Are otaku and collectors one and the same?

In Canada, I've met quite a few collectors. One of my friends is an avid Evangelion figure collector, who explicitly saves all the money he can for his expansive collection. Another collects old games, specifically targeting second-hand game stores to collect the rarer games at lower prices. As a child myself, I collected Pokémon cards, and ended up with well over 700 (not including energies).

Even looking at more famous examples, Jay Leno comes to mind; he is an American comedian worth gazillions of dollars, and collects cars of all kinds.

Jay Leno stands among just a fragment of his massive car collection. [Source: Corbis Images]

However, when I came to Japan, I expected that collectors would not be easy to find. Because of how harshly Japanese culture looks at otaku, I expected them to be "in the closet". That is to say, they would hide their collection hobby, and keep it to themselves, even if they were participating members of society. As a good example, in a previous blog post, we featured an otaku who had purchased 5,500 copies of a new album (which works out to around 8,250,000円 or $81,100 USD). While not exactly a collector, these are the types of extremes I expected collectors to go to in Japan.

However, I was wrong.

While in Japan, I participated in a home stay wherein I had a chance to spend 48 hours with a Japanese family. One of the members of the family, a 12-year-old boy, was an avid Battle Spirits card game player, and had collected what I estimate to be well over 2,000 cards. He also turned out to be the Kanto Prefecture Battle Spirits champion. But he was far from keeping it to himself; he was very proud of his awesome collection and had a ton of friends to play with! I was even given the chance to meet some of his Battle Spirits buddies, who also seemed to be very outgoing.

Though I didn't take any pictures myself, this is a typical Battle Spirits tournament environment. [Source: Exteen]

I also took a second trip to Akihabara and Nanako Broadway recently, with a smaller group, and spent more time intimately checking out some of the stores. While I was looking for figures of Hunter x Hunter, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Sword Art Online (yeah, I guess I'm a bit of a collector myself), I realized that everyone around me was sort of a collector, too. In each shop, there was someone looking for a neat collectable or rare item, be it from Star Wars or Sailor Moon, or just a replica of a real-life assault weapon.

But again, those who were shopping in these stores (myself included!) were just normal people fulfilling an inner desire, just like a connoisseur would enjoy eating a delicious 5-star meal.

It's interesting at this point to make a curious distinction: The term otaku is an odd one that does not have a consistent meaning. In the West, we are more than happy to call an anime lover an otaku; in Japan, if you say otaku, there is an immediate connotation of being a hikikomori, as we've previously explored.

However, in reality, having spoken to otaku, heard the word used by students and even teachers, and observed the behavior of people in otaku hotspots such as Akihabara and Nakano Broadway, I've come to realize that the term actually lies somewhere in between.

Though not as well-known as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway has a lot of anime and other media for sale and is a very popular destination.

In reality, even in Japan, "otaku" appears to be akin to the English term "geek", which also has no concrete meaning due to its varying use over time. That said, it's usually used to describe a person who has very unusual tastes and often goes to great lengths to enjoy such tastes, such as collecting, attending conventions, or immersing themselves (excessively) in their favorite media.

Just like geeks, not all otaku are hikikomori, and with the exception of a few (such as the aforementioned idol otaku), most just seem to be regular people who go a little further than most with immersing themselves in their favorite media.

So, are otaku and collectors one and the same? Well, no, not really. Not all otaku are collectors, and not all collectors go to the same extent as otaku. But I'd say that it's safe to assume that many otaku also become collectors in order to enjoy their favorite media to the maximum. In the end, this leads to a great overlap between these categories, and blurs even more the line of what an otaku truly is.

The rise of the ヲタ / ヲタのようになる

Japan hosts a wide variety of otaku, of which many are infamous. In the West, people commonly think of an otaku as one who enjoys anime and manga. While there are anime and manga otaku in Japan, it's not uncommon to find, for example, train and camera otaku as well, especially in Akihabara. However, in the upper-middle part of the spectrum lie idol otaku, who generally obsess over the latest idol or pop bands and records.

The idol otaku subgroup is a very distinct community, even among other otaku. AKB48, for example, has a cafe which stands out even in Akihabara, a place known for its dozens and dozens of various hobby and esoteric shops.

AKB48, having its own cafe, is one of the most popular idol brands.

The idol otaku subculture has even coined a specific term, ヲタ, which describes an idol otaku. (In the West, this is usually pronounced "WOE-tah", whereas the Japanese pronounce it more correctly as オタ ota.) This term is derived from the first two syllables of the term おたく, then stylized with an identically sounding, but archaic, character. Though it is derived from the term otaku, it is generally used to refer only to idol otaku, not others (anime, manga, train, etc.).

Akihabara and Shibuya specifically feature Tower Records, a very widely known record company. After all, no music means no life!

Idol brands, due to being so influential (both within and outside of the idol otaku community), are often used to sell other merchandise brands. For example, AKB48 (as mentioned above) was featured in a candy commercial several years ago. This popularity often plays on the 推しメン mentality, which has fans buy things because of the attachment to their favorite idol.

Like idols, anime and manga characters are often used to sell products or entire brand lines.

推しメン comes from the term 推し oshi, meaning "a fan of", and メン men, which (in context) is short for メンバー menbaa, from the English word "member". It generally refers to a fan's favorite member of a particular idol group.

While Candies (キャンディーズ) is widely considered to be the first idol group in the 1970's, the current idol formula started in the late 1990s with the success of hello!project and Morning Musume's song "Love Machine" which gained mainstream success and sold almost 1.7 million copies, making it a #1 single in Japan.

At this same time, as the internet otaku community took off online, and obsessive fans began messaging each other to progress their undying love for a particular idol, compare recent idol purchases and the like. The specific evolution of idol otaku and the term ヲタ was centered around online message boards such as 2ch's Morning Coffee, in an attempt to distinguish themselves from anime otaku.

While the following Morning Musume singles also had mainstream success, the general public moved on to other artists and other types of music. Because of this, wota have for a long time been the main target of idol groups, leading to policies such as no dating (with several idols being 'graduated' after a dating scandal, and effectively banned from ever performing again), handshake events, and lottery-style giveaways that rewarded otaku for buying multiple copies of a single.

A specific example is with the release of a recent AKB48 single, "Everyday, Kachuusha". One particular fan bought over 5,500 copies of the single in order to attend such lottery-style events. Generally, the paychecks of idol otaku, who are as dedicated as this one, are put largely toward such purchases.

An unnamed idol otaku has hoarded thousands of copies of a newly released AKB48 single. [Source]

As obsessive fans, wota memorize their chosen idol's birthday, height, blood type and favorite color. At concerts, wota purchase glow sticks in their idol's chosen color, and memorize a set dance for each song. These dances are called ヲタ芸 wotagei, and are a unique form of audience participation present only at idol concerts.

The idol otaku subculture has grown massively in the last several years, especially with the rise of the internet. Such a medium has provided the ability to stream and download music, watch idol-related videos through services such as YouTube, or even connect with other like-minded idol otaku. Because of the improving ease of communication within this group, their unique language and culture has grown immensely, and shows no signs of slowing down.

The subtle ambience of Akihabara / 秋葉原の雰囲気

Akihabara (秋葉原, shortened to Akiba or sometimes AKB) is a large district in Tokyo which has gotten the reputation of being home to both local and foreign otaku as well as average consumers of unique Japanese media. Of course, as legitimate gaikokujin, we had to explore it for ourselves. But Akihabara is not just a hub of self-labelled geeks and fans; rather, it's a common ground where people with unique interests can satisfy their inner love for their favorite media without being judged or berated.

In modern times, a lot of different kinds of people hang out in Akihabara. While there is a clear blend of both foreigners—many of whom self-identify as otaku—and Japanese natives, there's a lot more to it. Since Akihabara serves every kind of media from books to costumes, you can expect a different crowd on every corner!

Around two dozen Yu-Gi-Oh! fans play their hardest in the basement of an Akihabara trading card store.

Of course, contrary to what one might expect, most fans and avid enthusiasts do not stand out in a crowd. Every aisle of every store is populated with a few people at least, but to an average passer-by, nothing looks out of the ordinary.

Two ordinary manga fans check out their favorite section of an 8-floor media store.

Akihabara itself is destined to welcome otaku of every kind. Even foreigners can feel right at home, regardless of their interests!

This particular part of Akihabara draws gamers and technology enthusiasts alike.

As one might expect, however, most people in Akihabara keep to themselves, and their use of unique language is minimal in this crowded place. However, one unique trait does stand out: the majority of Japanese natives use an outstanding number of English loanwords when talking about locations and merchandise in Akihabara. Usage of 店 (みせ, "store, shop") and 〜屋 (〜や, "[something] shop") are minimal and the term ショップ is instead common. Another very common example is the use of the term コミック instead of 漫画 (まんが, "comic, cartoon"). As someone learning Japanese, you can get a lot of practice reading katakana and hearing English loanwords by simply wandering through Akihabara!

Akihabara hosts a wide variety of shops, as well.

Idol cafe?

Got it!

Cosplay shops?

Got those, too!

Manga shops?

Got 'em!

Game shops?

Even got those!

Arcades?

There's those too! But taking pictures within was not okey-dokey. Instead, please accept this artistic rendition!

Furthermore, though each of these stores may initially seem small, almost all of them extend upwards into multiple levels. It's like climbing the stairway into an infinite haven of your favourite hobby. If you plan on seriously going, it's probably best to take a full day.

Doesn't look like there are any maid cafes around... [Source: History of Akihabara]

But once upon a time, Akihabara was much different. Akiba no Hara was located by the Kanda river and thus could easily connect to Tokyo Bay. As such, it was a very convenient location for trade. Originally designated as a freight exclusive station, in 1925, passengers were also allowed access. Many wholesalers took up residence and the area transformed to a fruits and vegetables market. However, after Japan lost the war in 1945, Japanese radio technicians and electronic engineers returned from their stations abroad and began to collect in the area to sell electronics. Eventually, the range of goods sold grew to include "white goods" (such as fridges and dishwashers), then personal computers when they emerged, then music, then games. As such, it grew to be the electronic and pop culture marketplace it is today.

Of course, by this point my good readers have probably realized that "Akihabara" and "Akiba no Hara" are not the same word. So how did "Akihabara" come into usage? As far as my research tells, simply by mistake. Somewhere along the line of the areas development, 「あきばのはら」"Akiba no Hara" was miswritten as the very similar-looking「あきはばら」"Akihabara." Perhaps a certain language group might find that interesting. But I digress.

Akihabara has gone from a quaint field to a bustling and lively hotspot where people can come from all around the world to experience their favorite Japanese media. It will be fascinating to see where else Akihabara goes from here!

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.