Poll: The Word "Otaku": Your Stance? Good or Bad?

[Ionait]

I am so tired of hearing this word! In the anime fan culture in the US, any fan who considers themselves die-hard tends to call themselves otaku.

The thing is, where the word originates, it's a horrible, horrible word. Nobody wants to be called an otaku. It's shameful, embarrassing, and creepy. Very creepy. What anime fans would find creepy. That's pretty negative.

I don't know how the word got over to English speakers in a positive context but someone needs to put a stop to it. Even big names that should KNOW BETTER like Tokyopop constantly advertise using the word otaku in a positive light. They're even having a contest to find America's best otaku right now. It's misleading.

My husband travels a lot for work. At one of his recent conventions he met a man from Japan, and, in an attempt to connect to the man with words he would understand natively, my husband called himself an otaku.

He called me right after and explained what had happened. The man had been talking to him easily and they had been having a good time. As soon as my husband identified himself as an otaku, the man clammed up. It was as if he had suddenly forgotten how to speak English at all. My husband excused himself, completely embarrassed. He had looked up the word on his phone right before calling me. I had no idea he didn't know.

What is your stance on the word? Why would a company like Tokyopop promote the use of it?

By the way, the wikipedia page for this word is actually extremely detailed and pretty decent. If you're not sure what the word is, I'd suggest going there.

 

[Johnnyallstar]

Tokyopop apparently has just trolled an entire generation of people who like anime....

Myself, though, I never knew the word existed.

 

[The Afrodactyl]

I think that anyone that defines themself by what they watch is a moron.

You should base yourself around how you impact other people.
[/mini rant]

Sorry if I've offended anyone, I honestly didn't mean it.

OT: I had no idea it existed, but it sounds pretty ridiculous.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I generally dislike people who use Japanese terms when there's a perfectly acceptable English alternative, it prevents people from looking like misinformed morons.

Weeaboos who barely understand Japanese culture yet try and imitate what they think is Japanese culture.

Gah. I'm all angry now.

To the dome I go...

 

[Ionait]

I was in doubt somewhat over exactly how negative the term was until my husband told me about his folly. I don't think his acquaintance would have reacted the same way if he just called himself a gamer.

Or maybe he would? I don't think so though.

And to defend my husband, he usually doesn't "define" himself by these kinds of interests, especially in a work environment. He was just trying to show off in a way. And failed miserably. xD haha!

Oh, another and.. And this term is used, at least in the US, as easily as the term "gamer" is used. When you say, I'm a gamer, you're not necessarily saying that's all you are. I don't mean to incite that kind of rage in anyone--as I seem to have, sorry!

 

[Scout Tactical]

I think of the term negatively, but then I am biased, because I dislike Japanophiles of any level.

 

[BlueberryMUNCH]

Otaku, to me, is Kotaku.com without the K.

As my Classical Civ teacher said to me and my classmates today

'You're a bunch of ignorant little fucks'

:].

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

i use it sometimes pejoratively and sometimes amelioratively. i know that the word has a very negative connotation, but i often use it to describe myself or others who simply like a lot of japanese stuff. i know i'm using it wrong, but i know i know. [small] but i wonder if i know that i know that i know? [/small]

also, i think it's kinda silly to complain about mistranslations between Japan and the US. there are a lot of words both ways that gain an entirely new connotation when they cross the Pacific.

plus, even our own homegrown, good ole' Amurkin word that we often use synonymously with "otaku", "geek" originates from old side-show freaks: men who had succumbed so far to alcoholism or syphilis that they were virtual animals.

 

[Dimitriov]

I don't care for the term personally, but within the context of its being a Japanese loan word brought into the English dialect it is certainly acceptable for the term to gain a slightly new cultural connotation.

Just beware when you are speaking to a native Japanese person! lol

 

[Qizx]

Yeah I think that's a stupid word to use to describe yourself... I'm currently studying Japanese and my professor hasn't mentioned that word, now I'm kinda worried what would happen if I do!

 

[Dark Knifer]

Not something you would want to describe yourself. I wouldn't discriminate against such a person, especially since my brother is probably one, but I wouldn't feel too comfortable around them. I don't refer to people as that though, I just say someone with an obsession.

 

[Staskala]

It depends really, it's basically the same like the word "nerd" in the US.
Usually used in a negative way, yet some of the people use it proudly to describe themselves (in Japan).

Also, quick tip:
When a Japanese person asks you why you learned Japanese / got interested in the country / travelled there answering with "Because I like anime" is easily the dumbest thing you can do.
Japanophiles tend to forget that Japan is far from the anime-loving wonderland they imagine it to be, and if there's anything the average person looks down upon more than an obsessed anime fan it's a foreign obsessed anime fan.

 

[Qizx]

It depends really, it's basically the same like the word "nerd" in the US.
Usually used in a negative way, yet some of the people use it proudly to describe themselves.

Also, quick tip:
When a Japanese person asks you why you learned Japanese / got interested in the country / travelled there answering with "Because I like anime" is easily the dumbest thing you can do.
Japanophiles tend to forget that Japan is far from the anime-loving wonderland they imagine it to be, and if there's anything the average person looks down upon more than an obsessed anime fan it's a foreign obsessed anime fan.

Very true, almost all of the people in my class are Anime fans, I'm probably the only person who isn't in the class because of anime this or anime that.

 

[TeeBs]

i like the word if gamers have a word why cant we

Gamer wasn't taken from another language, and doesn't have a negative cogitation originally. You can have a word, you can even have that word, but shes just giving a counter opinion on not using that as your word.

 

[DeeWiz]

Since I am living in and majoring in Japan let me say my peice.
(tried to put kanji and hirigana here but apparently the escapist doesn't support it)
otaku - actually it means an "to be obsessed, an enthusiast" also "someone's home" ;-)
Anyway in Japan at least until recently it had the connotation of be obsessed to the point of exemption of all else. Think the pimpling fat nerd with his models knowing all the gundam codes, etc. Think the difference between geek and nerd. So with the term came the stigma of being useless and anti-social. So prior to a few years ago I would have agreed.
However recently, just like in America, I has become okay to be an otaku, as otaku are showing they can be hot and popular Shokotan. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoko_Nakagawa] Just like it's becoming cool to be a geek in America (last time I check). Jst like it is okay to be a sports freak in America, and is impressive to a lot of people, while telling people you know the bus speed of a 386-variable Turbo FTW ;-) You will be looked upon as if you were radioactive. Some think in Japan, its not somemuch the obsession but the subject you are obsessed about is not worhty of pursuit. And if you are so inclined you must be wierd, liking cartoons, games, cosplay. and toys instead of baseball (or football -take your pick based on country).

As far as borrow words everyone needs to lighten up. Think of how we refer to "Pasta" I Japan they used to refer to "pasta" as spaghetti, and only recently started to use pasta, I believe mostly because more types of pasta's are available/popular. However in Italy the word for Pasta is actually "Macaroni" the word we use for, well, macaroni. So yeah training to argue authenticity on boorowed words is really really futile/self-defeating, and a bit ignorant if you ask me.

Hope this helps.

 

[WayOutThere]

I don't really care. Words mean only what we all agree on them to mean. Just keep everyone on the same page and don't call someone who's going to take offense to it an otaku. Though it is a bit disturbing we took a word with very negative connotations and turned it into something positive.

Another thing, I rather have to wonder if people who are considered otakus is Japan are really that bad. If anime itself is any indication, Japan is REALLY not the anime loving country we usually think it is. See Bamboo Blade and Oreimo.

In Bamboo Blade Tamaki tells Miyako she got a part-time job to buy an box collection of her favorite anime with lots of cool extras. Miyako responds by laughing nervously, pretending it was a joke, and changing the subject. It's so bad to buy a box set of a show you like?

In Oreimo, the character Kirino is a closet otaku. That she hides her eroge (erotic games) is understandable, but she also hides her love of anime. What's the problem with liking anime? This is the country where anime airs of prime-time TV isn't it? She's smart, popular, makes a ton of money in her modeling job. She HAS A LIFE. Yet she feels the need to hide the fact she likes anime.

Although taking anime as an indication is pehaps not such a good idea, I've just gotten the feeling that Japan has something particular against the nerd.

 

[Ionait]

snip!

Thank you very much for the practical insight! Most people don't have anything to go off except from the internet/anime or manga they've seen/extremely rare interaction with someone living in Japan. I'm not one to spread untruths or information I'm not 98% on. I had no idea there was a shift in view in Japan. That explains why Tokyopop uses the word in their promotions. That was something I really didn't understand.

As far as borrowed words. Maybe this is playing a double standard but, I think borrowing offensive words and changing the connotation is different than borrowing a word for food and changing it.

 

[Cakes]

Also, quick tip:
When a Japanese person asks you why you learned Japanese / got interested in the country / travelled there answering with "Because I like anime" is easily the dumbest thing you can do.
Japanophiles tend to forget that Japan is far from the anime-loving wonderland they imagine it to be, and if there's anything the average person looks down upon more than an obsessed anime fan it's a foreign obsessed anime fan.

I think it'd be pretty awesome to meet a Japanese person who says "I learned English so I could watch Spider-Man, and came to America because I love Spider-Man." Learning a language for the sake of cartoons is definitely weird, but I think it's exaggerated.

 

[Lord Devius]

If anime itself is any indication, Japan is REALLY not the anime loving country we usually think it is. See Bamboo Blade and Oremio.

In Oremio, the character Kirino is a closet otaku. That she hides her eroge (erotic games) is understandable, but she also hides her love of anime. What's the problem with liking anime? This is the country where anime airs of prime-time TV isn't it? She's smart, popular, makes a ton of money in her modeling job. She HAS A LIFE. Yet she feels the need to hide the fact she likes anime.

Although taking anime as an indication is pehaps not such a good idea, I've just gotten the feeling that Japan has something particular against the nerd.

offtopic: It's Oreimo (short for Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai (holy crap that is a long name), though I'd guess you would know that.). I love that anime and can't wait for the next few episodes.

I use otaku neither positively or negatively. I do kind of obsess over anime, manga, and video games at times. It's a hobby, and calling myself an otaku is just identifying that hobby. To me, at least. I understand that it really can have much more dire implications to Japanese people. Of course, the connotation attached to that term makes it unwise to use it when talking to someone who you don't know all that well.