 conspiracy, but more likely than not they are Satō's mental image of the spreading mindset or circumstances he associates with the N.H.K.In the novel, it is hinted that Tatsuhiro may not actually believe the conspiracy to exist but instead needed an imaginary enemy to vent his frustrations on and to help motivate him into overcoming his hikikomori ways.The real-life public broadcaster NHK, which is the source of the acronym that is parodied by the series, really does provide a support website for real-life "hikikomori".