I've finally fallen fellow Escapists...

[sageoftruth]

I think they were joking. I hope they were joking. I know getting a girlfriend is extremely hard for a lot of us but we gotta learn to take it less seriously than we do. I was made fun for being single in HS by my friends but now I realize that it's not something worth getting mad about.

Just for being single? In high school? Jeez! Did everyone have a girlfriend in that school?

Everyone in my group of friends did. Except me.

Boy, that's nasty. I've been in that position as well, but I never got mocked for it, probably because it happened in college. There seems to be a surprising maturity gap between college and high school.

 

[RaikuFA]

I think they were joking. I hope they were joking. I know getting a girlfriend is extremely hard for a lot of us but we gotta learn to take it less seriously than we do. I was made fun for being single in HS by my friends but now I realize that it's not something worth getting mad about.

Just for being single? In high school? Jeez! Did everyone have a girlfriend in that school?

Everyone in my group of friends did. Except me.

Oh, high school can't have been a good time for that to happen.

Better than elementary and middle school. Least in HS I had friends and never got in fights.

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

You do you, Para.

I also think you have crap taste in animay tiddies. Giant jello filled monstrosities is what they are!

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

You know, Para, I'm disappointed in you. Not because of what you did - that was pretty much something I assumed you'd have already done by now. No, what I'm talking about is that I believed you finally went and believed in...

Spoiler: This

 

[Paragon Fury]

More than the game was to be sure.

Which one?

Deep Crimson 2.

 

[RaikuFA]

More than the game was to be sure.

Which one?

Deep Crimson 2.

The ds ones are bleh. Try out Shinovi versus. It plays more like a musou game and has my waifu, Murasaki.

 

[ManutheBloodedge]

Fair enough, dude, I can't say I'd be surprised to hear that seriously in one of Paragon's threads, though.
I don't know much about the cause of Japan's birth rate, but I wouldn't be surprised that pretending a drawing loves you back isn't a healthy thing.

Still, if that's how people wanna live because that's how they want to live, that's grand. I imagine most "3D women" would rather be left out of it, haha.

Ugh, not this again. Most men in Japan are more accepting of simulated, synthetic relationships because they work so much they lack the time, energy and money for a real one. They KNOW it isn't real, but they accept the simulation because it is far easier and cheaper to obtain and maintain than the real thing. This is not so much the product of misogony or social akwardness and more the product of Japan's insane work and social structures.

Of course you will find extreme cases, but this is humanity. You find nutjobs everywhere.

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

Are the games any good? I've got one on my Steam wishlist, waiting for it go on sale (because I'm a cheap bastard) but I'd be happy to take some opinions from people who currently own it.

 

[Bobular]

I don't think I could buy something like this in a store, with a guy looking at me, obviously judging me and my life choices.

I sell these books in store, I don't judge anyone about what they buy its up to them. And that's pretty tame compared to some stuff, doesn't even come sealed. I generally try to keep 2 complete collections of High School DxD manga on the shelf because of how much of them I go through.

Hey, he's the one selling it...

That's always been my defense when buying something questionable from a comic book or video store.

Exactly this. I don't sell things I would be embarrassed about selling, and my mum comes into my stall a fair amount as she works in the same building as me.

 

[Paragon Fury]

Fair enough, dude, I can't say I'd be surprised to hear that seriously in one of Paragon's threads, though.
I don't know much about the cause of Japan's birth rate, but I wouldn't be surprised that pretending a drawing loves you back isn't a healthy thing.

Still, if that's how people wanna live because that's how they want to live, that's grand. I imagine most "3D women" would rather be left out of it, haha.

Ugh, not this again. Most men in Japan are more accepting of simulated, synthetic relationships because they work so much they lack the time, energy and money for a real one. They KNOW it isn't real, but they accept the simulation because it is far easier and cheaper to obtain and maintain than the real thing. This is not so much the product of misogony or social akwardness and more the product of Japan's insane work and social structures.

Of course you will find extreme cases, but this is humanity. You find nutjobs everywhere.

I feel like it shouldn't be missed the impact that, yes, feminism has had on Japan. While its' been great for women's position in society and their lives...you thrust several whole generations of now much more aggressive, assertive and powerful women on a largely traditional society that was already under a good bit of stress and you're bound to fuck up the relationship scene.

Add onto that Japan already having some interesting relationship quirks of its' own and yeah, stuff gets...weird.

 

[Phasmal]

Ugh, not this again.

Not what again?

Most men in Japan are more accepting of simulated, synthetic relationships because they work so much they lack the time, energy and money for a real one. They KNOW it isn't real, but they accept the simulation because it is far easier and cheaper to obtain and maintain than the real thing. This is not so much the product of misogony or social akwardness and more the product of Japan's insane work and social structures.

... Okay. I was merely responding to someone asking me a question about birthrates, in which I said I didn't know much about it. Hell, the most criticising thing I was willing to say was that it "probably wasn't healthy" but that people can live their lives how they want to.
I didn't say anything about misogyny or social awkwardness so... y'know. Words. Out of my mouth, please.

Of course you will find extreme cases, but this is humanity. You find nutjobs everywhere.

I'm aware.

 

[McElroy]

Blegh. Not trying to rain on your parade but it is possible to be enthusiastic about fake anime titties without being gross about real women. I mean? "Upkeep"? "Having a headache at an inopportune time?" Yikes.

Yes we can. However that runs counter to the goal of being tongue in cheek about the motives of enjoying fake anime titties. Basically a waifu is someone you can adore (and pretend she adores you) without any real effort on your part. Not everyone is speaking seriously in threads like this and I certainly am not in the second paragraph. Although I have to wonder a little about Japan's success at creating waifus and if that has any impact on their dismal birth rates.

Fair enough, dude, I can't say I'd be surprised to hear that seriously in one of Paragon's threads, though.
I don't know much about the cause of Japan's birth rate, but I wouldn't be surprised that pretending a drawing loves you back isn't a healthy thing.

Still, if that's how people wanna live because that's how they want to live, that's grand. I imagine most "3D women" would rather be left out of it, haha.

Hmm, as an anime/manga/all-things-otaku hater I've thought about it, and I feel now's as good a time as any to be frank.

And frankly I find your attitude towards this whole thing (as evidenced in other lovely Paragon threads and such) kinda sucky or maybe insufferable is the better term. "Do whatever makes you happy as long as it's out of my eyes and thus out of my mind." Sure, you say it wouldn't surprise you if it was unhealthy, but please don't stop there. After all, you don't want to meet or be around these men in real life, so how can you say "that's grand" about their existence? That's fucked up. I get it you don't want to get into the same old arguments again and again, but every time you come back and throw this - "Yikes! How horrible! But yeah it's okay if they want it, no need to get upset. Just stay away from me." - anyway.

Even if you got that in the end - that these hikikomori otakus never bothered you - it would only be a "good" thing for you and other like-minded. It's not something like a mental illness or a disability that's simply unavoidable sometimes, it's cultural. The modern disenfranchisement of young men will make this phenomenon more and more common. I don't like it, and you don't like it, but you are still okay with it. So I ask of you: don't be. I mean, you probably could do more than that if you really wanted, but eh, sounds stressful.

 

[Phasmal]

Hmm, as an anime/manga/all-things-otaku hater I've thought about it, and I feel now's as good a time as any to be frank.

And frankly I find your attitude towards this whole thing (as evidenced in other lovely Paragon threads and such) kinda sucky or maybe insufferable is the better term. "Do whatever makes you happy as long as it's out of my eyes and thus out of my mind." Sure, you say it wouldn't surprise you if it was unhealthy, but please don't stop there. After all, you don't want to meet or be around these men in real life, so how can you say "that's grand" about their existence? That's fucked up. I get it you don't want to get into the same old arguments again and again, but every time you come back and throw this - "Yikes! How horrible! But yeah it's okay if they want it, no need to get upset. Just stay away from me." - anyway.

Even if you got that in the end - that these hikikomori otakus never bothered you - it would only be a "good" thing for you and other like-minded. It's not something like a mental illness or a disability that's simply unavoidable sometimes, it's cultural. The modern disenfranchisement of young men will make this phenomenon more and more common. I don't like it, and you don't like it, but you are still okay with it. So I ask of you: don't be. I mean, you probably could do more than that if you really wanted, but eh, sounds stressful.

... Um. You've lost me. My joke about "3D women being left out of it" was in reference to Mechamorph's pretend 3D women-bashing. I'm not literally saying that these dudes should stay away from me in particular.

I haven't said the things you're saying I have, so.. uh yeah. Nope. That was a weird post you made.

EDIT: Seriously I think this wins a prize for being the weirdest thing someone has said to me on the Escapist. And that's saying a lot.

Spoiler

 

[McElroy]

Hmm, as an anime/manga/all-things-otaku hater I've thought about it, and I feel now's as good a time as any to be frank.

And frankly I find your attitude towards this whole thing (as evidenced in other lovely Paragon threads and such) kinda sucky or maybe insufferable is the better term. "Do whatever makes you happy as long as it's out of my eyes and thus out of my mind." Sure, you say it wouldn't surprise you if it was unhealthy, but please don't stop there. After all, you don't want to meet or be around these men in real life, so how can you say "that's grand" about their existence? That's fucked up. I get it you don't want to get into the same old arguments again and again, but every time you come back and throw this - "Yikes! How horrible! But yeah it's okay if they want it, no need to get upset. Just stay away from me." - anyway.

Even if you got that in the end - that these hikikomori otakus never bothered you - it would only be a "good" thing for you and other like-minded. It's not something like a mental illness or a disability that's simply unavoidable sometimes, it's cultural. The modern disenfranchisement of young men will make this phenomenon more and more common. I don't like it, and you don't like it, but you are still okay with it. So I ask of you: don't be. I mean, you probably could do more than that if you really wanted, but eh, sounds stressful.

... Um. You've lost me. My joke about "3D women being left out of it" was in reference to Mechamorph's pretend 3D women-bashing. I'm not literally saying that these dudes should stay away from me in particular.

I haven't said the things you're saying I have, so.. uh yeah. Nope. That was a weird post you made.

Lost you. Okay, no more assumptions. Note that my memory is not perfect and I don't have an archive with all Paragon Fury (and similar) threads from which I could quote you.

In this thread you've said: "if that's how people wanna live because that's how they want to live, that's grand", "people can live their lives how they want to", "if that's what makes you happy I guess, you do you", and most importantly "it is possible to be enthusiastic about fake anime titties without being gross about real women" This definitely implies you are fine with it unless it bothers you, right? You also imply with that Kermit pic that Mechamorph's comment (yes it's a joke, but taken at face value) is gross. You also say that "[anime enthusiasts rather hostile to actual women] must know at least one real woman" which implies you think their images and perceptions of women are distorted and skewed (not disagreeing, btw).

For one thing I must reach out to another thread - maybe a Paragon thread, maybe not - where you said that a guy having "girl problems" or believing in the friend-zone would be a deal-breaker for you in terms of a relationship. Wouldn't you agree even if those weren't your exact words?

And now that the way is cleared: to the point. Would you think positively of a guy enthusiastically talking to you about their big-titty anime waifus? And I mean someone without the self-pity/-irony Paragon often expresses. Would you have the guts to tell him "that's probably not healthy" to his face? Or would you ask them if they know any real women? That's a high risk of blowing their fuse, but it is what you think, isn't it?

If it wasn't clear, I'm not okay with men ending up disenfranchised, lonely, and then "choosing" 2D imaginary friends over reality. I don't want it to become "a thing" which some people simply end up into because that's how "things" are. I'm sure you can relate to that. So again, the least you or anyone could do is not shrugging and being okay with it as long as these guys stay out of bothering anyone else.

 

[Phasmal]

Lost you. Okay, no more assumptions. Note that my memory is not perfect and I don't have an archive with all Paragon Fury (and similar) threads from which I could quote you.

In this thread you've said: "if that's how people wanna live because that's how they want to live, that's grand", "people can live their lives how they want to", "if that's what makes you happy I guess, you do you", and most importantly "it is possible to be enthusiastic about fake anime titties without being gross about real women" This definitely implies you are fine with it unless it bothers you, right? You also imply with that Kermit pic that Mechamorph's comment (yes it's a joke, but taken at face value) is gross. You also say that "[anime enthusiasts rather hostile to actual women] must know at least one real woman" which implies you think their images and perceptions of women are distorted and skewed (not disagreeing, btw).

That's... kinda how I feel about most people's fetishes? Like? I'm fine with it? But it's not my thing? You do you?
I'm confused as to why you think it bothers me.

For one thing I must reach out to another thread - maybe a Paragon thread, maybe not - where you said that a guy having "girl problems" or believing in the friend-zone would be a deal-breaker for you in terms of a relationship. Wouldn't you agree even if those were't your exact words?

Well... yeah. Who I date is my business, though, isn't it? I fail to see how who I would date is even remotely related to a thread like this.

And now that the way is cleared: to the point. Would you think positively of a guy enthusiastically talking to you about their big-titty anime waifus? And I mean someone without the self-pity/-irony Paragon often expresses. Would you have the guts to tell him "that's probably not healthy" to his face? Or would you ask them if they know any real women? That's a high risk of blowing their fuse, but it is what you think, isn't it?

Depends how well I knew them and if they were asking me. I'm allowed to have my opinion on things and share them on a forum. You're still confusing me.

If it wasn't clear, I'm not okay with men ending up disenfranchised, lonely, and then "choosing" 2D imaginary friends over reality. I don't want it to become "a thing" which some people simply end up into because that's how "things" are. I'm sure you can relate to that. So again, the least you or anyone could do is not shrugging and being okay with it as long as these guys stay out of bothering anyone else.

Well, then, with all due respect, I think this is more a you thing than a me thing. So.. yeah...
It's not my business what these men do, nor am I in a position to do anything about it.

I'm not entirely sure why you latched onto me individually but okay.

Spoiler

 

[RaikuFA]

I think they were joking. I hope they were joking. I know getting a girlfriend is extremely hard for a lot of us but we gotta learn to take it less seriously than we do. I was made fun for being single in HS by my friends but now I realize that it's not something worth getting mad about.

Just for being single? In high school? Jeez! Did everyone have a girlfriend in that school?

Everyone in my group of friends did. Except me.

Boy, that's nasty. I've been in that position as well, but I never got mocked for it, probably because it happened in college. There seems to be a surprising maturity gap between college and high school.

Never went to college so I wouldn't know. Most likely wouldn't try either. Just focus on studies not on friends/GF.

 

[McElroy]

I'm not entirely sure why you latched onto me individually but okay.

Because on this forum you are the only active poster with this attitude who also always comes out to express it. Maybe you're not the only one - just the "loudest", y'know.

Anyway, the rest of your post... Dammit, I think getting to you here and now is most likely impossible (for me at least) and honestly I hope the like-minded I mentioned in my first post don't exist at all.

But there's one important point I probably should've made in the first post already:

It's not my business what these men do, nor am I in a position to do anything about it.

You are right in a literal sense - there isn't really anything you can do about these hapless guys now. But more and more will join them as time goes by unless something is done to prevent it. The first little step is to stand up and say it's a bad fate that you wouldn't wish on anyone. That you're not fine with it. I mean, you are not fine with young girls and women getting more eating disorders because of beauty standards and other expectations constantly thrown at them, right? This is the same thing.

 

[Phasmal]

I'm not entirely sure why you latched onto me individually but okay.

Because on this forum you are the only active poster with this attitude who also always comes out to express it. Maybe you're not the only one - just the "loudest", y'know.

Anyway, the rest of your post... Dammit, I think getting to you here and now is most likely impossible (for me at least) and honestly I hope the like-minded I mentioned in my first post don't exist at all.

But there's one important point I probably should've made in the first post already:

It's not my business what these men do, nor am I in a position to do anything about it.

You are right in a literal sense - there isn't really anything you can do about these hapless guys now. But more and more will join them as time goes by unless something is done to prevent it. The first little step is to stand up and say it's a bad fate that you wouldn't wish on anyone. That you're not fine with it. I mean, you are not fine with young girls and women getting more eating disorders because of beauty standards and other expectations constantly thrown at them, right? This is the same thing.

Dude. You sound like you want me to go out and manic-pixie-dreamgirl some guy who is attracted to "waifus". (I mean, bringing up that I wouldn't date these guys is weird- as an aside, I wouldn't date anyone. I'm taken. I can't go out saving men from anime boobies, sorry).

And I really don't think that liking anime boobs is some horrible plague that is going to devour all men.

I'm not going to say that I think liking anime girls is "a bad fate that wouldn't wish on anyone" because I don't think that. Maybe you do, but I'm not your soapbox. People can do what they want. I am fine with it. I don't think it's like an eating disorder. Please stop projecting onto me.

If YOU think these things, fine, but I don't. I think it's a kinda weird but ultimately harmless fetish.

EDIT: That's as far as I'm gonna go with this derail, as it's kind of weirding me out. I'm not sure what you want from me but I have a feeling we're not going to agree. I guess I apologise to the OP for the derail but it wasn't really my idea and it's confused the fuck out of me. But still.

 

[McElroy]

snip

I'm at a loss. How can you go from

So I ask of you: don't be [okay with it].

to

You sound like you want me to go out and manic-pixie-dreamgirl some guy who is attracted to "waifus". (I mean, bringing up that I wouldn't date these guys is weird- as an aside, I wouldn't date anyone. I'm taken. I can't go out saving men from anime boobies, sorry).

Nevertheless, this could go on forever (for example you somehow managed to crunch the whole phenomenon of men becoming lonely recluses with imaginary friends to keep them company into "liking anime boobs/girls"), but I think I'm done. Anyway, thanks for the replies.

 

[Zykon TheLich_v1legacy]

You fell long before today my friend. But you can get back up again, it might seem like a long climb, it might seems easier just to keep on falling, but you should maybe give it a go.