If you have reached this article, you are probably wondering what an “otaku” is or you already know it and want to know something more about the origin of the “otaku”. In any case, you’ve definitely come to a good starting point in getting your information.
The word “otaku” was used (and still is) as a way of saying “someone else’s house” in Japanese, but recently it has taken on a different twist that changes its meaning to “geek” or “nerd” when used to describe a person . Although it can be applied to almost anyone who has an intense interest in a particular hobby (let’s say a person who really loves collecting rocks and practically has a shrine dedicated to their collection in their home), the word “otaku” is generally applied to those that are deeply ingrained in anime and manga culture. This is especially true outside the borders of Japan, where “otaku” is generally only known as a person who loves anime and manga.
However, the difference between how the Japanese use the term “otaku” and how others use the word only captures part of the picture. When comparing the two uses, the Japanese use of “otaku” has more negative connotations than, say, an American’s use of the word. This is due to the specific stories that are associated with otaku in Japan, where negative events and / or tragedies were attributed to the person’s interest in the anime or manga. This has caused Japanese society to frown on anything associated with anime or manga at various points over the past few decades.
On the other hand, being an otaku outside of Japan looks somewhat different. If you are an otaku in a different country, then the term “otaku” does not carry as much stigma because the people around you would not know the specific stories attached to the word “otaku” as it does. in his native Japan. Because of that, it is generally a term used within the fandom to refer to themselves or those similar to them (where “otaku” is still generally used when the person in question watches anime as each season comes out, read manga to As each released chapter is published, collect figures, buy DVDs of your favorite anime series, and have posters of various anime or manga characters). And even then, there is a division as to whether a fan in a different country will label themselves as “otaku”. This is because anime and manga fans who are aware of the negative connotations of “otaku” in Japan are wary of labeling themselves as such. Even with the oceans that separate them from Japan, there are many fans who do not want others to think that they are associated with the people who committed crimes and it just happened have an interest in anime and manga.
Regardless of the slight negative connotations of the word, there are still numerous anime and manga fans who will proudly call themselves “otaku” (at least outside of Japan). They are not afraid to speak publicly about the latest Bleach or Naruto episode that came out, or ask if anyone has downloaded any anime from the current season so they can watch it. They will draw anime and manga style doodles and post them on sites like deviantART. Some will even try to make their own anime or manga by using programs like Anime Studio or Manga Studio. It’s a tight-knit fandom and allows anyone to make friends simply by asking if they enjoy a certain show.
