I was in Akihabara on a Sunday a week ago and the cops were really killing the buzz. I saw approximately one street idol (a guy with a guitar, actually), no organized otaku gathering, and zero cosplayers. There were however, lots of tourists and TV cameras
( ... )
I read that this guy wasn't an otaku, but he said that he was sick of life in general and wanted to kill some people. :(
But I agree with what you said; it seems like there is more of a social stigma to having mental issues (and seeking help for them) in Japan than in than in the West.
Unfortunately, he was, at least to some degree. He had a collection (though a small one I think) of moe doujin and games, only sang anime songs at karaoke and apparently stated that he was "only interested in anime and the 2D world."
That said, while it seems like some media is focusing on anime and video connections (some nonsense about ties between the knife he used and Dragon Quest), thankfully it seems like many are talking just as much or more about it in context of the recent wave of these type of incidents. Seems like most of these, and probably Kato as well, have more to do with bad economic and social issues in Japan right now that are creating some seriously disenfranchised and desperate people.
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But I agree with what you said; it seems like there is more of a social stigma to having mental issues (and seeking help for them) in Japan than in than in the West.
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That said, while it seems like some media is focusing on anime and video connections (some nonsense about ties between the knife he used and Dragon Quest), thankfully it seems like many are talking just as much or more about it in context of the recent wave of these type of incidents. Seems like most of these, and probably Kato as well, have more to do with bad economic and social issues in Japan right now that are creating some seriously disenfranchised and desperate people.
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