Poll: i think im turning into a otaku...

[Nickolai77]

Your image of Japanese culture, being shaped by anime and manga, i would say is rather blured. It would be like basing your knowledge of American culture on Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the Simpsons. Japanese culture is similar to what they put out in the media, but if Japan is like any other country on this planet, the reality is a flavour different. Unless you have read seriously into Japanese culture, reconsider your ambition of wanting to live there.
Edit: Besides, they are supposed to be a bit xenophobic.

Regarding your Otaku habits, try and find something else that also interests you. However, i would imagine a problem you may face is that you find yourself constantly comparing your new found interest as opposed to manga and anime, bias will set in and you may find yourself not being able to find anything better. In which case, critically assess your anime and manga, find its flaws, be a sceptic and know the weaknesses of Japanese anime and manga. Recognise that anime and manga isnt perfect, and from that explore other medias like gaming, or reading sci-fi or fantasy novels for a change.

 

[MurderousToaster]

I think you should try to reverse the otaku-ness, as it's just one more step to following every goddamn sentence with ^__^ or ^o^.

Then you're just one step away from... *shivers*, becoming a complete fanboy, trying to be Japanese and then becoming the ultimate lulzcow for trolls.

 

[Jiggabyte]

im surrounded by scene kids and chavs with the ocasinal outcast. the only people i know who read manga and watch anime have no taste in decent plot or character developement. they just end up going fan girl about naruto and shit like that.

Since I got into college I've met a few people with good taste in manga. Funny thing? They were all in my year during secondary.
Also, avoid labelling where you can.

 

[MGlBlaze]

It's "You're", not "Your".

In any case, you're over-reacting. It's no less wrong to be an otaku than it is to be anything else; except being something bad, of course. This includes chavs, naturally. HAH.

Sorry, seriously now; to be honest, I fail to see why nationality is such a factor in it. I'm from the UK myself, and I see nothing wrong with liking anime/manga. My ex girlfriend was an otaku for one.

I had an anime phase myself, actually... might do it again actually, I heard good things about a few anime that I never actually checked out...

 

[A random person]

By the actual Japanese definition of otaku, you aren't turning into one. You'd be a shut-in if you actually were. Going by the looser western definition of someone who really likes anime and manga, however, which you seem to be doing, be proud of it as nerds should take pride in their nerdiness (of course, I'm biased as a big anime fan myself).

Also, from what I know moving to Japan wouldn't be a terribly good idea; land is very expensive, and they're not too hot on the immigrants either. Now as for visiting, if you have the money I'd say go for it.

 

[AgentNein]

Enjoy what you enjoy. Visit Japan sometime, and if you dig it visit. And if you dig the visit you might want to look into ways to move there, get a job, etc.

Try to keep the blinders off though, there's lots of good stories and art in other mediums. I remember being a kid and getting into punk rock, and only getting into punk rock, and I lost out on a lot of good music because I was so fired up over that. I grew up since then.

Umm, it's up to you what you should do. If you dig it enough to deal with some shit from other people, let your freak flag fly. If you don't wanna deal with the bull, tone it down abit. Don't wear it on your sleeve. It's different for everybody. Just don't be embarrassed by it.

 

[MGlBlaze]

By the actual Japanese definition of otaku, you aren't turning into one. You'd be a shut-in if you actually were. Going by the looser western definition of someone who really likes anime and manga, however, which you seem to be doing, be proud of it as nerds should take pride in their nerdiness (of course, I'm biased as a big anime fan myself).

This is actually a very good point. I'd forgotten that the actual definition of 'otaku' was that.

 

[AgentNein]

By the actual Japanese definition of otaku, you aren't turning into one. You'd be a shut-in if you actually were. Going by the looser western definition of someone who really likes anime and manga, however, which you seem to be doing, be proud of it as nerds should take pride in their nerdiness (of course, I'm biased as a big anime fan myself).

This is actually a very good point. I'd forgotten that the actual definition of 'otaku' was that.

Actually otaku has a few meanings in japanese, but primarily it serves the same purpose as 'geek' or 'fanboy' over here. You know, hardcore fan. Doesn't necessarily imply shut-in.

 

[Robert632]

you aren't turning into an otaku, you are an otaku, and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Jiggabyte]

People here seem to have a really weird reaction to all this.
No, don't right on move to Japan. They're actually not keen on foreigners and animé/manga is a far more underground thing than you'd think.
No, its not some kind of disease and it won't develop into blind fanboyism and terrible typing styles.
No, "otaku" by definition is not "Japanese obsessive." It pretty much means "home-dweller" or "shut-in."

 

[see_you_at_the_GALLOWS]

im pretty shut in... but thats mainly because people poisen me with their shit. if i walk down the street i feel ill because i can sense all the unhappyness in the people walking past so, i think back to the amazingness of ichigo 100%! problem solved.

 

[AgentNein]

No, "otaku" by definition is not "Japanese obsessive." It pretty much means "home-dweller" or "shut-in."

Modern day colloquial usage (yes even in Japan) is that of the fanatic. But it's a silly argument anyway, I think we all know what he's trying to say.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Over-reacting I guess, unless you're at the point that you'd rather be a shut-in and watch anime/read manga than hang with friends. About the crying over shows thing: shows can be emotional, just like books or movies or games. That one is a definite over-reaction. You're taking this too seriously I think. And the "nerds are rare" comment? Are you afraid of being ostracized just because of what you like? It's not like you walk around outside spouting random Japanese, right? [sub]Right?[/sub]

 

[Pegghead]

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU'RE AN OTAKU! NOONE GIVES A SHIT NOW LINE UP WITH THE OTHER 500 GAJILLION FANBOYS IN SOME CHATROOM AND TALK ABOUT HOW BADLY WHITE ICHIGO COULD KICK SUPERMANS ASS!

It's not like your eating babies, if you find joy in your Japanese cartoons and comics then by all means read and watch, just don't come to a forum going on like you've been asked to move to Botswana.

 

[Pyotr Romanov]

mmm/

Regarding your Otaku habits, try and find something else that also interests you.

Yes, this.
Make it even worse and play Dungeons & Dragons!
Take your geekiness to the next level!

[sub]Honestly, I'm getting a d&d handbook for my birthday... because I asked for it. So don't get me wrong.[/sub]

And besides, it's not that bad, is it? The thing I do is simply divide my free time between gaming and reading manga.
Actually, what genre do you prefer? I tend to read the romance-comedy stuff.

 

[The Anhk24]

You sound like your becoming ashamed of your interests. you should embrace them, and even if there aren't people who share your interests near you in reality there is always the internet

 

[see_you_at_the_GALLOWS]

i only enjoy romance manga. i think i probably will just acept my otaku nature, its easyer.

 

[Pyotr Romanov]

i only enjoy romance manga. i think i probably will just acept my otaku nature, its easyer.

Yes, please do.
But first: go watch Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, even though it's not romance.

 

[Manicotti]

If you're really getting wound up over it, you should probably step back a little and see exactly why that is. And find some other hobby to enjoy at the same time to balance it out.

Having said that, I voted "yes" out of spite for everyone who can't be bothered to differentiate between "your" and "you're."