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Aug 11, 2017 3:53 PM
#1

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So ive been in the anime community for around 5 years now, and just recently joined this site. Weve seen this term, otaku, be used countless times before, but what are your personal preferences on the word. From personal experience, the people who use this term seriously are usually weeaboos using it as a scapegoat to not be called, well, weeaboos. I used to call myself an otaku when i was around 12 or 13, but that was, when looking back at it now, my cringiest phase. Now, I thankfully grew out of it, but i guess its lead me to think those who use this term are cringey weeaboos. (Now i know not ALL who use it are weebs, but i think a majority of people who use it are.)

What do you guys think?
And those who do call themselves otaku, what are your opinions?

Thanks!
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Aug 11, 2017 3:57 PM
#2

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To me, otaku just means you like anime. I've referred to myself as an otaku before, and many people have also referred to me as one. It has a different meaning in the West then it has in Japan already, so basically the word "otaku" can just mean whatever you want. Calling something by a different name ("otaku" rather than "weeaboo") won't change the reality of what it is. In other words, it doesn't really matter, so think what you want (:
Aug 11, 2017 4:00 PM
#3

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If someone calls themselves Otaku or Weeb (which has become the new Otaku) it usually just means to me that they are ironically or not trying to associate themselves with the whole subculture surrounding anime and japanese/asian media in general. More often than not it's not people who 'just' watch and love anime but are also into various other aspects of the subculture, most of which don't interest me persoanlly too much which is why I wouldn't use the label for myself.
I probably regret this post by now.
Aug 11, 2017 4:16 PM
#4
Data Livestock

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Saying "Yeah, I'm a weeb" versus saying "Yeah, I'm an Otaku," I would choose the former 10 times out of 10 because the word Otaku just sounds really, incredibly dumb to me.

I have no specific reason other than "I really do not like the way it sounds"

hearing somebody say something like "I'm an Otaku" or especially when it's being used to talk about other people rather than just themselves (i.e. "fellow otaku, all otaku out there," etc etc., it feels fairly common on YT channels for some reason) it just evokes this weird reaction from me in the same vein two pieces of Styrofoam rubbing together does. But for some reason weeb doesn't have that effect to me in the slightest. (Although, when I think about it, using it in the same sense I described might only be slightly better, and the only reason I find it particularly preferable is because I'm just much more used to seeing it used ironically as opposed to not.)

I think the only way I can describe it is that it feels similar to people being out of touch yet acting like they're in touch. Like a parent who tries too hard to be hip with the kids or something like that, I guess? Although the reason I would compare it to that is beyond me, but that's the best way I can describe it without thinking over the topic more heavily than need be. It doesn't feel accurate to the type of feeling I'm trying to describe, though, just close enough ._.

Idk, I'm just going to keep calling myself a sister fister because I saw somebody say that once and I found it amusing
ManabanAug 11, 2017 4:26 PM

Aug 11, 2017 4:33 PM
#5

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I know what it means, but I never refer to myself as one. I instead just refer to myself as "someone who watches anime." IRL, my mannerisms may seem "weebish", but that is because I grew up in Japan for half of my life, and I simply grew accustomed to their culture.

Now as for others calling themselves otaku, while I do know that otaku is a derogatory term, perhaps it is the fastest way for them to say that they are an anime fan. If you know what the term means, then you can immediately understand the type of person that they are. But since I'm not a fan of the term, I will never call someone as such.
Aug 11, 2017 4:45 PM
#6

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I view it on the level of a mild insult like "loser" with negative canotations, and I wouldn't call myself that. I am just a normal fan who watches stuff.
KruszerAug 11, 2017 4:52 PM
"The name's Gambit. Remember it."
-Gambit "X-Men '97"

Aug 11, 2017 5:20 PM
#7

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Not quite up to par with people calling themselves nerds. If they're using the term otaku just because it's a 'Japanese', then it's just cringy. There's no problem with just saying you like to watch anime. Though people who often call themselves otakus are often casual viewers thinking its some kind of cool thing to do.

As for me, I never call myself otaku seriously. If I do, then it's most likely sarcasm.
Aug 11, 2017 5:31 PM
#8
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It's a self-ironic term in my eyes, but I never used it for myself. I don't know why I should. Tho my friends called a WA-group otalu group, but that's really self-ironic too.
Aug 11, 2017 5:48 PM
#9

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A term which has long lost its original meaning due to misuse. The only time I see people use the word "otaku" is when they are trying to assimilate themselves as anime fans or are using this term ironically.
Aug 12, 2017 10:10 AM
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Figendog said:
So ive been in the anime community for around 5 years now, and just recently joined this site. Weve seen this term, otaku, be used countless times before, but what are your personal preferences on the word. From personal experience, the people who use this term seriously are usually weeaboos using it as a scapegoat to not be called, well, weeaboos. I used to call myself an otaku when i was around 12 or 13, but that was, when looking back at it now, my cringiest phase. Now, I thankfully grew out of it, but i guess its lead me to think those who use this term are cringey weeaboos. (Now i know not ALL who use it are weebs, but i think a majority of people who use it are.)

What do you guys think?
And those who do call themselves otaku, what are your opinions?

Thanks!


Of all of what you wrote, i don't think you even know what the two terms really mean, you are exactly like everyone else who calls anything japanese "weebish" because he thinks he's funny or it's badge of honour. Stop throwing that word around, ffs.
Aug 12, 2017 10:24 AM
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Otaku = obsessed or fascinated with something. I see the word as a good descriptor.

I've been obsessed/fascinated with many things since I was in high school...most of them non-anime related. History, linguistics, languages, anime, video games, RTS games...that's all part of my otaku nature.

Thus, my SN.
Aug 12, 2017 10:32 AM

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Otaku- Anime as a hobby (colloquially- as in, we don't use it how japan uses it.)
Weeb- Unknowledgable, possibly extends to japan. Way too excited newbie. Also self deprecating term.


Funny enough, the self deprecating way we use these terms- very much mirror to Otaku no Video. Total dark humor on our pathetic existence.

Being older, I do prefer the term Otaku.
Energetic-NovaAug 12, 2017 10:35 AM
The anime community in a nutshell.
Aug 12, 2017 10:33 AM

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The terms otaku and weeaboo are both overused, incorrectly so.
That is all I think.
I think otaku are hardcore fans of anime, manga, etc. They devote their lives to it.
Weeaboos are the people who have seen 30 anime and claim to be otaku, then go around saying kawaii desu.
When I think otaku, I think hikikomori, NEET.
WORK IN PROGRESS
~The frog leapt forth to my lilypad memory.~
I was indoctrinated by an inamorata rabbit,
Adenomata affronted.
It was the verecund, dismissed creatures
That I jubilated in most.
This rabbit I would nurture,
At the aiguille of esse,
The anneal of noblesse.
❤️ Birdie ❤️

Aug 12, 2017 10:36 AM
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Weeabos and weebs don't even exist.... I mean they do but they are rare.... It is just a shitty meme.

Otaku as far as I know is the equivalent of the word geek in Japan (tho since being a geek is now cool here it has no negative connotations, it does in Japan tho, being an otaku is not a "good" thing there.) and in the west otaku seems to refer to fans of Japanese media in general, regardless of their obsessivness. Either way, if people call themselves otakus it is fine by me. I am not going to call myself one tho.
Aug 12, 2017 10:39 AM

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Otaku is just a term definition of a person who likes anime and Japanese stuff and culture. That's all it really is, least IMO
Aug 12, 2017 10:39 AM

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YaoiMaster said:
The terms otaku and weeaboo are both overused, incorrectly so.
That is all I think.
I think otaku are hardcore fans of anime, manga, etc. They devote their lives to it.
Weeaboos are the people who have seen 30 anime and claim to be otaku, then go around saying kawaii desu.
When I think otaku, I think hikikomori, NEET.


That is about how I have always seen it. XD And I don't work or go to school because I am disabled and all I have is anime and manga so.... yeah maybe that is why I don't have an issue with saying the word much. I don't get out much.

Weebs are totally excited and usually younger fans. Oh and they always be saying "I want to be a mangaka when I grow up" and you sit there and laugh and find them innocent maybe.
Energetic-NovaAug 12, 2017 10:43 AM
The anime community in a nutshell.
Aug 12, 2017 10:41 AM

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Rotton-Girl said:
YaoiMaster said:
The terms otaku and weeaboo are both overused, incorrectly so.
That is all I think.
I think otaku are hardcore fans of anime, manga, etc. They devote their lives to it.
Weeaboos are the people who have seen 30 anime and claim to be otaku, then go around saying kawaii desu.
When I think otaku, I think hikikomori, NEET.


That is about how I have always seen it. XD And I don't work or go to school because I am disabled and all I have is anime and manga so.... yeah maybe that is why I don't have an issue with saying the word much. I don't get out much.

Weebs are totally excited and usually younger fans.
I agree. When I was new to anime, it was all I talked about. I must've annoyed the shit out of people. I'm sure I was a weeb then. Now I've seen many series, and avoid anime discussions, heh.
WORK IN PROGRESS
~The frog leapt forth to my lilypad memory.~
I was indoctrinated by an inamorata rabbit,
Adenomata affronted.
It was the verecund, dismissed creatures
That I jubilated in most.
This rabbit I would nurture,
At the aiguille of esse,
The anneal of noblesse.
❤️ Birdie ❤️

Aug 12, 2017 10:44 AM

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Most people who use it to describe themselves with use it as a way of saying they like anime, or are a fan of anime.
Most people who use it to describe others with use it as a way of saying someone is obsessed with anime.
Aug 12, 2017 10:45 AM

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Not sure what's worst...

>Otaku

>Weeb

>NEET

Aug 12, 2017 10:47 AM

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YaoiMaster said:
Rotton-Girl said:


That is about how I have always seen it. XD And I don't work or go to school because I am disabled and all I have is anime and manga so.... yeah maybe that is why I don't have an issue with saying the word much. I don't get out much.

Weebs are totally excited and usually younger fans.
I agree. When I was new to anime, it was all I talked about. I must've annoyed the shit out of people. I'm sure I was a weeb then. Now I've seen many series, and avoid anime discussions, heh.


Yeah. When I was young, I ran around glomping strangers who weren't even into anime. :/ I was a weeb. There was no doubt. My model in life was Shuichi. No joke. And I did travel several miles to buy strawberry pocky to be #justlikehim. And eat ramen lots to be like inuyasha. And wear vampire teeth an an idiot almost daily because I was also obsessed with Interview with a Vampire.

Hot damn. I had all the most annoying 12-13 year old things. I even got myself a pair of TRIPP pants at 14. And had a few anime shirts with Eiri and Shuichi on them and pins just everywhere. I was so My obsession with gravitation was just... If my parents would let my dye my hair pink, I think I would have.

I think my "calming" started when I met my best friend in high school who told me about BOUNDARIES.
The anime community in a nutshell.
Aug 12, 2017 10:49 AM

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It's a word overused by tween and teen edgelords desperately attempting to find some way to make themselves feel unique because, for them, being themselves isn't as important as being different.

They're are words in every language that are contextually equivalent to otaku, use them.
Aug 12, 2017 10:50 AM

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--ALEX-- said:
Not sure what's worst...

>Otaku

>Weeb

>NEET


From what I've seen:
-Otaku = Likes anime / fan of anime
-Weeb = Japan & anime obsessed to a cringy degree
-NEET = Has no job and doesn't study, basically is at home doing nothing constructive, day in day out.

I don't really see otaku being used as an insult. Weeb gets used an insult. NEET is just a way of life, but not one to be proud of, lol.
Aug 12, 2017 10:52 AM

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Rotton-Girl said:
YaoiMaster said:
I agree. When I was new to anime, it was all I talked about. I must've annoyed the shit out of people. I'm sure I was a weeb then. Now I've seen many series, and avoid anime discussions, heh.


Yeah. When I was young, I ran around glomping strangers who weren't even into anime. :/ I was a weeb. There was no doubt. My model in life was Shuichi. No joke. And I did travel several miles to buy strawberry pocky to be #justlikehim. And eat ramen lots to be like inuyasha. And wear vampire teeth an an idiot almost daily because I was also obsessed with Interview with a Vampire.

Hot damn. I had all the most annoying 12-13 year old things. I even got myself a pair of TRIPP pants at 14. And had a few anime shirts with Eiri and Shuichi on them and pins just everywhere. I was so My obsession with gravitation was just... If my parents would let my dye my hair pink, I think I would have.
Yeah. Younger people get especially excited over the things they like, until they become more self aware and realize they're just being obnoxious. I remember being in anime groups online, where there were the newbies who called themselves otaku to sound cool, and the elitists who would shit on them. It was amusing, to say the least. I am personally a shut-in who spends all day watching anime, yet it is so boring now. The newbies with a passion for it seem to be lucky.
WORK IN PROGRESS
~The frog leapt forth to my lilypad memory.~
I was indoctrinated by an inamorata rabbit,
Adenomata affronted.
It was the verecund, dismissed creatures
That I jubilated in most.
This rabbit I would nurture,
At the aiguille of esse,
The anneal of noblesse.
❤️ Birdie ❤️

Aug 12, 2017 10:55 AM

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Figendog said:
What do you guys think?
And those who do call themselves otaku, what are your opinions?

Usually I don't call myself "otaku", but I have no doubts this term applies to me, and I don't dislike the word.

On the other hand, I hate the word "weeb" because it presupposes loyalty to one's own nation as default. And I have a rather intense dislike of the kind of people who give unconditional loyalty just like that. They might call themselves "patriots", but that's a lie - they're just sucking up to the government and/or hating people who are not like them. This is not true love.
... that was kind of a rant, was it?
Aug 12, 2017 10:57 AM

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YaoiMaster said:
Rotton-Girl said:


Yeah. When I was young, I ran around glomping strangers who weren't even into anime. :/ I was a weeb. There was no doubt. My model in life was Shuichi. No joke. And I did travel several miles to buy strawberry pocky to be #justlikehim. And eat ramen lots to be like inuyasha. And wear vampire teeth an an idiot almost daily because I was also obsessed with Interview with a Vampire.

Hot damn. I had all the most annoying 12-13 year old things. I even got myself a pair of TRIPP pants at 14. And had a few anime shirts with Eiri and Shuichi on them and pins just everywhere. I was so My obsession with gravitation was just... If my parents would let my dye my hair pink, I think I would have.
Yeah. Younger people get especially excited over the things they like, until they become more self aware and realize they're just being obnoxious. I remember being in anime groups online, where there were the newbies who called themselves otaku to sound cool, and the elitists who would shit on them. It was amusing, to say the least. I am personally a shut-in who spends all day watching anime, yet it is so boring now. The newbies with a passion for it seem to be lucky.


You seem to have the same opinion as me. I think young innocent people discovering for the first time what anime is are adorable.

Granted, I am not tired of anything right now. But given that I have gone through burn outs more than once, I would wish to never have gone through them. I have nothing to do all day except consume media. So, yeah when it runs out, I have to figure out something else to do as a suitable break.

(granted I want to talk about anime all the time, but like what happened with Yuri on Ice, seriously double edged sword!)
Energetic-NovaAug 12, 2017 11:08 AM
The anime community in a nutshell.
Aug 12, 2017 11:11 AM

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Rotton-Girl said:
YaoiMaster said:
Yeah. Younger people get especially excited over the things they like, until they become more self aware and realize they're just being obnoxious. I remember being in anime groups online, where there were the newbies who called themselves otaku to sound cool, and the elitists who would shit on them. It was amusing, to say the least. I am personally a shut-in who spends all day watching anime, yet it is so boring now. The newbies with a passion for it seem to be lucky.


You seem to have the same opinion as me. I think young innocent people discovering for the first time what anime is are adorable.

Granted, I am not tired of anything right now. But given that I have gone through burn outs more than once, I would wish to never have gone through them. I have nothing to do all day except consume media. So, yeah when it runs out, I have to figure out something else to do as a suitable break.
Ah, I prefer not to interact with them, have a hard time dealing with high energy people. Weeaboos are the epitome of energetic.
I wish I could spend time differently, but it's a bit of a compulsion. Can't stop. Not to mention I can't type essay long messages to people at the moment, so I'm bored as hell. I would do anything to go back to those anime enjoying days, haha.
WORK IN PROGRESS
~The frog leapt forth to my lilypad memory.~
I was indoctrinated by an inamorata rabbit,
Adenomata affronted.
It was the verecund, dismissed creatures
That I jubilated in most.
This rabbit I would nurture,
At the aiguille of esse,
The anneal of noblesse.
❤️ Birdie ❤️

Aug 12, 2017 11:17 AM

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i hate to refer myself as an otaku
i just refer to myself as an anime fan
ie someone who like anime
Aug 12, 2017 11:25 AM

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YaoiMaster said:
Rotton-Girl said:


You seem to have the same opinion as me. I think young innocent people discovering for the first time what anime is are adorable.

Granted, I am not tired of anything right now. But given that I have gone through burn outs more than once, I would wish to never have gone through them. I have nothing to do all day except consume media. So, yeah when it runs out, I have to figure out something else to do as a suitable break.
Ah, I prefer not to interact with them, have a hard time dealing with high energy people. Weeaboos are the epitome of energetic.
I wish I could spend time differently, but it's a bit of a compulsion. Can't stop. Not to mention I can't type essay long messages to people at the moment, so I'm bored as hell. I would do anything to go back to those anime enjoying days, haha.


Awww. Yeah, I guess I have all the time in the world. So it hasn't hit me the way it has other adults. I am also Autistic (or ADHD, doctors are still flipping my diagnosis back and forth like a lightswitch) So I am pretty hyper and obsessive naturally. I do feel thankful to have had friends who were more lowkey to teach me appropriate behaviors around them. I probably wouldn't have changed.

Young people like to call me senpai a lot. XD I guess I seem mature yet I am still willing to give them the time of day. Truth is, I am not mature at all. I just want to model good behavior. I don't want elders to make fun of them, nor for them to make fun of me.

Older otaku don't get along with me much. I can be too much. But I am toned down enough to come off mature to legitimately young people. I feel like that Britney Spears song "not a girl not yet a woman" yet I am 26, extroverted, and autistic as fuck. And people do have a stereotype in their mind that I should not be interested in social stuff at all, but I am... just not good at it at all. "You don't look autistic"- yet best friend who taught me all the behaviors to mask issues with myself is like "yeah she is pretty fucking autistic, I just helped her not be an asshole autistic with no boundaries"

On the bus, people think I am 15 all the time. So thank goodness I look younger so I don't look as stupid.

:( Honestly though, I feel like my friends are leaving me behind. And no longer actually being young, I definitely don't fit in with teenagers really either.

And you said you don't give essay responses and here I go.
Energetic-NovaAug 12, 2017 11:28 AM
The anime community in a nutshell.
Aug 12, 2017 11:33 AM

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YaoiMaster said:
When I think otaku, I think hikikomori, NEET.

This is generally incorrect. While a hikkikomori or NEET can be an otaku, the majority of them have jobs, that help fund their (rather expensive) hobby.
For example, MC of Gate is an otaku, but he is also an all-around admirable person.
Aug 12, 2017 11:45 AM

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In general , anime fans prefer to be called otakus than being called "weaboos" .. some people think that there is no difference between weaboos and otakus though it's not .. both are antisocial but otakus do not want to change their fucking DNA to become japanese .. an otaku is just a loser who likes watching anime "like us" and he dont want to throw out his identity and his origins .. I can not call myself otaku cuz I will feel so childish and dumb ..

Maybe some english speakers ( i mean they live in a country that talks english )anime fans are ashamed becuz of calling themselves weebs though it's not the same case in the other countries ..


"elles sont bien noires
les pensées des nuits blanches"


Aug 12, 2017 1:20 PM

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Rotton-Girl said:
YaoiMaster said:
Ah, I prefer not to interact with them, have a hard time dealing with high energy people. Weeaboos are the epitome of energetic.
I wish I could spend time differently, but it's a bit of a compulsion. Can't stop. Not to mention I can't type essay long messages to people at the moment, so I'm bored as hell. I would do anything to go back to those anime enjoying days, haha.


Awww. Yeah, I guess I have all the time in the world. So it hasn't hit me the way it has other adults. I am also Autistic (or ADHD, doctors are still flipping my diagnosis back and forth like a lightswitch) So I am pretty hyper and obsessive naturally. I do feel thankful to have had friends who were more lowkey to teach me appropriate behaviors around them. I probably wouldn't have changed.

Young people like to call me senpai a lot. XD I guess I seem mature yet I am still willing to give them the time of day. Truth is, I am not mature at all. I just want to model good behavior. I don't want elders to make fun of them, nor for them to make fun of me.

Older otaku don't get along with me much. I can be too much. But I am toned down enough to come off mature to legitimately young people. I feel like that Britney Spears song "not a girl not yet a woman" yet I am 26, extroverted, and autistic as fuck. And people do have a stereotype in their mind that I should not be interested in social stuff at all, but I am... just not good at it at all. "You don't look autistic"- yet best friend who taught me all the behaviors to mask issues with myself is like "yeah she is pretty fucking autistic, I just helped her not be an asshole autistic with no boundaries"

On the bus, people think I am 15 all the time. So thank goodness I look younger so I don't look as stupid.

:( Honestly though, I feel like my friends are leaving me behind. And no longer actually being young, I definitely don't fit in with teenagers really either.

And you said you don't give essay responses and here I go.
I wish to send long replies, I did it all day, but my wrists are injured from overtyping. You try to spend all day, every day typing long messages for months on end and not get hurt.
Hmm. I don't know too much about autism, though a good friend of mine on MAL has Asperger's. I have two other friends with it, and one is an extrovert and claims talking to people got easier with age. It can make things difficult, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.
I'm not a very obsessive person. I'm very relaxed in general.
20-30 is the time when you can understand teens and still be childish. It can be harder for those 30+.
Obsessive fans wear me out. I get tired easily, but send me a wall of text and I'll send back an even larger one... unless my wrists are dying.
I have a lot of time on my hands, as well.
I don't believe I was called senpai. Master, sure.
Well, in general people assume old = mature, but in truth, it's about whether you're experienced or not, and how you carry yourself.
Otaku can be very different, so it's not a surprise for one to consider you to be too much.
This is turning into a conversation, but I can't reply to long messages at the moment, heh....
WORK IN PROGRESS
~The frog leapt forth to my lilypad memory.~
I was indoctrinated by an inamorata rabbit,
Adenomata affronted.
It was the verecund, dismissed creatures
That I jubilated in most.
This rabbit I would nurture,
At the aiguille of esse,
The anneal of noblesse.
❤️ Birdie ❤️

Aug 12, 2017 1:22 PM

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8848
I'm sooo bored. It's derogatory now; it used to mean "an expert." (knowledge-wise)
Be thankful for the wisdom granted to you.
Aug 12, 2017 2:27 PM
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Acceptable terms:
Anime enthusiast
Anime connoisseur
Animeologist
Japanese-colloquialism-for-animation purveyor
Discerning consumer and purchaser of non-Westernised cartoons that tend to derive from Japan, but may also have contributions from other Asian countries such as South Korea and China (Dcaponctttdfjbmahcfoacsaskac)


Non-acceptable terms:
Otaku
Self-proclaimed weeb
Otaku and proud
Anime fan

Aug 12, 2017 2:27 PM

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I always find funny when weabs identify themselves as otaku...
Aug 12, 2017 6:45 PM

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Ohhh those creepy looking bastards with the body pillow in their hands?


Seriously... gross!
Aug 12, 2017 6:58 PM

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SupremeEdgelord said:
Figendog said:
So ive been in the anime community for around 5 years now, and just recently joined this site. Weve seen this term, otaku, be used countless times before, but what are your personal preferences on the word. From personal experience, the people who use this term seriously are usually weeaboos using it as a scapegoat to not be called, well, weeaboos. I used to call myself an otaku when i was around 12 or 13, but that was, when looking back at it now, my cringiest phase. Now, I thankfully grew out of it, but i guess its lead me to think those who use this term are cringey weeaboos. (Now i know not ALL who use it are weebs, but i think a majority of people who use it are.)

What do you guys think?
And those who do call themselves otaku, what are your opinions?

Thanks!


Of all of what you wrote, i don't think you even know what the two terms really mean, you are exactly like everyone else who calls anything japanese "weebish" because he thinks he's funny or it's badge of honour. Stop throwing that word around, ffs.


So sorry if im bugging you, but I do know what they mean. A weeb is a term used for non japanese ppl who are so obsessed with japan that it becomes disrespectful. The kind that denounces their own nationality. The ones that wanna make you bash your head against a wall.

Otaku, on the other hand, kinda changes from person to person (hence, why i made this forum, to see what they think, to open up my mind a little.) here in the west, its a good term, for the most part, (although i personally wouldnt use it), whilst in japan, it has a negative connotation.

So don't go assuming things please! Being a dick isnt gonna get you friends.


Although idek if i should take you seriously considering your name is supreme edge lord.
Aug 12, 2017 7:14 PM

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Mar 2015
47096
otaku is even more general term than nerds... you can be gun otaku, vending machine otaku, ice cream otaku, sushi otaku, ETC...
"If taking responsibility for a mistake that cannot be undone means death, it's not that hard to die. At least, not as hard as to live on."
Aug 12, 2017 7:37 PM

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400
Well we all know what an otaku is but a weeaboo calling himself an otaku is a weeaboo. That's all there is to it :P
Aug 12, 2017 10:29 PM

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Oct 2015
2099
To me otaku contains two meanings

- dedicated enthusiast - for literally anything. Not a bad thing at all.
I think most knowledge in eg. fishkeeping stems from aquarium "otaku".
Afaict. to the day there are "fish otaku" that have knowledge greater than academics in the field.

- enthusiasts particularly about anime/manga/Japanese games in that field.
I mean, like in Genshiken they refer to them as otaku, without further specifying what sort of otaku/ otaku for what. It is implied that otaku without further specification automatically means anime-etc.-otaku.
"Hi, I am Oguie, and I hate otaku!" - it was not meant to mean that she hates train-otaku, sweetwater-shrimp-otaku, or whatever other sort of otaku BUT anime-etc.-otaku.
------------------

weeaboo... who even uses that term?
*darn, using my right hand is off-limits for a while. Typing with my left hand only is ... eww.*
Aug 12, 2017 10:47 PM

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5601
I'm a proud otaku/weeaboo who likes loli, moe, otaku pandering shows, and jerk off to ecchi or hentai doujinshi and no, that doesn't make me a NEET. I work 8 hours on hospital, 36 hours if I'm on my nightshift. Your hobby never determines your career. I'm a hikikomori whenever holiday comes though.
Aug 12, 2017 11:18 PM

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43
Being a sort of closet anime/manga otaku, I tend to not refer to myself as one, especially not with the general public. I usually say that I like to watch shows, or something like that, you know, keeping it open to interpretation. As for others who refer to themselves as an otaku, by all means, do it; it's much better than weeb, a word I quite frankly hate to see used.

Also, in my community, for some reason, those terms seem to have quite a negative connotation, thus why I avoid using the terms. Nonetheless, if you like to use any of those terms, please have the courage to use them as much as you like unlike poor, anxious me; it'll make me happy.
Aug 12, 2017 11:20 PM

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Mar 2017
1232
person who loves anime, collects stuff related to anime

but a part of me also recognize a portion of otakus as weebs

Aug 12, 2017 11:33 PM

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Nov 2009
8716
S-quare22 said:
In general , anime fans prefer to be called otakus than being called "weaboos" .. some people think that there is no difference between weaboos and otakus though it's not .. both are antisocial but otakus do not want to change their fucking DNA to become japanese .. an otaku is just a loser who likes watching anime "like us" and he dont want to throw out his identity and his origins .. I can not call myself otaku cuz I will feel so childish and dumb ..

Maybe some english speakers ( i mean they live in a country that talks english )anime fans are ashamed becuz of calling themselves weebs though it's not the same case in the other countries ..

Nazi bioconservative found. I suggest you to drop these lines of thinking, because they make it easy for evil politicians to manipulate you.
Also, "weeaboos" as described do not really exist. They are a nazi propaganda myth.
Aug 12, 2017 11:34 PM
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Nov 2016
15239
I feel like the western audience has taken and the word and given it a new meaning, so I'm not a fan.



Aug 13, 2017 12:20 AM
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Jun 2017
666
i personally don't think bad of it
i know that the original meaning is degrading, but it had been imbed to heavily in the western fan now
it just a fail exchange of word, which is not that rare
long story short, If you use it, you use it, no judging from me
Aug 13, 2017 12:31 AM

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Feb 2016
1315
Isn't otaku someone who is really enthusiastic about something? Although we do use it to talk about anime fans and only this...

I don't care to use the term otaku since i'm, in fact, a manga and anime fan, but the stereotype is quite a pain to be associated. Talking about 'normal' things like, uh, the waifu wars. And other stuff too.

I'll not comment on weeaboo since everyone i've seen using it don't watch that much anime nor read manga.
Aug 13, 2017 12:33 AM

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May 2013
497
The anime community has a lot of respect for the Otaku.

They are the backbone of the culture, and some of the few people who support the industry.
Aug 13, 2017 1:00 AM

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Dec 2015
6501

When I hear or read this word (especially outside Japan), I think about (the other) Miyazaki or about those old TV or paper reports who were using the word to make fun of teenagers and young adults still into "japoniaiseries" at their age.

More seriously:
I think it's pejorative when someone designates someone else under this term, be it for anime, manga or anything else.

The appropriation of the word seems stupid: it is now used for something easy to define in any language. (just like the english word "anime" )
Though, it still doesn't sound as bad and stupid than this internet slang made of weaboo & co.
Aug 13, 2017 3:51 AM
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Jul 2018
561864
Figendog said:
SupremeEdgelord said:


Of all of what you wrote, i don't think you even know what the two terms really mean, you are exactly like everyone else who calls anything japanese "weebish" because he thinks he's funny or it's badge of honour. Stop throwing that word around, ffs.


So sorry if im bugging you, but I do know what they mean. A weeb is a term used for non japanese ppl who are so obsessed with japan that it becomes disrespectful. The kind that denounces their own nationality. The ones that wanna make you bash your head against a wall.

Otaku, on the other hand, kinda changes from person to person (hence, why i made this forum, to see what they think, to open up my mind a little.) here in the west, its a good term, for the most part, (although i personally wouldnt use it), whilst in japan, it has a negative connotation.

So don't go assuming things please! Being a dick isnt gonna get you friends.


Although idek if i should take you seriously considering your name is supreme edge lord.


Nah, it's just because i'm tired of seeing it everywhere i go, i have nothing against you, it was more like a generic rant.
Aug 13, 2017 8:51 AM

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May 2015
16468
Back in my day this term simply meant 'someone who watches anime'. It's only when the ironic shitposting morons decided that everything is uncool that the term lost its meaning. Suddenly everyone says "lol in Japan it means else!!!' but forgetting 'apology' means something else in ancient Greece, so?

Yeah, I don't mind calling myself an otaku. Shitposting idiots will remain stupid and no fun.
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