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Anime fans who hate Otakus


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Annie_Jr



Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Location: New Mexico (boring...)
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:29 pm Reply with quote
Emerje wrote:
Tony K. wrote:
Well, I personally don't like the idea of ranking anime fans. If you're a fan of some particular concept, whether it be anime or whatever, then so be it. However, being a fan should only matter to the person who says he/she is a fan. Putting yourself or someone else into a higher or lower status just because of their knowledge or preferance seems a little unfair.


The way I see it it's no different than anything else. Not everyone who plays a sport is a pro, but they're still athletes. Not everyone in the millitary is a grunt, but they're still soldiers. Not all anime fans are elitists, but they're still otaku.

Emerje
I totally agree with you. Anime fans may not be the same thing as Otaku, but they are similar in some ways. They both like anime, both like Japanese music. But are different when it comes to Japanese customs like clothes and such.
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Ken Hayashi



Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 752
Location: Singapore
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:36 pm Reply with quote
I've always considered myself an "OTAKU", though not in the bad sense of the word. I mean, I love anime and nothing else. I listen to Japanese music (especially anime music), love Japanese food, love the Japanese culture and even work for a Japanese MNC.

I'm open to watching other things like Disney and so on, with the family, but it's not something that I will go out and spend my money on (I borrow the DVDs). I will eat just about any sort of food (Thai, Chinese, continental, spicy or not, etc.). But I think, in my heart, I love Japanese stuff the most (except when it comes to cars).

I know the word "otaku" gives some people bad vibes, and it's usually not a word a persons wishes to be described with. I just feel comfortable with it.

I don't wear Japanese clothing. I'd like to try some on, when I visit Japan, just for the fun of it. But it's not something I'd do on a daily basis. I do have anime wallpapers and polyphonic MIDIs on my mobile. And I have tons of anime JPEGs in my PC. That's about all.

Maybe I don't even qualify as an otaku, as far as some people are concerned. But in my own opinion, I think I'm hardcore enough.

Nobody outside of this and another forum, knows about my addiction. If you see me on the streets, you'll never be able to tell me apart from your regular joe.
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Perfectsword



Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 527
Location: Somewhere in NY
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:52 pm Reply with quote
[quote="Jinchuu"]Uran Dictionary defines Otaku as:
Quote:
Otaku is the honorific word of Taku (home).

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).

In the Western culture, people confuse otaku to be something positive like "Guru". If you think about it, it's not really good to be called a guru if it means you are a total loser who can't socialize with other people except through the Internet.

Other Japanese words which have been confused by Westerners also include but not limited to: Anime, Manga, etc



I would like to state that a Guru IS A TEACHER/MENTOR (usually in philosophy or spirituality) it is not a bad thing.
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Tony K.
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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Location: Frisco, TX
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:53 pm Reply with quote
Emerje wrote:
The way I see it it's no different than anything else. Not everyone who plays a sport is a pro, but they're still athletes. Not everyone in the millitary is a grunt, but they're still soldiers. Not all anime fans are elitists, but they're still otaku.

Hmm. I sort of agree with you. In fact, I was originally going to mention how ranking is sometimes necessary to differentiate between various kinds of persons that exist in fandom (like fanboys or something), but my brain kind of stopped Anime dazed.

EDIT: I screwed up on the emoticon, and have now corrected it... Anime smile + sweatdrop.


Last edited by Tony K. on Thu Sep 02, 2004 12:26 am; edited 1 time in total
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ShellBullet



Joined: 20 Mar 2003
Posts: 1051
Location: I hit things, with my fist.
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:21 pm Reply with quote
Jinchuu wrote:
In the Western culture, people confuse otaku to be something positive like "Guru". If you think about it, it's not really good to be called a guru if it means you are a total loser who can't socialize with other people except through the Internet.


The term "otaku" as used in America is a joke. Any anime fans that are offended by the word should grow a sense of humor. Very Happy
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Annie_Jr



Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Location: New Mexico (boring...)
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:23 pm Reply with quote
ShellBullet wrote:
Jinchuu wrote:
In the Western culture, people confuse otaku to be something positive like "Guru". If you think about it, it's not really good to be called a guru if it means you are a total loser who can't socialize with other people except through the Internet.


The term "otaku" as used in America is a joke. Any anime fans that are offended by the word should grow a sense of humor. Very Happy
I was never offended by the word at all. I think it's a very unique term. I don't get why it's a JOKE? Can you please tell me. Shocked
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CrackaJax



Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 250
Location: Mount Olympus, Syracuse University
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:38 pm Reply with quote
Because the term has been whitewashed in America. In japanese, its supposed to mean that someone who is so socially inept as to not be able to function in society.

I'm pretty sure I'm right about that.
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RedvsBlue



Joined: 02 May 2004
Posts: 328
Location: snooping through another FF7 walkthrough
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:49 pm Reply with quote
ShellBullet wrote:
The term "otaku" as used in America is a joke. Any anime fans that are offended by the word should grow a sense of humor. Very Happy


I've never heard it as a joking term. I've either heard it as a put-down *as it's mainly viewed on ANN* or some idiot uses it as a accomplishment *like some of the less tasteful forums on Ezboard*

Either way, I dont see how it's funny. Confused

More like the debauchery of a Japanese insult to me.

If you want to call yourself a "Hardcore Otaku" or just an "Otaku" then that's fine with me. Just know what your saying and dont use it out of line

*i.e. OMG! UR SUCH AN OTAKU!!! U MUST HAVE LOTS OF ANIMES!!!!111*

I hate that. Evil or Very Mad
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LadyAyame



Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Posts: 16
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:52 pm Reply with quote
frostedsaiyan wrote:
Emerje wrote:
I like to think that there are different levels of "otakudom" just like there are different levels of "geekdom". There's the "Casual Otaku" who knows their way around anime, but have no intent of being anything more; the "Intelligent Otaku" who take it all in, are willing to share everything they know, but in no way obsess and show patience, these are the follks who tend to try getting into the industry and actually have a chance of succeeding at it; the "Obsessed Otaku" are the ones that tend to get the most attention, these are the people that have to have everything and anything right now, anime is all good and none of it's bad and even at it's worse it's always going to be better than anything else out there, these are also the people who keep Petition Online in business; Then you've got the "Violent Otaku" these are the idiots that make empty threats of violence towards other fans, especially if they disagree with what they absolutly know is fact, they're also the same morrons who suggest bombing corporate offices because something was edited out of a kids show, they deserve to be shot. Wink Of course there are other types of otaku like the "Elitest Otaku" or the "Newbie Otaku", but these are the most common types I find.

I think this guy's website is missguided and maybe he's even a bit insecure about his own fandom. Rather than accepting that there are different people out there ("different strokes for different folks") he'd much rather alienate them and show his superiority. I'd call him an "Intelligent Otaku", however a missguided one, complaining about the obsessed and violent among us.

Emerje


That was the longest sentence I've ever seen. Anyway, I to think there are different levels. A violent Otaku shouldn't be the path one takes. You shouldn't get mad at someone because they are a newbie in the anime world and don't have a lot of knowledge about anime. You should help them and increase their knowledge. Anime is something that can bring people with a common interest together and share their joy.




:stands up and claps:

I totally agree with you on that one! I read what that person read in his website and I think its BS. I had my share of experiences with Elitists and instead of them trying to educate someone, they'll tear someone down if they don't know as much as them. I'm like, "Who died and made you God?!?"

People should help educate each other and change the bias that some people still perceive Anime as today that it is only "Hentai" and it didn't have no deeper meaning than that. WHICH IS SOOOOOO WRONG!!!! Twisted Evil

Some anime fall in the genres of fantasy, futuristic, comedy, Feudal Japan, and other subjects that may be pleasing to that person.
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Mr Mania



Joined: 10 Feb 2003
Posts: 581
Location: UK
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:58 pm Reply with quote
Quote:
Here in America most people view the word Otaku to be used as a compliment. It's a common misconception.

Being an Otaku is bad. It's much better to be an anime fan of healthy fandom


Not really. If you live in Japan then yes but we don't. The word has been taken from Japan but its meaning altered to suit anime fandom in the western world and I don't see a problem with that. To me an Otaku in the US is similar to a Trekkie.
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Perfect_Cell



Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 14
Location: PA
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:42 pm Reply with quote
Well, for myself, I wouldn't be a Otaku ethier. Not entirely I mean. I do listen to J-POP sometimes, however the majority of music I listen to is ethier techno or any of the other genre's. As for anime, I am a big fan of it and its all I buy (most of the time) but I do take time to deal with other things such as School, saving up to help my parents with bills, etc. I only put anime at the top of things I like such as games and other tv shows, not at the top of everything else such as my family, friends (if I had any offline Razz ) and school.

As for the Otaku themselves, I am not all pleased by what they do, but I don't exactly hate them. If I were to become friends with Otaku, I'd be fine with it. I just don't want to be Otaku myself. I used to think I was, but after viewing "Totally Obessed" on VH1 (you should check it out to see what obessed fans act like) with a guy who sold his soul to Pac-Man. I finally realized that I was never an obessed fan at all.
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cyrax777



Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 1825
Location: the desert
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:11 pm Reply with quote
I ate uberfanboys of all types "ZOMG ITS REI"
kind of thing.

I did like this rant thu.


http://azusa.leamonde.net/animerant.html

such fine examples as
Quote:
Somewhat along those same lines, there also seems to exist a rule in the Unwritten Code of Otakudom that denouncing everything Western and championing everything Japanese is an essential part of being an anime fan

Dont get me started on those fans I just want to slap em.
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Annie_Jr



Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Location: New Mexico (boring...)
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:46 pm Reply with quote
Kinda off topic, but. I have the rights to have my own anime otaku club at the high school. Yay!!!

Just in case you all are curious: http://www.alamogordotigers.com/ Just click on "anime otaku club.

Well anyway.....[/url]
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jfrog



Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 925
Location: Seattle
PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:53 pm Reply with quote
Mr Mania wrote:
Not really. If you live in Japan then yes but we don't. The word has been taken from Japan but its meaning altered to suit anime fandom in the western world and I don't see a problem with that. To me an Otaku in the US is similar to a Trekkie.


Yeah, but that's no exactly a good thing to be, either. I'm a pretty big fan of the show, but I'm careful to lable myself as a Star Trek fan, as opposed to a Trekkie.

Quote:
I totally agree with you on that one! I read what that person read in his website and I think its BS. I had my share of experiences with Elitists and instead of them trying to educate someone, they'll tear someone down if they don't know as much as them. I'm like, "Who died and made you God?!?"

People should help educate each other and change the bias that some people still perceive Anime as today that it is only "Hentai" and it didn't have no deeper meaning than that. WHICH IS SOOOOOO WRONG!!!!


Except that page appeared on an FLCL fansite.
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Kagemusha



Joined: 20 Feb 2004
Posts: 2783
Location: Boston
PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 12:09 am Reply with quote
Overanylizing FLCL Very Happy Good site.
But I dislike Otakus for several reasons. Aside from the fact that I'm not a huge spender on anime DVDs, some of them are just psycho. I remember buying Texhnolyze a while back when I happened to go to a register with an otaku. Fairly quickly he was talking about his Sailor Moon collection and his cosplay experience. I'm not kidding, he went on and on about "sailor senshi" sounding like a freak in front of a line of people who definitally gave me some odd looks.
And of course there are the worst kind of otaku: those who abandon anything not Japanese.
Even at the site Fing Otaku, they themselves are Otaku: crazed fans who devote themselves to denouncing cosplayers (despite the fact that they do cosplay). Its a funny site that I'm sure is just intended to poke fun at themselves and the Otaku community, but I feel that an obsession over anything (that includes American shows and sports) that limits ones intrest to things that only pertain to that "hobby" (if at that point you coud call it that) is unhealthy. But go ahead and buy every collectable item possible from a particular show, eat only pocky and drink ramun, and devote your life to a seriyuu: its a free country after all.
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