The massive, hulking pantless elephant. Hot. Well, at least they didn’t put the accent over moé.
‘What’s this? Otaku USA? Preposterous. Just the very name is antagonizing. ‘Otaku’ in the United States? They must write stupid, behind-the-times articles on dated series and sing themselves as experts of the subject.’
It seems an innate reaction for the enthusiast to spite those she deems less ‘genuine’ than they are. In our trade of cult enthusiasm, trivia is important. Specifically, in our anime-otaku subculture, the newest series, the current seiyuu, studios, when PVC figures would be released, even the definition of such words as moe… A slow race is a race nonetheless.
My religion teacher said that human beings unconsciously seek the ‘true good’. I suppose that also means an unconscious hostility towards ‘false good’.
Wow, how much circle logic was in all of that.
When we look at these North American magazines, obviously directed at an audience that buys into infamously dubbed DVD sets because they’ve practically no knowledge of the Japanese language, something bubbles within more immersive fans. Their favorite series only ever compose of Naruto, Bleach, or One Piece, and that for some reason makes more immersive fans angry.
The same trend can of course be seen in the pioneers of our trade, the enthusiasts in Japan. They scorn us gaijin who spam their beloved Saimoe Taikai with our trashy fake votes. We undermine their war effort with our vaunted opinions and cause a yielding of false results. We’re the party poopers; if you put yourself in their shoes, you’d hate us as well. What if we were in charge of an all-important-female-character-popularity-contest and those self-proclaimed, high-school anime club ‘otaku’ come and cramp our cool? We’d see a torrent of votes for mainstream titans as Suzumiya Haruhi (After all, who in the name is Shikikagami Sanae, am I right?). We might even get more Kurosaki Ichigo votes than Minase Akiko-san votes, the former who they obviously know is not female but are voting for anyways, ‘for the lulz’. Of course, Hirasawa Yui or Akiyama Mio will win out in the end regardless of what happens.
Sanae? Who dat?
Thing is, upon actually swallowing one’s pride and giving the articles a gander, one will find that the writing… Isn’t bad at all.
Yes, the author of this next article has definitely got something. He’s relating the topic to real world principles, implying that the subject matter is profound and relevant, yet insisting that it possesses a light enough tone to be a charming representation of these real world matters, all with the proper writing devices to produce a charming read of its own. I’d hire this guy to write for Baden Baden Lily. If it didn’t cost anything.
No, not the Strike Witches article. I liked our pantsu-clad jet fighter magical girls as much as the next guy, but there’s still so much a way one can go for ‘good anime’ than Strike Witches.
‘Company of Wolves’ is especially delightful.
One may think that this post is an address to the OEG; it partially is, but only because they are the primary advocates of the idea of purging those who don’t use enthusiast terms correctly among our circles. It really is a query to everybody – after all, it may turn out the majority agree with purging the falsely self-proclaimed western ‘otaku’.
One must remember that primarily, it’s profitable for the magazine to target such an audience. Regardless of its factual accuracy on this accord, they make significant money for what they do.
As for the self-proclaimed western otaku that aren’t truly otaku as dictated by other self-proclaimed otaku elsewhere in the world, well, a zealous enthusiast is loosely defined. We may have certain guidelines to define them by, but it’s still not a set of definite criteria as with an occupation to check off to determine if a person is ‘otaku’ or not. The term is unprofessional. As such, I don’t find proper or improper use of it worth fretting about. Though I definitely wouldn’t consider these people zealous enthusiasts, their casual take and improper usage of the term doesn’t bother me. It’s too much effort to wage war; I’ve more self-fulfilling things to do.
Their next issue’s cover page is also significant. Notice how long ago WE watched Soul Eater, and how ‘big’ it turned out to be. Also, you’ll have to remind me to bash on Casshern Sins soon.
That’s my opinion though. What do you think of Otaku USA? What about the phenomenon where the more immersed fan condemns the less ‘genuine’ fan? Do you even notice such a phenomenon, or is it non-existent? Do you partake in such views? What are your thoughts?
Edit: Okay, that’s it. I’ve been trying to play the mediator this entire time, presenting my two-sided argument, but I’ve just been informed on Twitter that Otaku USA has had quite the sinister track record in the past. I’ve defended them fairly in the idealogy, and they’ve abused it. If there’s anything I hate more than a sh*tty narrative, it’s an obvious hypocrite. The ol’ boomstick would be too nice an implement.
Time to bring out the bigger guns. Gentlemen, allow me this short retreat and do not question my goals and whereabouts.
Of course, my questions to you dear reader is still valid and standing. However, take what Otaku USA did to contradict itself into consideration as well as you concoct an answer. Look forward to hearing from you.
Ningyo
Continued here.
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February 10th, 2010 at 12:01 am
Hmm I don’t watch much anime except for those mecha types like Gundam, Gurren Lagaan,Mazinger etc…the only anime here that I could recognize was Casshern Sins which you briefly mention in the end but these days i hardly read magazines when i can easily get the latest news online.
So far for myself I have yet to encounter a more immersed fan bashing the less genuine fan. Probably just the person with more knowledge of that series correcting a person with less knowledge in my case.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:55 am
Your post does seem to address the OEG to some degree, but in general, it does query the entire western anime fan market. Sure it is totally inaccurate to refer to ourselves as otaku. In fact, otaku has incredibly negative meanings behind it. Western capitalism has pretty much butchered and demolished its meaning.
OEG’s fight is pretty much pointless now, I think. They’re going up against an entire culture backed by huge capitalist companies. While I don’t refer to myself as an otaku, it’s not because of OEG, but my need to disassociate myself from what the word otaku really means. It really isn’t something to be proud of. The only way OEG would “win” is if the word otaku became a bad association, a bad trend. That’s not going to happen when the word otaku is such a convenient term.
Words change meaning over time anyway. OEG, and everybody else who is against it just needs to understand that and get over it.
I totally get what you’re saying in terms of the mainstream anime fans interfering with our more “underground” (relatively speaking) culture, just as how true otaku feel about us interfering with their culture.
I wonder what the future holds with how trends are going…
February 10th, 2010 at 1:00 am
It seems that the blogosphere is way ahead of Otaku USA in almost every aspect. The reviews, the editorials, the news on anime, the scope of discussion, the range of anime… etc. Granted, the writer writes better than the vast majority (including me), but the content is comparable to what one would find in the right places.
I suspect that we are not the target audience of that magazine though; as you pointed out, the magazine is clearly intended for the high school anime club members and the casual fan. That is totally fine by me.
As for the whole genuine fan vs. casual fan, I think I agree with you.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:09 am
“As such, I don’t find proper or improper use of it worth fretting about. Though I definitely wouldn’t consider these people zealous enthusiasts, their casual take and improper usage of the term doesn’t bother me. It’s too much effort to wage war; I’ve more self-fulfilling things to do.”
These last few words pretty much describe my feeling. I’m not too fond of extremists of anything. It’s like getting worked up over nothing. I have a similar type of post that I’m trying to write about.
I am guilty of picking up a couple of issues of this magazine, but I realize they weren’t my cup of tea. They’ve become just reading material for me when I eat lunch at work or when I need to go #2. Some of the mini reviews on manga definitely made some of my manga purchasing never-ending (perhaps one of the reason why I don’t buy the mag anymore), otherwise my selection would be based on what I’m browsing in store at that moment.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Otaku USA? I wasn’t even aware there was such a publication… They obviously cater to a different audience than most anime bloggers. More like the teenage outcasts that discovered anime and latched onto it because it was something different. The same type of people that comprise most anime clubs and anime conventions… In their world, they don’t know anything about the Japanese source of their funny cartoons and probably don’t care enough to find out. All they know is what is shown on Adult Swim or what is on sale at Best Buy, Borders, Frys, etc. That’s why they’ll accept terms like “otaku” with whatever definition is given to them. They just don’t know any better ^^;
February 10th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
@chubbybots
I see… Not even Strike Witches, or Soul Eater? Ah well, those weren’t all that great anyhow.
I share that trend; I’ve never watch TV at home. The last time I sat actually sat down in front of one was probably for about ten minutes of the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony. It’s all internet now; it’s simply so much quicker and easier to click a mouse and even get to choose what news one wants as compared to reading the paper or watching TV. I just don’t read magazines, period. Except for this one, which I saw lying around the local supermarket :p
I’m surprised you’ve yet to encounter spiteful fans, but that’s a good thing.
@radiant
Well, I wouldn’t say it’s totally inaccurate; zealousness is subjective, but I am quite the enthusiast, if I do say so myself. It’s also up to oneself really to be offended by the negative connotations. I wonder if it’s simply become a Western derivation on its own now, meaning something too vastly different. I sense there’s some etymology here, what with the rapid evolution of words. English stole much Latin and Greek in the past, reforming them and adding their own connotations – I think we’re seeing this in our own subculture. Yes, and yes.
The OEG could never touch the capitalist milking of the term, so they’re focusing their ‘purge’ on unprofessional blogging circles. I’m sure they’d never give the reason for their actions to be for the sake of entertainment, but they sure are attracting many readers that just want to hear them bash the living daylights out of some poor blogger who allowed themselves to wander off a little a perhaps use a term wrong here and there. But of course, natural human sadism is another topic altogether, and one I really dislike discussing.
We’ll really have to see for the future, no? It always goes the unpredictable ways. I don’t think it would prove too dramatic for me though; I think I can go with the flow. I mean, I ended up liking Redibato.
@Yi
That’s true; despite a high quality of writing, many bloggers out there are able to yield similar eloquence. Well, that IS why the internet is my news source, for anime matters or otherwise.
There you go again with the self-bashing… You can if you try :/
Yeah, we certainly aren’t the target audience; the terminology and featuring of only translated series and manga is definitely meant for the casual audience who feels no need to hear anything in Japanese.
@rob
Really? I’ll look forward to that then, churn that post out!
Well, I’d be ‘guilty’ of picking one up too, now… And to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t even get myself to get through it all. It feels pretty guilty, but it really is similar to reading a cookbook about native dishes written by a foreigner. Yeah, I think that’s about the analogy.
I personally don’t like reading in the bathroom; it makes my legs sore. I get in, do the deed, get out. But still not as fast as some of my friends. By the time I reply to their ‘brb’s on MSN, they’re already back.
@anonymous_object
I wasn’t aware of it until recently, too. The scope of our subculture is intricately huge in the strangest of ways…
You’ve an excellent description there of the ‘casual’ anifan – they really don’t seem to care much about the meaning and effect a certain series has on the genre/fans of the genre and just watch things for kicks. I haven’t personally seen much of the outcast type though; the casual fans around me all seem to be socially popular. Of course, they don’t breathe a word about ever watching ‘Asian stuff’. Arr, that term shakes me up the most. How culturally numb does one have to be to ever implore such a narrow-minded term?
February 10th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
[...] so long they might as well be a post of their own, so, here it is. This is a continuation of my previous post; please take a look at that first to fully understand why I’m expanding on Thompson’s [...]
February 11th, 2010 at 5:32 am
That is a very good analogy! I’m a bit busy this week, but I’d like to think I can manage to churn that one out this week. I welcome the leg cramps, depending on which kind. If it’s the painful one, pass; but if it’s the numbing kind, I wouldn’t mind it. Back in WoW days, after a long raid, I would finally eat and I would say “BRB, eating”. 5 minutes later I would be back playing.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I admit it, this time my English knowledge is too poor to fully understand your text here and i’m very embarrassed :(
What i can say is that i’m completely unaware of what a otaku publication might look like.
I’ve never read any since it’s completely inexistent where i live. At least they have a magazine to read while i don’t have anything like that.
In fact i don’t feel the need to be aware of any news and release of animes/figures/mangas ect… since i don’t have enough money to buy them i prefer to be partly ignorant. Sometimes ignorance is bliss ^^ (not too much thou, better not become stupid.
I don’t even know if what i said here has anything to do with your post, if not, i apologize :D
February 11th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@rob
That’s good. Don’t worry though, I’m not rushing you or anything, I’ll get to it once you’ve written it.
Ahahaha, the online days were the best. I used to do something like that as well, but I would just fall asleep at the computer in the end and die somewhere lonely >.>
I’m planning on getting back into MMOing after getting charmed by Aika Online, but I hope it won’t further destroy my lifestyle. I actually don’t think it will, since it’s a PvP oriented game, and I suck at PvP.
At least you take the proper procedures in eating, my friend is literally back in like thirty seconds :/
@Katsura-chan
Aw, don’t sweat it, I think you totally got the gist of it. I really was only asking what you thought about North American ‘otaku’ publications, and you’ve answered it perfectly well.
English anime publications were also completely absent in Hong Kong, but that was obviously because of the language barrier. The bona fide Japanese magazines were readily available, but I’m simply atrocious at Kanji, so I couldn’t touch those either.
I share your sentiments in a way on anime/manga/figures news; I’d still like to know, and stay updated with my passion, but I don’t need a publication to inform me. My friends/interwebs/the ani-blogosphere is enough for me.
I guess it’s just like me to want to know about things I know I can’t get :p
February 13th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
[...] post was inspired while reflecting on Canne’s post on gateway anime and Ningyo’s post on the varying degrees of fandom (Otaku [...]
February 15th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I have to admit, if I met someone whose knowledge of anime was based solely on DVDs, bookstore manga and hard publications like Otaku USA, I would see them as being somewhat “behind.” But really, they have just as much potential to be intelligent, well-read and critical as the most hardcore fan on the blogosphere. The articles you’ve scanned certainly seem thoughtful. So I suppose it’s simple prejudice.
February 15th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
well my main love is manga I read shonen,shoujo and seinen
for anime I almost watch them all but lately I don’t have time and I am kinda extreme watch 6-10 eps in a row ^^;;; but kinda have trauma after endless eight last year
my bad habit is not finished anime that I watched ^^ maybe only 2-3 eps then stop lol
February 17th, 2010 at 2:36 am
@2DT
True, exactly. They’re still people capable of the same intelligence. However, I’m simply glad that I’m relatively caught up and able to share thoughts with the blogosphere – the experience is just so much more enriching that way.
Your comment reminds me of the case of certain nuns in convents, who by their own choice choose to never leave it’s walls. They surely have the same aptitude for thought, but how much are they able to expand their thoughts based on their limited environment?
Of course, that’s probably a different matter altogether, because even those ‘behind’ on our subculture can discuss with peers on topics familiar to them. In most cases it probably is just prejudice.
@moemoekyun
Ah, I see. Yes, anime is a bit more time consuming in some ways, as one can’t quite move at their own pace. Still, that’s not too extreme, marathoning is an integrated part of our avid-fan experience ^^
Yes, Endless Eight was simply silly. Many seem to have forgiven it now, but I’m not so quick to arrive at that conclusion.
And probably, we’re all guilty of starting series and never finishing them.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
I look at it this way, as far as anime watchers go there are basically two timelines going on.
A) The set of people who watch RAW and SUB
B) The set of people who watch DUB
Both sets of people can coexist peacefully. Trust me I know – there are some of each kind in the anime club I am a part of.
Magazines like this just happen to cater toward type B people.
For a long time it confused me as to why there are no magazines geared toward the type A people and then I realized it… We already have a quick, reliable, and most importantly FREE source for getting information about anime.
It’s called the internet. Perhaps you have heard of it?
February 21st, 2010 at 3:14 am
@dai1313
A little cheek there, dai ;)?
You’re right – there are cases where they ‘coexist peacefully’. There are many cases, there are always exceptions. I’d be completely wrong if I said those who don’t watch dubs shun and affront those who do in every single case. I for one don’t take an offensive stance towards dub-viewers (unless they start calling moe ‘pedophilic intentions’). That’s why I called it a trend, ‘it seems like an innate reaction’, so I’m not giving the misconception that I think it’s a law of sorts.
The internet is a wonderful source for all our anime needs, but I don’t think that’s the deciding factor for why we the raw/sub-viewers don’t have dedicated magazines. I think it’s more a pacing thing. Western companies wouldn’t be able to get at the newest series quickly enough, and thus a Western magazine’s coverage of new series would be unproductive because of the language barrier. After all, the internet should be just as excellent a tool for your group B people as it is for the group A people, no?