Ask John: How Do Japanese Citizens React to the Word “Otaku” Used in English?

Question:
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending a panel featuring Shinichi Watanabe at the Detroit Film Theatre. During the Q&A session, several fans referred to themselves as “otaku.” As I listened to Mr. Watanabe’s responses in Japanese, he never used that particular word, always using “Akiba-kei” or other, more polite speech. I note that you, Zac Bertschy, Kevin Lillard and other U.S. anime notables rarely, if ever use the word “otaku.” From your experiences, how do you believe the Japanese respond to non-Japanese using the term “otaku” to describe anime fans? I’ve already noted that the Mainichi Daily only seems to use “otaku” in the most negative of contexts.

Answer:
I’m afraid that my knowledge of the Japanese perspective is too limited to provide a comprehensive answer. Furthermore, in order to provide as responsible an answer as I can, I’ll only speak for myself. I personally try to use the term “otaku” free of its subjective implications. I use the term infrequently because even without its traditional Japanese negative connotations, it’s still a very loaded term and therefore difficult to apply accurately. I think of Japanese otaku as the most fanatically devoted of fans. Japanese otaku are the world’s most hardcore, obsessive fans. Whether such fanaticism is admirable or reprehensible depends on personal perspective. I think that very few foreigners can match the level of fanatical devotion of Japan’s most devoted otaku, so I’m often hesitant to apply the term to foreign anime fans. In addition, the term “otaku” is often considered a sign of respect or honor among English speaking anime fans, so I find it presumptuous and egotistical to refer to oneself by an honorary title. That’s why I don’t refer to myself as an “otaku.”

My perception is that “otaku” is still a very controversial term in Japan. You’ve mentioned Mr. Watanabe using more neutral or polite phrases like “Akiba-kei” (Akihabara person) than “otaku.” However, other prominent Japanese anime fans including Gainax Studios co-founder Toshio Okada and Denpa Otoko author Toru Honda take pride in acknowledging themselves as “otaku.” Okada has even asserted the right of American anime fans to call themselves “otaku” because American anime fans have to make a conscious effort to be anime fans while native Japanese citizens can casually watch anime on television or in theaters without being assertive fans of anime.

I can’t say how average Japanese citizens react to foreigners referring to themselves as “otaku” because I don’t know for certain. I suspect that the reaction of typical Japanese citizens will be mixed, the way it apparently is among principle members of Japan’s anime community. Japanese society is well known for having a schizophrenic attitude toward foreigners using Japanese language: foreigners knowing or using pidgin Japanese is admirable or cute, foreigners having a strong but not expert or fluent grasp of Japanese language is annoying and inconvenient, and foreigners who can speak fluent Japanese are highly respected oddities. As an extension of this philosophy, I suspect that many native Japanese speakers may feel slightly threatened by a foreign appropriation of Japanese culture and language, and many native Japanese speakers may be unable to separate their connotations of “otaku” from its foreign use. On the other hand, I believe that there are many Japanese otaku who appreciate the use of the term overseas because the term creates a worldwide community of fans that share a common interest and attitudes.

In brief conclusion I feel it necessary to stress once again that I’m speaking only of my personal experience and perspective, based on experience and knowledge I’ve gathered from countless sources. I can’t promise that my response is accurate, although I hope and believe that it is.