Watashi no Tomodachi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui.

Watashi no Tomodachi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui, frequently referred to as Watamote, began serialization in 2011 within the pages of Square Enix's Gangan Online. Created by the duo writing under the pen name Tanigawa Nico, the series emerged during a period of rising interest in introspective, cynical, and socially awkward protagonists within the slice-of-life manga genre. It was conceived as a dark comedic take on the tropes of high school social anxiety, sharply contrasting with more idealized representations of student life often found in contemporary media.

The character design of the protagonist, Tomoko Kuroki, centers on her perpetually exhausted expression, unkempt appearance, and internal monologue of bitterness. Tanigawa Nico sought to balance uncomfortable realism with absurd humor, exploring the gap between her desire for popularity and her inability to navigate social interactions. Upon its release, the series garnered a cult following for its relentless commitment to its premise, eventually expanding into an anime adaptation and a wide array of physical volumes that remain significant staples in modern gag manga collections.