What is an otaku?
Simply stated, an otaku is a nerd. But a distinctly Japanese kind.
A stereotypical otaku has a huge manga and anime collection; toys and figurines; more friends online than in real life; longish unkempt hair, skiddish eyes, and a goofy but sincere smile.
Yeah, kinda like this dude in the picture...except wait, he's American! Fully aware of the conflict between his nationality and his obsessions, this thirty-something year old—my man Patrick Macias—decided to embrace the fact that he was indeed an American otaku. And then, as he went public with this admission, he realized that he wasn't alone—in fact, there was a huge underground of Americans who had stashes of Gundam toys, bookshelves lined with shojo manga, and liked to dress up as their favorite superhero. We need to unite! Macias thought. And so he started a magazine.
Otaku USA kicks off this summer with its premier issue, featuring manga, anime, games, and music geared towards American audiences who love Japanese otaku culture.
You can subscribe on their site or pick up a copy at your local bookstore.
I have a friend who definitely fits in as an American Otaku. I like anime and all, but I'm way more interested in the culture and the women, so I'm a Japanese Women Otaku? hehe.
Anyway, do Japanese guys in their 20's still generally watch anime?
Posted by: Mike | July 26, 2007 at 07:01 PM
Yeah, I'm not sure I'd call myself an "Otaku" anymore. Most of the new stuff is pretty bland anyway...
Posted by: Kuriharu | July 27, 2007 at 04:00 PM