The reality of otaku in Japan / 日本でオタクの本当

The Japanese have a very different viewpoint of the term otaku than we may be used to. In the West, due to the popularity of Japanese culture and all their awesome stuff, people usually self-define as otaku if they enjoy Japanese media, specifically manga or anime, even if such media are consumed in English through translations. However, in Japan, the term is much more derogatory and is almost akin to the term hikikomori (引きこもり, lit. shut-in).

The Japanese population portrays otaku with a negative image as a burden to society, and they are generally disliked and shunned. This term is used to classify a subgroup of people who have poor social skills, and stays indoor everyday playing games or watching anime, which gives them their analogous hikikomori name. Their only forms of communication are generally online through text boards and image boards (like 2ch) where they usually post anonymously. Some of them also do not work or study formally, giving them the classification of ニート (NEET: Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Japan has a major problem with NEETs right now, particularly in the 18-35 age group who still live off their parents, so it's no wonder why this sub-population known as otaku are looked down upon by society.

Boards such as 2ch are often filled with anonymous otaku posts and otaku-slang-filled content.

With Japan having a very respectful and traditional culture, going against the norm in Japan is considered strange by the majority, so certain otaku behavior may also give them a negative and weird image. Even foreign perspectives on modern Japan focuses on some of the more ecstatic behaviours that doesn't reflect the hard-working and serious population as a whole. A newer definition of the term otaku that some younger people use refers to those who are passionate about their hobbies, and are not afraid to show it off. It doesn't have to be disruptive or flashy, but their dedication to their hobby is clear. This is the definition that is most neutral, and can cover the most extreme examples as well as more subtle cases.

Many students in Japan enjoy media such as light novels without being considered otaku.

In the West, people have redefined what an otaku is. Instead of being shut-ins, otaku in the West are often simply lovers of anime and manga. Though, while one otaku may read or watch a handful of manga or anime, another may watch over 9000 episodes of anime per day (okay, maybe not quite that many). This behavior borders on that of a weeaboo (a slang term for a Japanophile). However, even in such cases, these otaku are rarely as secluded as Japanese otaku; while they may lack a significant social life, they usually attend school, have other commitments, or even somehow maintain a relationship.

Because of the positive light in which Western otaku portray themselves and other otaku, it is often seen as an exclusive “club” in which non-otaku are not welcomed, and are thusly treated as outsiders. People in this “club” will sometimes even go out of their way to buy anime-related merchandise (like figurines, posters, etc.), even if they aren’t really collectors, simply to keep their standing among other otaku.

The varying definitions of the term otaku result in a very different interpretation of our blog topic. Due to our roots, the topic we had in mind is skewed towards the Western definition, but it will be interesting to keep the Japanese definition in mind when researching more information about it while we are here in Japan.