What does it mean to be an Otaku?

[OtakuSeeker]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the OtakuBoards, but I've been admiring its art and news site for years. As an avid Otaku myself and an anthropology student currently trying to write a paper on what it means to be an Otaku, I would really REALLY appreciate any input from all of you, the true Otaku, on what your definition of an Otaku might be.
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,

How do you define an American Otaku? Or any Otaku, for that matter? What does it take to be one?

--> Thanks to Sandy, I realized that I've excluded quite a large audience from theOtaku boards. I realize there are many Otaku of many nationalities, and I would welcome responses from all of you, but I am specifically writing about American popular culture, so I assumed my demographic. My apologies.

[Sandy]

I have to remind you that there are plenty of other nationalities than just Americans around here. ;P

Anyway, I think the common definition of Otaku in this place has become something like a "devoted fan". We carry our title with pride, and if someone wants to see us as geeky, greasy-haired, antisocial fanatics living in our parent's basements, they are free to do that.

After all, they'd be at least partially right. *glances at 2007DigitalBoy nonchalantly*

... ;D

[The Spectacular Professor]

[quote name='Sandy']After all, they'd be at least partially right. *glances at 2007DigitalBoy nonchalantly*

... ;D[/QUOTE]

DANGIT, I have way too much in common with that guy! (Minus the Loli addiction.) Anyway, I consider Otaku to mean an expert in your field, usually Japan-related, to the point of fanatic. Therefore, you can be a science otaku if you're totally obsessed with it and try to learn everything there is to know about it.

[OtakuSeeker]

oh, of course, I just realized that a second ago. Not all Otaku are American; by no means. >_< My mistake. I would welcome any responses from Otaku of any nationality. I will go back and edit that now.... What I should have mentioned before was that I'm specifically writing about the subculture of Otaku within America, but again, all responses would be helpful. Including these two, thanks for your definitions!

[Skye]

[quote name='Sandy']After all, they'd be at least partially right. *glances at 2007DigitalBoy nonchalantly*

... ;D[/QUOTE]

[size=1]You so need a life, DB, if your fame rests on people making fun of you. Or at least a better username. I keep thinking of peanutbutter, for some reason.

Otaku... I don't mind being associated with that word. Although I do agree, we aren't all greasy haired mama's boys. ^_~ In fact, right now, it's five thirty in the morning and I'm watching Inuyasha. Yeah, so that's my claim to fame. I told my friend the other day "An otaku is someone who is 'an anime or manga freak'" ^_^ I stand by my claim, as shallow and discombobulated as it may be.

Okay, so I just wanted to use that word.[/size]

[The Spectacular Professor]

[quote name='Stephanie'][size=1]You so need a life, DB, if your fame rests on people making fun of you.[/size][/QUOTE]

Don't worry about Rat Boy. He eats it up. Either that or he just doesn't care.

[Sandy]

[quote name='Aceburner']Don't worry about Rat Boy. He eats it up. Either that or he just doesn't care.[/QUOTE]

Honestly, I adore Rat Boy. This place wouldn't be the same without him. He knows that I'm just messing around with him. ;D

[The Spectacular Professor]

[quote name='Sandy']Honestly, I adore Rat Boy. This place wouldn't be the same without him. He knows that I'm just messing around with him. ;D[/QUOTE]

It's such truth, though. Digitalboy practically controls the place behind the scenes.

[OtakuSeeker]

[quote name='Stephanie'][size=1]You so need a life, DB, if your fame rests on people making fun of you. Or at least a better username. I keep thinking of peanutbutter, for some reason.

Otaku... I don't mind being associated with that word. Although I do agree, we aren't all greasy haired mama's boys. ^_~ In fact, right now, it's five thirty in the morning and I'm watching Inuyasha. Yeah, so that's my claim to fame. I told my friend the other day "An otaku is someone who is 'an anime or manga freak'" ^_^ I stand by my claim, as shallow and discombobulated as it may be.

Okay, so I just wanted to use that word.[/size][/QUOTE]

Its definitely not shallow ^_^ Brevity is the sole of wit, after all. And I agree; sometimes an otaku is just an anime or manga freak. A definition is a definition.

[Konata]

I'll keep this brief considering my computer won't even allow me to type correctly (It's not registering half of my commands, and it sometimes likes cap locking on me).

This is probably ironic from someone who is on "OtakuBoards", but...

Truthfully, I still find "otaku" to be a negative term. I never would go up to someone and say "I'm an otaku", for example. i never call myself an otaku, and when I do mention the word, I don't ever mean it as a compliment. Plus because half of my culture is Japanese, my family would probably think I'm weird if I said that. Especially since when I talk about otaku, I usually talk about those people in Japan who have creepy personalities and obsess way too much over manga and anime (sticking panties over their heads/acting so perverted/pretending real life is like a dating sims/etc). That's my vision of otaku. >_>

Now in America, I guess it might be a more positive term, meaning a devoted fan and I don't see anything wrong with it. Sometimes I question myself, "Am I an otaku?" Ah well. I'm on this website, replying in this topic, so...

I guess it's also one of those terms where you can call otaku friends otaku and they can do the same to you, but when someone who is not an otaku calls one an otaku, it's very insulting.

But still, I have to admit that I am still slightly uncomfortable with the meaning.

Of course, that's just my opinion. ( 　ﾟ,_ゝﾟ)

But I mean, no offense =3
People here on OB are really nice, so maybe the term of otaku is slightly changing for me. I'm not going to be one of those "Ewww why do you call yourself an otaku?" people, ha-ha~ I don't mind when people call themselves otaku. I just don't really care for the word, lol.

[SunfallE]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='OtakuSeeker;791382]How do you define an American Otaku? Or any Otaku, for that matter? What does it take to be one?[/QUOTE]I couldn't really tell you since until a few years ago I had never even heard the term Otaku. It wasn't until later that I learned that it was more than someone who liked anime and manga. So to me, and American Otaku is simply someone who enjoys anime and manga. Not quite the same as the more negative association that I understand it gets in Japan. As far as I'm concerned, here in America all it takes to be one is to be a fan of anime or manga. Though the degree that you would be considered Otaku obviously depends on the level of fanship you have for it. In which case compared to others, I would be considered more of a casual Otaku since though I do enjoy it. I don't watch anime or read manga all the time, it's simply an enjoyable hobby. I spend more time here in the general discussions and rpg's that aren't even anime than I do in the anime aspect of this site.[quote name='Aceburner;791442]It's such truth, though. Digitalboy practically controls the place behind the scenes.[/QUOTE]Pfft! Love and adore do not translate into control. Still he is definitely well known here. :p[QUOTE=Konata;791539]Now in America, I guess it might be a more positive term, meaning a devoted fan and I don't see anything wrong with it. Sometimes I question myself, "Am I an otaku?" Ah well. I'm on this website, replying in this topic, so...[/QUOTE]Among everyone I know it is a positive term. It's really more like a catch phrase, a way to feel unique. Though I think most if not all of those I know who use it don't know what it really means. But then I suppose that's the fun of language being used in a different way than it's original meaning.[QUOTE=Konata'']People here on OB are really nice, so maybe the term of otaku is slightly changing for me. I'm not going to be one of those "Ewww why do you call yourself an otaku?" people, ha-ha~ I don't mind when people call themselves otaku. I just don't really care for the word, lol.[/quote]It's interesting, ever since I learned of the phrase Otaku and what it really means, I've often wondered what English terms got picked up over in Japan and just how accurate it is as far as the context in which they use it. But I digress.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[2010DigitalBoy]

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]I find it funny that [B]Konata[/B] - one of about 5 people on this entire website who I'd consider to be an otaku - disowns the term.

I've always hated when people ask this question here cuz you always get some convoluted-*** 'it means your a nerd in your field' like Aceburner's. Luckily there hasn't been much of that yet.

An otaku is something that you just are if you are. An otaku is obsessed with anime and manga or the cutures surrounding them. You CANNOT be a science otaku. It DOES NOT work like that. An otaku IS an anime fanatic.

Personally I consider 'otaku' to be a race. It's somthing your born as and cannot change. As said by the greatest otaku who ever lived, Madarame, 'you can't just stop being an otaku. It is who you are.' This si true no matter what country you live in.

No two otaku are exacly alike, just like not all white people are the same. Otaku is not a mindset so much as a way of life (I think I worded that wrong) anyway, I laugh my *** off every time someone tells me I need a life (several times a day at school).

I am an uber otaku. I live and breathe for anime and manga.

Anyway, in response to all the talk about me - :p I love you guys! And [B]sunfalle[/B] before you decide that I'm not operating the whole site behind the scenes - consider this. Not only do I post everywhere, but most of my friends are moderators, the new guys all love me, and I'm even on good terms with both [B]Desbreko[/B] AND [B]Dagger[/B]. I might as well just take the place over now XD[/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]An otaku is obsessed with anime and manga or the cutures surrounding them. You CANNOT be a science otaku. It DOES NOT work like that. An otaku IS an anime fanatic. [/COLOR][/QUOTE]

That's your own definition. [I]Otaku[/I] is really just a Japanese word for a fanatic, and although it's used as a derogatory term there, there's a common consensus here that it can be taken with pride. There's also a common consensus that it can mean a fan of practically anything. Just because the word is Japanese doesn't mean it can only include Japanese things. If I say "kannattaja" or "kiihkoilija" (fan and fanatic in Finnish, respectively), I'm not limiting the words to people only interested in Finnish things (cause that would be, you know, silly).

Anygays, I believe we western people have much more sense of self-irony than the always-so-bashful Japanese (if you excuse my generalization), so we can use the term more liberately to refer ourselves as ones.

[2010DigitalBoy]

[quote name='Sandy']That's your own definition. [I]Otaku[/I] is really just a Japanese word for a fanatic, and although it's used as a derogatory term there, there's a common consensus here that it can be taken with pride. There's also a common consensus that it can mean a fan of practically anything. Just because the word is Japanese doesn't mean it can only include Japanese things. If I say "kannattaja" or "kiihkoilija" (fan and fanatic in Finnish, respectively), I'm not limiting the words to people only interested in Finnish things (cause that would be, you know, silly).

Anygays, I believe we western people have much more sense of self-irony than the always-so-bashful Japanese (if you excuse my generalization), so we can use the term more liberately to refer ourselves as ones.[/QUOTE]

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]I'm aware of all that. I just like making my opinion sound like fact. Also, 'anygays'?[/COLOR]

[Solo Tremaine]

[COLOR=#503F86]I think 'to be an Otaku', you do have to elevate yourself to a higher level than a 'fan'. Cause I'm an anime/manga fan, but I haven't (yet) made myself a costume and/or done many other wierd and wonderful things that die-hard anime nuts go for. Shock horror, I actually like some English dubs! So I doubt I could ever fully be called an Otaku.

Nor would I want to. I did consider trying to make a Tony Tony Chopper costume for this October's London Expo, but I haven't had time. I guess that would catapult me far more towards a higher level of fan/geekdom, but even then it's not like I live, sleep and breathe anime. I don't generally download episodes- I'm happy to wait for them on DVD, even if it takes an age and a half.

To me, it would mean someone who [i]only[/i] watches anime or reads manga, who downloads episodes religiously and still buys the DVDs (but complains about them- specifically the dubbing and subtitles -nonetheless), spends most of their time at the bookstore sitting on the floor next to the manga shelves reading all the volumes they have, then not buying anything; making (or buying off eBay) a different costume for each convention and spending an inordinate amount of time on the internet discussing spoilers.

Strangely enough, I've never known (or seen) any girl otakus. Although I have seen a few sitting on the floor in Borders reading the manga there.[/COLOR]

[Claire]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]Personally I consider 'otaku' to be a race. It's somthing your born as and cannot change. As said by the greatest otaku who ever lived, Madarame, 'you can't just stop being an otaku. It is who you are.' This si true no matter what country you live in.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[FONT="Arial"]That might be the way you feel, but that's not always the case.

In middle school I loved anime and manga more than any other TV show or book that wasn't made in Japan. I'd stay up late, despite being exhausted, to watch it, and video tape it when I couldn't afford to stay awake. I'd buy manga whenever I had enough money for it.

I don't know how it happened, considering how obsessed I was, but eventually I just stopped caring. I didn't want to draw anymore because all I could draw was anime-style. When I did draw, I tried my best to make it as non-anime-esque as I could, but when someone saw and asked me if it was anime, I vehemently denied it. The other day in Physics, I doodled on an assignment and when I got it back, the teacher wrote "Physics is an anime free zone!"

If that had happened three years ago I would have been shocked that he knew what anime was. I was just appalled that he associated me with it. (No offense to anyone, of course).

So, yeah. Anyone who is considered an otaku can definitely stop being one.[/FONT]

[eleanor]

[quote name='Clurr'][FONT="Arial"]

In middle school I loved anime and manga more than any other TV show or book that wasn't made in Japan. I'd stay up late, despite being exhausted, to watch it, and video tape it when I couldn't afford to stay awake. I'd buy manga whenever I had enough money for it.

I don't know how it happened, considering how obsessed I was, but eventually I just stopped caring. I didn't want to draw anymore because all I could draw was anime-style. When I did draw, I tried my best to make it as non-anime-esque as I could, but when someone saw and asked me if it was anime, I vehemently denied it. The other day in Physics, I doodled on an assignment and when I got it back, the teacher wrote "Physics is an anime free zone!"
[/FONT][/QUOTE]

[font="trebuchet ms"] Lol, that's exactly what happened to me. I thought anime was just about the greatest thing ever, but now I hate most of it and only watch it sparingly. It was the same for me with drawing anime stuff, too. I just stopped, and then when I started drawing again I tried to lean towards a more western-style animation, which I still can't do well because I can't do it on the tablet (I think that's just the universal sign for 'you can't draw this style yet sorry').

I still have love for the good stuff, but overall I've just stopped being a fan.[/font]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]Also, 'anygays'?[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[font="trebuchet ms"] ...[/font]

[Sandy]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]I'm aware of all that. I just like making my opinion sound like fact. Also, 'anygays'?[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

It's great that you're aware of it yourself. ;D

Also, if this the first time you've seen me use that word, then you mustn't have read my posts very carefully. ;P

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1]Otakus are pretty cool people in my opinion and I don't see the term as negative as most would, even if it was. See, there was never this big thing about Anime where I lived. There was a handful of us who grew up watching DBZ and that's how I got to this forum... OB is the only referrences I had to Otakus, and OBers seemed like pretty nice people. I only ever associate the term with people being fanatics over anime. I think it depends on how real Otakus take it though.

I used to be somewhat of an Otaku. I stopped about a year ago, still have loads of manga though and watch the occasional shows, but I'm nowhere near obsessed. I used to draw anime style as well, although it helped me instead. No one knew what anime was, and they assumed it looked cool and gave me loads of praise in my school. If they recognized the style, they asked why I was drawing DBZ characters ;_;

I'd say I grew out of anime, but maybe I'd get internet-*****-slapped from someone on the forum. I dunno, I really did though. I may have grown out of it but I think the whole 'Otaku' thing made some pretty neat outcomes in my life...[/SIZE]

[OtakuSeeker]

[quote name='Solo Tremaine'][COLOR=#503F86]
Strangely enough, I've never known (or seen) any girl otakus. Although I have seen a few sitting on the floor in Borders reading the manga there.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Yes, this is a topic I've come across before; there are definitely girl otakus (or anime fans or whatever you'd like to call them) out there, but I seem to have noticed that they are very often absent from more public displays of anime fandom, such as school anime clubs, etc. Now, this is not always the case, as anyone at a convention (especially a Yaoi con) could see; but I am definitely interested to see how many girls will respond to this thread.

Another thing that I want to throw out there, if anyone wants to comment on, is this idea that being an Otaku is, in some ways, resisting American popular culture. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but you'd be surprised how many articles I've come across by scholars who think being an anime fan is some way of rebelling against American mainstream culture.

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR="goldenrod"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]Anyway, in response to all the talk about me - :p I love you guys! And [B]sunfalle[/B] before you decide that I'm not operating the whole site behind the scenes - consider this. Not only do I post everywhere, but most of my friends are moderators, the new guys all love me, and I'm even on good terms with both [B]Desbreko[/B] AND [B]Dagger[/B]. I might as well just take the place over now XD[/COLOR][/QUOTE]Well I doubt you'll take over, but it is true that on some level, behind the scenes you are in control... After all... It is, as DeathKnight put it, [I]His main duty is to keep the basement free of rodents.[/I] So without you DB, we'd be overrun by Rats! :p

Anyway, if taken in the full context of how the word is applied in Japan... Then I am not an Otaku at all. I go days where my only contact with anime is visiting this site and the forum I moderate. Heh. But if you go by what SunfallE is saying, then like her I'm a casual Otaku. ^_^ I love watching shows and reading manga, but it's just a hobby and nothing more.
[quote name='OtakuSeeker']Yes, this is a topic I've come across before; there are definitely girl otakus (or anime fans or whatever you'd like to call them) out there, but I seem to have noticed that they are very often absent from more public displays of anime fandom, such as school anime clubs, etc. Now, this is not always the case, as anyone at a convention (especially a Yaoi con) could see; but I am definitely interested to see how many girls will respond to this thread.

Another thing that I want to throw out there, if anyone wants to comment on, is this idea that being an Otaku is, in some ways, resisting American popular culture. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but you'd be surprised how many articles I've come across by scholars who think being an anime fan is some way of rebelling against American mainstream culture.[/QUOTE]Well SunfallE and I are both girls. But neither one of us are hard core Otaku's like 2007DigitalBoy. As for being a part of things public, there isn't an anime club in my area, or rather I have not heard of one. And it's sad, but I was unable to go to my first Anime Convention last month since I was sick. >_< That was really annoying!

Hmmm... I'm sure for some teens they do see it as resisting American culture, but I've always seen it as something that is becoming part of our culture. But then again, I'm not heavily into it. Though seeing that where I live many adults think all anime is porn and garbage... I'm sure they see it as me resisting American culture since I do like anime.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Konata]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]I find it funny that [B]Konata[/B] - one of about 5 people on this entire website who I'd consider to be an otaku - disowns the term.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

What do you mean by this ='(

My community has very few otaku. And when I do meet one, it's very awkward, as if I don't fit in. We'll get along but it's just so uncomfortable. Like sitting at Borders reading a manga or illustration book next to others (When I tried that, I felt so embarassed for some reason, hence why I don't sit on the floor to read these things anymore), meeting or talking to people at anime conventions (Last time I did that, the man who had spoken with me followed me throughout the whole entire anime convention (exception for one day because I was running about for one hour buying all of the merchandise I had planned to get) and still IMs me (He's a nice man but... he sorta creeped me out >_>)), or even talking to fans in my city. Maybe I'm just a different otaku? Or maybe I haven't been exposed to any true otaku? Like, I sorta wish I was in an anime club like Genshiken, lol. But then I dunno either. I think it might be a bit creepy. Besides, clubs like anime/manga/game clubs aren't allowed at my school anyway, ha-ha...

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]
Personally I consider 'otaku' to be a race. It's somthing your born as and cannot change. As said by the greatest otaku who ever lived, Madarame, 'you can't just stop being an otaku. It is who you are.' This si true no matter what country you live in.

No two otaku are exacly alike, just like not all white people are the same. Otaku is not a mindset so much as a way of life (I think I worded that wrong) anyway, I laugh my *** off every time someone tells me I need a life (several times a day at school).

I am an uber otaku. I live and breathe for anime and manga.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

I personally think that someone could quit being an otaku if they wanted to. Because sometimes being an otaku might interfere with things like education, jobs, etc. That is, if you refer to my definition of the term. And maybe that person realizes that obsessing over anime and manga won't accomplish much in his/her life, so he/she decides to quit his/her addiction.

[The Spectacular Professor]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]I've always hated when people ask this question here cuz you always get some convoluted-*** 'it means your a nerd in your field' like Aceburner's. Luckily there hasn't been much of that yet.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

You realize just for this I pulled your Hall of Fame nomination in favor of Naps the Cat. It's all about opinion, man.

[Rachmaninoff]

I think 2007DigitalBoy and Konata are better qualified to answer the question here than I am. I had never even heard the word until I joined this place and I haven't even been here a year yet. Plus, I only got into anime about a year and a half ago. So based on what I've learned about what Otaku is suppose to really mean. I'm not an Otaku at all. My obsession, if one can call it that, is in a different field altogether. And I've been lucky enough to turn that into my career.

To say it has meaning in my daily life isn't really applicable since I don't even watch or read anime every day. I visit this place every day but as you can see, there is plenty to do here that isn't anime related at all. I don't agree that it's something you are born with as 2007DigitalBoy was saying. Unless he's going from the standpoint of having an obsessive personality. Still, that is something that one can change. I mean I could give up music if I wished... I just don't want to. lol

The few people I do know who are obsessed with this stuff really are just obsessive in general. Some stick with anime where others seem to go from one obsession to another. But for the most part, I have yet to run into a negative association with the word where I live. The ones who think anime is bad, don't even know what the word Otaku is. They often refer to it as some offshoot of the typical geek/nerd who obsesses over things like D & D. Like it's the new fad or something.

As for it being a form of rejecting American culture, I'll take your word for it since that's the first I've heard of that. Though seeing that people often search for some way to be considered different, I'm not surprised.

[Solo Tremaine]

[quote name='OtakuSeeker']Another thing that I want to throw out there, if anyone wants to comment on, is this idea that being an Otaku is, in some ways, resisting American popular culture. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but you'd be surprised how many articles I've come across by scholars who think being an anime fan is some way of rebelling against American mainstream culture.[/quote][color=#503F86]I'd agree with that. There was a discussion ages and ages ago in the anime forums about anime becoming more and more mainstream, and I remember one person in particular being vehemently against anime becoming mainstream, despite the obvious advantages it would bring (i.e., cheaper products, greater availability, less social outcastness, etc). I suppose it's a fandom that often lends itself to more artistic/introverted types?[/color]