What is Otaku?

Many people who watch anime have heard of the terms “otaku” and “hikikomori,” but what do these words actually mean? Many people also think while “otaku” is referred to in a positive light among anime fans outside of Japan, but it is considered negative in Japan. Is that really true? Otaku, or おたく in hiragana, traditionally means one’s honorable home. However, in modern times, it refers to a person who is obsessed with a hobby and stays at their “honorable home” to pursue these hobbies.

The term otaku is commonly used to describe Japanese related hobbies such as anime and manga, but in reality, it can be used to describe anyone who is really obsessed with their hobbies. Other common hobbies for otakus are video games, model kits and trains. I mean, being “obsessed” with something definitely raises eyebrows, but it think it depends, as we don’t have a true definition for the word. The term is also commonly associated with “nerd” or “geek”. Using anime and manga as an example, some anime and manga fans don’t call themselves otaku, but they like anime and manga just as much as people who do, and have their whole room full of books and DVDs and figures. Yet, they still don’t consider themselves otaku. Is there something that sets otaku apart from an anime and manga fan, or any fan in that matter? And what does hikikomori have to do with this?

In my opinion, “otaku” is a broad term. Whether or not it is considered negative or positive depends on two things: you and who you talk to. First up, let’s talk about yourself. Whether otaku is negative or not depends on whether you associate yourself as being an otaku. If you are proud of being an otaku, and love your hobbies and you are proud to call yourself an otaku, then you are correct. If you feel the word “obsessed” is too strong, and you don’t feel like calling yourself an otaku because you don’t think it represents yourself, and you don’t want people to perceive you as an otaku, you are also right.

Finally, if you are proud to be an otaku, but feel the word “obsessed” doesn’t fit you, and prefer the word “passionate,” you are also correct. In my opinion, it really depends on how you view yourself. Are the words “nerd” and “geek” negative? Well, many years ago, if you played video games, you were looked down upon and people would say you were “wasting time.” With the popularity of video games nowadays, it is considered normal and commonly acceptable to be a video game geek, and spend a lot of time playing videos games, even if your mom nags you to stop playing.

Although, some people will have a different perspective, and will still call you a nerd for playing video games. This leads me to my next point: who you talk to. Different people have a different perspective on things. Depending on who you talk to, they will have a different opinion. Everyone has a different reasoning and level of understanding. Some people will be more accepting of who you are, and some won’t be as accepting, and will be more critical. It all comes down to context. If you were talking to a close friend, then he will be more understanding, and may even enjoy the hobby with you. If you were talking to your boss, and told him that you were an otaku, he would have a negative impression of you. If you were talking to a stranger, then the answer would be more uncertain, as it is uncertain how much they know about your hobbies and how they feel about it.

As for hikikomori, the general opinion on them is negative. A hikikomori is a person that stays at home (literally) every day, and is a complete outcast of society. For various reasons, they choose to distance themselves from the world and indulge in their own world within their rooms. They are unemployed, and usually rely on their parents to take care of them. An otaku can be obsessed with their own hobbies, but still play an active role in society. Needless to say, most people look down on hikikomori. It’s actually a quite large problem in Japan, as many people just don’t want to face reality, and hide in their own rooms.

In the end, “otaku” is only a word that describes yourself. Its meaning depends on how you view yourself, and how others view you. “Hikikomori,” however, does not have a positive meaning, but most people aren’t hikikomori anyways, so you don’t have to worry about that. Well, unless you are, which I hope you really get better and continue forwards with your life. Seriously, you don’t want to be a hikikomori, and be depressed for life. I hope that this has provided some clarity on these terms, and it has helped you understand them better.