~Beyond the Border~ > Sara's Audio-Visual Import-Overflow Retail
So...Am I an "otaku" or a "weeaboo"?
Ghaleon:
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.
Alice★f:
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?
Ghaleon:
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).
Alice★f:
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/
Ghaleon:
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 >=)