Anime How Otaku Am I?

[r2vq]

My Story: (people will probably ignore this :animecry: ) ([B]Skip to the big font to get to the point[/B])

[SIZE=1]I insist that I'm not an Otaku.
This may have to do with me taking things with Japanese definition, just like I'll say Bugs Bunny is technically Anime.

My girlfriend finds this insulting (both the Bugs Bunny thing and the Otaku thing) and insists that I am more Otaku than she is.
She took a test that said she was somewhere around 70% Otaku and says I should take a test to prove that I am an Otaku.
I searched the web and found a couple "Otaku Purity Quizzes" and the such, but most of the questions are so stupid and can't apply...[/SIZE]

[quote]"Have you ever taken offense to someone saying Japanimation?"[/quote]
Why would I? That's what they call it in Japan.

[quote]"Did you use words like nani and baka in everyday situations even though you don't speak Japanese?"[/quote]
Um... I've [i]learnt[/i] Japanese and I use sentances like キサマァ～どこへいくの。in every day conversations?



My point is, since this is [u]Otaku[/u]Boards maybe there's some [b]good[/b] "Otaku" quiz out there and somebody here knows it? If anybody knows of one, or can make one, that'd be cool.

Also, how many people here [b]really[/b] consider themselves Otaku?
If you [i]are[/i] Otaku, why do call yourself Otaku?
How do you know when you're Otaku?

-ArV



[quote]Do you just collect manga because of the pretty pictures?[/quote] -.- ugh...

[Gin]

[color=navy][size=2][font=Futura Lt BT]Personally I think that any one who likes anime is an otaku. It doesn?t matter if they just have one or two shows they like, or if they?ve seen much, much more. As for ?Is Bugs Bunny an anime?? In Japan anime is just anything animated ?right? So I guess if you are going by the Japanese definition than yes. But in these not-Japanese countries most people probably don?t consider it anime because anime hear is usually considered animation from Japan. So basically if you asked some Japanese person ?Is Bugs Bunny anime?? They would most likely say yes. But if you asked someone hear they would probably say no. As for saying baka and whatever the other word was in the middle of conversations. I don?t do that really who does? If I were to call anyone I know a baka (using that since it?s like the only Japanese word I know) they would probably look at me funny and ask if I had sneezed. So if you had asked whether you have to say random Japanese words all the time (I can?t remember because I?m typing this up on the lap top), no I don?t think so. And many people ask if you have to learn Japanese to be considered a real Otaku. No way!! If you did I don?t think I?d want the title otaku. There is no way you are getting me to slave my butt over learning Japanese just so I can be a ?true anime fan? I have enough languages I?m learning/want to learn with out adding Japanese in too. As for quizzes, can?t help you there I remember one I saw a long time ago that I liked a lot ?but alas on the lap top with no Internet connection. [/font][/size][/color]

[color=navy][font=Futura Lt BT]I?ll edit this later if there?s anything I missed?but time for bed.[/font][/color]

[QuincyArcher]

I'm really not sure what you're trying to get at or prove with this thread. But why do you care so much about it? If you like anime but don't consider yourself otaku, great! But with this thread are you trying to prove to us that you're not Otaku, or to yourself? I don't think you have to let anyone or some stupid quiz you found online tell you what you are, decide for yourself. Being Otaku is all just a state of mind, there is no solid definition of 'Otaku' nor are there any losses or benefits of being Otaku. and besides, the word 'Otaku' is just the japanese word for 'enthusiest' meaning you're passionate about something, but it apparently has a fairly different meaning in english. But personally i am very passionate about anime as well as japanese culture (partially because i am japanese by blood, american by nationality). And yes, i do consider myself Otaku.

[Kamuro]

I agree with quincy, Otaku is definitely a sate of mind, rather then a label to call your self, I don't really like the thought of people arguing over whos more Otaku, its a lost argument anyway, for one thing, why are you arguing about some so insignificant? and second, what are you arguing for in the first place, whether you love anime or just watch it from time to time, it doesn't mean your less of a person or less "Otaku", anime is just a lower priority for you rather then someone else who really likes anime

[r2vq]

Ah. Yeah, not my best post or thread.
It was one of those concepts that sound better before you say, or in this case type, it.

I'm not as obsessed with that label as it may seem.
Thanks for replying.

Although "Otaku" is a state of mind.
I don't think I have that state, I'm just a geek-wannabe who likes most animation, comic, and video game forms.

-ArV

[araina rinu]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]when i first heard the word otaku it was described to me to not be a good thing. someone described it as so obsessed with anime etc. that the person is pretty much crazy. urban dictionary has a few definitions themselves that back me up [QUOTE]Otaku is extremely negative in meaning as it is used to refer to someone who stays at home all the time and doesn't have a life (no social life, no love life, etc) Usually an otaku person has nothing better to do with their life so they pass the time by watching anime, playing videogames, surfing the internet (otaku is also used to refer to a nerd/hacker/programmer). [/QUOTE] or [QUOTE] A Japanese word describing a person beyond the realm of fandom but into mania that is improperly used by American fans. [/QUOTE] which brings us back to the point of if these are definitions of an otaku why would one want to be called that, nevermind argue about who is MORE otaku -_-
however i do see quincy and kakashi's points. most people see it the more common way of being defined as someone who simply likes anime, manga, etc. and it is probably easier to keep it that way. i tend to agree with quincy and kakashi more about the state of mind, it is far kinder. but there are negative definitions of the word otaku that you cant ignore either, especially if you call yourself an otaku, you never know what another person could interpret it as.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Bloodseeker]

(at the risk like a typical internerd) Don't get too concerned with mere lables. Think more about your base reputation and how you present yourself. Its the bottom line that counts. Do you like anime? Cool, same here. Do you like manga? Awesome, be sure to check out Berserk, Love Hina, and GTO. You don't want it to take over? More power to you. Do you rant about it nonstop to everybody that you meet? Stop, it annoys everybody.

Unfortunately, thanks to a bad and fairly suddent turn of events, I'm about to be stuck as an otaku until I get a job. I think that I'll make a thread about that just for the hell of it.

[You Don't Care]

Ahhh. Might as well.

Everyone is right about it being a state of mind when it comes to knowing whether you're an Otaku or not. Sometimes there are those who can't really explain why. The relevance of this question reminds me of another. "How do you know if you are [B]cool[/B] or not?" You just are; Or you just are not.

[Bloodseeker]

[QUOTE=Xy GGu]Ahhh. Might as well.

Everyone is right about it being a state of mind when it comes to knowing whether you're an Otaku or not. Sometimes there are those who can't really explain why. The relevance of this question reminds me of another. "How do you know if you are [B]cool[/B] or not?" You just are; Or you just are not.[/QUOTE]

Just like with coolness, and all other lables, other people decide if you're an otaku or not.

[J2Assassin]

I found a website that explains the otaku:

[url]http://www.tapanime.com/Subpages/animefun.html[/url]

It has done a format update, so the how to tell if you're an otaku quiz may be offline, but this is a cool website still.

My definition of otaku is an anime fan who acknowledges their love for anime, manga, and related videogames with honor and pride and lets others fan or not, notice it.

[IceRose]

Yeah, I read it I am Otaku...Yippeeee, I mean yay. Well I am half asian so I'm bound to like anime

[Godelsensei]

[quote name='IceRose']Yeah, I read it I am Otaku...Yippeeee, I mean yay. Well I am half asian so I'm bound to like anime[/quote]

That statement weirds me out to no end, I promise you. O_o


I am very into anime, games, and whatnot, but I don't call myself an "otaku". I call myself a geek. Because "otaku" wouldn't be fair to the Dungeons & Dragons part of me.

This one time, I was at the mall with my friend, who isn't [i]as[/i] into anime as me, and we saw this rather rotund mouth-breather fellow talking very loudly and with lousy pronunciation about how much he hated dubs. We quickly decided he was an otaku, then walked off shaking our heads.

I guess the general rule is that geeks are sexy, while otaku are just posers who know squat about anything to do with Japan, including otaku's current connotation there.

[Panda]

I have always felt that "otaku" means what you want it to mean.

As we all know words change meaning all the time. Otaku in Japanese is a bad thing to be called. Think about how many women call themselves "a word that means female dog", like the Meredith Brooks song. It isn't a bad title to them, it is a badge of honor. That is the way I feel about the word otaku. I see it as meaning someone who enjoys anime and gaming culture.

After all, when listening to "The Flintstone's " song you don't really think the line "having a gay ol' time" means that they are homosexual now do you? Words change meanings and otaku I think now means something different than what it started as.

If someone calls me an otaku I am not offended, I just chalk it up to the fact they have never seen the people who are up at 3am in the anime viewing rooms at a con! :p

[Twilight_Kioku]

how otaku are you...well, i dunno! how otaku do you think you are? to me, its all a matter of self opinion. one of those 'i think, therefore i am' situations. (where did that come from??)

and could you tell me where you got the japanese characters from? wants to know, wants to know!

[Otaku America]

[COLOR=Navy]I consider myself as an Otaku. In Japan, when you label yourself as an Otaku, the public sees you as an obessive fan. In America, it's a different story however. People here carry the Otaku label with pride. [/COLOR] :D

[benakittie]

[quote name='Otaku America][COLOR=Navy]I consider myself as an Otaku. In Japan, when you label yourself as an Otaku, the public sees you as an obessive fan. In America, it's a different story however. People here carry the Otaku label with pride. [/COLOR'] :D[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]
[COLOR=DeepSkyBlue]Yeah, I have to admit that I'm bit of an Otaku. :animesmil When my friends and I talk about anime, I'm usually the one finishing their sentences. Such as when they forget a character's name, or names. I'm the one whose has the answers. lol Sometimes I'll spur off on some anime and they look confuse. But we all use some Japanese words in daily life and anime references. I don't see why someone would feel like a geek or anything because of it.

If you enjoy something, ENJOY IT!! Don't stop liking something because of what someone else thinks of it. [/COLOR] [/FONT] :animesmil

[Umbra II]

From what I've read from replies, speculations, and a definition, I gather that "otaku" has varied meanings. If its an "obsessive fan" then no. I may be a fan, but I do not obsess. Its just another thing I enjoy in life ( truth be told, I enjoy this more than alot of other things, but I digress.) If its definition is just a fan, or even a casual watcher, then yes, I could consider myself an otaku. Clearly, the transfering of the word "otaku", the same as "anime", has differed from its original. To be brief, when you ask if I consider myself "otaku", I'm answering you with a question. "Define 'otaku'". I apologize for the non-specific answer, but, to be fair, it has been proven now that the question itself is unclear.

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff]Sorry Umbra, I don't think anyone can define it, since nobody in America is using the word in the same way.

I think the consensus is that if you go to Japan, please do NOT label yourself an otaku unless you want people looking at you strangely. I've heard of the Japan/American-usage-of-the-word-"otaku" debate for a longtime now. Two summers ago when a Japanese friend came to my house and I decided to check the forums to see what was up, I had to explain to her that even though in Japan "otaku" is like a nerd and "bad" thing, in America, it's alright to be an otaku.

The American definition of it is debatable, but I'd just like to say that in Japan, Otaku is NOT specifically an ANIME fan. It is any sort of extreme fan of something (anything) and the action denotation (dictionary definition when you look it up) is nerd. Just nerd. NERD AND NOTHING ELSE. In Japan, otaku DOES NOT IMPLY ANIME. V_V

The most common usage of "otaku" in America is either an obessive anime fan, or someone with really broad knowledge of anime. I've heard it used to describe anime "elitists" - people who won't watch a dub, read a manga that isn't right to left, and won't watch anything on Cartoon Network (I know someone who won't watch CN or a dub - they're so annoying you have no idea), but this thread is the first time I've heard it used to describe just a simple fan. O_O

I think there needs to be a massive committee of anime fans on the 'net (I'd do it if anyone else really really really^100 wanted it) to decide what the term "otaku" should entail for American usage, and then have it announced, and also announced at AnimeExpo, or even Otacon (the inferred consensus is that AnimeExpo is THE definitive anime convention in America, so I thought of that first).[/color]

[r2vq]

[quote name='MistressRoxie][color=#9933ff']In Japan, otaku DOES NOT IMPLY ANIME. V_V[/color][/quote]
Uh... From what I can tell Umbra II never said Otaku had anything to do with Anime. The only time he mentioned Anime was when he mentioned how both of the meanings changed once they reached the United States.
[quote name='Umbra II']Clearly, the transfering of the word "otaku", the same as "anime", has differed from its original.[/quote]
I agree with him on this point. The meanings of Otaku and Anime have both changed in the West.

As many have said, Otaku in Japan means an obsessive fan. It's usually used in a negative extent. An example of an Otaku is the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons. A perfect Otaku right there.
And as many seem to agree, Otaku in English does not necessarily mean somebody who is obsessed. Many casual watchers believe themselves to be Otaku. (Though, the ones you were talking about MistressRoxie -- the ones that refuse to watch dubs, etc. -- I also find very, very annoying.)

Anime too has changed in its meaning. In the West we recognize only Japanese Animation as anime. In Japan, though, the meaning of Anime is _any_ animated series.

Er, anyway. In all honesty. I think this thread is just repeating itself... and there wasn't much point to it in the first place.

-ArV

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff]I didn't say that Umbra was implying Otaku as Anime, and I know he/she didn't. lol. I can't remember who, but someone on page one implied that Otaku was used with Anime in Japan, and I didn't know if they meant ONLY with anime or not, so I clarified.[/color]

[Umbra II]

MistressRoxie,
You stated that otaku can't trully be defined.
Tthats exactly what I said, but I also listed a reason, which is because of its varying definition. So you don't need to apologize for anything. We are both in agreement.
Now that it's been cleared that "otaku" could mean different things, I believe this branch of the subject, which is the argument over the definition of "otaku", is at a close. I suggest, (and it's merely a suggestion), that from now on, people who posts should also explain how they interpret the word "otaku".

Also, I realized how helpful it would be to quote some one in this message, but couldn't figure it out. Could someone explain?

[ChemAngel]

being newer to the anime world than most people, I don't consider myself "otaku".

But otaku has different definitions depending on where you go. To some "otaku" is a compliment meaning you have a vast knowledge of the anime world (including japanese culture). To others it means you simply watch anime. And yet to others it is a complete insult refering to an obsessive behavior similar to calling one an "alcoholic"

Another word that I think would be the english equivilent of otaku is "geek". Some are proud to call themselves geeks because of thier vast knowledge, others take it as a grain of salt, and still others are insulted by the term.

I don't consider myself "otaku", but I DO consider myself an "anime fan". At least that is what I tell my friends when they ask me what my hobbies are. I'm also a "gamer". But I guess there is no "otaku" equivilant to "gamer", is there.

I suppose I said my peace :animesigh