What Exactly IS An Otaku?

“Mr. Hunter, what is an Otaku anyways?”, I hear you ask. Great question dear reader, grab a nice cup of coffee or tea and allow me to explain.

Obviously, if you’ve stumbled across this section of the blog, you know it’s titled Otaku’s Oasis, and has articles regarding anime and gaming. Very astute observations!

Otaku is a Japanese word meant to describe someone with an intense interest in something, manga, anime, video games and computers in particular.

Otaku is often used as a self descriptor, but sometimes is used as a pejorative, similar to how nerd is sometimes used as an insult in the west. 

However, all the way back in 2005 the otaku subculture's economic impact was estimated to be as high as ¥2 trillion Yen or US$18 billion dollars.

One can only imagine how it’s grown and expanded since then. Despite encompassing a wide range of interests, and providing economic value alongside entertainment, the culture hasn’t always been viewed fondly.

This negative association often comes from a stereotypical view of otakus as social outcasts who are unathletic with poor fashion sense and physical appearance. 

During the late 1980s, this negative association became a lot more severe after a string of murders committed by Tsutomu Miyazaki, dubbed “The Otaku Murderer”. When he was arrested, he had an extensive collection of pornography, Anime, Manga, and horror videotapes. 

This led to a moral panic surrounding the subculture of otakus, not dissimilar to the Satanic Panic in America. Greatly affecting the public's view of the otaku subculture in a negative light. 

Since then, the stigma surrounding otakus has gradually begun to lift, with people like Taro Aso, the former Prime Minister of Japan using the term to promote Japan in foreign affairs. 

Further, people like Marie Kondo have made statements to Forbes claiming, "I credit being an otaku with helping me to focus deeply, which definitely contributed to my success."

At present, this term may still contain some negative connotations, but is much more widely accepted in mainstream culture.  

The term can also be attributed to obsessive, unpleasant fans being labeled as otakus. So could you call hardcore Swifties otakus? I’ll leave that up to you to duke out in the comments, I wouldn’t dare make such bold claims. Taylor Swift fans would end this blog before it even truly begins…

“If otaku is such a negative term, why call this section of the blog Otaku’s Oasis?” Another excellent question, you’re on a roll today reader-san.

Aside from the fun alliteration, I am currently living in Japan, and I do have a rather intense interest in anime, video games, and computers. It just felt right. 

Back home in Canada, I often jokingly use the term “weeb” to describe myself. This term, shortened from “weeaboo” , became a similar signifier in the west, used to describe a white person with an intense interest in Japanese anime, manga, and video games. Sound familiar?

I considered myself a nerd for as long as I could remember, but my particular interest was always in Japanese role playing games and anime, leading in part to my eventual journey here to Japan. 

Many of my favorite games were developed here in Japan. I've dedicated countless hours to watching anime, at first in English, then later graduating to Japanese. Recently, I’ve even started dipping my toes into cosplay at conventions back home.

I’m a weeb through and through, and here in Japan I’d wager I would be similarly considered an otaku. For many years, I may have fit the more negative associations, being rather socially awkward in my youth while battling off teen acne.

Now as an adult, I’ve gotten much better socially, though I still have my fair share of troubles, but I’m pretty confident in my appearance. My acne calmed down a lot, my fashion sense developed, and I’ve settled into my own personal style that I think is pretty solid. 

I wear my nerd/weeb/otaku badge with pride, it’s part of my identity, it’s my hobby, and as a game designer, it’s also my industry.

I hope that keeping this as part of my identity, while still being a teacher, writer, and all around cool human, will help break down any lingering stigma around this term for my readers and students. 

Like any term, there’s certainly people who take things too far, and conversely, there are people who you’d never guess are otakus at a glance. Any category of person contains all kinds of people, almost like we contain multitudes. 

I hope this area of the blog can be a shining oasis for those steeped in the culture of video games, anime, and all things nerdy, but also an entry point. A place for people to gain a glimpse into the culture, and even check it out for themselves if they feel so inclined! 

So, to my otakus and non otakus alike, welcome to the oasis, I hope we can make this a shared paradise for all!