term "otaku" has several meanings, depending on who uses it and where.In Japan, it means one thing in the United States or Russia - a little more.Besides, over time the concept changed - and continue to change.
history and origin
Until the 1980s otaku was a form of respectful treatment in the Japanese language, such as -sama, -kun or -senpai.This word is often used as a pronoun 2 person in this way, for example, he used an anime character "Macro", which first came out in theaters in 1982.
In today's world, however, the word "otaku" - a slang expression in Japanese, indicating the number of different concepts:
- man, a strong passion for something - a hobby can be anything, from manga and anime to games and collectibles;
- man enthusiastic anime or manga;
- there is also a third case - which appeared as a result of confusion between the concepts of otaku and hikikomori.
So otaku - who is it?In the modern sense of the word was first used in the 1980s, in the work of the humorist and writer Akio Nakamori.In 1983 he published in the magazine Manga Burikko cycle "Research" otaku "," in which the term is used in relation to the fans.
At the same time, animator Haruhiko Mikimoto and Shoudzhi Kawamori used the word to communicate with each other as a polite form of address (all the same personal pronoun 2 person) since the late 1970s.
Presumably, so did some members of the subculture (while the others moved to a less formal dialogue), which is why it chose Nakamori (this cause have Kaichiro Morikawa, explaining the origin of the term).
second version of the origin of the concept - science fiction Motoko Arai, who used -otaku as respectful forms of address, but in the end the readers have adopted the habit.
Modern Japan in the 90s of the last century a negative coloring of the word smoothed out, and there was different to use the word otaku.Who is it now?Definitely made quite clear - "fan of anything" enthusiast keen on any particular matter.Now, this concept applies to fans of anything, it is also often associated with the Akihabara and fashion to "nyashnost."
Japanese Dictionary offers a different interpretation of the word: according to him, "otaku" was originally used in the 80s in a circle of friends, indicating a very informed in some human issue.
In Japan, the word can be compared to such concepts as "fan", "specialist", "researcher" or "obsessed".All of these terms express a different level of knowledge and interest.
What's the difference?What is the word it fits best depends on what is considered normal in the society, and that - not very.
archaeologist, a keen search of ancient cities, and Dr. Alan Grant in the film "Jurassic Park" are considered, so researchers.They look positively to society.And someone like Professor Brown from "Back to the Future" would call otaku - bearing in mind that his hobbies, time machine does not fit the "norm."
US
All these difficulties Japanese society very differently perceived in the West.People in the States are investing another meaning to the term otaku.Who is here - we can say unequivocally and definitely that man fascinated anime and manga.Sami fans of Japanese animation have nothing against that - outside of Japan that word does not carry a negative meaning.
How does the modern otaku
Westerners do not consider that to be a fan of the anime - it is bad.Conversely.There otaku - is often a man who "saw everything.""Walking encyclopedia" of anime or manga (and it does not matter, man sees any one genre or everything) that can advise what to see, based on the tastes of the questioner.
a result of his passion, willy-nilly, he became a specialist in the anime genre, but also knows and watched or read, most popular works - the latter feature is typical otaku.Who is it from the point of view of society - I do not care: with the same success can be student, office worker or athlete.
addition, otaku, even without learning anything special, has an idea about the Japanese culture and fashion, both modern and previous epochs, and also knows a few words in the language of the rising sun.
In this appearance, habits, level of immersion in a hobby can vary greatly.Some otaku gather a collection of disks with serials, images of favorite characters, regularly attend meetings with like-minded people, act out and know COSPLAY names of famous seiyuu and manga authors.
Others are able to view, not looking, 25-anime series (about 6 hours).Still others go for Japanese language courses in order to be able to read the original manga.
among anime fans there are talented writers who creates interesting stories - among them Sergei Kim, Constantine Brave, Coviello, Ander Tal Sash, otaku Felix.Samizdat with the participation of these and other authors, readers attracted no less than do the anime itself.
Classification of Japanese otaku
Nomura Research Institute (NRI) spent two deep study, the first in 2004 and the second - in 2005. As a result, scientists were able to identify 12 major areas of interest:
- for the largest group,350 thousand. otaku - manga;
- about 280 thousand. Is a fan of pop idols and celebrities;
- 250 thousand. Was considered a hobby journey;
- 190 thousand. - Computer fans;
- 160 thousand. Addicted to video games;
- 140 thousand. - Cars;
- 110 thousand. - Anime.
remaining five categories include mobile equipment, audio and video equipment, cameras, fans, fashion and trains.
If you look directly at the anime fans, you can select another interesting group - hentayschika.
Among the genres of Japanese animation is what the rest of the nation would call pornography - but in Japan related to the question is a little different.Due to this there is also a fairly specific group of otaku.Hentai - that is of interest and a hobby for these people.
Celebrities
Anime otaku are addicted not only ordinary people - among the celebrities, too, there are fans of this genre.Among them - a popular Japanese singer Shoko Nakagawa (directly calling itself the manga and anime otaku), actress and singer Mari Yaguchi, Toshiki actress Kasia, Natsuki Kato and actress and model Tiyaki Kuriyama.
fanfiction and samizdat
Where there is work, there is also a fanfiction - it works the same way with respect to the western novels and TV series, and with respect to the anime and manga.And in some cases it results in samizdat.Otaku create their own works, in the form of drawings, stories and novels, and often publish them on the Internet or specialized publications at his own expense.
However, sometimes as a result of this initiative there is a new "star" - and a new round begins on: fanfiction now the new works created by the popular author.
Samizdat otaku popular, especially among fans of the original compositions.Encountered subjects - the main character - popadanets in the world of anime and manga of the source or the author introduces a new SG of the same world, or the author takes the main characters from the original work, the plot is completely changing the taste.
In Russian "community" fikrayterov (the largest number of which can be found on lib.ru) fanfikshena most of the anime.According to "Japanese comics" do not write many - among them, for example, known in these circles otaku Felix, in an asset which works around the world, "Bleach" and "Sekirei".
the question of social adaptation
most famous anime, provoked the emergence of hundreds of fan fiction - "Naruto," "Bleach," "Evangelion", "code Giass", "Shaman King», «One piece».The same list can be added and "The Dark butler", "Death Note", "Fullmetal Alchemist", "Vampire Knight."The aforementioned otaku Felix, for example, wrote several popular among fans fanfikshena works of the world "Bleach" - "Captain" and the cycle "Blank".
In Japan itself be a mangaka (manga writer) - to have a well respected profession, and depending on the publisher or fame to get a decent fee.
However, as soon as the author begins to get paid for their work, it ceases to be an amateur.However, do not cease to be an otaku.Felix Samizdat which the network is presented quite good works, yet not passed this trait.And here, for example, Nadezhda Kuzmina (author cycle of dragons and the Empress "Timiredis") already publishes his books as a professional writer.
