This is a somewhat personal rant that expands upon something I mentioned in my New York Anime Festival review, something that I’ve seen rear itself in multiple situations that I’ve encountered, and one that I feel I need to speak about.
At conventions one can see all varieties of fans, young and old, old and new, from all parts of the world and with different degrees and types of fandom along with sub-fandoms within fandoms. And it is at a convention that one can meet others and possibly become friends (or maybe more), meeting on the common ground of having passion for a particular subject. You can even end up having brief flings or one night stands at a convention and there’s nothing wrong with that. But to use the trappings of fandom, to pretend to be a fan for your own personal gain is something I cannot stand.
I am also not defining anime fan by number of shows watched, manga read, fanfics written, or what-have-you. I am defining fandom as I have in the past as having a passion for something, and even then I am not saying you need a sufficient amount of passion to qualify as a fan. Being a fan is a very personal thing. For that matter, I’m even fine with people who went to Akihabara after Densha Otoko came out, people who just wanted to see what was going on, who were maybe curious as to see what the fuss was all about. The breaking point comes from wanting to simply LOOK like an otaku without beginning to understand what being an otaku is all about.
This is not exclusive to conventions. I meet with a group for Japanese conversation, and there are people who go there not for Japanese conversation but simply to pick up women. The boggling thing about this is that there are plenty of places where people can meet and date and what-not, so why interfere with the task at hand?
The classic example of this situation is the guy who pretends to be Christian and goes to church to, again, pick up women. This is not what a church is for. Maybe your walk with God is strong, or your faith in Christianity is weak, but what you shouldn’t be is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Even if you’re someone who thinks Christianity is stupid and you go to a church just to question people’s beliefs, this is still adhering to yourself and not pretending to be something you’re not.
Through fandom of any sort, be it anime, sci-fi, fantasy, knitting, cooking, football, baseball, pro wrestling, eating contests, I could go on, one can get to know people. It can be a starting point for those uncomfortable with talking to strangers. It can be a source of friends and enemies all the same, but what I want to see is people who act like fans because they are fans, because they genuinely have an interest, big or small, in something. So when I say “Non-fans, get out,” what I mean is that if you go somewhere, and you have an ulterior motive so strong it can hardly be considered “ulterior,” then you need to reconsider whether or not you should be there in the first place.
OGIUE MANIAX 
I really like how you got your point across and the examples you used. I actually see this online and at cons. Me and my luv talked about it after I read this. We both are disgusted at people like that.
LikeLike
con sex eew.
LikeLike
Reminds me of “Wedding Crashers”.
LikeLike
Nice Post.
And I found it just as I was thinking about going to post on /a/ that “If you don’t buy DVD’s, you’re [spoiler]not a true fan.[/spoiler]”
Gotta love it when people think you’re a troll even though you’re expressing your actual, honest opinion.
LikeLike
Kadian stole it.
LikeLike
I really agree with this because I’m totally into that “anime” stuff, and I have been for, god, like, forever? I can’t even remember. Ever since that one with the kids trapped in space.
Anyway, it really pisses me off when people don’t get it, you know? Cause it’s like, what’s not to get? Anime is about crazy stuff. You know what’s crazy? Those chicks, you ever seen them? They dress up like the people in the anime. Like just last week I saw this girl dressed up like the fire bikini girl from that show I like. You know any of those girls like that?
Yeah? You, uh, wanna introduce me?
LikeLike
Spot on. I can’t believe people are so sneaky to try to use your own love for your hobbies as their lure trap. Gotta punch those people the moment you see them.
I particularly liked your church example because I’m told I should go there to meet people. Thing is, I have this strong belief that if you don’t like/believe in that religion, WTH are you doing there. Problem is people use church like this. They don’t go for the religion per se, but to socialize. The same thing is happening with anime, but at least in church they don’t pretend nothing.
Following Sub’s comment, I also dislike attention whores who dress in skimpy outfits just to show meat. I don’t mind if the character itself is wearing something skimpy (ex. Yoko from TTGL) but to make up costumes (“Yuna’s FFX-2 thief cat-girl bikini version) that never appeared in canon? that’s another level of non-fans, in my opinion.
LikeLike
whatever, you won’t hear a peep out of me about these folks as long as they keep subsidizing jam project concerts!
LikeLike
Did something specific happen at the con that prompted that mini-rant?
Any how the more I think about it, the more I can remember people talking to me pretending to know what the heck they are talking about. In fact, it happened on the way to the convention on Saturday O.O
LikeLike
Well, I don’t think you have to worry about people going to anime cons just to pick up women, haha! Although, I have seen some okay-lookin’ ladies at some cons. Hmm…
Just playin’! I go there for the anime; ladies are just a nice bonerus. Sometimes.
TheAndySan
LikeLike
What baffles me is why anyone would want to pretend to be an anime fan.
LikeLike
^And I quote from your comic today. “Aftercon room parties.” Some fangirls are easy and desperate. And kinda hot. Easy pickings for jerkwads.
LikeLike
Wow, trolling for poon at a con. I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.
LikeLike
I think wah has it right. :P
But I think your thoughts are something that goes for all stuff: no posers.
LikeLike
http://otakubooty.com/
This site is full of relevant “lol”s.
LikeLike
Pingback: Otaku Diaries and Fans on Fans « OGIUE MANIAX