Watamote Hidden Gems: Episode 4

  

  As you all may know,Watamote is one of the many anime I'm watching this season. Now, one of the running jokes in the show is its constant reference to different anime, which is fitting because Tomoko, the main character, is quite the otaku. But, as I'm getting deeper into the series, I'm starting to notice little Easter eggs and cute parodies present throughout each episode and I thought it would be cool try to catch them all!!So let's get started!

Hidden Gems

A familiar face...?

Episode 4 of Watamote opens with Tomoko doing some late night Internet surfing. When the scene cuts to a full shot on her computer screen, you might have noticed a familiar face. In the middle of the page is a Internet ad promoting none other than...well...Watamote! Talk about shameless promotion XD.

Parodies 

May the Force Be With You

Except from Watamote

Except from Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back

During the same scene, Tomoko decides to read one more Internet article before going to bed. When the scene once again cuts to her computer screen, the words in the article are presented scrolling out in front of a space-like back drop. Even Star Wars gets a reference!

Word World

 
Tomoko finally hits the hay, in hopes of trying some sleeping tips she found in the article that might result in dirty dreams. Instead, she dreams of a world where everything is made of the Kanji that represents it. I'm not sure if it was an intentionally reference, but I can't help but point out this scene similarities to the award winning children's show Word World.

Word World

This might be a stretch, but you have to admit, the two concepts are pretty similar!

Watamote

Word World

Watamote

Word World

Play Motion Network?

The Play Motion 3 is my favorite consul !

Which one is the real one?

Now, most of you probably caught this but I still thought I should add it to the list. Product parodies in anime isn't anything new, but I still thought it was cute when Tomoko stopped by a game shop to pick a game for her Play Motion 3. Looks like they got the design down to a T!

Touyo or Tokyu?

In this episode, Tomoko mentions that her mom buys  underwear for her at the supermarket, and were shown a large shopping center called Touyu. However, the name and design bears a strong resemblance to that of the Japanese department store chain, Tokyu.

Bah Dah Bup Bah Bah....

I'm lovin' it!

  Towards the end of the episode we see Tomoko heading out of the mall and what eatery can we spot just to the right of her? Mcdon-..er...um...WcDonalds? But honestly, McDonalds knock offs are nothing new to anime.

So that's everything I could spot in this episode. Anything you think I missed?

Check out my other Hidden Gems posts!

Watamote Episode 3: “Since I'm Not Popular, The Weather's Bad”

Watamote Episode 3

     So as I stated in my First Impression video of this series, I like it for it's slice of life aspect and this was  reconfirmed in this most recent episode. Clearly this anime is not plot driven; all though Tomoko's ultimate goal is to become popular, she only works at it a little at a time. Because of this, the episodes pacing can be slow at times. For example, in this episode, we watch Tomoko go through an awkward day followed by a desperate attempt to become sick, so she won't have to go to school for a while. Although the plot sounds lackluster I actually enjoyed episode 3 because of Tomoko. She's extremely relate-able and the situations she facesin make me both laugh out loud and want to crawl up into a ball because I've been there. My favorite part had to be the scene where she's hiding from the rain under a bus stop.

Tomoko and some acquaintances

No Tomoko, you don't just tell people
you're sweaty.

 I could literally feel how nervous she must have been trying to make small talk with those boys. And although her attempts were hilariously wacky, I felt her pain of desperately trying to talk to someone, but not knowing what to say. I just wanted to jump into the computer screen and be yell, "Tomoko, No!!!!" The best scenes are always ones where Tomoko's in an uncomfortable situation because they manage to be funny and sad at the same time. In fact, scenes like this are much funnier than the anime references, which I could honestly do without. Now, don't get me wrong, I do get why they are included. 

"Tomoko" Kusanagi

After all, what would an anime about an otaku be without references to the anime world? Not to mention, it's refreshing to see the references include more recent anime such as Kuroko no Basket. But I just feel they could be more discrete, or at least blend with the story better. However, I have to admit, I was totally fan-girling during the Ghost in the Shell scene.

Prince Tomoki, who was sick this episode
but you could hardly tell because he
always looks like death.

     Now, as much as I love Tomoko, the highlight of this episode for me was her brother Tomoki. Once again he was bitter. Once again he was irritated with everything. And once again I loved it. This may sound weird, but I just love the fact that these two siblings rarely share heart felt moments. Call me a pessimist but I feel like it puts a final realistic touch on this show.

Overall, I thought this episode was cute, but sad, and a bit boring at times. 3/5

Watamote Hidden Gems: Episode 1

I'm back with another installment of Watamote: Hidden gems were I attempt to point out all the parodies and Easter eggs in each episode! This time around, I'm traveling back in time to episode 1! Let's see what we could spot!

Hidden Gems

Tomoko's Book Book

In this scene Tomoko is quietly reading in class. What is she reading? A book...called book. I bets it's a real page turner.

Manga Mania

In this scene Tomoko heads to the library, but did you notice what manga Tomoko and the gentlemen beside her are reading? If you look closely, you'll see the real life manga, (in order) Akame ga Kuri, Chronicles of the Going home, and Bakaramon. What do these title have in common? They are all published by Square Enix, the same company that publishes the Watamote Manga!

Akame ga Kiru

Barakamon

Chronicles of the Going Home Club

(Which also happens to be a new summer anime as well!)

Parodies

Anime

Ouran High School Host Club

Tomoko pictures this as her soon to be High School life. I have to say, the girl has got good taste! Looks like they got everything from the light blue jackets to the infamous floral borders~

Death Note

Watamote made fans flip with this parody of the infamous Death note writing scene. If only they included the chip scene! Check out this play by play comparison uploaded by YouTube user h4rd2

Games

Duel Love

The scene that made everyone uncomfortableXD So in this episode, Tomoko plays a hand-held game where the player must rub the back of some random bi-shonen dude until he...well...finishes? Well good news everyone, this scene is based on the DS game Duel Love.

Check out the real life massage scene:

Products

Everyone's favorite Eatery!

Add this to the growing collection of anime McDonalds parodies

Everyone's favorite Eatery!

Gaagle...

References

AKB48

In this scene, Tomoko's imaging what it must be like when the popular kids got out to karaoke. One boy mentions that he want to sing AK*, but the last letter is bleeped. Seems like a reference to popular J-pop super group AKB48.

Gantz and Parasyte

While wishing the worst upon her fellow classmates, Tomoko drops so more bleeped out references, this time mentioning the Shorty Aliens from the manga Gantz and the undercover parasite Hideo Shimada from the manga Parasyte. 

Gantz

Hideo Shimada

Gantz

Shorty Alien

Well, that's all I could under cover! Anything that you think I missed?