Stereotype and Reality: the Fearsome and Mythical Creature Known as Otaku

Otaku is a japanese term to refer to people with an obsession in their hobbies and interests and at the present its particularly used for people who love anime and manga. As far as images go, generally anyone seen as having an obsession in a particular topic would be regarded as weird or unnatural. Therefore it isn’t far fetched to say that the same concept applies to those seen as Otaku; actually if anything sometimes this abhorring image is particularly strong when used to describe someone who is considered to be an Otaku.

Of course there will always be those weirdos out there who live up to the stereotype or worse yet are so bad that they practically started it. Even though that may be true, the Otaku stereotype doesn’t apply to all otakus out there (for example, me… lol =Þ).

The Stereotype:

To start off with lets describe this stereotypical and fearsome Otaku creature that we are (more or less) all accustomed to. This fearsome creature is not only dirty and smelly but these Otaku also fear the daylight and outside world (much like a vampire). Social contact with people of the outside world are poisonous to them and therefore they avoid it as much as possible. They are constantly watching or reading their cult scriptures known as anime or manga and they do little more than that throughout their days.

The Reality:

Many people that are considered Otaku by todays standards (ie: like manga and anime and enjoy watching/reading them as a hobby) are actually normal and quite social individuals. I have many friends interested in both anime and manga that live their lives as everyday students, have a decent amount of friends, and *GASP* are social outgoing individuals. We Otaku neither fear the daylight nor are we poisoned by social interactions. Yes we may love manga and anime but hey its a hobby. It is no different than someone who enjoys watching tennis or basketball for example. And I for one am not ashamed to be known as an OTAKU, it just means I like doing by hobby (watching anime and reading manga). Hell, if otaku was replaced with “Blackerinshnickodft” I would be proud to be called that too….(although it is made up and god knows how you pronounce it).

The important thing for all those stereotype believers out there to remember is that despite what you hear and what you “THINK” you may know. Just open your eyes and minds to new possibilities, and you would be surprised how when you actually get to know these people, they turn out to be just normal people with their own hobbies. Just remember this goes for all stereotypes, not just otaku.