Forum - View topicWhat does it mean to be an Otaku?
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OtakuSeeker
 Posts: 12 |
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Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forums here at ANN, but I've always been around, getting my news from them. I'm an anthropology student in California currently trying to write a paper on what it means to be an Otaku in America today, and I would really REALLY appreciate any input from all of you, the true Otaku, on what your definition of an Otaku might be (especially since I can't really include my own opinions despite the fact that I'm an Otaku myself). I know its kind of presumptious to just join the site and start asking questions, but I would love to hear all of your opinions. I want to truly write about the experience of being an Otaku and what it means to us in our daily lives. I won't quote anyone in my paper without direct permission, and I won't use any names or screenames or anything. I'd just like to get an idea of what you guys think. So, if you feel like helping out a fellow otaku publish an intellectual study to get popular culture to take us more seriously, then, How do you define an American Otaku? What does it mean to you? I realize there are Otaku of many nationalities on this website, but I am specifically interested in how anime has been appropriated into American popular culture. But I welcome responses from Otaku of all nationalities. Last edited by OtakuSeeker on Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:35 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Key
Moderator
 Posts: 19175 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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Normally you need to state your own opinion first if you're going to do something like this, even if it's ultimately irrelevant to what you're trying to accomplish.
I think most American fans would agree that, in North America, declaring one's self as an otaku is equivalent to declaring one's passionate devotion to anime and manga. To be an otaku is to hold anime/manga as one of your primary interests and to pursue it with great zest. If you devote more time to anime than to any other TV/DVD/online programming on the average week, sample as wide a variety of anime/manga as possible, and explore fandom beyond just watching and reading (whether it be cosplaying, attending 'cons, collecting miniatures, hanging up anime-themed posters and wall scrolls, making AMVs, engaging in fan fiction or fan art, or spending a lot of time on anime forums), then you qualify as an otaku if you wish to claim the title. And in the U.S. at least, most who claim the title do so with pride. You will, of course, get entirely different results if you ask that question of a Japanese native, but you're specifically asking about American otaku so we can skip that case. And I don't mind being quoted if something I said was useful. |
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar  Posts: 16983 |
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I would say an American Otaku is someone who is passionate about anime and manga. Someone who has anime and manga as a true hobby and not just something they do occasionally. Some might say you need to embrace Japanese culture as a whole to be truly an otaku. I don't see that as the case though. Sure that would solidify your stance as one but it's not a necessity. All that's needed is a deep appreciation and enjoyment of anime and manga. One who talks about it with friends, tries to get others interested, someone who does more then just watch it on tv occasionally. Those people would be fans of course, but not otaku as I see it. As Key said other cultures may define it as something else but you did say you wanted opinions on what being an American Otaku is. Let me also stress being an otaku does not mean you have to spend lots of money to prove it either. Think of it sort of like a state of mind in a sense. Good or bad you enjoy many aspects of anime and manga and gain an overall enjoyment and appreciation for this medium .
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DuelLadyS
 Posts: 1705 Location: WA state |
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To me, Otakudom is achieved when anime becomes an overriding force in one's interests. It doesn't mean you live in your parent's basement, huddled in front of a computer, downloading every bit of anime that floats by like a sea urchin feeding. Nor does it mean you spend your enitre paycheck on anime-related things, and have no ability to communicate with another human being unles you're discussing anime. In fact, an Otaku can be a perfectly normal person.... until the subject of animecomes up. When my dog took off after a couple high schoolers walking home, and the apology consisted of "I'm so sorry, he just loves attention and hey a Fullmetal Alchemist manga! I love FMA!" That was the otaku-ness oozing out. It's what makes me comment every time I ring up a customer in a Naruto shirt. It's what keeps me from responding to my co-worker's question of "Oh, what are you reading?" with "just a comic." Because it's not just a comic, it's Ouran High School Host Club and it's super- funny, especially this one part where the one kid goes to get coffee and gets instant....
Otakudom is that point in your life when seeing an anime poster doesn't just draw your eye for a second, but fills you with a desire to go see why it's there and gush with the owner a minute. it's the stage where people can tell this is more than just a passing phase or a hobby for you, and it creeps them out just a bit.  (It also gets a little scary when you walk by Baskin Robbins and the "take home" cabinet with the bad spacing becomes "ta-ke-ho-me", which becomes Tamahome, which results in you thinking about Fushigi Yuugi every time you go by.  )
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ikillchicken
 Posts: 7272 Location: Vancouver |
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Personally, I've always found the idea of an "American Otaku" sort of stupid. This is because technically there is no such thing. By the literal definition an Otaku is a negative term for someone (arguably specifically a Japanese person) who has an interest in Anime and Manga to the extent that they have no social skills.
The American use of the word is really just another case of people taking a Japanese term without even entirely knowing what it means and adapting it for their own use because they think it sounds cool. People don't just want to call themselves Anime or Manga fans. They want something distinct to set themselves apart from other fandom’s. Also, as is illustrated in your opening post, people often want a term that they can use to make them sound like a more serious or dedicated fan. Anyone can be just a "fan" of Anime or Manga, but only a true fan can be considered an Otaku. To be frank, I've always thought that this was a rather silly and pointless practice. Of course I don't mean to insult anyone who uses the term. Especially nowadays that the term has become pretty commonplace in a fans vocabulary. It’s no longer people stealing a Japanese term, but rather simply using a term that they've inevitably heard many times by other fans. Sorry, maybe thats not what you're looking for. However I thought it was worth mentioning an alternate view on the term. |
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Bunchuu of Chouka
 Posts: 92 Location: Toledo, Ohio |
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For me, anime is a way of life. Bits and pieces of the culture have made their way into nearly every facet of my life- and I believe that is what it means to be an otaku. An otaku is someone who embraces the art of anime and manga, as well as its vast culture. This consists of collecting anime and manga, going to conventions and other such things.
Honestly, I have used quotes from anime in everyday conversation. To me, it's amusing to exercise my fandom in such a way. I spend large sums to enhance my collection, and it is easily my greatest hobby. I suppose that an otaku isn't merely a fan of anime or manga, rather, it's someone who takes great pride in incorporating it into various parts of their life-so that it becomes more than mere art. But maybe that's just me. |
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OtakuSeeker
Posts: 12 |
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By all means, I welcome alternate views. All of your responses are extremely appreciated. But just responding to your post specifically, if you don't mind, what do you consider to be a "true fan" who can call themselves an Otaku? I realize that Otaku is originally a derogatory term as it is used in Japan, but as others have suggested, American anime fans seem to wear the term with pride. They seem to have a different meaning for it. Do you think this is a good thing? Or just another thing we stole from the Japanese? And this question goes out to everyone, not just ikillchicken. Thanks for all the responses, btw! |
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Bunchuu of Chouka
Posts: 92 Location: Toledo, Ohio |
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Perhaps we did steal it from the Japanese. However, it no longer retains its original meaning. I think that it is a broad term used to emphasize fanaticism, and that using it lends the person a sort of pride. I personally think that it's a good thing. The term gives fans of anime a face that sticks out among other fandoms- it's something unique. In that sense, I think it really is a good thing.
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ikillchicken
Posts: 7272 Location: Vancouver |
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Well, I was just sort of making a general statement there. The point being most people see Otaku to mean someone who is a true/serious/ect. fan. I personally haven't really though about what I would define it as so much since I dont even really use the term. However I guess I might define it based on knowledge. I define Otaku as "Anime Expert". Someone who knows alot about Anime. I don't really have much of a basis for that, its just the definition that has happend to stick. Though again, I feel that the use of the term is kind of silly, its not like it does any harm really and especially as far as using Japanese words goes, I dont find it particularilly annoying or anything. so I definitely wouldn't call it a bad thing. |
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banas
 Posts: 116 Location: In a house in a country in Southeast Asia.. |
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I don't consider myself an Otaku, but I do love anime as much as I love books. I'd gladly give up my eyes for those.
For me an Otaku is not just a fan; s/he knows a lot. That's what articles here indirectly say, at least. To be an Otaku, the person must know many things, if not everything, about anime. I really don't know what Otaku is for Americans but if you ask me, being an Otaku requires experience and a sincere love for anime.
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hentai4me
 Posts: 1313 Location: England. Robin is so Cute! |
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What's with this 'true fan' nonsense. I like anime and manga but I don't go to cons, dress up, collect figurines, learn the lingo, want to go to Japan, hang wallscrolls, make AMV's or any number of other related things. Does that mean that I am 'not really a fan, just a pretend one'.
I truly enjoy anime and manga thus I am a 'true fan'. Why does there have to be some kind of deeper meaning to 'Otaku'? The fact that person A goes to cons and does cosplay makes him a better or greater fan than person B who just watches/reads the media? Why is an Otaku a 'true fan' or a 'greater fan' than a person who just watches a lot of anime, reads a lot of manga, buys a lot of DVD's etc. How does dressing up or buying keychains/dolls/memorabilia as well as the aforementioned make you 'true' as by definition if you are not 'true' you are 'false'? |
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Viga_of_stars
 Posts: 1240 Location: Washington D.C. in the Anime Atelier |
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I suggest looking up the history of the word otaku in Japan as well. It has quite a checkered history.
In America the history is just that it's a loanword and is defined by being an anime and manga fan. Myself? Yes, I will call myself an otaku. Despite those who feel that americans shouldn't call themselves otaku because of its origin and history in japan I do anyway. I believe it's a different case in the US. Its just a loanword. Another adjective for a person I guess. I watch anime, buy anime, read manga, draw manga, collect figures, cosplay, play videogames, post on forums, share my stuff and contribute to fandom in some way. Such as volunterring at a con or running a podcast. Plus, I have tons of fun doing so. I want to be an otaku for a long time if I could. I can't imagine me as anything else now. I think those with the zeal and happiness of enjoying this fandom are in fact otaku by american definition. |
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Viga_of_stars
Posts: 1240 Location: Washington D.C. in the Anime Atelier |
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Anyone can be a fan in their own way. Doing more or less doesn't make you a better fan or worst fan. I really don't like the true - false fandom thing. |
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Key
Moderator
Posts: 19175 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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Think you're reading more into what I said in my original post than was intended. In no way was I stating (or implying) that you aren't a "true fan" if you don't do the things in bold above, and I am certainly not saying that "true fan = otaku." Normally, someone who considers themselves an otaku in America (as opposed to just a fan of anime/manga) is someone who goes at least a bit above and beyond what a normal fan does in pursuit of their hobby. IOW, they are a little more extreme than the typical anime fan, but they absolutely do not have the market cornered on fandom. |
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Kruszer
 Posts: 8017 Location: Minnesota, USA |
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I agree, I would not call myself an otaku either because of the negative conotations of the term. Plus it just seems like a label people apply to themself so they can seem surperior in the eyes of others. I've seen over 400 anime titles, am I somhow better than someone who's seen just 4? No, more knowledgable maybe, but no less of a fan. |
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