Ep 7. Welcome to the Moratorium!

Satou, the protagonist of Welcome to the N-H-K, is in a perpetual state of self-loathing, feeling trapped in a hopeless life of social anxiety, internet addiction, and despair. In Episode 7, entitled "Welcome to the Moratorium!", Satou's dismal existence reaches new lows as he slips further into depression and paranoia.

With his trusty companion, a stray cat named Purin, by his side, Satou attempts to escape his troubles through a series of bizarre and futile rituals. He wears a diaper in an attempt to break free from his dependence on the internet, performs compulsive exercises to stave off his paranoia, and even resorts to self-harm as a means of punishing himself for his failures.

Meanwhile, Satou's neighbor and sometime-friend, Yamazaki, is preparing to move out of their apartment building to attend college. This impending departure intensifies Satou's loneliness and feelings of abandonment, and he becomes increasingly convinced that the world is conspiring against him to keep him locked in a cycle of misery and humiliation.

As the episode progresses, Satou's mental state deteriorates rapidly. He begins to hallucinate that Purin is an agent of the N-H-K, a shadowy organization that he believes is behind all his woes. He is convinced that the N-H-K has infiltrated every aspect of his life, manipulating his thoughts and actions to keep him trapped in his current state of despair.

Despite this paranoia, Satou makes a brief attempt to break free from his routine and seek help from a therapist, only to be swindled out of his money by a fraudster posing as a licensed medical professional. This setback further fuels his belief in the N-H-K's omnipotence, and he retreats into his delusions more fully than ever before.

In the final scenes of the episode, Satou reaches a breaking point, fully consumed by his fears and despair. As he contemplates taking his own life, he is suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. It is Misaki, a mysterious girl who claims to be a counselor from the N-H-K. Satou is initially suspicious of her motives but agrees to hear her out.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the viewer uncertain of what is to come. Will Misaki be able to help Satou overcome his demons, or will she only deepen his sense of paranoia and distrust? Will Satou ever be able to break free from his self-destructive cycle, or is he doomed to remain in this despair forever?

Overall, "Welcome to the Moratorium!" is a difficult but compelling episode that delves deep into Satou's psyche, exploring the roots of his anxieties and revealing the extent of his inner turmoil. It is a raw and unflinching portrayal of mental illness that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with depression, anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness.