What is this... おたく?

     "Three posts in one day? Goongala, you spoil us." Well, yes... Anyway, time for another dose of Japanese culture, with a side of geekiness... Now, just what is this "Otaku Series"?

I spot... Kon, Naruto, Alphonse, Cloud Strife, Domo-kun, a Dragonball, Pikachu, and is that... Poop?

      After writing a couple of posts I've come to call the "Otaku Series", I've decided I need to explain what an "otaku" is... At least what I understand an otaku to be. Roughly translated, Otaku means "geek", or "someone with obsessive interests". Although commonly connected with anime and manga, the Japanese use the word "otaku" for anyone with an obsession or passion for a hobby (be it the military, cooking, etc.). When used by Americans, it typically refers to someone who likes anime, manga, and sometimes Japanese video games (the ones that are actually in Japanese and haven't been released to the US).

Konata from Lucky Star could be considered a good example of an otaku...

     However, there have been events in the past that have made being called an "otaku" a bad thing. A series of murders that were linked (somehow) to the otaku culture in the late 80's prompted a lot of panic and negativity towards otakus. However, I would liken this negativity towards otaku in Japan to the issue of violence in video games prompting real life violence. While true to an extent, it is not always true (not even a majority of the time in fact). While there are otaku out there that give the rest of us a bad name, I believe them to be a minority, especially here in America.

Yeah. This would be me at the beach...

     The otaku culture in Japan is fueled by the availability of anime and manga there. Bookstores are everywhere. There is even a place near Tokyo called Akihabara, sometimes shortened to Akiba, that sells many items of interest to otaku. And by "place" I mean "city". Akihabara is also known as "Akihabara Electric Town". Here you can find computer parts, anime and manga stores, and other things labeled "otaku goods".

     There are other places like this, but Akihabara is probably the most well known. Here in my hometown, I don't know of a single comic book store, and I think Barnes & Noble is the only place I may be able to find any sort of manga or comics. All I can say is: thank goodness for Amazon.com...

Shops line both sides of the streets, and sell just about anything an otaku would want...

     Many times otaku are branded as messy, or excessively obsessive. I've seen a lot of pictures on the interwebs of "otaku rooms", and I have to say that this is true in most cases. The sheer amount of figurines, video games, books, and DVDs make the rooms look cluttered and like a fire hazard.

Sir... That is a bit excessive...

     Then there are those that aren't as messy, but they still look like they spent way too much time and money on collectibles.

That's still a lot of... SWEET CUPPIN' CAKES! Look at that awesome couch! DO WANT!

Then there are those that have awesome ideas for storing said books and DVDs.

This is the same room as before (you can see that couch in the background). The closet/bookshelf thing is awesome. The shelves slide out on rollers, and all go back in to form a clean and compact storage area.

     I myself don't have that many figurines (although not for lack of trying). While I don't necessarily want as much as the other otakus, I wouldn't necessarily be apposed to it...

My small (yet still growing) collection...

     Over the past year or so, I've come to enjoy anime and manga, expanding my geekiness beyond the borders of America. I had heard of the negativity towards otaku early on in my exploration of the Japanese culture, and so was hesitant to claim that title. Now that I've had some time to research the word and find out what it really means to be one, I've come to realize that no matter what I think, I'm an otaku through and through. I recently watched some American cartoons from my childhood and thought, "Wow. Even during this time period, Japanese shows were done better." I caught myself thinking that, and submitted to the realization.

Why? WHY NOT?

     I hope to continue the "Otaku Series". Maybe I can attend a convention of some sort and solidify my otakuness even further... Sugoi, ne? (Awesome, right?) Oh, what a nerd...

Parts in the "Otaku Series":
- Part 1: What is this... Anime?
- Part 2: What is this... Vocaloid?
- Part 3: What is this... Manga?

     And I found this while surfing the interwebs, thought it was awesome, and decided to share. Enjoy.

(Arigatou Google for all the pics... except for the one of my collection. That was all me...)