Understanding Uzaki-chan

The first episode of the Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! anime television series, adapted from the popular manga by Take, demonstrates that even within the era of anime produced for international release, Japanese studios continue to produce anime specifically addressed to Japanese viewers. Typical American viewers perceive Uzaki as “clingy and annoying,” “incredibly loud and doesn’t actually listen to what people tell her,” and, “pushy, honestly kind of creepy.” But I think that these observations are mired in American perspective and don’t recognize that Uzaki may be perceived entirely differently by Japanese viewers. My own suspicion is that particularly Japanese manga readers and anime otaku likely perceive Uzaki-chan with a mix of affection and respect. Uzaki is not a foreigner. She’s a fully Japanese girl, yet she doesn’t behave at all like a typical Japanese girl. Contrary to the traditional, or cliché, idealization of the Japanese young adult as shy, quiet, introverted, introspective, Uzaki is what Japanese natives would call “aggressive.” She’s outgoing, uninhibited. She doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind, being bluntly honest with her opinions in a society that discourages such blunt honesty. Her personality is the outgoing, energetic, cheerful type that many Japanese youths would like to imagine themselves as.

Moreover, she’s the ideal otaku companion. Uzaki’s aggressiveness takes the lead. She initiates conversation. She’s the one that suggests doing things together. Her extroverted invitation eliminates the typical otaku’s anxiety over having to make decisions and initiate social discourse. Around her, the typical otaku doesn’t have to be outgoing. The standard otaku only needs to let her take charage. Moreover, despite being so “aggressive,” Uzaki isn’t intimidating. Despite being acerbic, she criticizes with a smile. Her criticisms come across more like chiding encouragement than harsh criticism. So she instinctively fulfills the otaku’s self-loathing desire for scolding without being discouraging or mean. Furthermore, Uzaki is petite in stature, which makes her cute. She also has ample sex appeal (Sugoi Dekai!) that she doesn’t flaunt or use to intimidate. So she’s attractive, again, without being intimidating. The show is cat-themed because Uzaki herself is like a comforting cat. She’s small, cute, and soft. Her demands for attention may be annoying, but they’re also cute and gratifying for someone who otherwise goes ignored. She cuddles up next to the shy otaku. Rather than claws, Uzaki has her sharp criticisms. She represents a virtually ideal “realistic” girlfriend or waifu who gives otaku what they need rather than what they think they want.