A Narrative Thought Experiment: Does the story actually work better if P-chan is a real person?
Hi everyone,
Like most of us, I’ve been thinking a lot about the anime ending and how it compared to the game. While I know the "P-chan is a delusion/tulpa" twist is the canon path (especially through secret.txt and the Save 0 ending), I wanted to propose a thought experiment: What if P-chan was written as a completely real, living, breathing person?
I actually think keeping P-chan real would have resolved almost every major plot hole in both the game and the anime, while actually making the core themes stronger. Here is my breakdown of why:
1. It resolves the logistical nightmare of her streaming
If P-chan is a real, physically present manager, the logistics of her streaming suddenly make perfect sense. When KAngel is on camera performing, dancing, and engaging with fans, P-chan is sitting at a computer/phone actively moderating the chat, banning trolls, and highlighting superchats in real-time. It removes the mechanical impossibility of her managing a high-production 10-million-subscriber stream entirely on her own from a single smartphone on a coffee table.
2. It grounds her physical reality (the apartment, the move, the emergencies)
We see Ame in this bare apartment, surrounded by unpacked heavy boxes, struggling with severe drug-induced crises. If P-chan is real, we don't have to wonder how an unstable, unemployed minor managed to sign a lease, move all her heavy belongings, and physically survive severe overdoses. Having a real partner there to handle the physical reality of her life keeps the story grounded.
3. It makes the game's other endings logically consistent
When P-chan is real, her branching endings actually carry consistent narrative weight:
- Flatline: It becomes a heartbreaking depiction of a girl with severe abandonment issues spiraling because her real partner is neglecting her.
- Cucked: She is actually trying to spite a real person, rather than publicly tweeting to her fans about "cheating" on her own imaginary friend.
- Normie Life: It becomes a sweet, grounded alternative where two real people choose to turn off the computer and live a normal life together.
4. It deepens the theme of toxic codependency
I know the "delusion" twist is meant to show the absolute tragedy of digital isolation (being loved by millions online but physically alone in a room). But if P-chan is a real person, the story doesn't lose its tragedy—it just shifts focus to toxic codependency and mutual enablement.
A story about a young, deeply broken couple fueling each other's worst impulses for the sake of internet fame is incredibly poignant and realistic. It would also make the anime's "touch grass" message feel much more mature if she and P-chan chose to step away from the internet together to heal, rather than her magically becoming best friends with her direct rival who doxxed her.
Obviously, the surreal, Lain-esque meta-commentary is a huge part of why NSO is so unique. But I can't help but feel that by trying to make P-chan an imaginary metaphor, the writers traded a logically tight, emotionally powerful story about toxic relationships for a twist that created a lot of physical plot holes.
What do you all think? Do you prefer the abstract/delusional interpretation of P-chan, or do you think a grounded, real-relationship version of the story would have been more satisfying?
Edit: Also if you like avantgard black comedies that deal with heavy subjects, you might, also like Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei. Thought it’s multi season, and the ending is… something.