Host Bridget does some work for the organization New Start, which tries to help the hikikomori in Japan. Also, a big thank you to the anon on /hikki/ who subtitled this.
3:57 when she said "wow that's a long time", I think he felt judged. That's exactly what you don't have to do with people who tend to isolate themselves, they shut themselves in the rooms in order not to be judged. They should've told her before the interview, I feel sorry for the guy
Patronizing is how the superficial display their sympathy towards those different than themselves. The anorexic does it to obese, the able-bodied does it to the disable, the rich does it to the poor all of the time. The worse part is they don't realize it is wrong.
i think the father was right about stress being a cause. i had tremendous pressure on me from elementary to high school. i got good grades, did sports i hated competitively (sometimes 2 during the same season), tried to excel in other skills, and constantly attempted to prepare for the future. i eventually broke down and fell into depression. i almost didn't graduate high school because i stopped going. i was a hikikomori for about 2 years until i pushed myself to work part time. gradually i figured out how to interact with people even though it still feels like a chore. i found that forcing yourself to do shit you don't wanna do, distracting yourself from depression and anxiety (if it's not severe), and slowly changing your lifestyle (diet, exercise, addressing bad habits) helped me to get out, secure a full time job, and feel okay. though i've turned away from friendship, marriage, and dating even despite the benefits; i can't see myself living like a regular girl. i just want to get my shit together and feel better than okay.
After watching part 1, I get the feeling that this host was more excited about the story and her career than the actual people that are suffering. She showed very little empathy.
As much as there are bad things, there are also good things in the outside world to see and explore. Hikikomori sounds like a comfortable life to me, but i would at least get out for even a few minutes to the park at night, to enjoy the breeze and the smell of nature.
Yeah, I thought about that too. But I think she was making a point about how the Japanese value their privacy, which is a lead in to why the hikikomori exist as a definable subgroup in society.
I have been a hikikomori for almost 3 years and I live in Britain so this isn't just a Japanese problem. I actually think it can happen no matter what country that you live in under the right(well it's not a positive thing so I should really way "wrong") circumstances. I have finally started to see ways to break the endless cycle of unhappiness that comes with being a hikikomori. I plan to share them with anyone who is interested along with my story of how I ended up becoming a hikikomori in the first place. So please check out my channel, I will be uploading my first video in a few days. And for those of you reading this in the future, I probably now have a complete series about this subject on my channel. So even If I can prevent just one person from falling into the same trap that I did, I will consider my channel a great success.
It's been 5 or 6 years for me... I use to go out a lot everyone saw me... Than slowly but surely threw situations in my life,.. I stopped going out.. I would at least go over my BFF's house we would do like art crafts.. Like one thing we made was a tile mosaic sm. table.. Than i stopped going by her house.. And would only go out to see my doctor.. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis w/ auto immune def., Fibro, Still's disease, restless limbs, depression, and anxiety.. But than stopped doing that to.. I don't even go out for Christmas,Thanksgiving ect.... No one sees me except my family in my house.. I try to do a couple things in the house.. Than majority I watch anime, read manga, watch K-drama,, play my Vid. games, and sleep 2hrs at some point... My sleeps messed up i can only sleep two hrs than wake up and so on.. Even though i take a pain killer, 2 Muscle Relaxers, & something 4 my restless limbs.. That's enough so yeah that's me Nothing special....
***** TY 4 reading & commenting ^_^ It was a little but not 2 much so it's ok, Thanx :) This is the first time i actually said something about it... Out loud so 2 speak..lol I was just worried what ppl would think.. Like i'm a weirdo or something lol But I've always been different and or called weird, so i guess it doesn't bother me to much.. Anywho TY again ^_^
Ty 4 your response :) No No tick bites that I can remember.. I've been sick all my life.. As a Baby, child, teen & now as Adult.. For the longest time I was getting sick & we had No idea what it was.. Till actually maybe 10yrs ago.. I found out it was Still's disease.. But also have AR with auto-immune def., Fibro, restless limbs, Deppression & Anxiety.. Thank you again & I hope & prayer for only Good Health, relief & peace for you and whatever life may throw at you .. Pleazz Take care ^_^ Still's Disease- www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fdiseases-conditions%2Fadult-stills-disease%2Fbasics%2Fdefinition%2Fcon-20026609&ei=_o9hVK6EM46zyASQlYLoDw&usg=AFQjCNHlIhJl4YSJKDIzfZnan2sMN-EXJA&sig2=Ek3-KWD7ei4zKaAIqHQg3w
@ArgentinaTuber It's now 7yrs for me.. I'm so sorry your having such a Difficult time.. It's Really Great that you are trying though.. You should let the mean ppl hold you back.. You don't know how Lucky you are.. Don't worry about them, just do what you need to do for you & your hubby ;) It is So Awesome your going to school & Can work.. Get around And able to do stuff & have the energy & healthy body to do so... One of the big parts of me not going out is because I'm ill & unable to do a Lot of things now..Also depression, not happy w/ myself , hating myself.. Hating the way I look now..( I'm a Hikikomori, pleaz google it) I can't tell how many times I've missed out on going to the park, school trips, Ect.. w/ my son.. All the great memories my son & husband have made.. I can't run around for hours w/ him like they do or i use to be able to, To the park & ect.. I use to be his favorite , we were always together.. I use to take him to the park.. Now even if it's just to go pick him up from school I kinda dread it because of all the snooty skinny pretty moms that are there.,.They all stare at me as if I'm a ground hog & they saw my shadow.. Or like I have a third eye on my forehead or something..( I walk haven't driven in yrs) I use to be this skinny cute little thing that guys hit on like all the time.. Now I'm Worthless & fat.. I also lost my teeth cause i didn't take better care of myself.. I used to walk him to school & pick him up all the time.. (it's only around the corner) So Please Especially if your still young and healthy Don't let anyone stop you from furthering yourself or going outside even if it's just to sit on your porch.. School might be the best thing.. If you think about it you don't know how lucky you are :) Me my life it over.. I sit in a chair All day, on the computer.. On pintetrest, Fb, and Watch anime, K-drama, movies, tv shows.. And if I'm lucky enough my body to might let me wash the dishes.. Which only consists of putting most of them in the dishwasher & washing by hand what's left, Or just little things that don't take me very long to do.. Please Don't give in.!! Please Life goes way to fast.. I Will keep you in my prayers, You also have a Friend here , Hugs =^T^=
Pumpkin Dude Gee yeah I guess so Huh? :( It now 7 years actually... You learn to Deal & push on through, while secretly you are really just loosing ur mind... But ya know hey it's all anyone can do no?
I think there's nothing wrong about this if you preffer like watching TV and being online all day long. I think in reality a lot of people would love to be that way because they're always complaining about their jobs or school. I love to be on my room most of the time and I think that if you really enjoy something and that makes you happy you should go for it no matter how others think about it.
I find all of these guys really cute and courteous for some odd reason. Maybe because they are so soft spoken. Like the guy at 5:22. It makes me feel weird though. I'd love to converse with that guy but who knows how awkward that might be. He seems like a sweetheart. They all do. I just want to hug him really tight. ♥ I hope all of them can leave that state of mind/being.
yes, maybe real hikikomori are japanese, but believe me, lots of other hikikomori are everywhere...i am a hikikomori myself, not in the sense i never go out, but in the sense that i go out just to take dog out, buy some food at store once a week, and things like that. The rest of the time, which is 95 or more %, i stay at home getting bored. This is not a choice as someone could think, it is the result of my state of mind connected with the society where i live. If you are depressed noone
i do not like this girl, she seems interested in hikikomori as a strange eastern thing, like sushi or bushido, not involved at all from an emotional point of view.
Why does Japan over work themselves? Is it possible for these people to get a low pressure, 40 hour week job in Japan? A job with little human contact? And just live alone in a small apartment?
Let's be honest, a lot of people who spend a lot of time on the internet have social or psychical problems anyway, so it's not really as unusual as one would think. And I don't mean this in a negative way, that's just the way it is.
As a recovering hikikomori I have to agree, If I didn't have any problems in the first place, I wouldn't even have time to browse the internet as much as I do.
The Awkward Brit Yup, I have problems too. It's possible for me to go outside and talk to strangers, I just feel really uncomfortable doing so. But whatever, I'm sure, that I'm not the only one with this kind of issues. In many ways, people are not as unique as they think they are (imo). Especially when it comes to social or psychical problems.
@levelhaha yeah she sucked at interviewing! i could clearly see and feel some kind of prejudice or insinuation from her part! As an interviewer or journalist she shouldn´t take parts and be completely impartial
I started in a new town where I knew nobody, and I'm 28. I made new contacts by joining sport's clubs, working voluntarily when I was looking for paid work, and forcing myself to go out and talk to people. Your social skills won't develop immediately, but they will come and you will make friends if you don't give up. Of course you can choose not to, but don't fool yourself; you won't talk to people because you're afraid, not because you can't. It is hard, but it's also simple and worth it.
Thanks mate. I've come to the realization that time really does fix everything. It was a long hard road (and still work to do), but i am able to go outside and talk to people and have it feel almost natural again. That IT course will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself, so good luck!
I'm a total loner, but I couldn't be a hikikomori. I like the outdoors and traveling, but I just enjoy those things alone. I live in a big city so its pretty easy to remain in obscurity even though you're surrounded by people.
I appreciate the kind words! All it takes in a lot of time and a willingness to get better. I don't think it's something you can "Fully" get over, but you can get back 95% of the comfort/happiness and all that good stuff. My heart goes out to all the poor fellas still dealing with it... it's a living nightmare.
@jaxau Lol, yeah shes so glamorous and is towering over them all, chatting away with a camera crew - a real boon to thier confidence, I'm sure.. X'D I'm a pretty bad hermit, but not quite as bad as these chaps, bless them.
Yes this is how i feel. Its not just being a hikikimori, i have done a lot of reserch and came across Aspergers. I think i may have AS and all the pressure has caused me to become "shut in". It may not be. I just need to gain the confidence to take that next step and get help. I made a blog recentally, its not really a blog anyone reads, its just a way to get out my feelings. Its only had one view but i don't care, cause it feels good to write it out.
There is a type of Hikikomori in the US too. It's usually the case of extreme obesity. Some people become depressed and eat even more to the point they get so fat, they don't want to leave home. Obesity-withdrawal is common in America.
I'm pretty sure you mean clinical depression lol. Obesity-withdrawal isn't something I've heard of as too common. Yes, depression might lead to binging, but at the end of the day the source of the problem of withdrawing from society is depression and Social Anxiety Disorder, not necessarily being overweight. There are plenty of skinny people suffering from depression and SAD, who can't even get themselves to get out of their bed. It's a particular problem in Australia as well.
I did such an social vacation. Its important to kind of isolate yourself to understand better. There are people like monks who let themselfs be walled in for years only reciving food trough a small opening. TO realise how crooked and spinned evrything is that surrounds one is fascinating, but at the same time heartbreaking. Just like dying.
Lol. It's for the handle thingy to keep yourself stable in the train while standing. The train often gets so crowded that there's no space to sit in or not enough handles for people to use for standing up. :)
when i was in high school we had this friend he stopped hanging out with us and didnt got outside much. its not like he got depressed. He still went to school. i remember he had a computer and a ps2 (i thought thats one of the reasons why he stopped going out ) which was kinda rare to own in our neighboor hood. one time we visited him, hanged out in his house, played pc games and watched movie. thats about it.
@ElHypno2007 Continued: I had jobs off and on for the next five years until about 2004. Nothing longer than thirty days tops. That's when I can say I went into full hikikkomori. My current girlfriend was living with me at the time but I spent easily four years at home doing music production and playing video games. I found out about the term Hikikomori in 2009 and started to do a serious re-evaluation of my life. I'd probably still be one if not for the local anime community who embraced me
What kind of language she's using? I'm a near-hikikomori in Japan. I'm so suprised to know hikikomori is famous in overseas, the Japanese word is used by foreigners!!
@Ciaran646 It says so in the video. " A japanese phenomenon which is unique in the world." From that statement alone one might erroneously think it is JUST a Japanese problem. The problem of hikikomori is a universal one caused by many many different things. I think in Japan it is more well known and looked down upon than in other parts of the world. Which is why it's symptoms are more consistent in Japan. I think there are lonely sad people who have given up on it all in all walks of life.
Society is the problem. That is the primary cause and enabling is the secondary concern. Computer games and lenient parents have allowed these people to behave like this. However, in doing so, Hikikomori sufferers really highlights the problems in society. The fact that Japan suffers from it so much more than the rest of the world and it is so wide spread means it is definitely not something to be ignored, or labelled as a teenage "sulk".
Hm... that's really what helps enable hikikomori. That father at the end, he cares enough to support his child, but not enough to talk the problem through with him, and the social constriction of Japanese society prevents him from seeking outside help. It's a wonder he gave this interview at all.
Lol I come back 4 days later, and the uploader of this video leaves a rather interesting annotation. Now to watch this documentary in it's entirety. Peace.
Just to clarify, I agree with government support preventing people from dying from (indirectly) lack of money, providing education and public services (police, firefighters, etc) and giving the poor ok living conditions, but on from there it's everyone's own job. Otherwise, the system isn't sustainable.
That doesn't sound like 'life' to me. I used to suffer from social anxiety (and still do to a lesser extent), but I forced myself to engage with people and have become much more comfortable with it. The key is build up your confidence in small steps.
I spend most of my time in my room on my computer or playing games. I'm also female by the way. If I'm out and a man starts talking to me I get rather upset and try to get out of it. If they compliment me I ignore it and pretend I don't hear them. I don't mean to be rude. It's just that I can't handle the situation. So men should understand, some girls aren't trying to be rude. They're just shy or have anxieties. I try to be polite but I'm not very friendly.
Let me just clarify, this is NOT unique to just Japan. I have this theory that, the only reason this phenomena has been noticed in Japan is because of how densely populated the area is, the word probably spreads faster.
I heard they said something like "Education method problem" their racing for good education was higher and high and if someone fail they will got blame(mostly first born) so they start to get stress anxious and end up with lock inside in their room
the said condition though may have similarities to other countries but not entirely the same. after all, hikikomori is a culture-bound disorder. so technically, it is something that the japanese people go through within their cultural context.
Whenever i step out of my room all my parents have to tell me is either how well my cousins are doing or why i am not meeting their expectations. I never spent more than 1/2 an hour a day talking to my parents fearing they might bring my academics performance up. I tried telling them which path i would like to chose as my career but they wont support me. So basically the only option i have is to shut myself out of their lives.
Good thing they took an incredibly attractive person to talk with these people impaired with an incredible feeling of not being good enough to the world... :P But yeah, watching the documentary I am. Incredibly interresting, but so sad. Of course I hope that these people all find their way in life and that they over come their fears. Our world is so beautiful, we shoulden't look the other way. We Should take part of nature and feel the elements around us if you ask me.
Well there is agoraphobia. It's basically a fear of public places and crowds. You feel like you need to escape because the situation feels embarrassing and beyond your control. In extreme cases people may stop leaving their homes. There are also other forms of social anxiety. In America we usually call these people shut ins. i'm a bit of s hut in myself. I rarely leave my house. When I'm outside I feel like I'm not supposed to be there and people are staring at me. It makes me want to go home.
I don't think hikikomori is unique to Japan but it seems to be most prevelant in Japan. As society gets more judgemental and the economy gets worse, I think some people just give up and try to hide from it all.
I have signed up to volunteer in this organization and I think it will be a great way of facing my social insecurities as well, cos we are not alone in feeling repressed by a shallow society.
Staying in your house doesn't make you a hikikomori, it's the reasons you don't leave it that does. It comes down to (in a nutshell) being a social phobia. I used to wait until about 3 in the morning so i could go to the 24/7 service station at the end of my street because i knew i'd only have to to interact, or see one person. The feeling of being in public is similar to walking down a dark alley with a ton of gangsters everywhere... so you lock yourself up as a result. I'm a lot better now.
@zivsahar The level of it depends on the person really. For me it started out with a heroin problem, then I dropped out of school, then I lost my girlfriend. I can easily say that was the beginning for me. I felt there was nothing for me and no reason left to leave the house. Instead of becoming involved in like anime and games, mine was Pagan Chat. I moved from a 3d world to a 2d one rather quickly. Still a Hiki today, but instead of parents enabling me its a girlfriend. Getting better.
Yeah, i agree with you on that, cuzz some people just are different from others enough to simply look at other people almost like to the different species and cuzz of that losses interest in comunicating with them...but is that good thing? hard to say... at least i think so...
Last one. I don't really form attachments to anyone. If I don't see you for a bit I pretty much don't care if I see you again. This goes for family too. I just don't feel attached. I keep my head down a lot and I have trouble with eye contact. No offline friends and I've never had a boyfriend or even a casual relationship. I probably never will. Because I feel like I'm not supposed to. Like I'm not worthy. I'd like to finish college. I had a very good GPA. But I feel like I can't right now.
@fool1shmortal It would be better if she knew Japanese, but even that may not overcome cultural differences like that face-saving element, for example.
In my opinion it would have been better if she could speak Japanese.. So she can connect to the Hikikomori's/past Hikikomori's on a more emotional level
Hey dude, thank god you are better. :) and thank you for sharing. There is no reason to fear. I think things like this happen and nobody knows why. Just a weird phobia that enters the mind and humans have to learn to beat it. Im sure you are smart enough to beat it. im glad you feel better
Not a particularly serious attempt at understanding the phenomena of hikikomori.The hostess was uninformed, often condescending and her dull question led nowhere.
@IWantMyVisionBack Is their society able to deal with them? I was in Korea and, yet, I think it's the same that mental problems are not well handled, whereas we, in the West, air our every little issue too freely and want company to share our misery.
coming from an asian perspective, she's kinda rude. She comes off too strong and doesnt seem to sympathize with those people. definitely worst choice of host!
I don't know what these programs looked like, but if they were working well, they wouldn't be scrapped for aid (which wouldn't be necessary in the first place). I understand your point about hunger (which is why welfare and such exists in the USA), but plenty of people have starved in socialistic nations too, so I don't think you can solely blame the economic system for that.
![Hikikomori in Japan [Part 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7EP7CSPM0gA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Hikikomori in Japan [Part 2]](/img/tr.png)
3:57 when she said "wow that's a long time", I think he felt judged. That's exactly what you don't have to do with people who tend to isolate themselves, they shut themselves in the rooms in order not to be judged. They should've told her before the interview, I feel sorry for the guy
well it was only a smoking hot chick judging him so it's not a big deal
Patronizing is how the superficial display their sympathy towards those different than themselves. The anorexic does it to obese, the able-bodied does it to the disable, the rich does it to the poor all of the time. The worse part is they don't realize it is wrong.
I don't think they understand english
i think the father was right about stress being a cause. i had tremendous pressure on me from elementary to high school. i got good grades, did sports i hated competitively (sometimes 2 during the same season), tried to excel in other skills, and constantly attempted to prepare for the future. i eventually broke down and fell into depression. i almost didn't graduate high school because i stopped going. i was a hikikomori for about 2 years until i pushed myself to work part time. gradually i figured out how to interact with people even though it still feels like a chore. i found that forcing yourself to do shit you don't wanna do, distracting yourself from depression and anxiety (if it's not severe), and slowly changing your lifestyle (diet, exercise, addressing bad habits) helped me to get out, secure a full time job, and feel okay. though i've turned away from friendship, marriage, and dating even despite the benefits; i can't see myself living like a regular girl. i just want to get my shit together and feel better than okay.
Omg girl this is like I wrote it myself! I so get you!
After watching part 1, I get the feeling that this host was more excited about the story and her career than the actual people that are suffering. She showed very little empathy.
I got this impression right from the beginning. Also, why does she use the plunger handle inside an almost empty train lmao
As much as there are bad things, there are also good things in the outside world to see and explore. Hikikomori sounds like a comfortable life to me, but i would at least get out for even a few minutes to the park at night, to enjoy the breeze and the smell of nature.
so is no-one going to talk about her putting up a plunger on the train instead of using one of the many hanging grip things that were open or....?
+kevi246 Many people find it more hygienic to use their own grip that no one else has used.
nina that's a great point... might do that myself going forward LOL
ye, she's a fucking hipster and part of the problem.
Yeah, I thought about that too. But I think she was making a point about how the Japanese value their privacy, which is a lead in to why the hikikomori exist as a definable subgroup in society.
I have been a hikikomori for almost 3 years and I live in Britain so this isn't just a Japanese problem. I actually think it can happen no matter what country that you live in under the right(well it's not a positive thing so I should really way "wrong") circumstances.
I have finally started to see ways to break the endless cycle of unhappiness that comes with being a hikikomori. I plan to share them with anyone who is interested along with my story of how I ended up becoming a hikikomori in the first place. So please check out my channel, I will be uploading my first video in a few days.
And for those of you reading this in the future, I probably now have a complete series about this subject on my channel. So even If I can prevent just one person from falling into the same trap that I did, I will consider my channel a great success.
4 and a half years... proud hikkikomori.. i find i enjoy my own company most
thumbs up if you're hikikomori, anyone there?!
It's been 5 or 6 years for me...
I use to go out a lot everyone saw me...
Than slowly but surely threw situations in my life,..
I stopped going out..
I would at least go over my BFF's house we would do like art crafts..
Like one thing we made was a tile mosaic sm. table..
Than i stopped going by her house..
And would only go out to see my doctor..
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis w/ auto immune def.,
Fibro, Still's disease, restless limbs, depression, and anxiety..
But than stopped doing that to..
I don't even go out for Christmas,Thanksgiving ect....
No one sees me except my family in my house..
I try to do a couple things in the house..
Than majority I watch anime, read manga, watch K-drama,,
play my Vid. games, and sleep 2hrs at some point...
My sleeps messed up i can only sleep two hrs than wake up and so on..
Even though i take a pain killer, 2 Muscle Relaxers, & something 4 my restless limbs..
That's enough so yeah that's me Nothing special....
***** TY 4 reading & commenting ^_^
It was a little but not 2 much so it's ok, Thanx :)
This is the first time i actually said something about it...
Out loud so 2 speak..lol I was just worried what ppl would think..
Like i'm a weirdo or something lol
But I've always been different and or called weird,
so i guess it doesn't bother me to much..
Anywho TY again ^_^
Ty 4 your response :)
No No tick bites that I can remember..
I've been sick all my life.. As a Baby, child, teen & now as Adult.. For the longest time I was getting sick & we had No idea what it was.. Till actually maybe 10yrs ago..
I found out it was Still's disease.. But also have AR with auto-immune def., Fibro, restless limbs, Deppression & Anxiety..
Thank you again & I hope & prayer for only Good Health, relief & peace for you and whatever life may throw at you ..
Pleazz Take care ^_^
Still's Disease-
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fdiseases-conditions%2Fadult-stills-disease%2Fbasics%2Fdefinition%2Fcon-20026609&ei=_o9hVK6EM46zyASQlYLoDw&usg=AFQjCNHlIhJl4YSJKDIzfZnan2sMN-EXJA&sig2=Ek3-KWD7ei4zKaAIqHQg3w
@ArgentinaTuber
It's now 7yrs for me.. I'm so sorry your having such a Difficult time.. It's Really Great that you are trying though.. You should let the mean ppl hold you back.. You don't know how Lucky you are.. Don't worry about them, just do what you need to do for you & your hubby ;) It is So Awesome your going to school & Can work.. Get around And able to do stuff & have the energy & healthy body to do so... One of the big parts of me not going out is because I'm ill & unable to do a Lot of things now..Also depression, not happy w/ myself , hating myself.. Hating the way I look now..( I'm a Hikikomori, pleaz google it) I can't tell how many times I've missed out on going to the park, school trips, Ect.. w/ my son..
All the great memories my son & husband have made.. I can't run around for hours w/ him like they do or i use to be able to, To the park & ect.. I use to be his favorite , we were always together.. I use to take him to the park.. Now even if it's just to go pick him up from school I kinda dread it because of all the snooty skinny pretty moms that are there.,.They all stare at me as if I'm a ground hog & they saw my shadow.. Or like I have a third eye on my forehead or something..( I walk haven't driven in yrs) I use to be this skinny cute little thing that guys hit on like all the time.. Now I'm Worthless & fat.. I also lost my teeth cause i didn't take better care of myself.. I used to walk him to school & pick him up all the time.. (it's only around the corner) So Please Especially if your still young and healthy Don't let anyone stop you from furthering yourself or going outside even if it's just to sit on your porch.. School might be the best thing.. If you think about it you don't know how lucky you are :) Me my life it over.. I sit in a chair All day, on the computer.. On pintetrest, Fb, and Watch anime, K-drama, movies, tv shows.. And if I'm lucky enough my body to might let me wash the dishes.. Which only consists of putting most of them in the dishwasher & washing by hand what's left, Or just little things that don't take me very long to do.. Please Don't give in.!! Please Life goes way to fast.. I Will keep you in my prayers, You also have a Friend here , Hugs =^T^=
....
Pumpkin Dude
Gee yeah I guess so Huh? :(
It now 7 years actually...
You learn to Deal & push on through, while secretly you are really just loosing ur mind... But ya know hey it's all anyone can do no?
ITS A CONSPIRACY EVERYTHING IS A CONSPIRACY. Hah.... Welcome to the NHK.
That guy seems to have Paranoid schizophrenia.
I think there's nothing wrong about this if you preffer like watching TV and being online all day long. I think in reality a lot of people would love to be that way because they're always complaining about their jobs or school. I love to be on my room most of the time and I think that if you really enjoy something and that makes you happy you should go for it no matter how others think about it.
5 years and now i found out what i can call my self.ty japan.
I find all of these guys really cute and courteous for some odd reason. Maybe because they are so soft spoken. Like the guy at 5:22. It makes me feel weird though. I'd love to converse with that guy but who knows how awkward that might be. He seems like a sweetheart. They all do. I just want to hug him really tight. ♥
I hope all of them can leave that state of mind/being.
This girl needs to take some sensitivity classes.
I want to be a hikkikomori too, watching Anime and playing videogames all the time sounds fun to me.
I'm experiencing being a hikikomori right now and trust me, its not really fun and you will keep on questioning your own existence .
it actually fun but it cost alot of money, it like you staying in expensive hotel for holiday but you didt pay for them lol
Covid19: your desire is my command
yes, maybe real hikikomori are japanese, but believe me, lots of other hikikomori are everywhere...i am a hikikomori myself, not in the sense i never go out, but in the sense that i go out just to take dog out, buy some food at store once a week, and things like that. The rest of the time, which is 95 or more %, i stay at home getting bored. This is not a choice as someone could think, it is the result of my state of mind connected with the society where i live. If you are depressed noone
i do not like this girl, she seems interested in hikikomori as a strange eastern thing, like sushi or bushido, not involved at all from an emotional point of view.
Its a conspiracy....
"Yeah, through the door. or like, write a retter." lmfao
Why does Japan over work themselves?
Is it possible for these people to get a low pressure, 40 hour week job in Japan? A job with little human contact? And just live alone in a small apartment?
Capitalism at work.
It's because of their hard core work ethic that Japan has a top quality economy
stephicool Hasn't Japan been in a recession for a long ass time?
billyboyzproduction that was last year,japan economy is improving
But now that China devalued its currency wouldn't it affect Japan? It definitely affected Canada's loonie.
"Hell is other people". These people would probably find consolation in self-indulgent existential philosophy books.
Sara N meh... you fail to realize they don't owe you anything ,, especially their time.:-):-):-)
I do enjoy Schopenhauer.
"Other peoples' heads are too wretched a place for true happiness to have its seat."
Let's be honest, a lot of people who spend a lot of time on the internet have social or psychical problems anyway, so it's not really as unusual as one would think. And I don't mean this in a negative way, that's just the way it is.
As a recovering hikikomori I have to agree, If I didn't have any problems in the first place, I wouldn't even have time to browse the internet as much as I do.
The Awkward Brit Yup, I have problems too. It's possible for me to go outside and talk to strangers,
I just feel really uncomfortable doing so.
But whatever, I'm sure, that I'm not the only one with this kind of issues. In many ways, people are not as unique as they think they are (imo). Especially when it comes to social or psychical problems.
TheDarksteel94
I think you're wrong... Idk man
i came here from Welcome to NHK anime XD
same here
@levelhaha yeah she sucked at interviewing! i could clearly see and feel some kind of prejudice or insinuation from her part! As an interviewer or journalist she shouldn´t take parts and be completely impartial
I started in a new town where I knew nobody, and I'm 28. I made new contacts by joining sport's clubs, working voluntarily when I was looking for paid work, and forcing myself to go out and talk to people. Your social skills won't develop immediately, but they will come and you will make friends if you don't give up.
Of course you can choose not to, but don't fool yourself; you won't talk to people because you're afraid, not because you can't. It is hard, but it's also simple and worth it.
The guy at 7:40 probably has one of the best english pronounciation skills ever!
Thanks mate. I've come to the realization that time really does fix everything. It was a long hard road (and still work to do), but i am able to go outside and talk to people and have it feel almost natural again. That IT course will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself, so good luck!
Bridget Maasland she is dutch
i hope everyone would do the same as hikikomori, then all companies go bankrupt.
I'm a total loner, but I couldn't be a hikikomori. I like the outdoors and traveling, but I just enjoy those things alone. I live in a big city so its pretty easy to remain in obscurity even though you're surrounded by people.
I appreciate the kind words! All it takes in a lot of time and a willingness to get better. I don't think it's something you can "Fully" get over, but you can get back 95% of the comfort/happiness and all that good stuff. My heart goes out to all the poor fellas still dealing with it... it's a living nightmare.
@jaxau Lol, yeah shes so glamorous and is towering over them all, chatting away with a camera crew - a real boon to thier confidence, I'm sure.. X'D
I'm a pretty bad hermit, but not quite as bad as these chaps, bless them.
I am somewhat hikikomori -- though with medication and psychotherapy my life has improved somewhat. So there is hope, regardless of what we call it.
Yes this is how i feel. Its not just being a hikikimori, i have done a lot of reserch and came across Aspergers. I think i may have AS and all the pressure has caused me to become "shut in". It may not be. I just need to gain the confidence to take that next step and get help. I made a blog recentally, its not really a blog anyone reads, its just a way to get out my feelings. Its only had one view but i don't care, cause it feels good to write it out.
There is a type of Hikikomori in the US too. It's usually the case of extreme obesity. Some people become depressed and eat even more to the point they get so fat, they don't want to leave home. Obesity-withdrawal is common in America.
I'm pretty sure you mean clinical depression lol. Obesity-withdrawal isn't something I've heard of as too common. Yes, depression might lead to binging, but at the end of the day the source of the problem of withdrawing from society is depression and Social Anxiety Disorder, not necessarily being overweight. There are plenty of skinny people suffering from depression and SAD, who can't even get themselves to get out of their bed. It's a particular problem in Australia as well.
+thucydides Neo Hikikomori have by definition no illness that keeps them at home, only their own unwillingness to deal with social situations.
I did such an social vacation. Its important to kind of isolate yourself to understand better. There are people like monks who let themselfs be walled in for years only reciving food trough a small opening. TO realise how crooked and spinned evrything is that surrounds one is fascinating, but at the same time heartbreaking. Just like dying.
what's with the roof plunger
Lol. It's for the handle thingy to keep yourself stable in the train while standing. The train often gets so crowded that there's no space to sit in or not enough handles for people to use for standing up. :)
when i was in high school we had this friend he stopped hanging out with us and didnt got outside much. its not like he got depressed. He still went to school. i remember he had a computer and a ps2 (i thought thats one of the reasons why he stopped going out ) which was kinda rare to own in our neighboor hood. one time we visited him, hanged out in his house, played pc games and watched movie. thats about it.
@ElHypno2007 Continued: I had jobs off and on for the next five years until about 2004. Nothing longer than thirty days tops. That's when I can say I went into full hikikkomori. My current girlfriend was living with me at the time but I spent easily four years at home doing music production and playing video games. I found out about the term Hikikomori in 2009 and started to do a serious re-evaluation of my life. I'd probably still be one if not for the local anime community who embraced me
I stumbled upon this show and topic. I love learning about people, thank you so much for posting and thank you anon. for translating..
What kind of language she's using? I'm a near-hikikomori in Japan. I'm so suprised to know hikikomori is famous in overseas, the Japanese word is used by foreigners!!
5:25 he looks like a nice guy.. why did he shut himself for 5 years?
@Ciaran646 It says so in the video. " A japanese phenomenon which is unique in the world." From that statement alone one might erroneously think it is JUST a Japanese problem. The problem of hikikomori is a universal one caused by many many different things. I think in Japan it is more well known and looked down upon than in other parts of the world. Which is why it's symptoms are more consistent in Japan. I think there are lonely sad people who have given up on it all in all walks of life.
this is depression in a sense.
Society is the problem. That is the primary cause and enabling is the secondary concern. Computer games and lenient parents have allowed these people to behave like this. However, in doing so, Hikikomori sufferers really highlights the problems in society. The fact that Japan suffers from it so much more than the rest of the world and it is so wide spread means it is definitely not something to be ignored, or labelled as a teenage "sulk".
Hm... that's really what helps enable hikikomori. That father at the end, he cares enough to support his child, but not enough to talk the problem through with him, and the social constriction of Japanese society prevents him from seeking outside help. It's a wonder he gave this interview at all.
Lol I come back 4 days later, and the uploader of this video leaves a rather interesting annotation.
Now to watch this documentary in it's entirety.
Peace.
Just to clarify, I agree with government support preventing people from dying from (indirectly) lack of money, providing education and public services (police, firefighters, etc) and giving the poor ok living conditions, but on from there it's everyone's own job. Otherwise, the system isn't sustainable.
That doesn't sound like 'life' to me. I used to suffer from social anxiety (and still do to a lesser extent), but I forced myself to engage with people and have become much more comfortable with it. The key is build up your confidence in small steps.
I spend most of my time in my room on my computer or playing games. I'm also female by the way. If I'm out and a man starts talking to me I get rather upset and try to get out of it. If they compliment me I ignore it and pretend I don't hear them. I don't mean to be rude. It's just that I can't handle the situation. So men should understand, some girls aren't trying to be rude. They're just shy or have anxieties. I try to be polite but I'm not very friendly.
the world of an hikikomori, you 1 million fellow anime freaks, give us ur guidance to the future
Let me just clarify, this is NOT unique to just Japan. I have this theory that, the only reason this phenomena has been noticed in Japan is because of how densely populated the area is, the word probably spreads faster.
that's definitely not the way to approach a hikikomori
I heard they said something like "Education method problem" their racing for good education was higher and high and if someone fail they will got blame(mostly first born) so they start to get stress anxious and end up with lock inside in their room
the said condition though may have similarities to other countries but not entirely the same. after all, hikikomori is a culture-bound disorder. so technically, it is something that the japanese people go through within their cultural context.
Does this lady really walk around with a plunger?
Whenever i step out of my room all my parents have to tell me is either how well my cousins are doing or why i am not meeting their expectations. I never spent more than 1/2 an hour a day talking to my parents fearing they might bring my academics performance up. I tried telling them which path i would like to chose as my career but they wont support me. So basically the only option i have is to shut myself out of their lives.
The second I open this video racism blasts in my face and I'm like WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA
I agree but, there isn't much on the topic here on youtube, I thought every little bit would be nice.
Good thing they took an incredibly attractive person to talk with these people impaired with an incredible feeling of not being good enough to the world... :P
But yeah, watching the documentary I am.
Incredibly interresting, but so sad.
Of course I hope that these people all find their way in life and that they over come their fears.
Our world is so beautiful, we shoulden't look the other way.
We Should take part of nature and feel the elements around us if you ask me.
woah, didn't know BBN had an item with Bridget Maasland talking about Hikikomori.
It is also known as a nice cold dark cave, not a room. Please correct yourselves thankyou
Well there is agoraphobia. It's basically a fear of public places and crowds. You feel like you need to escape because the situation feels embarrassing and beyond your control. In extreme cases people may stop leaving their homes.
There are also other forms of social anxiety. In America we usually call these people shut ins.
i'm a bit of s hut in myself. I rarely leave my house. When I'm outside I feel like I'm not supposed to be there and people are staring at me. It makes me want to go home.
I don't think hikikomori is unique to Japan but it seems to be most prevelant in Japan. As society gets more judgemental and the economy gets worse, I think some people just give up and try to hide from it all.
Welcome to the NHK or NHK Ni Youkoso! = Best story ever
YOLO!
I have signed up to volunteer in this organization and I think it will be a great way of facing my social insecurities as well, cos we are not alone in feeling repressed by a shallow society.
@ElHypno2007
Maybe, but it is a distinctly Japanese one, and one with a disproportionately Japanese incident rate.
Besides welcome to the NHK , there is a new anime about a girl hikikomori called watamote. it is really good.
Staying in your house doesn't make you a hikikomori, it's the reasons you don't leave it that does. It comes down to (in a nutshell) being a social phobia. I used to wait until about 3 in the morning so i could go to the 24/7 service station at the end of my street because i knew i'd only have to to interact, or see one person. The feeling of being in public is similar to walking down a dark alley with a ton of gangsters everywhere... so you lock yourself up as a result. I'm a lot better now.
Many so-called "hikikomori" are really just tentacle monsters.
What goes in the room never comes out.
what's with the plunger thing in the subway train around 0:40?
If most of them are youngsters, do they stop being Hikikomori after hitting a certain age?
Or has this suddenly become rampant in the last few years?
@zivsahar The level of it depends on the person really. For me it started out with a heroin problem, then I dropped out of school, then I lost my girlfriend. I can easily say that was the beginning for me. I felt there was nothing for me and no reason left to leave the house. Instead of becoming involved in like anime and games, mine was Pagan Chat. I moved from a 3d world to a 2d one rather quickly. Still a Hiki today, but instead of parents enabling me its a girlfriend. Getting better.
Yeah, i agree with you on that, cuzz some people just are different from others enough to simply look at other people almost like to the different species and cuzz of that losses interest in comunicating with them...but is that good thing? hard to say... at least i think so...
@xCleverlyx i have a feeling the majority might not want to connect, or it may be hard to even contact them idk but i hope im wrong
Last one. I don't really form attachments to anyone. If I don't see you for a bit I pretty much don't care if I see you again. This goes for family too. I just don't feel attached. I keep my head down a lot and I have trouble with eye contact. No offline friends and I've never had a boyfriend or even a casual relationship. I probably never will. Because I feel like I'm not supposed to. Like I'm not worthy. I'd like to finish college. I had a very good GPA. But I feel like I can't right now.
@ElHypno2007 But people refuse to believe so. They do not want people to think such problems exist in their country.
@Quickslash: Are you japanese? I mean, I see you have a "weltanschaung", so do I, but are you from Japan or from the USA, or where?
@fool1shmortal It would be better if she knew Japanese, but even that may not overcome cultural differences like that face-saving element, for example.
In my opinion it would have been better if she could speak Japanese.. So she can connect to the Hikikomori's/past Hikikomori's on a more emotional level
I was a hikikomori, and I'm American!
What language is the blonde girl speaking at the beginning?
i just wish i didnt have to go to school i stay in my house all summer but i need to go to school the rest of the year
i want to know more about the guy who shut him self in for seven years.
I don't like her bombarding them with questions it looks like it's going to burn their skin
I kinda want to be a hikkikomori, does it take practice? :P
wow that japanese dad could speak English very well...what a surprise
i don't blame them for withdrawing from shisociety
Hikikomori = social anxiety. The japanese have no idea.
People with social anxiety in other places often still interact with people.
Is it german or dutch?
Hey dude, thank god you are better. :) and thank you for sharing. There is no reason to fear. I think things like this happen and nobody knows why. Just a weird phobia that enters the mind and humans have to learn to beat it. Im sure you are smart enough to beat it. im glad you feel better
Not a particularly serious attempt at understanding the phenomena of hikikomori.The hostess was uninformed, often condescending and her dull question led nowhere.
I guess i'm a borderline hikikomori then. i leave the house if i'm forced to, stay in my room all the time if possible.
@IWantMyVisionBack Is their society able to deal with them? I was in Korea and, yet, I think it's the same that mental problems are not well handled, whereas we, in the West, air our every little issue too freely and want company to share our misery.
@mkinitcpio Thank you! I though I was the only one thinking that. Great material..but dress appropriatly c'mon.
Is she Dutch..? or Bulgarian.. or Belgian? I for some reason need to know. Maybe Hungarian or Swiss?
Dutch
coming from an asian perspective, she's kinda rude.
She comes off too strong and doesnt seem to sympathize with those people.
definitely worst choice of host!
I don't know what these programs looked like, but if they were working well, they wouldn't be scrapped for aid (which wouldn't be necessary in the first place).
I understand your point about hunger (which is why welfare and such exists in the USA), but plenty of people have starved in socialistic nations too, so I don't think you can solely blame the economic system for that.
ITS GREAT BEING HIKIKIMORI