After an initial introduction of the demographics of those who chose to partake in the Otaku Diaries, the Reverse Thieves have released the second part of their study. This time around, the discussion centers around the word “otaku” and what it means to anime fans.
A large number of their results showed that many anime fans consider the word “otaku” to have negative connotations and may even be upset if someone referred to them as an otaku. It is, in other words, an insult. Sometimes, the negative connotations come from wanting to distance oneself from the “other” anime fans, e.g. socially inept naruto fans, and other times they stem from wanting to use the word as the Japanese use it. Of course, I can’t be the only one to see the irony in a person denying that they’re an otaku while also championing the true, JAPANESE definition of the word, or at least their interpretation of the Japanese definition.
I remember years ago when I was part of a Pokemon community on the internet (the Team Rocket Headquarters if you want to know), where one of the site owners got very upset whenever someone called him an otaku, insisting that the term was in reality extremely derogatory and that it should only be used for the most extreme cases of anime fandom. It was around that time that I began developing my hypothesis on the Path of Otaku Self-Acceptance, or the path the typical anime fan takes when confronted with the term “otaku.”
Phase 1) I Want to Be an Otaku!
This phase is usually the first one that new anime fans feel. Anime is fresh and exciting, and they want to see more and more of it. They consider the status of “otaku” to be a goal to strive for. However, if they start to sour towards the anime community they may enter…
Phase 2) Don’t Call Me an Otaku!
This is the point at which you find many of the subjects of the Otaku Diaries, as well as many anime fans you know. Sometimes they genuinely are just not that into anime and don’t want to be considered hardcore fans, but often times you see that many of the people who fall into this category are simply in denial. They hide their anime fandom from others as hard as they can, and they will put on airs so that no one can discover their terrible, terrible secret. Eventually, some of them pretend not to be otaku so hard that they permanently make the switch. Others, however, may grow tired of the charade and come to acceptance. That is what leads them to…
Phase 3) I am an Otaku
This is the point at which people realize that “Otaku” is just a descriptor. It is no more a self-inherent badge of shame or badge of pride than any other part of a person’s life, like saying “I am short” or “I work in construction.” It’s where I hope to see more anime fans, and I believe it’s the key to becoming true to oneself, provided you actually are an otaku.
I am an Otaku. Are you?
OGIUE MANIAX 
You could get people stuck in Phase 2 to watch Genshiken. That should speed up the acceptance
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It’s funny that those three phases are basically the same as the stages of culture shock. But we are essentially dealing with a foreign culture after all. And yes, I am otaku.
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I think I viewed Genshiken on a totally different level now, since I first watched in on Phase 1, and now I’m on Phase 3, with traces of Phase 2, due to the lack of similar otaku RL-friends.
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I think I skipped step 2, but that’s becasue I’m used to being seen in a negative light.
Interestingly I’m pretty sure that the first line in the reverse theives post
>> #0044
Otakudom is all that I am.
Is mine. It sounds like somehting I’d say.
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Oh, and adding onto that, I think this is what my cousin Funeral went through recently. After last year’s otakon he wanted to be a full on otaku and dedicated everything to anime. Something early this year, he gradually started distancing himself and feeling embarrassed about his interests. It was at this year’s otakon that he stated his rekindled interest and how he realized that he can’t try to hide who he is from himself.
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Hahaha, I like your phases, though I also think I skipped phase 2. I think I’ve always just considered “otaku” to have evolved to a non-derogatory meaning overseas and that there’s no point in bitching about original meanings. Words evolve. That’s that.
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Pingback: am i otaku « that's just my opinion
I am an otaku. Apparently, as much as a kimoi otaku, according to omo. :v
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I never went through phase 2. I went from 1 when I was young and 3 as an adult. It’s like when people call me goth or punk. Labels and such. Whatever.
I wonder what that says about me…
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I would be an otaku if weeaboo did not completely change the definition of otaku from excesive bet shit insane obsessed pedo freak who does nothing but watch anime and play games to casual fan of Japanese culture.
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I think the reason Otaku is an insult is because of other characteristics that otaku share. For example when I watched Densha Otoko, the main character’s sister told him that he hates him not because he is an anime otaku, but because he puts off this “air” of an otaku (in other words, being socially inept). However, if the problem is social ineptness, then it doesn’t matter whether or not someone is an anime fan, the problem is that they are socially inept.
Whether or not it is true that otaku are socially inept is immaterial. It is a surviving stereotype.
Personally I eventually moved from stage 2 to stage 3 when I discovered that otaku doesn’t necessarily mean you are some sort of socially inept freak. I mostly found a community online, and perhaps some people IRL who are normal, except they are anime freaks. This is no different than having any other hobby.
Also, anything can be harmful in excess. So if Japanese visual culture isn’t affecting your every day negatively, then who cares if you’re humping a dakimakura featuring Feito-chan at night. :)
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I never wanted to be an Otaku or called one in the first place, I simply wanted to watch anime but my course of action led me to the path of phase two. Rather than denying it, I keep things a secret only a few knows; Now I’m both tired in keeping it a secret yet I don’t go about telling people about it. Unless someone ask me about it, I wouldn’t bother telling. Now I have yet to ascend to the third level; The culture gap is very huge. The community/Family/School/ except the net around me does not have a drop of influence from the anime culture. I live in the Philippines and have yet to find a group which fits me.
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