Otaku

[R-9]

Until I meet a japanese person that speaks japanese to me with random english words in their speech, the japs can get away with it.

You mean like how they have a well-noted tendency wear random English words on T-shirts? And how there's a sub vs. dub debate over there wehn concerning American cartoons?

Also, words mean things. One cannot debate something that has something that has extremely strong and absolute cultural connotations in its native language. For example, the Roman concept of indignitas did not mean you're mildly angry that the fishmonger overcharged you again. It's something that's exclusively referred to when one's very sensibility and basic principles as a Roman citizen are offended by a heinous act of depravity and/or excess by one's fellow countryman.

(There's also a very interesting story concerning Augustus Caesar that illustrates the meaning of indignitas quite clearly, but I don't have the time to relate it right now, and this isn't the thread for it, anyway.)

That being said, I am throroughly amazed at the profligacy of this thread. I see rants, I see an anecdote, I see a difference of opinion, but nothing concrete or material. I also see an attempt to speak for our host, who would have vocalized any actual or perceived injury being done to himself or his forum by certain posters. He has done so before, and is better to let him speak than to make any base presumption on his behalf, unless any of you can present some evidence as to his thoughts.

[Ellendesu]

It's true. Pretty much all of it.

Otaku in Japan are the sweaty, creepy guys who walk around aimlessly galking at anime girl action figures, drooling over magazines in comic shops, and spending all of thier money on porn and related paraphenelia.

Otaku is often misunderstood in American culture. And being called an Otaku in Japan is being listed with a stigma, something that is BAD. Because people in Japan see an otaku, and they think "Lazy, Pervert, Creepy" they don't like "Cool, Anime, r0x0rz"

I have lots of Japanese friends who can back me up on this.

Just understand that when HMD said "A loser moron" or whatever he said, he was using an example of the equivelant of being called an Otaku in Japan. He wasn't insulting you. Technically, calling you an Otaku would be an insult.

Nevermind, why do I even try.

[ROMate]

Words mean things, sure, but they're useless if you don't know what the meaning is or how to use it. Japanese people who write english stuff on t-shirts and crap don't know what the fuck it means. That's why we get stuff like "I am top of cool shape on world" and why we get anime kids spouting off japanese phrases that have no bearing on whatever they're doing. It's why people get mad about it.

[LordRyunson]

Just because I'm part Otaku, doesn't exactly mean I'm lazy, creepy, etc. I've seen dozens of lazy, perverted creepy guys in my time, and guess what? They aren't even Otakus! Compared to THOSE people, Otaku is considered a complement.

I also write original stories too based on the knowledge of the Otaku world, and although it had various suggestive themes in there, it is sometimes backed up by humor, and the like. Just to show the love I have for various stories, and would like to one day create a whole franchise on said creations.

Here's a breakdown of creating something an Otaku enjoys, in my opinion.

1. Watch said inspirations.
2. Study said inspirations.
3. Create something based on said inspirations.
4. Work for a company that makes animes, or cartoons.
5. Hopefully get recognition for said works.

Or if you feel like it, make something completely original! I'm sure you can get a huge fanbase on that.

That's my two cents. Maybe if possible, I'll create a few things rather than just watch anime all day.

[R-9]

Please do not misuse the word Otaku. As as far as I know, it can be used for more than just anime.

Now that the linguistics are out of the way, I fail to see how this hatred of the anime fandom is the product of a rational mind rather than some manner of primordial ape-hate. If the Japanese are offended by the co-opting of the superficilaities of their culture, that is legitamate, but being offended on someone's behalf is something that has consistently boggled my mind, in any context.

(I would also like to see if the Japanese make a big deal of the American Nihongophile on their forums. If the Japanese can't be bothered to make a ruckus, I fail to see any reason that we should.)

[King Zarkon]

i'm starting to see what ytf was talking about. we bakunyu's really arent welcome here. its gotten to the point where we are actually being publicly bashed for our tastes in entertainment. i personnaly feel that is wrong. furthermore i see no attempt to curb or otherwise malign this activity by any of the moderators. in fact, it would almost seem that the moderators take part in the bashing from time to time, which is also wrong. i can understand a joke, i can understand sarcasm, but this has long exceeded the limits of a tasteful joke.

i highly suggest that all of us baka's vacate this site post haste. i can only forsee this problem getting worse, and i certainly dont want that. i dont know if it stemmes from a general lack of respect, that we are treat6ed like second-class citizens here. or if it is simply caused by the musings of a troupe of lesser minded human beings. but i for one will no longer tolerate being verbally abused or generalized because of what i watch on tv. i'm honestly not expecting anyone to change their opinion of us simply by me posting this little tyraid of mine. what i am expecting is the all this senseless hatemongering stop. you dont make friends by throwing stones.

many of us come here to escape from a bad day or the pangs of boredom, we should not have to put up with insults here too.

[lumberjack33]

The word otaku is an insult in Japan. If I called you a loser retard, I'd be accomplishing the same goal as just calling you otaku.

"Nigger" was a derisive term once, too, but it got re-appropriated- and it seems the word "Geek" is being reclaimed by western geekdom- so I'm not seeing your point.

I also can't stand how anime fans will use random Japanese words or phrases in the middle of english sentences.

I know. Until we start to do it with other languages, it will always be a terrible faux pas.

[LordRyunson]

Nice one, Heirophant.

As for the YTF situation, I looked on his website, and he mentions going to another website where our Bakaness can live without the fear of the harshness of the real world.

I don't know where yet, but once he finds it, we'll be there. 

[Ellendesu]

...You guys act like we're going to gas you and put you concentration camps.

[HMD]

Without harshness of the real world?

Holy shit. Just, wow.

Dear Lord.

[HMD]

also: last time I make a thread that Hyperguy half-assedly suggests.

[HMD]

YOU THOUGHT, YOU THOUGHT, YOU THOUGHT! YOU THOUGHT EIGHT THINGS TODAY! THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! DON'T MAKE A FUCKING MANIAC OUT OF ME! THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! THAT'S JUST THE FUCKING WAY IT IS! THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! IT'S JUST LIKE FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, ANYTHING ELSE, THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN ME MOVE ON THAT STAGE, I SLICE LIKE A FUCKING HAMMER!

[LordRyunson]

It's true. Reality is a very harsh mistress, and people come here to escape the bad parts of reality. Of course, there are a few exceptions that good can outweigh the bad.

YOU THOUGHT, YOU THOUGHT, YOU THOUGHT! YOU THOUGHT EIGHT THINGS TODAY! THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! DON'T MAKE A FUCKING MANIAC OUT OF ME! THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! THAT'S JUST THE FUCKING WAY IT IS! THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! IT'S JUST LIKE FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, ANYTHING ELSE, THE GUYS GET SHIRTS! YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN ME MOVE ON THAT STAGE, I SLICE LIKE A FUCKING HAMMER!

Shirts? Oy vey. I think we were one post too late.

[HMD]

ARE YOU PEOPLE GONE YET?

[King Zarkon]

whatever makes you feel like a man hmd. go ahead and post a private message from me to you.

[HMD]

Posting yaoi makes me feel like a man. Or I can post some Dashboard Confessionals songs, since you guys are some of the most Emo motherfuckers I've ever seen.

[King Zarkon]

congratulations hmd, you have single handedly turned this place into 4chan. /g/ go fuck yourself with an iron stick.

[HMD]

I've never actually been to 4chan before. Aren't those the same people who are responsible for everything bad that happened in YTF's life?

[ROMate]

Oh for the love of... this place is not NEARLY as bad as 4chan.  Remember when those guys found YTF's anti-4chan rant and spammed the hell out of us with scat porn and other junk? Until HMD and Khris start doing that, it's not as bad as 4chan and never will be as bad as 4chan.

[King Zarkon]

my question is: why is no one doing anything about his shit? if i were to pull these kind of stunts i'd be banned in half a heartbeat.