Ep 4. Since I'm Not Popular, I'll Have a Good Dream

Tomoko Kuroki finds herself struggling with her loneliness and social ineptitude yet again in the fourth episode of WataMote. After a rough day at school which included being ignored by her classmates and mistakenly assuming a girl was hitting on her, Tomoko finds solace in her dreams.

In her dream, Tomoko is the popular girl in school, adored by her peers and with a handsome boyfriend. She has everything she's ever wanted, but during a conversation with her dream boyfriend, he reveals that he only likes her for her looks and that he doesn't care about her personality. This realization hits Tomoko hard, and she wakes up feeling even more lonely than before.

Determined to improve herself and become more attractive to others, Tomoko creates a list of actions she believes will make her more popular. She tries everything from wearing a fashionable scarf to laughing more during conversations, but nothing seems to work. Tomoko eventually realizes that she is trying too hard to be someone she's not and that people will like her for who she is, not who she's trying to be.

The episode ends with Tomoko feeling a sense of relief that she doesn't have to change who she is to be accepted by others. She reflects on her experiences and acknowledges that it's okay to be unpopular and that she should focus on being the best version of herself.

Throughout the episode, Tomoko's struggles with loneliness and social anxiety are depicted in a relatable and often humorous way. The show continues to delve into the complex emotions of the teenage experience while also highlighting the ridiculousness of societal standards and expectations.

Overall, "Since I'm Not Popular, I'll Have a Good Dream" is a thought-provoking episode that reminds viewers to embrace their individuality rather than conforming to societal norms.