.
5. Izumi Takanashi (Working!!)
Izumi presents a particularly severe form of hikikomori. She can’t hold anything heavier than a pen without straining herself, and going on any sort of walk is out of the question. Fortunately for her, she is a professional writer, so she can work from home. Izumi heavily relies on Souta Takanashi to take care of her and despairs at the prospect of him finding a girlfriend. It would take up more of his time.
Karino Takatsu created Working!! from January 2005 to November 2014. Square Enix released all thirteen volumes in Young Gangan.
What do you think of our list of NEET and hikikomori girls? Did we forget any of your favorites? Are you a shut-in? Let us know in the comments below.
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