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NEWS: 'American Otaking' Steve Pearl Passes Away

Never spoke with the guy, but definitely know the name. For those that don't know, the title "Otaking" comes from the Gainax anime Otaku no Video where the main character strives to become the highest level of Otaku possible. It involves making anime your life, but goes beyond being a fan, you actually have to build your empire around it. Sounds like Steve was well deserving of the title. I'm not sure that anyone could take it from him, the guy was a true pioneer.

Emerje

Wow. I'm absolutely stunned. Steve was one of my generation, the r.a.a gang. I can't believe he's gone. I really don't know what to say. I feel as if an era has come to an end.

(One thing: rec.arts.anime(.misc) was an unmoderated group. I know Steve was moderator of a group, but it wasn't that one.)

------RM

All hail the fallen Otaking!

Here's a cache of Steve Pearl's personal profile from his now defunct website. (Last saved Feb. '07.) He's got a long history in fandom.

His FAQs pages aren't in the most recent cache though. Looks like they were in the middle of being renovated.

Cheers, Steve. Here's hoping that you're resting more comfortably now, in Otaku Paradise.

We'll have that chat about Doctor Who next time around.

Him, me and Chet go back a long long ways - even before the AAA was born - as founding members of Team H. I haven't been in touch much with either for quite a long time since I moved from the NY area to Florida. This is really sad news. I will miss him.

I'll admit to not knowing who he really was until Katsucon last year, where Steve Bennett was getting people to make get well greetings. I got home and read up on Pearl's contributions to the fandom. We just lost a hero. RIP.

Love live Steve, the "American Otaking."

Can we please have a more detailed article?

For someone with such a prolific history, he surely deserves something abit more substantial.

R.I.P. Steve Pearl and all the otaku that have passed before us; mourn ya 'till I join ya.

We all expected this to happen sooner or later, but that doesn't make it any less sad.

Farewell, Steve. Thanks for all the encouragement and good times. May God rest your soul and comfort your loved ones.

— Bruce Lewis

Last edited by max_genus on Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:09 pm; edited 1 time in total

From another of your generation, thank you for helping to pave the way for anime in the states.
Eiketsu, Pearlman-san.

I recall first finding rec.arts.anime (way back "in the day"), finding the FAQ and CD list and being ecstatic that someone had taken the time to compile the information I'd been looking for and never thought I'd find.

Aw, hell. Steve Pearl was the face of rational, helpful online anime fandom for years and if anyone deserved the title of American Otaking, it was him.

I poked around a bit at Google Groups and found some interesting posts.

Steve Pearl hits Usenet in 1986 as Starbuck: First post (Nov 16, 1986). Also, Dig that sig!

The earliest anime related post by Pearl I can find on Usenet, responding to an offer on soc.culture.japan to send out the General Products America catalog.

Pearl posts an early version of the Anime CD Cyclopedia.

...followed shortly thereafter by the Anime Shopper's Guide to NYC.

Finally, here's the first version of the Anime/Manga Convention List.

Ever since I first hit Usenet in the early 90s, I enjoyed reading his posts on the rec.arts.anime newsgroups and appreciated all the information and commentary he provided over the years. Thanks for everything, Steve, and rest in peace.

This is probably for the best; he had been suffering terribly for years. I had actually been wondering, the last couple years, what became of him. Not unexpected, but a shock nonetheless.

Egan just sent me a link to his LJ page, which I'm not sure I'm comforable linking to here, not just out of respect but because it's just so heartbreaking. Looks like he spent the last years of his life almost entirely consumed with medically trying to stay alive.

I'll always remember Steve as someone pleasant and cheerful, always happy to help another fan. He contributed to my fansubs back in the day, and after I moved to NYC he became a buddy I used to hang out with at anime gatherings. His memory makes me want to be a better otaku. ... if that makes any sense.

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Forum - View topicNEWS: 'American Otaking' Steve Pearl Passes Away

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NEWS: 'American Otaking' Steve Pearl Passes Away