Maidens of the Kaleidoscope

~Beyond the Border~ => Sara's Audio-Visual Import-Overflow Retail => Topic started by: Ghaleon on January 23, 2011, 09:50:03 AM

Title: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 23, 2011, 09:50:03 AM
I doubt I'm a weeaboo, but I'm wondering if I'm an otaku...Referring to the English slang moreso than the Japanese meaning.

Anyway, if you don't know, I don't watch anime (I've watched a couple, I did enjoy them, but I wont make a habit of watching many despite this since I enjoy videogames more), don't read manga (read silent sinner in blue, thought it was pretty lame to be honest. I love Zun don't get me wrong, but SSiB doesn't have anything over George RR Martin or whatever). But I'm addicted to Doujin games and Touhou now... I talk about them every day, think about them every day. Want more every day. Dream about them in my sleep... It's not just Touhou, but the whole Doujin game scene is so much more than indie gaming IMO. Oh, and I listen to Touhou remix music ALL THE TIME now, screw normal music. Doujin music may be good. Other than SSH's "lost Child" albums (and anything else he makes really), it's all Touhou music.

Anyway that's my otakuness in a nutshell, does that qualify?

Also, I'm just curious, as much as I know that someone who watches bleach and naruto is horrible to most of your opinions (not me, don't kill me, I've never even given them a shot, so I might think they are the best thing ever, but I've simply no interest in trying yet since I know their target audience is young boys. if I am inclined to trying a new anime, I'll try josei (IIRC the correct term), or Seinen....Big sentence.. Anyway, people who watch those shows (or whatever else is super mainstream among anime/manga/whatever) and basically nothing else, are they otaku/weeaboo?

Don't ask why I'm asking/care, I forgot, but I know I had a legitimate reason for wondering the other day and it just dawned on me to ask now.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Alice★f on January 23, 2011, 10:01:47 AM
Can't believe I'm saying this, but check the article on encyclopedia dramatica. If you don't fit most of the criteria, (especially spouting memes or random japanese) then you are not a weaboo.

An Otaku is also an extreme term (debateable). More dignified than a weaboo, but these can sometimes be obsessive with their hobbies. They're usually smart, though.

I consider myself an otaku, but a moderate one... I don't go to restaurants while holding dakimakuras from both hands...

Edit: Actually, don't bother reading through that junk. Define YOURSELF. Don't let others do it for you.

Have you considered just calling yourself a fan instead?
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 23, 2011, 10:24:30 AM
I did as you suggested... ED's definition of Otaku is far more extreme than I've defined for myself (is my definition that wrong?). I definined otaku based on the numerous people who say with a certain (even if slight) amount of pride how much they enjoy their Japanese entertainment hobbies... The ED definition makes them sound like oppai-mousepad fuck-pillow marrying freaks....I don't think this article is anything but a jab at them by the kind of guy who honestly thinks Touhou is for Pedophiles (and hence, a fucktard).

After seeing that, weeaboo?...no thanks.

But clearly the most significant reason why you don't think I'm an otaku is because you think I don't qualify in the intelligence department...I'm kidding, I mean I'm kidding that you're saying I'm dumb...Don't correct me if you do think I am. Am I serious!? Should you feel guilty? bwaha*sniff*hahaha!

Anyway.... My honest definition of what I THINK an otaku is... Is someone who is influenced by Japanese pop-culture or recreation (pretty close really) enough to want to learn their language and/or make Japan their next vacation and/or Marry a Japanese significant other and/or you get the picture.

I qualify in spades in the fact that my career goals have changed to wanting to translate Japanese games...Which is kinda sad since the market/pay norms as far as I'm aware is much worse than what I've already spent all my money/time on for education...WTF didn't I discover Touhou first, fuck (not that I hate what I've made my first career goal...I still enjoy it).

Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Alice★f on January 23, 2011, 10:36:20 AM
I skimmed through that, so sorry if I get some bad points:

Goddammit man, get your priorities straight. Set some realistic goals for yourself. A weaboo also tends to be delusional. And sorry, it was wrong of me to direct you to ed. The site is as pointless and dumb as ever.

Japanese is incredibly difficult. Love for Anime alone won't cut it nor will it get you any respect.

I still think I'm a good example of an Otaku. I run a site lol

Go there and search for my opinion on what qualifies as a good student of Japanese.
http://tsundereworks.com/2009/06/23/introductory-japanese-1/
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 23, 2011, 10:42:44 AM
I said I don't watch anime. love for anime alone? no.
Respect for it? I'm sorry but I'm not sure where you got the impression I want respect for it.
If anything, I'm ashamed to associate with you anime/manga folk. Not that I think you guys are shameful. But...well, that's another story.

Realistic goals?...yeahh....that's a real sore subject for me. Please don't mention it. I've set realistic goals, spent years and tens of thousands of dollars on education, got great grades, all that shit. and I've got nothing to show for it. They were Videogame related though (not a designer though, lol at those people, they have it even worse), so I don't think hoping to translate or localize Japanese games is really unrealistic based on my current education of programming.

Given how most mainstream AND doujin games are Japanese to begin with, I don't think it's really a stupid career goal if for any reason other than market demand, which I've already learned the hard way not to really count on as a great job-finder anyway.

edit: Sorry if I sound snarky there. I kinda found that offensive. Not because I didn't like your opinion, but because it wasn't me, and it assumed it was someone who I know I wasn't that I kinda arrogantly look down on (cuz most people in my position that I've known are in that catagory). I still appreciate input though >=)
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Cadmas on January 23, 2011, 10:49:11 AM
Weeaboo? Otaku? Just more words for NERDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But yeah go on with your topic don't mine me.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Alice★f on January 23, 2011, 10:54:23 AM
It's easy to get labeled. Exactly how I was wrong in describing you just now others can do the same. I still think it's a risky career choice, though.

Many are concerned with the anime industry dying and stuff like that...

I'll continue this tomorrow. I'm very tired and I don't want to mess up again like I did twice already.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 23, 2011, 10:54:31 AM
NERDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


That's kinda what I feel Otaku is like..
when I was a kid though being called a Nerd was more offensive than...Well...Pretty much anything verbal is now.

I still can't believe people actually said insults like "4-eyes!" like they were expecting their enemy to reel in pain moreso than people nowdays expect a punch in the face to accomplish.

Quote
It's easy to get labeled. Exactly how I was wrong in describing you just now others can do the same. I still think it's a risky career choice, though.

Many are concerned with the anime industry dying and stuff like that...

I'll continue this tomorrow. I'm very tired and I don't want to mess up again like I did twice already.

G'night.. I still like replies though so don't sweat it.

Anyway, I can respect you thinking it's a risky career choice. I just mean career options in general is really something people probably wont understand from my PoV though. Not that I'm saying my decision is best. It's just that no career choice is good for me atm. I'm pretty satisfied with minimum wage despite how much I spent on education. I'm easy to please. So I might as well go for what I want while I do what I need to you know?

Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Dormio Ergo Sum on January 23, 2011, 10:57:11 AM
I'd say you seem more like just a Touhou addict rather than an otaku or weeaboo.
Of course, my opinions and thoughts are usually horribly wrong, so oh well.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 23, 2011, 11:13:15 AM
I'd say you seem more like just a Touhou addict rather than an otaku or weeaboo.
Of course, my opinions and thoughts are usually horribly wrong, so oh well.

Yeah, I don't expect you all to have a degree in knowing me so =p. Guess it's kinda dumb to ask for opinions about me when I know how insignificant I am socially Eh? Derp.

Anyway I don't know if I'm a touhou addict really. I love tohou, but inhate good experiences with other doujin games like crimson clover, suguri, eXceed, raccetear, etc. It's just that most of the translated doujin stuff is touhou, as is the music.

 I don't know if doujin games+music obsession counts as otakuness. Or if I really have to be into anime or manga.

Posting on my phone btw, please forgive silly typos.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Tengukami on January 23, 2011, 11:26:05 AM
As I understand it, an otaku is a geek for a particular thing, whereas a weeaboo is a Japanophile. That should clear things up for you.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Marokuu on January 23, 2011, 11:49:37 AM
As I understand it, an otaku is a geek for a particular thing
I always (read:started with it a year ago) defined nerd/geek as someone who spends a considerable amount of time and/or effort in a certain (non-vital) thing and not necessarily games or stuff like that.

But then I dunno if this adds anything to this so I'll just be over there :V
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Matsuri on January 23, 2011, 02:27:40 PM
Mrf. Why the hell would you actively seek to label yourself? You're you, so just be you. :/
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: orinrin on January 23, 2011, 04:49:00 PM
I guess I would be an otaku/nerd because I own 30 D&D/Warhammer rulebooks and 100+ fantasy novels.


Let's not get started with my miniatures now.   :V
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Hello Purvis on January 23, 2011, 04:55:39 PM
Mr S: Why the hell would you actively seek to label yourself? You're you, so just be you. :/

Listen to this wise slime.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 23, 2011, 05:01:22 PM
WTF did you guys get the impression that I was actively seeking to label myself such. I was just curious if that's people think me as. I mean when a girl asks "am I fat"... It's not because she wants to be.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Iryan on January 23, 2011, 05:02:44 PM
WTF did you guys get the impression that I was actively seeking to label myself such. I was just curious if that's people think me as. I mean when a girl asks "am I fat"... It's not because she wants to be.
...you're fat?



/me is given a biscuit*

[purvis]Fixt
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Bias Bus on January 23, 2011, 07:48:08 PM
WTF did you guys get the impression that I was actively seeking to label myself such. I was just curious if that's people think me as. I mean when a girl asks "am I fat"... It's not because she wants to be.
See title and consider the 1st thing that comes to mind for someone who glances at it.

Anyway, the "question" at hand has already been answered so I'll just say that it really shouldn't matter what you are. I never considered myself an Otaku or a weeaboo, just someone who likes doing what he does and nothing more.

Course of a girl's fat, I'll accept her anyway. Fat chicks need love too~
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: JT on January 23, 2011, 08:03:10 PM
Course of a girl's fat, I'll accept her anyway. Fat chicks need love too~

No they don't. Fat people have no souls.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: orinrin on January 23, 2011, 08:09:17 PM
No they don't. Fat people have no souls.
If they lose their fat, they will be granted a soul.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Drake on January 23, 2011, 08:25:47 PM
Usually in both cases the person will say something so unbelievably dense that you can label them as such. Aside from that there are more longer-term giveaways, but whatever.

The point is that even if you don't "technically qualify" as something as vague as otaku or weeaboo it doesn't stop people from calling you that. "Knowing" that you aren't doesn't help at all, because people will all have their own set of factors that make them label a person/group as otaku or weeaboo or whatever else.

Most of the world would call everyone in this forum a weeaboo or otaku given they "knew" what it meant. If we measured ourselves I doubt we'd have more than half. It's that kind of game.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: MayKissingDoveWyks on January 23, 2011, 10:22:56 PM
I don't label people, nor do I label myself...


Thus I am a human being.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: helvetica on January 24, 2011, 12:28:10 AM
If you call yourself an otaku and you're proud of it you're a weeaboo BV
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Tengukami on January 24, 2011, 12:32:18 AM
I don't label people, nor do I label myself...


Thus I am a human being.

(http://i54.tinypic.com/20gh1tf.jpg)
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Hello Purvis on January 24, 2011, 12:34:42 AM
I don't label people, nor do I label myself...


Thus I am a human being.

stfu hippy
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Furienify on January 24, 2011, 12:39:15 AM
I agree with Matsuri and TSO.

Why would you really care about your label? Both of them suck:

Otaku: Smelly social shutin with those unusual love pillows. In the Western world, annoying smelly teenagers that are like OMG lol so randum XDDDDDDDDDD!!

Weeabo(o?): Seems to mostly be a Western thing. Some pale-as-a-ghost social shutin that worships GLORIOUS NIPPON DESU.

I imagine that neither of them are all that close to the truth regardless of what a person declares themselves to be.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Suikama on January 24, 2011, 12:53:28 AM
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8824/146a060dde03d04fa6ad289.jpg) vs (http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2914/07b476910a4af2dca223115.jpg)
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Matsuri on January 24, 2011, 12:55:02 AM
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8824/146a060dde03d04fa6ad289.jpg)

Why does that guy have two Matsuri desktops

I am slightly disturbed

I did not realize my namesake had much of a fanbase :ohdear:
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Tengukami on January 24, 2011, 12:59:17 AM
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8824/146a060dde03d04fa6ad289.jpg) vs (http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2914/07b476910a4af2dca223115.jpg)

I don't even get what the comparison is here.

An otaku is just someone who is hardcore into a particular thing; e.g., train otaku, airsoft otaku, etc. A geek, in other words.

A weeaboo is a Japanophile who is not Japanese.

Some weeaboos are also otaku, but not necessarily. Some otaku are weeaboos, but not necessarily.

What we have here is a photo of a weeaboo, and a photo of a sad, lonely man giving his pillow a milkshake.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Hello Purvis on January 24, 2011, 01:02:28 AM
a photo of a sad, lonely man giving his pillow a milkshake.

Are you suggesting he should be bogarting that milkshake? You a dick.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Tengukami on January 24, 2011, 01:07:55 AM
Are you suggesting he should be bogarting that milkshake? You a dick.

She can't even drink it. He's just taunting her like, "Whatsa matter? Don't you want the milkshake? Oh, that's right - you're a pillow, you can't drink it. Too bad, it's pretty good. M-mm." And I'm the dick?
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 24, 2011, 01:17:21 AM
If you call yourself an otaku and you're proud of it you're a weeaboo BV

You know that actually might be pretty accurate lol.

In case it wasn't obvious I don't really consider myself either since I'm not into anime but what I mean is I wonder if I can talk to a friend and say "oh you should try this Japanese ____" Without automatically being ignored if they think I'm a weeaboo or something. If it was extreme they'd tell me of course but..Well, you see I'm trying to get my friends hooked on Touhou >=P. And so far I've failed with each and every attempt. I don't harass the same person either. It makes me wonder if trying to show them a doujin song I think they might like or game is being sullied by the possible image  that I'm an otaku to them or whatever.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Alice★f on January 24, 2011, 01:21:53 AM
They're labels that depict an extreme and obsessive addiction to something...that's kinda pointless...


In the end, you kinda define yourself, don't you?


Also doesn't this go in RMEA?
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Tengukami on January 24, 2011, 01:25:28 AM
In case it wasn't obvious I don't really consider myself either since I'm not into anime but what I mean is I wonder if I can talk to a friend and say "oh you should try this Japanese ____" Without automatically being ignored if they think I'm a weeaboo or something. If it was extreme they'd tell me of course but..Well, you see I'm trying to get my friends hooked on Touhou >=P. And so far I've failed with each and every attempt. I don't harass the same person either. It makes me wonder if trying to show them a doujin song I think they might like or game is being sullied by the possible image  that I'm an otaku to them or whatever.

Otaku and weeaboo are not interchangeable words, but that's beside the point. I don't really think there's a trick to getting people to like Touhou, nor do I think you should be overly concerned with whether or not they'll think you're a weeaboo or an otaku. I really wouldn't sweat it.

Case in point: a friend of mine recently found my YouTube channel. I was chatting with her at the time. At first I panicked, but as she clicked around, she thought some stuff was funny, other stuff interesting, and other stuff whatever. We had a laugh about it. This is mostly because I didn't have a panic attack nor did I launch into Full Geek Mode.

Just be yourself and don't be too bothered by what your friends might think about you. I hate to break out this tired clich?, but if they're really your friends, they won't run screaming for the hills just because you play a shmup.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: JT on January 24, 2011, 01:27:45 AM
I agree with Matsuri and TSO.

Why would you really care about your label? Both of them suck:

Otaku: Smelly social shutin with those unusual love pillows. In the Western world, annoying smelly teenagers that are like OMG lol so randum XDDDDDDDDDD!!

Weeabo(o?): Seems to mostly be a Western thing. Some pale-as-a-ghost social shutin that worships GLORIOUS NIPPON DESU.

I imagine that neither of them are all that close to the truth regardless of what a person declares themselves to be.

Weeaboo is indeed an entirely Western thing. I believe the Japanese counterpart is "twinkie."

In case it wasn't obvious I don't really consider myself either since I'm not into anime but what I mean is I wonder if I can talk to a friend and say "oh you should try this Japanese ____" Without automatically being ignored if they think I'm a weeaboo or something. If it was extreme they'd tell me of course but..Well, you see I'm trying to get my friends hooked on Touhou >=P. And so far I've failed with each and every attempt. I don't harass the same person either. It makes me wonder if trying to show them a doujin song I think they might like or game is being sullied by the possible image  that I'm an otaku to them or whatever.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'm pretty sure most people would just be like "OK cool, I'll try it" and not really care whether it's Japanese or not. The only ones who seem to give a shit are angry nerds.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Sen on January 24, 2011, 01:37:28 AM
Weeaboo is indeed an entirely Western thing. I believe the Japanese counterpart is "twinkie."

Whoa what. I've never heard this before. It's like a Western Japanophile, but reversed? :/
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: JT on January 24, 2011, 01:45:12 AM
Whoa what. I've never heard this before. It's like a Western Japanophile, but reversed? :/

You know, yellow on the outside, white on the inside. A twinkie. In English, it's slang for an Asian who doesn't match up with Asian stereotypes, i.e., he's bad at math. I heard from a friend who studied abroad in Japan that over there they use it for people who try to act like foreigners, but I think he might have just been yanking my chain.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: MayKissingDoveWyks on January 24, 2011, 01:46:41 AM
You know, yellow on the outside, white on the inside. A twinkie. In English, it's slang for an Asian who doesn't match up with Asian stereotypes, i.e., he's bad at math.

Wow... then I meet many twinkies every day.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Alice★f on January 24, 2011, 01:56:51 AM
You know, yellow on the outside, white on the inside. A twinkie. In English, it's slang for an Asian who doesn't match up with Asian stereotypes, i.e., he's bad at math. I heard from a friend who studied abroad in Japan that over there they use it for people who try to act like foreigners, but I think he might have just been yanking my chain.
We call those bananas over here... I never heard Twinkie before =X
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: MayKissingDoveWyks on January 24, 2011, 02:02:47 AM
We call those bananas over here... I never heard Twinkie before =X

You know... The thick bread layer that drools out cream from the center...

They taste great.

Well... it's a type of pastry also...
/offtopic
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Slaves on January 24, 2011, 02:06:59 AM
She can't even drink it. He's just taunting her like, "Whatsa matter? Don't you want the milkshake? Oh, that's right - you're a pillow, you can't drink it. Too bad, it's pretty good. M-mm." And I'm the dick?

have i ever told you that i love you, Tony tengu?
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Hello Purvis on January 24, 2011, 02:44:24 AM
She can't even drink it. He's just taunting her like, "Whatsa matter? Don't you want the milkshake? Oh, that's right - you're a pillow, you can't drink it. Too bad, it's pretty good. M-mm." And I'm the dick?

It's only polite to make the offer! What if she could drink it? God, you're so self centered, jerk.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Suikama on January 24, 2011, 02:48:58 AM
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/397/f1f9afec8157298c16aac4f.jpg)
"Hey guys can you keep it down? I'm trying to enjoy a meal with my wife here."
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: helvetica on January 24, 2011, 02:55:16 AM
An otaku is not something to be proud of being.  It is not an analog to geek, it literally means unable to leave house.  It's one thing to be into something (geek/nerd), it's a totally different thing to be an otaku of something.  It means you're so obsessed it affects your health or social life.

Which is why I am baffled why the western visual arts culture took it as a term of endearment.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Drake on January 24, 2011, 02:56:13 AM
holy shit is that four bowls of sesame pork
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Kilgamayan on January 24, 2011, 03:00:10 AM
It is clearly four bowls of Frosted Flakes.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Cadmas on January 24, 2011, 03:02:16 AM
Quote
Which is why I am baffled why the western visual arts culture took it as a term of endearment.

B/c things from Japane are cool, but yeah never call me that word.

Quote
holy shit is that four bowls of sesame pork

Shit made me hungry.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Suikama on January 24, 2011, 03:05:01 AM
holy shit is that four bowls of sesame pork
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/397/f1f9afec8157298c16aac4f.jpg)
"Making love all day sure works up an appetite."
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: communist unity (comm-unity) on January 24, 2011, 03:07:58 AM
I refer to myself as "a fan of enjoyable shit. if you don't like it, deal with it or fuck off."
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1200/emotc00lbert.gif)
i'm so cool

(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/397/f1f9afec8157298c16aac4f.jpg)
"Making love all day sure works up an appetite."

how the hell does a pillow eat anyways
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Bias Bus on January 24, 2011, 03:09:18 AM
how the hell does a pillow eat anyways
It doesn't.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 24, 2011, 03:24:03 AM
I saw some kind of series of videos, with Zun interviews included, describing what Touhou is or whatever. During one segment 3 successful businessmen meet up and talk about Touhou to each other. I'm *PRETTY* sure that the newscaster (or at least the translator?) referred to them as otaku's despite their obviously successful social/business life.

I think Otaku is simply a word that has a literal meaning which is negative. And a related but different one. For example, some of us might say with a certain amount of affection "Touhou fag".. the thing is "fag" itself is a word absolutely oozing with negativity, and it's clearly the intention of the term to refer to THAT meaning, not a cigar or whatever.

Maybe the word otaku is the same, I don't know.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Alice★f on January 24, 2011, 03:30:16 AM
Sup touhoufags

/banned

I don't agree that the word Otaku is completely negative-----> even in Japan...

I mean, I was called otaku in Japan, but there was absolutely nothing negative intended... You could argue that I don't know the language well and because of that I missed something, but I'm pretty confident.. =/
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Drake on January 24, 2011, 04:37:47 AM
Or the more likely reasoning that most japanese people don't know exactly what they mean by it either, just as much as there are slews of people who cannot comprehend "moe".
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Tengukami on January 24, 2011, 04:38:49 AM
Moe is easy to comprehend; it's Lenny and Carl I don't get.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Suikama on January 24, 2011, 05:05:22 AM
Moe~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJKiW3GQTQU)
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Myschi on January 24, 2011, 05:11:19 AM
What we have here is a photo of a weeaboo, and a photo of a sad, lonely man giving his pillow a milkshake.

Moe is easy to comprehend; it's Lenny and Carl I don't get.

You're the best person ever.

Annnd... I'm going to agree with everyone who said 'fuck labels'.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: JT on January 24, 2011, 05:27:31 AM
people who cannot comprehend "moe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31g0YE61PLQ
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Hello Purvis on January 24, 2011, 05:32:09 AM
English will beat your language in the head with a board, and steal its words in broad daylight.

It's uber like that.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Drake on January 24, 2011, 05:53:45 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31g0YE61PLQ
was waiting for that
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Silent Harmony on January 24, 2011, 08:11:52 AM
Moe (http://hijiribe.donmai.us/post/show/584221/akiyama_mio-aven-black_eyes-black_hair-blunt_bangs) (Danbooru)

Now that that's out of my system, I agree with everyone else. Don't worry about how other people label you; nothing good comes of it, trust me on that. If you want to share Touhou, or anything else, with your friends then share it. If they don't seem to care, it may be they don't like shmups, or just aren't interested in the doujin scene, or whatever. I have a friend who I tried to get into Touhou; he likes the music but I've never gotten him to care about the games themselves; shmups just aren't his cup of tea. Doesn't necessarily mean they consider you a weaboo or anything.

I agree that otaku is not an objectively negative term. It strikes me as one of those words whose meaning changes with context. It depends on the object of dedication, how one uses their knowledge of the subject, and other factors. I put on on par with "fanatic" myself.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Widermelonz on January 24, 2011, 08:37:20 AM
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6789/1262384489116.jpg)

An otaku on the other hand, is a person who's reaaaaally obsessed with something. Doesn't necessarily have to be bad. I mean, I know an otaku who's extremely obsessed with trains, but he's a pretty cool guy.

Also, "Japanese Culture Enthusiast" seems like a decent term to describe people.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Alice★f on January 24, 2011, 08:46:45 AM
The chart that Watermelonz posted, yeah, that.

Look at it.

It says what I couldn't say.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Ghaleon on January 24, 2011, 08:53:46 AM
Well, I was already pretty sure Weeaboo was designed to be offensive in every way possible so... Was considering the possibility of being labelled an otaku moreso than a weeaboo.  Though a couple years back I asked about my brother, people (on here) said he's a weeaboo. Thing is he isn't obsessed with Japanese stuff so much as Asian stuff. Asian girls are better, every asian restaurant is interesting, every asian electronic is better, etc.

Regardless of how offensive otaku is from one definition or another, I still think I should keep it in mind when I'm trying to convince people stuff about Doujin games or Touhou...People who are mainstream with the things in question I mean. Not because I care from a feeling point of view on how they view me, but because I want to know my audience and their opinions about me better before I attemt to convince them something.

It seems people don't know I don't really give a flying hoot how I think people think of me. Honestly, people in general are so wrong about how I am it's not funny. and no I don't mean that in a "I'm so different and special I'm all alone" emo kinda way. But just that I suck at communication and body language and..well, I just fail at getting my point across kinda way =P
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Eduardo McNash on January 24, 2011, 09:19:06 AM
I think there is no problem with a person having a hobbie as long as he can deal well with society.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Lloyd Dunamis on January 24, 2011, 11:28:49 AM
Huh. Coincidentally, I just talked to Trance about my confusion to whether I can be considered weeaboo due to my random mention of Japanese expressions sometimes.

Just want to say that reading this topic has cleared up much of my confusion about this. Thanks a million~, and for Ghaleon for bringing up this topic. =w=

みんな喜べ!(Everyone, rejoice!) ...oh wait  :ohdear:
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Conqueror on January 24, 2011, 01:02:21 PM
Just parroting what people already said, but...

An otaku has an obsessive interest in something, usually to the point where it interferes with the ability to live a "normal" life. The English use is a little different from the Japanese use though...see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otaku#In_English
A weeaboo is just an extreme Japanophile, where the cut-off for extreme depends on the person.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Edible on January 24, 2011, 03:58:13 PM
Weeaboo was just a wordfilter for japanophile that caught on. <_<
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Naut on January 24, 2011, 04:14:06 PM
If we waste anymore time on "weeaboo," we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Tengukami on January 24, 2011, 04:20:41 PM
If we waste anymore time on "weeaboo," we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!

DId somebody say "weeaboo"? Because I think I heard someone say "weeaboo".
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Nobu on January 24, 2011, 04:26:48 PM
WEEABOO! WEEABOO!

*ahem*

I love the term weeaboo. If I had some kind of list of favorite coined terms, it'd be up there for sure. I also love throwing it around to tease friends who have anything more than a passing interest in anything remotely Japanese. :V

Otaku is a term with many shades of meaning depending on who says it and what context they say it in. For my personal usage, I typically reserve it for weeaboos who are particularly obnoxious or insane. A friend of mine use a corruption of the term: "O-tak", whenever in a situation where the person in question is likely to overhear and know what it is we are talking about. :x
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: VIVItheFujoshi on January 24, 2011, 05:04:00 PM
im a weeaboo? no, i like too mush japanese culture, but happen me the same with other countries who i like (Asian culture in general,England,my own country, etc) and i have concience who Japan is good for visit but difficult to live in there. in other side, i am "otaku" because im fan of The Beatles and 60?s things since very young, fan of Final Fantasy 9 since the day who played that, a anime-manga fan since Sailor Moon (or was Doraemon? or Maya the Bee? i was very fan of them with only 6 years old n_n) a fujoshi since Evangelion, OST fan, and Touhou fan since 2006.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: C27 on January 24, 2011, 06:04:45 PM
I consider myself to be "just a guy". Sure, I like Touhou, but I like a bunch of other stuff too... even some things that aren't typically geeky at all. I don't think heavy metal or target shooting or exoplanet astronomy qualify as weeaboo interests.
However, I do tend to be a little bit of a shut-in due to struggling with avoidant personality disorder.  :ohdear:  I'm not creepy about it or anything, I just don't like to be around people all the time - every now and then it's fun and refreshing though, even if I have to force myself to participate I know I'll end up enjoying it.

That said, I can't stand stereotypical weeaboos at all. Maybe part of it is that they tend to be in the under-18 crowd and it's a natural reaction to all them dad-gum whippersnappers destroying society. Why, when I was that age*, DVDs were still new and exotic, and I had to walk twenty miles in the snow just to get a couple episodes of Noir or Haibane Renmei!

*The math here doesn't quite work out, but eh bollocks
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: helvetica on January 24, 2011, 06:34:56 PM
It's not as much weeaboo/otakus/japanophiles/whatever the fucks (because I will fully admit I was at one point and still am to a degree) that bother me as much as people who think otakuism is something to strive for, whether through misguided romanticism or a plain "fuck society imma NEET it up" outlook.  Otakuism refers to obsessions that go beyond healthy, to the point it affects other aspects of your life in negative ways.

Having hobbies and interests are great and all, but there needs to be balance in your life.  What could potentially be a very healthy outlet can become a soul destroying obsession if you choose to get sucked into it and neglect other aspects of your life.  To me otakuism represents the extreme, an obsession that twists people to serve their obsession rather than let it be an outlet for their creativity or other interests.

I'm not saying you have to go out and pick up a sports team or weightlifting or other "socially acceptable" interests, but having something more than just a single narrow focus define your being is fundamental to a healthy, happy life.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Kinzo the Astro Curious on January 24, 2011, 08:40:44 PM
Fuck yeah Touhou otaku

also known as Toutaku

yeah I went there

toehoes
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: DarkslimeZ on January 25, 2011, 01:14:28 AM
You guys should stop worrying. I think the term weaboo only came about because people started being really fucking obnoxious about their Japanese interests. If you're not obnoxious and annoying, then you'll probably be fine, just as long as you don't give a damn how others see you.
Title: Re: So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Post by: Mr_Bob on January 25, 2011, 09:42:29 AM
The only thing I can think of when I see Suikama's posted images is, "Damn. Put some clothes on your woman. She's practically indecent."

Fan: strong dedication and more than passing knowledge on the subject.
Otaku: Dedication and keeping current with new stuff to the point where other positive aspects of life are in decline.

The choice of label may depend on how much of a decline is perceived.