Japan, for the past decade, has been experiencing a social and cultural phenomenon called Otaku. Otaku refers to the obsessive interest of anime, manga, and videogame characters. Otaku is closely related to the American term, "Loser".
The number of people practicing Otaku has grown so large that they represent a powerful subculture within the overall Japanese society. There are internet cafes, social networks, and large swaths of physical territory dedicated to Otaku-culture. There are forums, meetings, and clubs for those who love the Otaku-lifestyle.
The Otaku-lifestyle, though strange to us, raise little eyebrows in Japan. Let's face it--the people of Japan has seen weirder things (underwear vending machines, penis festival). Those engaged in Otaku claim to feel an emotional connection with the anime characters. So much so that they buy dolls, figurines and any object that has the likeness of the character they love.
Now that I think about it, it's not surprising why Otaku is so popular in Japan. In Japanese society, both men and women are discouraged from displaying their sexuality. Both groups have very few friends of the opposite sex.
Personally, i don't think its sexually healthy to shy away from the opposite sex, and/or go on dates with your Sailor Moon action-figure. There might be away to tackle the Otaku culture, and liberate these sexually awkward losers back to the land of the living.
My name is Sang Hyun Jung
Like you I try hard to stay informed by reading and watching the news
I passionately observe current/world events, because
I want to know why people behave or think the way they do
And how societies respond.
The Tenderfoot is a collection of article entries
framing the news and discourse through a sociological lens
Since news in general is not really about what is reported
But about greater issues that underlie within these everyday events
Monday, July 27, 2009
Otaku: It's Weird
Written by Sang
Japan, for the past decade, has been experiencing a social and cultural phenomenon called Otaku. Otaku refers to the obsessive interest of anime, manga, and videogame characters. Otaku is closely related to the American term, "Loser".
The number of people practicing Otaku has grown so large that they represent a powerful subculture within the overall Japanese society. There are internet cafes, social networks, and large swaths of physical territory dedicated to Otaku-culture. There are forums, meetings, and clubs for those who love the Otaku-lifestyle.
The Otaku-lifestyle, though strange to us, raise little eyebrows in Japan. Let's face it--the people of Japan has seen weirder things (underwear vending machines, penis festival). Those engaged in Otaku claim to feel an emotional connection with the anime characters. So much so that they buy dolls, figurines and any object that has the likeness of the character they love.
Now that I think about it, it's not surprising why Otaku is so popular in Japan. In Japanese society, both men and women are discouraged from displaying their sexuality. Both groups have very few friends of the opposite sex.
Personally, i don't think its sexually healthy to shy away from the opposite sex, and/or go on dates with your Sailor Moon action-figure. There might be away to tackle the Otaku culture, and liberate these sexually awkward losers back to the land of the living.
