"Otaku from USA"

[mhikaru]

I saw this while I was in Japan and made a huge "D:" there. I feel ridiculously elitist for saying this, but this is the image I /never/ want to project

Comments

[kodalai]

...I'm not sure I dare watch that video. D:

[mhikaru]

I only watched it out of morbid curiosity.

Then again, maybe more people /should/ watch it? Maybe that way, they see just how weird it is to walk around as if cosplay is normal clothing. :\

Also, I apologize if I'm horribly out of date, but are you still teaching in Japan? And if so, how long? I got into JET and it'd be cool to meet up/exchange notes/hang out? :9

[kodalai]

! You too? Well, I recontracted, so I'll be here until next year. Man, now I really wish I had volunteered to help at the Tokyo Orientation! D:

[mhikaru]

Awesome! I guess this means I'll see you there? Also, where are you placed? :3

[pkgaming]

It's people like this that make me continuously lose faith in the anime fandom as a whole :\

...Then I remember there's people in it who AREN'T completely batshit.

[mhikaru]

It kind of reminds me of most people at cons. It's old news and I'm pretty alright with it at cons, yet the jump to TV makes it freaky for me. ._.;

Oh, and about Dofus: I have alternative energy potions to discuss with you~ I did a quick bit of calculating last night that might save you a bit of kamas and hassle. :D

[pkgaming]

Oki~ I'll see you on later tonight.

[mhikaru]

Homg, icon love! Bricks for braaaaains! XD Did you make it yourself? I demand an eni one~! <3

[grayhour]

You know, honestly, they seem to be having fun, and aren't rude. They are otaku, who love anime in a really extreme way, but I don't think that there is really anything wrong with that. The Japanese just have a "hey let's look at the silly gaijin who think they can speak Japanese! LOLOLOLOL" xenophobia complex. Anime is not about looking cool. It's for nerds. If you're uncomfortable being a nerd, anime fandom is not for you. :/

[mhikaru]

I guess the part about this video that really got to me was to be *represented* by these otaku. I suppose it's due to the nature of this tour (first-ever of an anime tour advertised in what looks like an Animerica magazine) but the fact that these people had a special report on them makes me wonder how many Japanese people saw this and now think that "American Otaku" all act like this

[flaming_loffel]

D: I couldnt watch it all... the shame the shame (i go to school with that type)

[mhikaru]

:O! I just realized there's a part 2.

Thankfully, I think it's a bit better than 1, if you're feeling masochistic that is. *sweat*

[flaming_loffel]

:O thats still scary

[apapazukamori]

I agree with the disgust toward people who think they're Japan experts because they've watched anime. I never considered myself an expert, but looking back on the stuff I thought I knew and it's a bit embarrassing. Anime represents Japan about as well as Cartoon Network represents the U.S. I did cringe at the cosplaying in Akihabara, but then I remembered the people in Harajuku and didn't feel so bad anymore

[mhikaru]

Maybe I have been a bit too harsh at the people featured. I do understand the excitement/happiness of going to Japan for the first time --the land of dreams and anime. And I think you hit it really on the mark describing them with the Disneyland mentality. Going on a limb from that, I feel that most of these people behave the way a lot of people do for conventions: loud fangiggling/shouting random anime catch-phrases/etc. While I personally feel that their behavoir is annoying, it's not exactly what makes me irked. What gets to me is that they seem to be viewing Japan, as a whole, with this mentality --as if Japan itself was a convention to squee and fanboy over. And that makes me a bit miffed, because in between the Tokyo Animefair and Akihabara, they've probably had to interact with people who didn't want to be a part of their Japan-Con experience

[apapazukamori]

What gets to me is that they seem to be viewing Japan, as a whole, with this mentality --as if Japan itself was a convention to squee and fanboy over

Ahhh, I understand now. Yeah. I mean, my first trip to Tokyo had me squeeing over buildings I recognized and random things like police boxes, but I did it quietly. Maybe the cosplayer girl and "Rick" are beyond hope, but maybe the visit helped them appreciate Japan outside the context of anime. Because, sure, Tokyo Tower is a CLAMP fan's Mecca, but don't forget to check out Zozoji Temple that's right beside it.

And ouch. I wonder if it's the conformity thing. You don't look like everyone else, or you don't come from here, so we have free license to mock you on national television. :(

[apapazukamori]

...and it's Zojoji Temple. *is dumb* ^^;;; The little clay figures with their pinwheels broke my heart. ;-;