Thread: What is a true otaku? ...

In Japan otaku term usually decribes a obsessed fan of something, not necessarily anime. But now this term may be have its second meaning, for person who is a hard-core anime-manga fan, and in general, it's about anime fans. So, I want to know about a real otaku at second meaning , how they look, behave, and their deep love in anime-manga . Is all people who already watch anime and manga , all of them called "otaku" ?

I really don't know I'm an otaku or not. Because I live in Vietnam, and anime-manga isn't very popular. In Vietnam, only translated manga is sold at the bookstore (both copyright/traded and not ^^) but only a few titles and anime is even rare. I only find some DVD anime titles on DVD store, but anime doesn't attract many people. At anime/cartoon section just me and my friend look at, and others gather at new released movie/ hot movie in month...section. And DVD anime is not original one from Japan, it's only a illegal copy from China, with bad quality. Even when compare with anime I download from internet, it's worse. So, I end up watching anime by downloading subbed anime from net, via bittorrent, mirc... Sometimes my uncle returning from oversea brings me some original DVD anime and manga, I'm very happy. It's greater than those 100-200 mb avi or mkv files you download from internet. I enjoy not only the anime but also the cover art, the photo book inside, for a DVD box. And some of them don't have English subtitle, but it's ok. I can't understand Japanese but in future I'll learn. In my country there isn't any large store only for anime and related stuffs, because it's expensive and people still can't afford to buy, and anime/manga is only attracted young Vietnamese. you could call that a trend, but not all young people watch anime because they love to, it's only fashion. Like the current trend in Vietnam for young people is game online and blog writting, anime is also a trend but like I said, it's not very popular. This community is really active on net (ex: accvn.net) but in real world is only few magazines released and sometimes , a cosplay party is held but tell the truth, it's not as good as Japanese. They rarely talk or discuss anime in real world, just on net. Some even don't know anything about anime or manga.
In short, in my country people still seem to be reserved to anime-manga, they think it's foreign culture and need to be cautious (they may see some manga sold widely on bookstore contain some "suggestive theme" and think that's not suitable for young viewer), they don't like the anime style such as "Sailor Moon or Pokemon" and think that is really garbish, and never a great anime like Evangelion is on the cinema like in Japan (though they always show Hollywood or Korean movies, American cartoon). But they forget that they don't like anime at all but others find it interesting and become fans. You don't like your children to be affected by foreign culture but why you accept American style like action movies and also Korean romance movies. You think anime-manga contain sexual materials but why you don't limit the age that can buy, but only sell without any caution or restriction. And other thing come from outside like cable TV, game online, hiphop ... also foreign culture (may be even worse like cable TV having some channel with sex and violence and there isn't any limitation) But what you need now is a good guide for young people rather than restriction.

oh, I've forgot, that now young people can watch anime by Animax channel because of the population of Cable TV in Vietnam. And Vietnamese cable channels sometimes also broadcast Naruto, Inu Yasha.. too (censored) .. But that's really not important. Animax is one of my favorite channels, but I don't have time to watch and you depend on what they show, rather than a good DVD anime.

All above is only my subjective idea. I've never travelled to any countries before, till I complete my major in VN and study abroad. So, what is about "otaku" life in Japan (I think in US and Europe anime-manga is also popular, right?) and the effect of anime-manga in Japan, anime-empire? And now China and Korean too. I think that in Japan there is big store selling DVD anime, manga and accessories, with a lof of "true otaku" gathering and talking only about anime stuffs, about new and hot ones.. And cosplay is really professional and beautiful.. hit-anime is showed directly on cinema.. Anime-manga is really an indispensable part of Japanese entertainment industry.

For me, I prefer a DVD anime to a avi file, if I have chance to come to Japan, I must buy alot of my favorite anime I watched till now.

In other words, what I want to say "true otaku" isn't just a guy who only download manga and anime from Internet, but his true love about anime-manga, his inchangable interests in this life....

SO HOW's About your idea ? I'm eager to hearing an idea for a otaku living in Japan now, and all of you ! Please talk only about anime/manga in your country, what do you think about "real otaku", do not change the subject about your country 's politics, problems or war...
Anime-manga is really a world-trend now.

(these passage above might be run-on and disagreement , but I try to express my idea , and I hope you understand.)


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I think an otaku is an otaku. If you WANT to be an otaku, then you probably are. But I think that obsession is a critical part in the definition. Meaning, how obsessed ARE you? I don't think that you necesarily have to be obsessed to the point that all you breathe in manga/anime and all your money goes to buying models and manga. But like not in such a way that all you do in read once in a while and criticize their work. I think an otaku is when you appreciate the artwork and storyline and ENJOY reading or watching anime or manga. To a point that you would like to continue reading one series or expanding into other series.

Nice reply, Ishman. =]

Personally, I don't think that you have to be depicted as one of those sweating, nerdy-looking, glasses-wearing, crazy about cosplaying girls kind of person to be considered an otaku. You just have appreciate manga and anime and to be happy when reading or watching it. =]

Yes, maybe otaku at second meaning is just simple like you said, "If you want to be an otaku, then you probably are". I agree, but in addtion, an true otaku must find the meaning of anime beyond the animated image and CG aid, so as manga and he must really love anime/manga "when you appreciate the artwork and storyline and ENJOY reading or watching anime or manga", yes like that.. and that is his interest. But somebody is only watching anime/manga by Trend or because of their friends watch and they try too, that's just temporary moment and they can't be called "otaku". You watch, you really like it, you're an otaku.
About people who cosplaying, I think that they're really otaku, based on their real love of anime/manga and characters they like most. That makes them spend time to make-up and prepair to have their best pictures, and sweat, feel tired...
but they're really happy when everything is done, despite they may not look good. People only feel great when they do what's they really like, although other people may see them negatively and think them crazy.. It's an aspect of life, people
live for what they want, just that not influence others in negative way. You should appreciate their hard work.

And so, obsession or not, that may depend on each person . They have to realize the limitation or how much times and money they spend on anime/manga, because it's just an interest, a type of entertainment like movies, books, games.. and how many good thing they can infer or just go crazy and don't care about anything else..

Like I said before, anime/manga isn't really popular in my countries like their home Japan or somewhere.. so I really respect each DVD anime I have because it's not easy to get, but in Japan that's too ordinary... And the living standards in my coutries is still developing so Internet is the best way to approach foreign culture, like anime...that only cultural exchanges, not anything else..

Could anyone tell me about Otaku 's life and otaku world in your country ? I sometimes search it on blogs.. but better if speak directly with otaku in other countries, Japan, US.. Not many friends of mine like anime.. so sad but true..

oh, only talking about anime and manga because if you talk on other fields like Japanese culture, tech, green tea... it'll take years.. ^^

I have a friend who imported all the naruto games and every time a char does an attack with hand sighns and the japnese names for them...he follows their exact movements rite on time -_- its a little weired.

Too long; didn't read.

Originally Posted by 98abaile

To long; didn't read.

Just call them nerds. End of story

like those freaky star wars fans with tomato sauce on T-shirt running around trying to be someone who's 400lbs lighter.

Is there a functional difference between nerds and otaku? I would just beware the smell...

write less, say more.

The style's varies, I suppose.

I'll just classify them as uber-nerds.

Or "nerds-gone-wild". That's a good one