Forum - View topicOtagei - otaku subculture
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PantsGoblin
 SubscriberEncyclopedia Editor  Posts: 2969 Location: L.A. |
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First, I'm not sure about the romanization. I've seen it written as otage, otagei, and ota-gei. It can also be called wotagei or wotage. I'm just going to call it otagei.
Second, I'm not an expert on otagei. If anything I'm just getting into it. I'm always interested in new things and otaku subcultures like this really fascinate me. Ok, so you're probably wondering what the hell otagei is. Wiki has a page (a rather small one) for otagei, but I don't really like their explanation. They just refer to otagei as being an otaku obsessed with idols. As far as I have seen, otagei also includes performance. What kind of performance you ask? This kind: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YQSrfKiBDuY (sorry for the bad sound quality) Me and my friends were in Hawaii and were asked by Halko's Japanese fans if we were into otagei. We weren't familiar with the term so we had to look it up. There are apparently different sets of moves that go to otagei. I'm not familiar with all of them but one of my Japanese friends was able to explain a bit to us. To tell you the truth I'm not sure what all of it means so I'll see if I can get more out of him. He showed us some us his moves in the hotel room in Hawaii as well.
Anybody else interested in this awesome subculture? Last edited by PantsGoblin on Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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DragonsRevenge
 Posts: 1150 |
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Not really. I'm not really even into anime any more, so that level of fandom is far beyond my realm of comprehension. I knew a few people that were into J - Rock bands, and saw fans at a Crispin Freeman Q&A, but that's about it.
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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor
 Posts: 9903 Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC |
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May I ask your purpose of visiting this website then? |
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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That's what I thought the kanji would look like when I opened that page. The Gei kanji is from the term geinoujin, which refers to the Japanese celebreties. That said I probably know some otagei back in Japan, since they were crazy about certain Japanese pop idols. However since I haven't been back in Japan in two years, I have no idea how bad their obsessions are.
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Ultenth
 Posts: 229 Location: Washington State |
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From a psychological study level I find it intriguing, but from a personal level not so much. I'm not really one to get obsessed with anyone, starstruck, or become a fanboy over anything. So while I find it interesting when people do, I really have a hard time understanding someone who willingly gives up their own life and defines themselves so much by what another person (or group of people) accomplishes. Even the whole "school idol" thing shown in so much anime kinda weirds me out. It's strange to me that someone should fawn over and worship another human in such a manner, but to each their own I guess.
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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Well, I don't know who could be considered worst, because of the whole following of somebody or something. Money wise it's probably the same, memorobilia, concert tickets, autograph sessions, DVD/CD collections, and all sorts of other stuff. What I've been interested about though is can there be a time when somebody might go too far. It has been depicted in TV shows and manga, but would somebody in real life actually cross the line of which their obsession infers?
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IchigoK90
 Posts: 1634 Location: Scarborough, Ontario |
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Well this may come off as irrelevant but would the Otaku shown in the TV series Densha Otoko where they follow and obsess over the V/A be considered otagei? Just going on the loose definition to my understanding those would be considered otagei right? As for finding it intriguing I'm somewhat intrigued. However my reasons may differ from others. What I'm more interested is why they obsess (sorry if I'm using the incorrect term) at the performers.
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PantsGoblin
Subscriber Encyclopedia Editor Posts: 2969 Location: L.A. |
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I'm not sure exactly what you mean by crossing the line here. At Halko's concert in Hawaii at least, all of us respected her personal space. That wasn't the same for AX though. At the end of her panel at AX somebody had to ruin it by jumping on her resulting in security having to come in. We probably would have had a chance to talk to her some if that person didn't do that.
Yes, I would think so.
I've had people ask me this question before. Well, why do people obsess over singers? (not just Japanese) Why do people obsess over actors? Why do people obsess over anyone? I see this all as the same thing. I consider myself otagei as well. There's no doubt I obsess over a bunch of seiyuu. I'll take Halko as a my main example, as she's probably my primary obsession (fyi, my obsession is nowhere near the level of some of her Japanese fans, as was obvious to me when I met some in Hawaii). Why do I worship Halko? There's a lot of reasons actually. 1) She is cute. I think it may already be obvious to other members by my preference in anime and anime characters that I love things like this. 2) I respect her. I could go into a lot of backstory about Halko's past and everything, but to make it short I will just say I admire what she does and look up to her. She is an anime fan also and she's not afriad to call herself an otaku. A lot of her songs represent a lot of her beliefs also. This is something that's kind of hard to understand unless you know a lot about her... 3) I like the fan group and the relationship we have with Halko. Halko's relationship with her fans is one of the best relationships I've ever seen a celebrity have with their fans. The level of dedication this fan group has for Halko is unlike anything I've seen. We spend months and put in hours of work getting ready for her concerts. Buying thousands of glow sticks, making posters, illustrations, fliers, etc. We put a lot of work into it. And as for Halko, how many celebrites do you know of are willing to hang out at the beach with his/her fans or eat out at dinner or something with them? I don't know any other than Halko. 4) It's fun. Going to idol concerts is awesome. I absolutely love going to them. I had the time of my life when I went to Hawaii and that concert. It's something I'm never going to forget. It's kind of hard to explain to someone who wasn't there or hasn't done this kind of thing, but it's an awesome feeling to be part of a group like this. I have talked to other fans of her and the reason they like her seem to be similar to my reasons. I think I'm turning this kind of into a Halko thread now... But we are also otagei so it does relate. I can't speak for other otagei, but I assume they are fans for reasons similar to my #1 and #4 (they aren't in any kind of order btw). Possibly #2 and #3 but I don't think I can say this is true for all idols. Edit: Also I have a Youtube video on otagei. Although it's somewhat old (about 1.5 years). http://youtube.com/watch?v=tt0Tu85TSe8 |
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Keonyn
Subscriber Posts: 5567 Location: Coon Rapids, MN |
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I don't know, just sounds like another buzz word for Japanophiles to latch on to, and another facet of Japanese culture for them to drool over as though Japan were the center of the universe as they blissfully ignore the fact there's a larger world out there.
But hey, that's just my take on it, heh. |
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catsspat
 Posts: 12 Location: Las Vegas |
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I think some people are misunderstanding what otagei is.
It is a type of cheering form, including movement patterns, timings, usage, etc. It does not describe a type of person, personality, or hobby. Think something like "dance." Just as there are many different kinds of dances (Salsa, Foxtrot, Waltz, etc.), there are types of otagei moves, such as Romance, PPPH, OAD (Over Action Dolphin), Thunder Snake, etc. Actually, I guess it's more like specific moves of a particular dance type. As for "fandom," most things in life tend to be bad in excess. However, without goals and desires, life is meaningless. Some people like cars, some people like gadgets, some people like money, some people like power (as in influential power), and what not. Even living like a monk is a form of desire and a goal. I'm interested in learning about and experiencing a lot of things while at the same time, many other things don't interest me. Everything in moderation is good, although occasional "going over the edge" can be enjoyable, too. Many hobbies connect you with like-minded people, and awards you with unexpected new knowledge. Practically all new knowledge is helpful, especially if one first learns the restraint of not misusing said knowledge. |
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PantsGoblin
Subscriber Encyclopedia Editor Posts: 2969 Location: L.A. |
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Ok, that's what I thought it was, and that's why I don't like Wiki's explanation. Apparently I'm not the only one who has thought it was inaccurate. |
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DragonsRevenge
Posts: 1150 |
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No. But since you did, I still like to peruse the the forums, and read some of the features. Didn't know I needed to justify myself... |
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PantsGoblin
Subscriber Encyclopedia Editor Posts: 2969 Location: L.A. |
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http://www.momoi-halko.jp/test/eng/index.php
A Halko fan and friend of mine (Coverman) recently was working on this site and it talks about otagei quite a bit in this section. Mostly, it overviews the basic dance techniques. He also has some of the Call Books scanned in this section. The site isn't quite finished yet but will hopefully be soon. |
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dizzywulf
Posts: 102 Location: Wakayama, Japan |
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I know lots of fangirls who loooove Johhny's bands like Arashi, Kat-tun, Hey!Say!Jump!, Kanjani8, etc.
I really like some of those bands a lot myself. But I wouldn't say I'm *obsessed* over them or anything. I just have the cds and the dvds but I don't think, if given the option, I'd like to date any of the members or anything like that. |
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abunai
Old Regular
 Posts: 5463 Location: 露命 |
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By now, everybody's probably eager to see what full-blown otagei looks like... and dear God forgive me, I am about to grant that wish.
Otagei in Akihabara, complete with identification of moves. Looks like a lot of fun... I guess. - abunai |
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