Forum:Otaku Discussion

Well the word "moe" is truly shrouded by mystery. It's been abused in so many situations that the word moe itself doesn't really have a meaning. Here in Japan, there are lots of otaku who are in my class say "moe moe" like 24/7. I don't think they even know what the word "moe" truly means. Basically from what i'm inferring, its meaning is probably something that has to do with like a stereotype attribute or scene that appeals to the otaku populace. Saeko herself obviously sells due to her sex appeal, and learning from the true otaku, purple haired characters in manga and anime series are often the "sexy" character. One must also not forget her "dere" when she's with Takashi. I think that's also a major selling point she's got that the other characters don't have, which highly attracts the male audience. You mentioned a point of Saeko being associated as the "nee-san" type girl. I'd agree with you more or less, but I haven't heard that from anyone here yet. Obviously doesn't rule out the possibility, eh? Haha I noticed you used the terminology of "wannabe-otaku". Personally i think most viewers of this show would be otaku, but back in Canada, most viewers i know AREN'T otaku people. I'd say they are "pseudo-otaku". Mainly because they are all men of 6 ft plus and play contact sports with passion. I guess they are all just closet-otakus like how I sort of am. Somehow, I dislike being branded with the mark as an "otaku". I think there's somewhat of a negative connotation as when I hear otaku, I think " fat, sweaty, weares glasses, short, and likes too much ecchi stuff". On the contrast, I'm 185 cm, fit, 20/20 vision, but yet my actions resemble those of an otaku, except for buying dolls and whatnot. God bless the worldDonutsonfire 08:33, January 17, 2011 (UTC)

My professor from my Japanese Culture class explained moe as a platonic relationship in which the girl makes the guy feel comfortable and satisfies him in a non-sexual way. She used the maid cafes as an example of where this type of relationship takes place. I think you're right though about it not really having a meaning anymore.

I used "wannabe-otaku" because I think many people in America call themselves "otaku" because they like anime or manga. In my opinion, you're an otaku if you're in Japan. If you're in America, you're a nerd or geek. The terms basically mean the same thing. I think a lot of people don't realize that you can be an otaku about things other than anime or manga. Also, calling yourself an otaku sounds a lot better than calling yourself a nerd, but if you go to Japan and call yourself an otaku, it would be the same as calling yourself a nerd here. Finally, I don't think a lot of the "wannabe-otaku" understand the level of obsession associated with the term. They may be enthusiasts, but probably not otaku. Personally, I don't mind being called an otaku, but since I'm American, I typically call myself a nerd. I don't really fit the stereotype though, so most people don't think of me as one unless they really get to know me.Turambar1  17:30, January 17, 2011 (UTC)

im a natural born geek, i love reading comics, manga, and watching anime, but im not wat u called a otaku because i really not into anime like tht when u have to buy the freaking $50 dolls for a souvenier thts how much some of these action figures are for $50 DOLLARS or even close to 300 ridiculous.MrPacheco101 19:08, January 17, 2011 (UTC)

Yeah I agree to the country thing. It seems to make much more sense when you make a comparison like that! Also, I forgot to mention the fortune that these otaku spend on plastic dolls! I get the occasional $30-$50 ones, but the $100+ is kinda outrageous to me. Why would you spend $100 for something that is only an eyecandy for a short time? Well at least Otaku can have their dolls and nerds can have their computers. It works out both ways :D. Being an Asian rocks...you can be good with computer and still not get called a nerd! HahahaDonutsonfire 23:40, January 17, 2011 (UTC)

Yeah $100 does sound like too much, but I'm not one to criticize. I don't necessarily spend a lot on anime and manga stuff (other than HOTD), but I am an avid Star Wars collector, and I don't mind spending excessive amounts of money on stuff I really don't need. When I went to the SW convention last year, I spent around $500 on collectibles in the first three days. The most ridiculous part of it though is that I don't take anything out of its original packaging, so I basically just buy the stuff to look at in its package. It might actually be cheaper if I started collecting the plastic dolls instead. There's much less to collect as long as you focus on one or two series at a time.Turambar1  01:28, January 18, 2011 (UTC)

Technically sticking to one or two series is cheaper, and I can agree to that as I have at least 20+ Master Grade Gundams at my house, but real otaku collect from a large number of series. I'm not sure if you are associated with Danny Choo, the famous webblogger / stormtropper in Akihabara, but he has a magazine he releases in cooperation with Kotobukiya called "Otacool". Otacool features rooms of otakus worldwide. Some of their anime and manga dolls occupy entire shelves, rows upon rows. I don't think one could compare to that. Also, they do include series from North America, and as you said Star Wars, which is very popular with retro otakus. Personally, I know of the expense Star Wars collectors have to undergo to purchase their rare finds, but the products otakus buy is not that chapter either as mentioned above, $100-$300. What's burning a hole in their pocket is not just a couple of figures from a series but more like 10+ figures from at least 20 series. Now i know why they can't afford dates and eat from convenient store nomsDonutsonfire 02:12, January 18, 2011 (UTC)

I moved our otaku conversation her since it was getting off-topic.

I can't say I'm familiar with that magazine, but I have seen some Japanese SW collections. I saw one where a guy had a huge R2-D2 focus collection. It was pretty amazing because he designed the entire room to look like kind of an inverted R2-D2 with a domed ceiling and everything. He had a couple hundred vintage action figures, which is quite impressive as a character like that can go for anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars apiece. Vintage figures are one thing, but paying hundreds of dollars for PVC figures seems pointless. I can't blame them though because I understand the collector's need to have something just simply to have it, and publishers and their licensees understand this as well. As my Japanese professor said otaku are just "victims of post-modern Capitalism in Japan." If not for the otaku spending so much, Japan may not have recovered so well in the post-bubble economy.Turambar1  03:41, January 18, 2011 (UTC)