What is the meaning of Otaku? Concept, Definition of Otaku

Definition of Otaku ‒ compendium of concepts and meanings

1. Definition of Otaku

The term otaku (おたく/オタク?) is popularly used in Japan as a synonym for amateur and applies to any topic or field ("otaku's music", "martial arts otaku", "otaku's kitchen", etc.). Outside Japan used especially for fans to a certain type of Japanese popular culture, especially anime, manga, or cosplay.
Otaku is derived from a Japanese term used to describe a house or family (お宅, otaku) and which is also used as a honorific second-person pronoun. He appeared in modern colloquial registry in the 1980s. On the anime Macross (1982) the term is used by the character Lynn Minmay as honorific pronouns. Some animators like Haruhiko Mikimoto and Shōji Kawamori used the term among themselves as honorific second-person pronoun at the end of the 1970s.
Other sources claim that the term comes from some works of science fiction author Motoko Arai. In his book Wrong about Japan, Peter Carey interview with the novelist, artist and chronicler Yuka Minakawa. In the interview, he reveals that Arai used the word in his novels as second person pronoun and the readers adopted the term.
A subset of the otaku are the Akiba-kei so-called, that spend too much time in the neighborhood of Akihabara in Tokyo and are primarily obsessed by anime and video games, to the point that spin all his pace of life around these activities.
Another special case are Otaku fans of the Idols, also called Wotas, which are present in the actions of the Idols of sidewalk that singing and dancing on the streets of Akihabara, as well as mass organizations as the Hello Idol concerts! Project and even in Seiyū Idol concerts. They are usually arranged in club fans and during presentations or outside concerts performed exercises in support of the idols, jumping, clapping and shouting with coordinated movements, something that has been called Wotagei and is an evolution of the Ouendan that since the 1970s the Idol Okkake have practiced to support the Idols.
There are also a scarce otaku group yet, the so-called Mekay. These are so called since the original Japanese name is insulting; is currently used to designate to a scholar or researcher of the manga/anime phenomenon in addition to this is the denomination given to fans who study culture uncompromisingly otaku and its exponents, biographies of manga artists or producers who have produced large cinematographic series related with Japanese animation or even researchers of everything related to the history of anime, manga, videogames, cosplayer (people who dress up as characters from manga, anime, video games or movies), etc.

2 Concept of Otaku

Otaku is a concept of the Japanese language that isn't part of the dictionary of laReal Academia Española (RAE). In Japan's land, an otaku is someone who feels fascination or attraction to a certain theme.
Transcending what happens inside this Asian nation, the notion of otaku is used to name the person he admires certain elements of the culture of Japan, as the comic books known as manga or cartoons that receive the name of anime.
In the Western world, therefore, an otaku is an individual who various traits of Japanese culture likes. For example. "Tomorrow Otaku of the city meet in the square for a party", "my son said to be otaku: loves animated productions of Japan", "the contest will elect the best disguise otaku".
Sometimes, the term otaku is used to appoint one urban tribe that includes those who are true fans of anime, manga, cosplay, etc. In these cases, the majority of the activities of the otaku revolve around Japanese culture, and even often disguise themselves as their favorite characters.
Otaku, so it can be linked to other subcultures, such as punks or losdarks. It is dissimilar groups (some more distant than others) but they share the particularity of bringing together adolescents and young people who have some interest in common and to develop a sense of belonging to the whole. In this way, all members of latribu dress Similarly, share a jargon, etc.

3 Meaning of Otaku

Otaku (do おたく / オタク?) It is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly (but not exclusively) anime, manga or Japanese video games.
Otaku is derived from a Japanese term for the House of another family member or (お 宅, otaku). This word is often used metaphorically, as an honorific second-person pronoun. In this use, its literal translation is "you". For example, in the Macross anime, it first aired in 1982, Lynn Minmay uses the term in this way.
The shape of modern slang, which is distinguished from the previous use that are written only in hiragana (おたく) or katakana (オタク or, less frequently, ヲタク), or rarely in romaji, appeared in the public discourse in the early 1980s, thanks to the work of humorist and essayist Akio Nakamori. His 1983 series an investigation of "Otaku" ("おたく" の 研究 "Otaku" do no Kenkyū?), printed in the lolicon magazine Burikko Manga, applied the term to unpleasant fans in caricature. The animators like Haruhiko Mikimoto and Kawamori Shōji had used the term among themselves as an honorific second-person pronoun since late 1970s. Supposedly, a set of fans kept their use beyond the time of their relationships that others have been moved to a less formal style of address. Since this misuse of the word otaku indicates social clumsiness, Nakamori chose the same word to label fans.
Another source for the term comes from the works of science fiction author Motoko Arai. In his book evil of Japan, Peter Carey interview with the novelist, artist and chronicler Yuka Minakawa Gundam. She reveals that Arai used the word in his novels as second person pronoun, and the readers adopted the term for themselves.

In Japan

In the modern Japanese slang, the term otaku is very often equates to "geek".However, you can see a fan of any topic in particular, the topic, hobby, or any other form of entertainment.
The former Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso, also claimed himself be an otaku, using this subculture to promote Japan in Foreign Affairs.
In this regard, in recent years "idol otaku" you are naming simply as Wota (ヲタ?) As a way of differentiating itself from traditional otaku. The word is derived by dropping the mora last, leaving OTA (オタ?) And then replace or (オ?) With the nature of resonance in an identical way wo (ヲ?), leaving unchanged the pronunciation.
The term otaku can be applied both in men and in women. Reki-jo are interested in the history of Japan female otaku.

In English

The term is a loanword from the Japanese language. In English, that is usually used to refer to an obsessive fan of anime / manga and/or Japanese culture generally, and Japanese video games.
The term serves as a label similar to Trekkie or fanboy. However, the use of the tag can be a source of controversy among some fans of anime, particularly those who are aware of the negative connotations the term has in Japan. Unpleasant stereotypes about otaku prevail in the communities of fans around the world, and some anime fans express concern about the effect that these more extreme fans can have on the reputation of their hobby (not very different from the feelings in the comic science fiction and fandoms).
The term Idoru William Gibson was popularized in 1996 novel, which has several references to otaku.
The otaku, obsessive passion, realization, the era of the information of connoisseurs, more concerned by the accumulation of data objects, seems a figure of natural crossing in the current interface from the British and Japanese cultures. I see it in the eyes of dealers of Portobello, and in the eyes of Japanese collectors: a perfect calm train-spotter frenzy, murderers and sublime. Understanding otaku-hood, I think, is one of the keys to understand the culture of the web. There is something profoundly post-national thereon, extra-geografica. We are all conservative, in the post-modern world, like it or not.

The negativity

In Japan, there has been a certain negativity towards otaku and otaku culture. Tsutomu Miyazaki was known as "The Otaku murderer" in 1989. Their strange murders fueled the moral panic against otaku.
In 2004, Kaoru Kobayashi kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered a child of seven years of age, first grade student. Japanese journalist Akihiro Ōtani suspect that Kobayashi crime was committed by a member of the figure moe zoku even before his arrest.
Although Kobayashi was not an otaku, the degree of social hostility against otaku seemed to increase for a while, as suggests it a greater concentration of otaku by police as possible suspects for sex crimes, and the control of calls from people in local governments for stricter laws the depiction of eroticism in materials which are adapted to some (e.g. erotic manga otaku(, and erotic videogames). Nobuto Hosaka criticised much advertising.

Otakon

"Otakon" (abbreviation of "otaku Convention") is a Convention organized by Otakorp, Inc., a non-profit organization. Otakon focuses on anime, manga, Japanese culture, and its fandom. The Convention of the second of its kind in the United States.UU. and the largest on the East Coast, which began in State College, Pennsylvania, in 1994 and has been held in Baltimore, Maryland since 1999. Currently, the largest Convention of this type is the Anime Expo that is held annually in Los Angeles. Otakorp Inc. gave permission to Konami use "Otacon" name in any of its series Metal Gear game.

4. How to organize an Otaku Fiesta

The action of disguise themselves and feel that one can be someone completely different, is an idea that excites more than one. Imagination flies to another part and the range of possibilities opens to infinity. This is what usually happens in all Otaku parties that are happening for a couple of years in many countries of Latin America and the world.

Not only because fans have the opportunity to dress and sit as one of their favorite characters, but because they have the opportunity to meet new people with similar interests, have fun and take pictures of the whole show, including themselves. Let's see how can be one!

I spoke with Eduardo Santillán, regular concurrent holidays Otaku since a good while ago and told me some details about them, such as:

"Four years ago could not gather one in this type of festivals, the Organization was difficult; However, with social networks is much more simple".

The history of parties Otaku

The origin of the name is not known with certainty, since there are many theories of potential authors for the term, and thousands of positive and negative applications given. The truth is that, in many places, are called so all fans of Japanese culture in different expressions, as manga, anime or video game. Sandra Acosta, one of the organizers of the daily would be, tells us his experience as an organizer of such events:

” (…) Since our first event, we have been making them every four months until today (...). " Average audience surpasses the thousand attendees, so we could say that there is a very good offer of this type of activity".

So many people are hooked up to be fully aware of what happens in the lives of these characters, collecting objects of them and even trying to recreate that world in real life. Eduardo tells us: "Before, there was video clubs that offered series recorded to where you could go to find your favorite series".

This is how they were bringing a few to share their interests in small encounters that were increased by a type of festivals or conventions, where a series of activities in lathe were added to the characters. Thus, became a kind of party where disguise (cosplay), conducted events such as competitions or sales of souvenirs, and more.

To take into account, us we can recreate and inspire us in this type of festivals, but tells us how Eduardo: 'for some it's a way of life and are set up in the smallest details of his characters'.

What to take into account to make an Otaku fiesta

Sandra, of the daily would be, tells us that to begin with this great task we must take into account the following:

"There are basic factors, such as the location of the premises, the price of tickets and choose an appropriate date which is not crossed with other parties of the same type or the national celebrations like mother's day, independence day, Christmas, etc. Also, know how to offer cash prizes and the rules for access to this to be as simple as possible".

We see a bit more than this to detail:

• The place for your party Otaku

From what we have seen, the place can vary in many ways. Local small to separate mega receptions can be. Everything will depend on the group which organised it and budget. Like, in any of the two cases, people sports much, since much of the fun lies in people attending.

• Decoration

Similar to the location, the decoration varies greatly. You can not giving him so much importance to the costumes and activities, so it is as simple as possible; they can even use origami figures to decorate. With it being a space with many free zones to be able to organize groups that are coming, it works. As Eduardo Santillán told us:

"The decor is not as important, the same costumes of the people who attend work as decoration, since are so elaborate that even some can reach cost 2,000 soles (about US$ 700) per the details".

Another option is that this is done in the format of fair, where we find booths. Thus, each of the guests can decorate the place where its fashion and preference. They can even recreate the worlds of the characters who are representing with a larger budget and ingenuity.

• Food

And to keep the 'feeling' of the Japanese culture, as far as possible, usually prepare this type of food. As they may imagine, long rice, vegetables and fish, which are the most important of these types of Viands characteristics.

The best thing is the variety of products that may be put at their tables to complement the atmosphere of perfect form. As, for example, the skewers to the panko, balls of rice or onigiris, and the makisushis or rolls, which are perfect for this kind of occasions.

• The souvenirs

Another important point is the sale of souvenirs of the characters that we like most. Not only because it will help us to win something to cover part of the feast, if we are the organizers, but because we also serve to increase the interest of the public Assistant.

Another point is that you will help us to improve our collections, since we can find more objects to collect or Exchange with some Otaku friend. And you know that they can be of all imaginable types that exist, from stuffed toys, comics, CDs and dolls collection.

Events for your party Otaku

• Music/DJ to liven up

In some places is usually listen to much music at full volume to achieve the environment with the tracks of the most famous anime series. The music is inevitable in all the festivities, since it gives the share of energy and rhythm to the entire event. They may also hire a DJ that implements special for the occasion blends, so give you a fun and new touch to the party.

• Otaku-style karaoke

In other cases, is usually done karaoke contests with the same attendees as they make a character performance that are characterized. It is the perfect opportunity for attendees to integrate and even organize into camps similar to the stories of their characters. It is time to characterize your Idol!

• Cosplay catwalk

Another activity that could take place is Otaku catwalk. The perfect time to wear costumes that have been preparing and compiling with much detail. So this is the time to show how careful that were trying to recreate the character who most like them. Eduardo tells us that:

"Photography that you can make yourself next to the cosplay is very important, since then they can have an impact on social networks."

• Dance, can not miss!

At any party you could miss the moment of dancing. You can be spontaneous at any party, or how the Otaku life accustomed: super planned with choreography to show all and which will be inspired by the story that are planning to revive. A spectacle!

• Performance with your favorite character

And there is also the moment where he staged a part of the history of his characters. It could be a key episode in the story, as well as some kind of fight or encounter. As Sandra Acosta tells us:

"Do cosplay basically depends on the person, as there are different motivations that are encouraged to do so. But clear, paramount is to know the character to cosplayear, make a budget of costume and wig, and learn to interpret it".

The point is that we live the moment as if we were inside the characters, so they practice now! Here is a video showing the spectacular presentation of one of the characters:

• Contests in your party

They can not miss: from sweepstakes, until contests related to activities such as karaoke or performances. Everything is a thing that we imagine activities that can be adapted to the weather and the logic of the feast. Above all, to stimulate interest.

• Special guests!

Finally, they can invite figures recognised in the world of Otaku. They could be former participants who won some contest or, if it is within their means, invite any personality that is directly linked with the characters. As Eduardo Santillán says:

"Two years ago it began to meet VIPs for the Otaku World in Lima, such as the voice of Goku, for example".

As you can see, is a novel idea to assemble a different party, charged with a new culture, and all a lifestyle that seeks to bring our favorite characters to real-life and give a different touch to the routine. Finally, I leave you with a quote from Sandra Acosta: "first and foremost, well known to the public, debits and a respect for their behaviour and have fun".