@TimeChaser:

Though I should think that most of this younger generation, ie those who do extreme roly play, may not know who their Real Self is. We live in a generation of the media. Individuality is weakening. All we can do is hope that they really find out what they live for.

NNM

@Allamorph:

Welcome. Been a while.
I agree that the term really isn't needed.
I used to fit it almost to a T back when I was younger. But now it's just one aspect of me.

NNM

@Allamorph:

Well thank you for the fact, but yes, like you my opinion is a bit different from what the fact really is. I have just always geared it towards anime^^;

Oh no, I didn't think you were arguing with me, I was just a little confused. So yep, no worries. :)

@innocent heart:

Neither, actually. Only to inform.

'Otaku' means, at present, that a person is a serious fan of something. In Japan right now it's generally associated with a particular hobby when used, such as a cosplay otaku, or a photography otaku. It began in reference to the anime/manga genres but no longer applies solely to them.

That isn't my opinion. That's independent fact. My personal opinion is that the term isn't necessary at all, only a casual descriptor, and you're free to take that as you will. =)

But no. I don't particularly take to hounding after people and insisting on arguing their opinions into the dirt just to be combative and make myself feel better. So I wasn't saying anything about you being wrong or right at all.

@Allamorph:

Um okay?? Otaku to me simply means being a big anime fan and knowing the world of anime, as well as videogames. That's just MY opinion. So your comment confuses me a bit because I don't know where your going at. I don't know if your trying to tell me that my opinion of an otaku or of the new member introductions are wrong or what. But alrighty then^^;;

@TimeChaser:

Hi there. ^ ^

@innocent heart:

See my comment below.

Incidentally, I'd hazard that the reason most people claiming to be 'otaku' are babbling fantards of Bleach, Death Note, Naruto, and/or FMA is because those are the mainstream shows. Chances are that's all the exposure they get. It'd be like someone saying they're a fan of spy movies because all they've seen are four or five James Bond flicks.

Obviously this does not make them 'otaku' at all. Most likely they have no idea what it actually means, and assume it means "fan of anime". The only reason they take on the moniker is to 'wear' it—to belong to some invisibly-large group of people.

But then that's all 'otaku' is: a label. I fit the definition of 'otaku' to almost a perfect T, but I don't claim it for myself because I don't need it. It doesn't define me.

Beyond that, the phrase "true otaku" conjures up images of religious fanaticism of some sort. =P

Ugh, I remember when the trend of new people introducing themselves as characters started. I also find it stupid and lame. I refuse to greet someone who cannot properly introduce themselves, their REAL selves. -3-

While I do not doubt that some of the people who write such 'introductions' are sort of serious (in a "tee hee" sort of way; I know people like that and they do honestly know where reality is, believe it or not), I also might consider the likely possibility that there are people who have heard of the Otaku stereotype and sign on with the sole intent to mess with or harass or otherwise lead on the people who are serious. This is known as insincerity—or colloquially as lying.

Upshot: You can't fix all the stupid everywhere, so just settle for fixing what you can. I usually take that to mean 'if it's not in your sphere of influence or if it won't matter for them in the long run then let them be'.

@innocent heart:

Meg!! Lol. I was the "friend" he mentioned. :) If you go back a few posts, I did a little rant about them also...haha. I think a lot of us have these same feelings. XD

If it weren't almost midnight:30 (oh yes, that's how you write it), I'd give you a better comment. Lol.

But said friend was me. :D

And so you already know my opinion on these ridiculous people. But I would also give you more in-depth about otaku-ness and geekdom...

Maybe tomorrow. *hugs* Take care~

Hello there Nana-chu. *hugs* ^_^

Ah, wow glad someone else has brought up the New Member Introductions! I have always, to be honest, found them annoying. Most of the newbies who come on here are only fans of Bleach, Naruto, Death Note, and Fullmetal Alchemist. Now I'm a big fan of FMA, but I'm not going around acting like Winry by throwing wrenches at people all the time. I mean role playing is fine, but don't say your an anime character. That's just a big turn off. :P But I do get tired of people only talking about Bleach and Naruto all the time. I'm sorry, but if that's all you like, I don't consider you an anime fan or Otaku for that matter. Your just watching an anime and not really knowing what anime exactly means. Like if you asked them what moe means, they would be like huh? True otakus and anime fans know what that means! XD

I don't check out the new member introduction, I probably should to be nice and welcome them, but I just consider them insanely immature. I know I had my stupid days when I first joined here on my first username way back in 2004, but still, I didn't act like that and if someone signed my Guestbook, I usually always signed back or something. Now I just feel like people only sub me to get a sub back, like a sub for a sub. I don't know about the new members anymore, just not like the MyO people. Hopefully this will change Nana.

Otaku to me just means anime/videogame geek, you like both. For anything else, I just say I'm a geek with, and don't say Otaku. But I'm 100 percent pure Otaku, love my anime and videogames. <3

So yes, you made some good points Nana. Let's hope the community will grow a bit more mature^^;;

Take care my friend~ *hugs*