OtakuSeeker

[quote]I just think it's kind of funny picturing "Private" otaku coming out of the closet. [/quote] XD. Yeah, well, I guess I'm just asking for that if I use that terminology >_< But hey, I'm sure there are some Otaku there that would say its a pretty difficult endeavor to admit they're an anime fan to friends/family who think of it in a negative way. So in that way its almost like "coming out of the closet"..........why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret saying that....

[quote name='Konata']What do you mean by this ='( My community has very few otaku. And when I do meet one, it's very awkward, as if I don't fit in. We'll get along but it's just so uncomfortable. Like sitting at Borders reading a manga or illustration book next to others (When I tried that, I felt so embarassed for some reason, hence why I don't sit on the floor to read these things anymore), meeting or talking to people at anime conventions (Last time I did that, the man who had spoken with me followed me throughout the whole entire anime convention (exception for one day because I was running about for one hour buying all of the merchandise I had planned to get) and still IMs me (He's a nice man but... he sorta creeped me out >_>)), or even talking to fans in my city. Maybe I'm just a different otaku? Or maybe I haven't been exposed to any true otaku? Like, I sorta wish I was in an anime club like Genshiken, lol. But then I dunno either. I think it might be a bit creepy. Besides, clubs like anime/manga/game clubs aren't allowed at my school anyway, ha-ha... [/QUOTE] Lately I've been throwing around the term "public" and "private" Otaku, or "casual" and "excessive" Otaku to determine varying degrees of being a "fan" or whatever definition people want to use. Just a quick question, but, would you consider yourself more of a "private" Otaku because its a bit awkward when you find other fans (with the exception of the OtakuBoards, obviously) ? Or is that simply because there aren't many Otaku around that you've been able to connect with? (Besides creepy guys at conventions, of course. There are always a few socially awkward ones at the cons that are a bit "creepy." ) ---Sorry for all the quotation marks. I'm trying so hard here to be politically correct since I'm trying to take an intellectual stance on all of this; but I inevitably just end up sounding very vague on everything. :animestun

[quote name='Solo Tremaine'][COLOR=#503F86] Strangely enough, I've never known (or seen) any girl otakus. Although I have seen a few sitting on the floor in Borders reading the manga there.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] Yes, this is a topic I've come across before; there are definitely girl otakus (or anime fans or whatever you'd like to call them) out there, but I seem to have noticed that they are very often absent from more public displays of anime fandom, such as school anime clubs, etc. Now, this is not always the case, as anyone at a convention (especially a Yaoi con) could see; but I am definitely interested to see how many girls will respond to this thread. Another thing that I want to throw out there, if anyone wants to comment on, is this idea that being an Otaku is, in some ways, resisting American popular culture. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but you'd be surprised how many articles I've come across by scholars who think being an anime fan is some way of rebelling against American mainstream culture.

[quote name='Stephanie'][size=1]You so need a life, DB, if your fame rests on people making fun of you. Or at least a better username. I keep thinking of peanutbutter, for some reason. Otaku... I don't mind being associated with that word. Although I do agree, we aren't all greasy haired mama's boys. ^_~ In fact, right now, it's five thirty in the morning and I'm watching Inuyasha. Yeah, so that's my claim to fame. I told my friend the other day "An otaku is someone who is 'an anime or manga freak'" ^_^ I stand by my claim, as shallow and discombobulated as it may be. Okay, so I just wanted to use that word.[/size][/QUOTE] Its definitely not shallow ^_^ Brevity is the sole of wit, after all. And I agree; sometimes an otaku is just an anime or manga freak. A definition is a definition.

oh, of course, I just realized that a second ago. Not all Otaku are American; by no means. >_< My mistake. I would welcome any responses from Otaku of any nationality. I will go back and edit that now.... What I should have mentioned before was that I'm specifically writing about the subculture of Otaku within America, but again, all responses would be helpful. Including these two, thanks for your definitions!

Hello everyone, I'm new to the OtakuBoards, but I've been admiring its art and news site for years. As an avid Otaku myself and an anthropology student currently trying to write a paper on what it means to be an Otaku, I would really REALLY appreciate any input from all of you, the true Otaku, on what your definition of an Otaku might be. I know its kind of presumptious to just join the site and start asking questions, but I would love to hear all of your opinions. I want to truly write about the experience of being an Otaku and what it means to us in our daily lives. I won't quote anyone in my paper without direct permission, and I won't use any names or screenames or anything. I'd just like to get an idea of what you guys think. So, How do you define an American Otaku? Or any Otaku, for that matter? What does it take to be one? --> Thanks to Sandy, I realized that I've excluded quite a large audience from theOtaku boards. I realize there are many Otaku of many nationalities, and I would welcome responses from all of you, but I am specifically writing about American popular culture, so I assumed my demographic. My apologies.