Jump to content

Otakus Around You


Evil Bunny of Doom

Recommended Posts

The other day, a certain thought happened to cross my mind (yes, while I was taking a shower :P) which made me wanna ask how otakus in your country behave as well as how they are viewed by society.

 

Here in Greece, otakus are not the shut-ins that are usually seen in anime. In fact they, more often than not, act completely normal, have lots of friends, socialise a lot etc (and they don't hide the fact that they like anime most of the time). This applies to both teens and adults. 99% of the otakus I've met are actually just as normal as everyone else (no, I'm not included). A great example is my brother. He likes watching anime (although not as much as I do :P ) and is a semi-hardcore gamer but still, he's very popular and you'll often see him at some party with his friends on Saturday nights. He also manages to have really good grades...somehow... ._. (it's actually kinda amazing how he does this). To be honest, while I'm somewhat closer to how the stereotype otaku is depicted, I'm more like the odd one out among the other otakus here. Seriously...

 

This is probably why otakus are not viewed negatively by the majority of non-otakus. I've never been shy about admiting I watch anime and the reactions I get are usually indifference instead of negativity. There are those, however, who consider anime a piece of trash but again, they are mature enough to state their opinion politely, limitting themselves to a simple 'it's just not my cup of tea'. In all my life, I've never seen anyone being laughed at just because they watch anime. It's something that most people brush off as unimportant. There have been cases when one is talking s**t about anime but it's directed to anime, not the person who watches it (for example: "I hate anime cause all the characters look the same and they have these stupid big eyes and make all kinds of weird expressions).

 

This is pretty much the situation with otakus. Even I, who spends as much time as possible in soltitude, have frends and talk with people (in class only but still... :P ). In the end, it's not so much of a big deal as it is for the Japanese, apparently.

  • Agree 2
  • Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Weeaboos.

Basically anything/anyone occasionally with anime is called a weeaboo.

Because my peers can't go 10 seconds without insulting a sub-culture.

Despite my attitude toward my generation definition of "otaku", I couldn't help but agree majority of the time.

A lot of the anime fan are just really weabooish. It's really cringe worth seeing a bunch of shitty references and memes thrown everywhere.

While you do see actual decent human beings watching anime, it's pretty rare around my area.

 

I'm not really proud calling myself an anime fan, but I don't despise it. It's just whatever, I'm a normal guy. Don't talk about it and It won't be bought up.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

...which made me wanna ask how otakus in your country behave as well as how they are viewed by society.

Ooh potentially controversial topic!

 

Here in Greece, otakus are not the shut-ins that are usually seen in anime. In fact they, more often than not, act completely normal, have lots of friends, socialise a lot etc (and they don't hide the fact that they like anime most of the time). This applies to both teens and adults. 99% of the otakus I've met are actually just as normal as everyone else (no, I'm not included).

Sounds respectful, and mature in Greece.

 

At the end of the day I think we can all acknowledge that anime, manga, and other similar sub-cultures are just not going to be as popular as your typical mainstream interests like sport, cars, food... and by that I mean if you were to bring it up with every new person you meet, there's a good chance they may never have watched anime for example.

 

BUT: YMMV (your mileage may vary) !

 

I've actually had a mix of responses when I stated that I was into anime to other teachers at the school I used to work at. I found the younger staff were definitely more enthusiastic about it. xD There were also two Japanese teachers I used to work with too. One was older and more senior, and I could tell he liked that I was into Japanese made exports such as their Canon camcorders, but the moment I said I was into "Japanese animation" it was obvious he had almost NO interest in it because he responded with a respectful "Oh is that so?" and we never spoke about it again. :P

 

On the other hand, the other younger Japanese teacher was definitely more open about it. In fact I learned he was even hosting Japanese culture lessons where students could bring in their own anime to watch as a treat if they did well in Japanese class. Of course nothing MA15+ was allowed. For you US peeps it's a rating similar in-between your PG-13 and R rating.

 

The beauty of the Internet though is it makes it so much easier to unite people with otaku interests together *cough* Anime Forums *cough*. Especially if your local anime groups are not to your liking or non-existent.

 

And that's absoloutely fine. Nobody here should feel degraded by others that don't enjoy otaku interests. As mentioned by @Evil Bunny of Doom , people can just respect the person's otaku interests even if it's not their cup of tea. Or if you're really persuasive, maybe you can convert them. :P

 

But by the same token, I agree with @ThatCynicalSnob that your passion level should not be obnoxious to others:

A lot of the anime fan are just really weabooish. It's really cringe worth seeing a bunch of shitty references and memes thrown everywhere.

 

Yes, be passionate about your interests. But don't go stuffing it in everyone's faces in public, or on people's social media feeds (for those that aren't into it).

 

As for whether otakus are typically "shut-ins" well that really comes down to the person. It's not like every otaku is a hikikimori.

Edited by Guest
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So basically this thread is stating that the whole 'weebs are just socially inept hermits' stereotype is just a stereotype? Amazing.

 

Probably worth noting that otakus in Anime are designed based on the perceptions of those people 'in Japan' where it is common to find both sides between, 'Woo, Anime is awesome' and 'Ew, Anime is for children.'

 

Over here most people I've met are fine though it's hard to come across other fans in certain places. I have an easier time finding people with the same interests now because my University course and workplace had some crossover with people who were fans of Anime, plus I go to cons now as well. It was way harder to find people during high school, back then the only option was forums.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the end of the day I think we can all acknowledge that anime, manga, and other similar sub-cultures are just not going to be as popular as your typical mainstream interests like sport, cars, food... and by that I mean if you were to bring it up with every new person you meet, there's a good chance they may never have watched anime for example.

That's true but it's better this way, isn't it? To me, mainstream gets boring. Take a popular song for example. At first you like it a lot but then you hear it everywhere you go 24/7 and it ends up getting on your nerves :P

 

Yes, be passionate about your interests. But don't go stuffing it in everyone's faces in public, or on people's social media feeds (for those that aren't into it).

I totaly agree with that. I love anime and all but there have been cases where I wanted to smack a weeb in the face -_-" Some people just go overboard with their obssessions... Thankfully, I've never met anyone like that irl

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

I'm probably the only otaku in my country. I kind of force my friends to watch anime, but the're not really otakus. People don't even KNOW the word anime. They think that anime is some kind of cartoon. Which makes it a bit...weird.

I'm talking to a teen, "Hey! I want you to watch Attack On Titan please!

-"What is it? A cartoon"

-...

(in my mind)-FOR PETE'S SAKE IT'S NOT A CARTOON!!!!!

If people in my country heard about anime they'd be all like "Oh, just a cartoon. Let me check it out." Then when they see anime they'd be like "WTF?!" and the next day the news: "Anime is banned in every house from now on." I'd be like, oh great. *facepalm*.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@AniMeFReaK lol , I can't believe i'm not the only one, in my country , there's no otakus actually , they're more into drama shows or american series , of course there are exceptions but for them being an anime fan = watching DBZ , One piece and Bleach , if you watch something else you're considered as a child who's addicted to cartoons lol.

There's no manga fans at all , u.u

Plus , there's no anime/manga culture in my country , so no mangas :/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If no one watches anime, manga is so far away. There are no anime or manga products in my country. I'm like WWWWHHHYYYYY??!!!!:'(:'(:'(:'(

When I was young, and by young I mean 3 or 4 years old, I had a yellow pair of T-shirt and pants. The T-shirt, I still remember vividly, had the picture of an anime girl with long, spiky blue hair and a hat. She was a pretty old anime character, I decided after seeing the art style. Then...well, it's gone now.:'(:'(

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is technically an 'Asian Cartoon', if you want to go into initials, of what it is as an art form.

Animation/Cartoon are on very similar wavelengths, just to let it be known.

 

Just because the American cartoons are usually often seen, as sub par or generic, doesn't mean

anime, is no less a cartoon.

 

Just my thoughts on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is one around here right now, I don't know her name but she came around yesterday and talked to use while we were attending a BBQ outside; She is a huge Attack on titan, deathnote and black butler fan, she has watched a lot more anime from what I heard as well, she and @ItsSammy hit it off right away; It was really cool to find someone so into anime here. :)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is one around here right now, I don't know her name but she came around yesterday and talked to use while we were attending a BBQ outside; She is a huge Attack on titan, deathnote and black butler fan, she has watched a lot more anime from what I heard as well, she and @ItsSammy hit it off right away; It was really cool to find someone so into anime here. :)

 

Yes, I was quiet surprised to find another Anime enthusiast since I haven't found a single one since we got here ... She was very nice and we did hit it off quiet well, seeing as we both loved the same shows and characters so much.

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it depends. For example if you actually live in someone's basement, or just in a room in your mother's house in general and contribute nothing to society, you are treated like a weeaboo. If you love anime a bunch, and still manage function in and be a contributor to society, it's usually fine and no one cares. If you can make a career out of your passion for anime, like a successful YouTube channel or something along that line, it depends on people general perception of anime. Fans of the medium will respect you, the rest will probably still call you a weeaboo. Welcome to North America folks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LOL I tend to get asked this very question quite often. As I stated in my profile I am a pit-boss at the local casino. I also happen to be 47 years old and an avid fan of anime and oriental ( and yes I mean oriental not just Japanese) culture. When I mention this people tend to think that I'm a shut in but nothing could be further from the truth. I'm into and really good at sports and I'm also an avid outdoorsman. One night at work a co-worker saw me watching anime and made a comment akin to slamming the genre. I simply stated to them that all people have different tastes and it is extremely rude and immature to look down upon a person for what they enjoy whether you agree with it or not. This caused that person to apologize. Since then many of my co-workers have shown curiosity towards anime and have used me as a reference to get started watching. I tend to take their personalities into consideration when offering them a good show to start with and many have become avid fans. This has now become a major break room topic which at times gets in the way of me watching my latest show lol. I don't believe that Otaku is a bad thing but I know there are those that do. As I said earlier to each their own. I wish you nothing but happiness and relaxation with your favorites and hope that you don't let the nay-sayers influence your enjoyment of an excellent subculture.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...