Ask John: Is a Large Collection a Requirement for “Otaku?”

Question:
Ever since I unexpectedly ran across anime a few years ago I have become quite transfixed with the medium and seek it out wherever I can. Although my interest in anime borders on obsession (my parents have voiced their concern over it), I have very little material anime items, and I am therefore hesitant to refer to myself as an otaku. Is my fear unfounded?

Answer:
Regardless of what some people may think, I would say that your fears are groundless. The term “otaku” in its Western sense, implies an obsessive fan, a fan that accumulates knowledge and experience and trivia about anime. Consider that in Japan there are “idol” otaku, gun otaku, car otaku, etc. Naturally these people can’t collect hundreds of cars or guns. They are otaku not because of the size of their collections, but because of their devotion and virtually unhealthy obsession to their chosen hobby. It’s easy for anyone to go to a retailer like AnimeNation and buy hundreds of anime videos, import CDs and illustration books, but hording anime goods doesn’t make one an “otaku,” it simply makes one a collector. A large collection of anime videos and merchandise is a common result of anime fandom, but not a requirement to be considered an anime fan. For example, one of my close friends has a library of under a hundred anime tapes, and a similarly small collection of import books, but this same friend has been watching untranslated, import anime for over ten years, has attended numerous anime conventions including Anime Expo, and even took a two week vacation in Japan just to buy anime and see the sights. Although this fan has a relatively small collection, there’s little doubt that he’s an otaku who’s devoted a great deal of time and effort to his obsession. Once again allow me to say that anime fandom is not like other hobbies because there’s no other medium that’s quite like anime. Anime is an animated medium specifically created for both children and adults. The nearest equivalent may be said to be Star Wars fandom, but Star Wars is based in live-action, which automatically gives it more “legitimacy” than animation. In Japan, true “otaku” are routinely criticized as socially maladjusted self-imposed shut-ins. In America, ironically, the term “otaku” has been adopted as a badge of honor representing the most “hard-core” of fans. But, as I’ve said before, by its very nature, the term “otaku” refers to the person that cares more about anime than other people’s opinions. A large collection of anime goods usually surrounds an anime otaku, but a large collection itself has little to with actually being an otaku. “Otaku” status is entirely an attitude, a devotion to and respect for and love of a particular concept or idea. An anime otaku is someone who loves Japanese animation itself, and loves watching and knowing everything about and fully experiencing Japanese animation itself- the visual look of anime; the sound of anime; the Japanese culture that supports and creates anime; the intelligent, uncompromising fantasy of anime. Massive collections have no influence on one’s devotion to a hobby. Massive collections are a secondary result of one’s devotion to a hobby, an extension of an established, recognized virtually compulsive obsession that transcends appearances or external opinion. In essence, anime fandom isn’t material, it’s intellectual.