Why did WataMote never have a sequel?

"WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!" is a twelve-episode anime that aired from July to September 2013. Directed by Shin Oonuma, known for "ef: A Tale of Memories" and "Kokoro Connect", this anime is based on the manga of the same name, which to date has twenty-four volumes. The story follows Tomoko Kuroki, a fifteen-year-old high school student who suffers from severe social anxiety and depression. This prevents her from having a normal social life and affects her confidence to interact with others, showing her daily struggles with social situations.

The title of the series is a clever choice, as it reflects that it's not only Tomoko's fault that it's not popular. Social anxiety is a difficult barrier to overcome, especially in the highly competitive and socially demanding environment of high school. If Tomoko could stop worrying about being popular and just be herself, she might find that her quirks and unique personality make her stand out positively.

Despite its unique plot and focus on mental health issues, "WataMote" failed to get a second season, which has sparked debate among fans on Reddit. One of the reasons mentioned is that the series did not find its main audience in Japan until it gained popularity internationally, particularly among 4chan users. At first, Tomoko's depiction of social anxiety and constant failures were hard for many to watch, limiting its appeal in its home market.

In addition, Japanese audiences have a tendency to prefer series with protagonists who overcome obstacles more triumphantly. Isekai fantasy stories and light comedies are popular because they offer escapism and a more optimistic narrative. In contrast, watching Tomoko struggle and fail repeatedly may have been too close to reality for many viewers, making the series less engaging.

Discussions on the Reddit forum also point out that "WataMote" was perhaps ahead of its time, addressing mental health issues that weren't as commonly discussed at the time of its broadcast. Today, these themes are more recognized and understood, which might have allowed for a different reception had the series been released at a later time.

"WataMote didn't really find its Japanese audience until it became an international hit with 4chan users. Japanese readers eventually accepted it when more characters were introduced and Tomoko's autism became much less painful to watch. Throughout the entire series that the anime spans, Tomoko basically never outdoes anyone, and perhaps that's a hard sell for Japanese audiences, who endlessly consume shoddy isekai power fantasies and lobotomized titles. Watching a loser consistently fail in life is probably too close."
"It really should be reinvested as the direction of the series has changed. But it should be done differently than the first season since it could only adapt 20 some episodes."
"The first season was a complete failure."
"To be brutally honest, I've heard a lot of reasons. It was not popular with the Japanese. The anime was only made to increase the sales of the manga."
"The series did not do well on television and record sales in Japan were lower than expected."
"Something about Japan having a shitty taste and not buying Blu-rays."
"Honestly, I'm surprised by how many people have seen the anime and believe that the story ends here. They don't want another season because they think it's going to be another twelve episodes of super cringe moments when in reality the story blossoms into something quite worthwhile."
"And in the meantime, anime with no real representation of social anxiety like Komi-san get a second season."
"Sometimes I think it's better that there isn't another season with how good manga is. That something becomes too popular changes it."
"Because unlike Tomoko, most people are normal and can't identify with her as a character. Also its plot is quite realistic and in that genre of school life that either tells simple stories or very dramatic, on the other hand Tomoko's story is very unique and kind of breaks the mold."
"It gets so good afterwards that it's a shame we'll never see all the characters in the anime."
"The problem is that even if it were broadcast today, it would need a few seasons. 3 to 4 seasons to catch up on current manga issues."
"Because anime was created to get people interested in manga. Most of the time when that happens, a season 2 doesn't happen."
"The anime did not do well in Japan although it was an international success. Also, it was only done to promote the manga more, which in a way failed."