Ep 17. Welcome to Happiness!

Welcome to the N-H-K is a 24-episode anime series depicting the struggles of a young man named Tatsuhiro Satou, who suffers from social anxiety and a severe case of conspiracy theory-driven paranoia. Satou spends most of his time in his small apartment, shut off from the world, until he meets Misaki Nakahara, a mysterious girl who claims she can cure him of his conditions. Together, Misaki and Satou embark on a journey to overcome their personal demons and find happiness in a world that seems determined to keep them down.

In episode 17, Welcome to Happiness!, Satou finds himself in a rare moment of contentment, thanks in large part to Misaki's influence. For the first time in a long time, he feels as though he belongs somewhere, and the future doesn't seem quite so bleak anymore. Meanwhile, a new character is introduced: a young woman named Hitomi Kashiwa, who is struggling to come to terms with her own insecurities and anxieties. Despite her bubbly exterior, Hitomi is plagued by doubts about her talents and worth as a person, and fears that her life is going nowhere.

When Misaki invites Hitomi to join their little support group, Satou is initially sceptical. He doesn't want anyone else interfering in his life, especially not someone as upbeat and energetic as Hitomi. However, as the three of them spend more time together, Satou starts to realise that he might have misjudged Hitomi. She's not just a happy-go-lucky airhead - she's a person with her own struggles and fears, just like him and Misaki.

Throughout the episode, the trio bond over various activities, such as playing video games, cooking together, and going to the beach. Satou finds himself opening up to Hitomi more than he ever expected to, and even starts to feel a small spark of attraction towards her. Misaki, meanwhile, seems content to simply observe the dynamic between the three of them, taking notes and offering advice when needed.

As the day draws to a close, Satou realises that he's had one of the best days in recent memory. For once, he's not consumed by his paranoia and anxieties - he's simply enjoying the company of two people who understand what he's going through. Hitomi, too, seems to have found a measure of peace, and thanks Satou and Misaki for being there for her.

Despite its title, Welcome to Happiness! is a bittersweet episode, tinged with the knowledge that these moments of joy and contentment are all too fleeting. Satou and his friends know that they still have a long way to go before they've truly conquered their inner demons, and that setbacks are inevitable. But for now, they've found something precious - a sense of community in a world that can often be isolating and cruel.