So i have been watching animes for like two months now (and i love it!), but one thing i dont understand is: What an otaku is and why alot of people seem to feel embaresed to be one? Would love some help! // MandoR

This post was edited by Mandor on Dec 4 2012 09:02am

Depends.

If you want the general weeaboo american side, it makes you an awesome Anime guy that loves Japanese crap.

In Japan's point of view (The real reason), it shows yourself being an unsocialistic nerd who never leaves the house nor cares about the outside world because they're too fabricated with their own obsession.

An otaku is a nerdy person who obsesses over anime.

But on JSP it's more like a nerdy person who tries to use it as a way to brag about their supreme anime superiority over everyone else.

Okay, i think i understand now. So the japanese way of seing it is a nerdy person that only cares about animes or manga. And outside of japan its like still being a nerd but not as serious? :/

They're about as accepted in the Japanese society as much as Westboro Baptist is in America.

Hope that makes sense.

Ohh damn, didnt think it was so serious

Otaku doesn't always mean an anime/manga obsession, for example there are train otakus (trainspotters) etc. In all cases though it's not something seen as healthy at all, and there are huge social stigmas against them. Actually the Dungeons and Dragons scare in America is somewhat similar, where dnd players were looked upon as satan worshippers/unkept basement dwellers etc, that's the kind of stigma we're talking about (though with japanese otaku they are often stereotyped as lolicons etc).

Gainax introduced to the US the whole "Anime Otaku" thing . Which gave the whole "Anime/Manga" impression .

"There is nothing to be ashamed of. Embrace your inner Otaku and step out into the world. Spread your wings and let the world know your love for anime/manga. Do not fear the ridicules of those who judge you for they do not know the joys of Lolis and Traps. Do not shamefully hide the panty shots and fan services. Do not hide the eroge that you play. Be proud of the sculptures and collectibles you spent many hours and dollars you have collected. Do not hide your inner Otaku as those who judge and fear you do not know you."

Traps and lolis all the way!