What Does Otaku mean?

**Misuzu** · 08-24-2008, 08:38 PM

The term "otaku" seems to have been introduced to anime fans in the US and other countries via Studio Gainax's "Otaku no Video 1985," a self-parody film.
Otaku, meaning probably "venerable house," refers to someone who has a devotion to a subject or hobby (not necessarily anime) to the point of not leaving home. For instance, an otaku fan of a particular movie star could quite possibly know all of the films s/he has been in, their birth date, time of birth, shoe size, favorite toothpaste, etc. Generally speaking, calling someone an otaku in Japan is an insult, implying that their social skills have atrophied or never even developed, due to their manic involvement in their chosen fandom.

In America, the term is used to denote a zealous fan, usually of anime and/or manga. Due to its introduction to most people's vocabulary through its tongue-in-cheek use in Gainax's film, "otaku" tends to have a much less dire definition overseas.

When dealing with Japanese people, however, it may be best to keep in mind the modern Japanese image of an otaku -- Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something. It can as easily refer to a stalker or sociopath as it can to a harmless anime buff.

Best to avoid the word altogether if one is not sure of the context in which it will be received.

GatoNegro · 08-24-2008, 10:59 PM

i knew that Otaku has bad connotations, but i don't think that the people around the world will stop using the world.. its funny when i see in forums when they start to say things like they are Otaku or Hikikomori LOL

**Sensei-kun** · 08-26-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something.

lol, that's me xD I'm also a Hikikimori >.<
1 time I didn't leave the house for a whole month, and almost never left my room xD

**xibo** · 08-26-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Misuzu

Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something.

That is something bad?

GatoNegro · 08-28-2008, 11:25 AM

@xibo: in my point of view, yes is bad, you're wasting(with no offense) your ages of teenager just sitting in a computer but in the end that won't give you a think, i mean, i like to use the computer and asdfasdf but, i will never go out or stay at my house just to be at my house, thats so boring...

Beba · 09-20-2008, 08:20 AM

i think that if u like something, then u might get cought up with it,
but not that much..
i mean comm'on, u must have more than one interesting "thing" in ur life..
but still some ppl do enjoy stayin home and watchin movies instead of goin out..
i believe we shud respect the way ppl think, as long as they're not doin any harm to no-body..
that i guess.. :)

william · 09-24-2008, 06:21 PM

is there question about otaku or okatu ??? any way i dont know

uchiha90 · 09-29-2008, 01:12 AM

otaku can also means House

guon · 10-04-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something.

I go to the bathroom and take showers too >.>

Reibooi · 10-06-2008, 07:22 PM

From what I know from a Friend in Japan Otaku doesn't mean what alot of people seem to think it means. In a sense it simply means geek. According to him Otaku isn't always used in relation to anime or manga and what not but that a person who loves hot springs for example is a Hot springs Otaku. It can be used in many different ways and instances. I don't think its a bad thing either. Similar to how it's kinda cool to be a geek in the US nowadays being a Otaku isn't really a bad thing.

chrono13 · 10-27-2008, 12:30 AM

otaku means residence

emilabrat · 11-04-2008, 08:05 PM

Doesn't Otaku mean Anime nerd?

chess · 11-04-2008, 11:49 PM

it can be use in a lot of ways. you could take that word as maniac or festish.

**xibo** · 11-05-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by uchiha90

otaku can also means House

Quote: Originally Posted by chrono13

otaku means residence

Quote: Originally Posted by emilabrat

Doesn't Otaku mean Anime nerd?

宅; たく(taku); house; home; husband
the o before words is used to indicate formality.

Quote: Originally Posted by guon

I go to the bathroom and take showers too >.>

priceless
+rep

Quote: Originally Posted by Reibooi

From what I know from a Friend in Japan Otaku doesn't mean what alot of people seem to think it means. In a sense it simply means geek. According to him Otaku isn't always used in relation to anime or manga and what not but that a person who loves hot springs for example is a Hot springs Otaku. It can be used in many different ways and instances. I don't think its a bad thing either. Similar to how it's kinda cool to be a geek in the US nowadays being a Otaku isn't really a bad thing.

... "geeks" end up reading books, playing computer games, ... which all is stuff that otakus also do so it s kind of overleaping anyway.

Darklight · 11-07-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sensei-kun

lol, that's me xD I'm also a Hikikimori >.<
1 time I didn't leave the house for a whole month, and almost never left my room xD

Wow...

08-24-2008, 08:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Misuzu .... Group: Administrators Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: nowhere.. Posts: 5,494 Gender: Reputation Points: 285	What Does Otaku mean? The term "otaku" seems to have been introduced to anime fans in the US and other countries via Studio Gainax's "Otaku no Video 1985," a self-parody film. Otaku, meaning probably "venerable house," refers to someone who has a devotion to a subject or hobby (not necessarily anime) to the point of not leaving home. For instance, an otaku fan of a particular movie star could quite possibly know all of the films s/he has been in, their birth date, time of birth, shoe size, favorite toothpaste, etc. Generally speaking, calling someone an otaku in Japan is an insult, implying that their social skills have atrophied or never even developed, due to their manic involvement in their chosen fandom. In America, the term is used to denote a zealous fan, usually of anime and/or manga. Due to its introduction to most people's vocabulary through its tongue-in-cheek use in Gainax's film, "otaku" tends to have a much less dire definition overseas. When dealing with Japanese people, however, it may be best to keep in mind the modern Japanese image of an otaku -- Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something. It can as easily refer to a stalker or sociopath as it can to a harmless anime buff. Best to avoid the word altogether if one is not sure of the context in which it will be received. nyuuuuu.. food desu.. food will save misu from sadness >///<

08-24-2008, 10:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
GatoNegro Moonlight Knight Group: Asami Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rokkenjima Posts: 524 Gender: Reputation Points: 136	Re: What Does Okatu mean? i knew that Otaku has bad connotations, but i don't think that the people around the world will stop using the world.. its funny when i see in forums when they start to say things like they are Otaku or Hikikomori LOL

08-26-2008, 12:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sensei-kun Hikimori no Kami Group: Retired Staff Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: in my cave in the forests of Holland Posts: 507 Gender: Reputation Points: 365	Re: What Does Okatu mean? Quote: Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something. lol, that's me xD I'm also a Hikikimori >.< 1 time I didn't leave the house for a whole month, and almost never left my room xD Spoiler!

08-26-2008, 12:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
xibo 風紀委員 Group: Takara Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: my dream world Posts: 3,135 Gender: Reputation Points: 167	Re: What Does Okatu mean? Quote: Originally Posted by Misuzu Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something. That is something bad? 2009-01 uploads: ☆akasaka ☆haruka naru toki no naka de - hachiyoushou ☆haruka naru toki no naka de - kurenai no tsuki ☆haruka naru toki no naka de - maihito yo ☆telepathy shoujo ran

08-28-2008, 11:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
GatoNegro Moonlight Knight Group: Asami Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rokkenjima Posts: 524 Gender: Reputation Points: 136	Re: What Does Okatu mean? @xibo: in my point of view, yes is bad, you're wasting(with no offense) your ages of teenager just sitting in a computer but in the end that won't give you a think, i mean, i like to use the computer and asdfasdf but, i will never go out or stay at my house just to be at my house, thats so boring...

09-20-2008, 08:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
Beba Beginner Group: Aiko Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: What they call EARTH.. Posts: 242 Gender: Reputation Points: 27	Re: What Does Okatu mean? i think that if u like something, then u might get cought up with it, but not that much.. i mean comm'on, u must have more than one interesting "thing" in ur life.. but still some ppl do enjoy stayin home and watchin movies instead of goin out.. i believe we shud respect the way ppl think, as long as they're not doin any harm to no-body.. that i guess.. :)

09-24-2008, 06:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
william Leecher Group: Newbies Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 Gender: Reputation Points: 10	Re: What Does Okatu mean? is there question about otaku or okatu ??? any way i dont know

09-29-2008, 01:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
uchiha90 Leecher Group: Newbies Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 13 Gender: Reputation Points: 10	Re: What Does Okatu mean? otaku can also means House

10-04-2008, 04:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
guon Nub Group: Newbies Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 27 Gender: Reputation Points: 14	Re: What Does Okatu mean? Quote: Someone who only leaves their home to eat or shop, if at all, with an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession about something. I go to the bathroom and take showers too >.>

10-06-2008, 07:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Reibooi Group: Aiko Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 39 Gender: Reputation Points: 10	Re: What Does Otaku mean? From what I know from a Friend in Japan Otaku doesn't mean what alot of people seem to think it means. In a sense it simply means geek. According to him Otaku isn't always used in relation to anime or manga and what not but that a person who loves hot springs for example is a Hot springs Otaku. It can be used in many different ways and instances. I don't think its a bad thing either. Similar to how it's kinda cool to be a geek in the US nowadays being a Otaku isn't really a bad thing.

10-27-2008, 12:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
chrono13 Evangelist Group: Aiko Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 49 Gender: Reputation Points: 16	Re: What Does Otaku mean? otaku means residence

11-04-2008, 08:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
emilabrat Leecher Group: Newbies Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1 Gender: Reputation Points: 10	Re: What Does Otaku mean? Doesn't Otaku mean Anime nerd?

11-04-2008, 11:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
chess Group: Aiko Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New zealand Posts: 377 Gender: Reputation Points: 130	Re: What Does Otaku mean? it can be use in a lot of ways. you could take that word as maniac or festish.

11-05-2008, 12:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
xibo 風紀委員 Group: Takara Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: my dream world Posts: 3,135 Gender: Reputation Points: 167	Re: What Does Otaku mean? Quote: Originally Posted by uchiha90 otaku can also means House Quote: Originally Posted by chrono13 otaku means residence Quote: Originally Posted by emilabrat Doesn't Otaku mean Anime nerd? 宅; たく(taku); house; home; husband the o before words is used to indicate formality. Quote: Originally Posted by guon I go to the bathroom and take showers too >.> priceless +rep Quote: Originally Posted by Reibooi From what I know from a Friend in Japan Otaku doesn't mean what alot of people seem to think it means. In a sense it simply means geek. According to him Otaku isn't always used in relation to anime or manga and what not but that a person who loves hot springs for example is a Hot springs Otaku. It can be used in many different ways and instances. I don't think its a bad thing either. Similar to how it's kinda cool to be a geek in the US nowadays being a Otaku isn't really a bad thing. ... "geeks" end up reading books, playing computer games, ... which all is stuff that otakus also do so it s kind of overleaping anyway. 2009-01 uploads: ☆akasaka ☆haruka naru toki no naka de - hachiyoushou ☆haruka naru toki no naka de - kurenai no tsuki ☆haruka naru toki no naka de - maihito yo ☆telepathy shoujo ran

11-07-2008, 07:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
Darklight Group: Aiko Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 32 Gender: Reputation Points: 10	Re: What Does Okatu mean? Quote: Originally Posted by Sensei-kun lol, that's me xD I'm also a Hikikimori >.< 1 time I didn't leave the house for a whole month, and almost never left my room xD Wow...

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