Ranked #1157

Otaku no Video

I thought it might be proper to define "Otaku" before the actual review.
In the following case, an Otaku (if you don't already know), is a Japanese term for a fan/person who is obsessed with any theme/topic/hobby. (The "portraits" are about anime/manga/military/hentai Otakus).

Otaku no Video is a fairly fun video/OVA to watch. Not necessarily for the actual animation, but the Otaku interview bits(called portrait of an Otaku) in between the actual story, where they have interviews with all sorts of Otakus(Manga,Anime,Military,True,Foreign, "Garage Kit"). Of course, this OVA is fairly outdated (~24 years before time of this review). Opinion: Otaku's have changed over time, so the same (Portrait of an Otaku) can't necessarily be applied to modern ones.

As for the Story, it only becomes worthwhile when he emerges into the Japanese anime industry(episode 2). The first part, I found fairly mediocre.

The art is outdated, but not to the point where it is distracting. GAINAX (a couple years before the Shin Seiki Evangelion.

The Opening themesong, I found quite catchy. The video's background music was undistracting to the point where I'm not quite sure whether it even had background music or not.

Characters both story and portraits were mainly Otakus, some of which seem to be hard to get along with (in the portraits not the anime).

As for Enjoyment, this OVA is one of a kind, even with it's outdated(ness), I still managed to learn alot (and a bit about about myself), statistics & surveys "out of 100 otakus) are given so you have an idea regarding otaku.

As a result, this OVA is one to be watched. People can look into this and say.... "That's how Otaku were in the 1980's, things have changed", "Wow, I didn't know that", or even "Oh, I see, that's why I talk to myself" (you're not alone!!). I'd recommend this to most Otakus, and maybe anyone who happens interested in Otaku(ism?). read more

I had heard that this was a must-see for people interested in the culture surrounding otakudom, and after finally watching it, I would have to second that proposition. It is simultaneously a humorous, introspective, and thought-provoking look at otaku, and more so than any other similarly themed production, it really covers all bases in its analytical approach to the lifestyle they lead, about the nature of shame, obsession, habitual collecting, and the way in which otaku approach other people, and the world around them. I’ll have to be brief in my comments regarding this aspect of the OVA, because there’s really enough content to write a particularly lengthy essay about. It is comforting, and quite obvious, that everything is approached through the perspective of an otaku, so that the way the themes are explored are not heavy-handed in their ridicule or disapproval of Otaku, but rather they dispel stereotypes in exchange for an edge of realism, which gradually demonstrates a residual tone of sadness and loneliness, and cleverly deconstructs the fabricated fantasy worlds in which Otaku so often reside. The surveyed data included in the OVA was certainly very interesting, with some of the results showing some strong indications of the characteristics of an otaku. Ultimately all of the ‘portrait of an otaku’ segments worked to paint a larger portrait of Otaku, and a reflective definition of the term. The strongest facet to otaku’s personalities was their drive and passion to attain their desires, and their common reliance on fantasy and escapism as a way of life.

In terms of actual entertainment value, and story, I was quite disappointed. Although an important contribution to the OVA, the ‘portrait of an otaku’ segments really fractured the progression of the story and fragmented its pace so that it was difficult for thew show to build up momentum or excitement. I felt that the story simply not be told in such a short period of time, particularly of the characters were to be properly fleshed out and developed. As a consequence of the short, and divided time, I never felt attached to the characters, or their plight, or only occasionally did their predicament make me feel. This would have been alright if it was more of a comedy, but the fact is it was rarely very funny, the black humour of the portraits was almost entirely absent from the actual anime. This basically means that the OVA is barely worth watching unless you have a genuine interest or investment in the otaku culture in Japan; you will not find a better psycho-analysis of the otaku character. read more

This Gainax video was missing in my library. And I’m very glad that I finally got to watch it.

The Gainax animation in ’91 was excellent and this OVA was probably the first in it’s kind to thread some experimental paths in animation, a style that it was copied later on on titles like Tylor and became Gainax trademark in Eva and Kare Kano and on.
As Gainax universe is concerned you see obvious links and the same style used in Gainax productions, if you put Otaku No Video>Evangelion>Kare Kano one after the other you can clearly see the evolution of the studio in that particular style. Obviously they are different approaches but each of them ended being a timeless classic with their similarities in animation.

The OVA starts off in ’82 telling the story of a average Japanese person slowly getting more and more into the otaku universe throughout the years.
Interesting point is that Gainax interview several real life otakus (or persons that had been otaku in their college days), these occasional small interviews add some sad and depressing mood to it, but it doesn’t decrease the quality of the OVA, in the other side it raised the quality.
As the story goes by, it surpasses it’s air date year (1991) and goes further into the future, this led the story to leave the depressive parts behind and ends in a rather cheerful, comedic and happy ending.

I loved the OVA and would recommend anyone to watch it.

Rate; 8.0/10 read more

Otaku No Video glorifies and celebrates (even as it lovingly skewers) the lives of people into anime, manga, model kits, replica guns, and science fiction. Supposedly an over-the-top, exaggerated biography of Gainax (the ultimate otaku's studio) themselves, this OVA is loaded with references to Macross, Gundam, Lupin, Yamato, Gainax's own works, and more.

To compare to other movies and shows, it's a little bit Project A-Ko, a little bit NHK No Youkoso (though not so dark at all), and dare I say its modern counterpart might be Lucky Star? It caters shamelessly to fans and asks nothing from outsiders, and it's a ton of fun for anyone who wants to witness the roots of Gainax, or see just how obsessive some people can be. read more