This blog post explores how society’s wariness toward otaku culture can transform into understanding and respect, examining the process of this positive shift in perception.
Long ago, in 2015, I traveled to Japan. On March 30, 2015, Japan hosted the ‘Otaku Expo’ as a side event for ‘Comiket Special 6’. Over 500,000 people participated in the Comiket festival, and over 50,000 people visited the ‘Otaku Expo’ over two days to enjoy the festival. Particularly at the ‘Otaku Expo’ event, people participated in the festival through cosplay and similar activities. At the event’s conclusion, the ‘Otaku New Century Declaration’ stated: “We will continue to expand and support a new otaku culture centered around manga, anime, and games, based on mutual respect and cooperation.” If you encountered this information in an article, what would you think? Would you feel no interest at all? Or would it seem interesting? Or would you think, “Why would they do something like that?” If not, would you feel aversion to the event? The reactions of ordinary people encountering this article would likely vary from person to person.
The period when the ‘Otaku Expo’ was held coincided with the gradual spread of otaku culture not only in Japan but worldwide. This was because Japanese manga and anime gained international popularity, naturally leading to the acceptance of otaku culture—a part of that culture—in various countries. Particularly with the development of the internet and social media, the phenomenon of otaku from around the world gathering and interacting online became prominent, gradually establishing the concept of ‘otaku’ as a global phenomenon. This trend contributed to transforming otaku culture from being merely a part of Japanese culture into a globally recognized cultural phenomenon.
Regardless of one’s opinion on the ‘Otaku Expo’ event, it’s undeniable that perceptions of otaku have significantly improved compared to the past. Just a few years ago, the perception of otaku was unfavorable. The image associated with otaku was mostly negative, leading people to avoid being labeled as such. However, the social atmosphere has shifted somewhat now. Whereas the term “otaku” once carried the connotation of “someone holed up in their room indulging in games, comics, and animation,” it now gives the impression of “a person deeply engrossed in a particular field, even more so than a mania (someone intensely devoted to a single thing or such an activity).” Thus, perceptions of the term “otaku” have become increasingly positive over time.
Where did the word “otaku” originate? In Japanese, “otaku” means “your place” and is a polite term used to refer to someone else. People who loved manga and games started using it as a respectful form of address (‘you’ or “otaku”) within their clubs. This usage became a noun, and when it appeared in magazines, it solidified as a symbolic name for a specific group. At the time, the term “otaku” carried negative connotations. These grew stronger when Miyazaki Tsutomu, the perpetrator of a series of child abductions and murders, was said to fit the profile of an otaku. Thus, the term “otaku” started with a negative perception from its very inception.
Furthermore, the social environment within Japan and the role of media significantly influenced the term’s negative perception. Otaku culture was initially viewed as a niche interest outside mainstream society, leading mainstream media to often portray it critically. This trend was observed not only in Japan but also globally. Due to the powerful influence of media, the term “otaku” was often used to describe socially isolated, antisocial individuals, inevitably leading to negative perceptions among the general public. However, over time, the attitude of the media began to change. As otaku culture gradually became accepted into mainstream culture and was portrayed positively across various media, perceptions of it also slowly shifted.
Beyond the etymology of the word “otaku,” another reason for its negative perception lies in human instinct: the innate wariness toward the unfamiliar. Humans instinctively guard against the unknown, a trait rooted in ancient hunting societies. Being wary of the unknown initially aided survival, necessitating a phase of keeping distance and gradually learning about it before becoming familiar. Without this instinct to be wary of the unfamiliar, human survival capabilities would likely have been lower.
This human instinct can also be seen in the attitude toward the new social phenomenon of otaku. Otaku culture is not only commonplace and unthreatening within their own community but is actually a welcoming culture. However, for those unfamiliar with otaku culture, it is an extremely alien culture, something they have never encountered before. Therefore, it is perhaps natural for them to feel wary of it.
This phenomenon of humans feeling wary of new cultures is not unique to otaku culture. Most commonly, it occurs when two people raised in different cultural spheres, that is, in countries with different cultures, meet. Two people born in different countries each grow up accepting and taking their own culture for granted. When such individuals meet and grow close, the probability of encountering incomprehensible cultural elements is extremely high. This process necessitates a period of mutual understanding. Until this process unfolds, a degree of wariness toward each other is natural.
A scaled-down example of this phenomenon is the marriage of two people raised in different households. Marriage can be seen as a kind of social contract where two people raised in different environments decide to live together. While the word “marriage” implies a happy future, symbolizing two loving people becoming one, this isn’t always the case. When two people decide to marry, they don’t solely focus on a happy future; the reason is a lack of certainty about each other. Humans instinctively approach marriage with caution, questioning whether two people raised in different environments can truly be compatible. Thus, marriage can be the happiest event in a person’s life, yet it is also a double-edged sword that can lead to divorce, one of life’s most difficult events.
This fear and wariness of the unfamiliar is natural for humans. Without such caution, far more misfortune would have befallen humanity. However, I am skeptical that this justifies a negative perception of otaku.
The proposition that instincts must be respected unconditionally is open to criticism in modern times. A prime example is the instinct regarding physical appearance. Humans are instinctively drawn to those with attractive looks. The instinct regarding appearance is almost certainly present, as evidenced by the fact that one of the most common questions asked on blind dates is about the other person’s looks. Yet, if we consider whether unconditional worship of appearance is respected in modern society, we know the answer is ‘no’. While liking attractive looks is human instinct, we simultaneously caution against appearance-obsessed culture.
Why do we feel drawn to attractive appearances while simultaneously warning against appearance-obsessed culture? It’s precisely because appearance-obsessed culture is a social phenomenon that can hurt specific individuals. No matter how instinctive it may be, if appearance-obsessed culture becomes established as a legitimate social norm, it will inevitably create individuals who are hurt by it. That is why we guard against it.
Thus, in modern times, we do not unconditionally accept everything as human instinct. While we fundamentally acknowledge human instincts, we emphasize that when they can become socially problematic, a cautious attitude is necessary. This phenomenon applies not only to instincts but also to long-standing traditional cultures, like Nepal’s caste system. In Nepal, the caste system has been a long-standing cultural practice, almost instinctive to Nepalese people. However, recent efforts are underway to abolish it. The reason for this is that the caste system causes harm to specific individuals, subjecting them to unfair treatment from birth.
It’s not just Nepal’s caste system; many traditional customs and cultures existing worldwide are being reevaluated in modern society. Many things once taken for granted are now increasingly seen as unacceptable or in need of change. This reflects modern values that prioritize human dignity alongside societal progress. It signifies that we are not simply preserving past traditions or instincts, but are in a process of constantly re-examining and adapting them to align with the values of modern society.
As mentioned earlier, it might be somewhat understandable for those unfamiliar with otaku culture to hold negative perceptions of it. However, this creates a contradictory situation where such views cannot be justified. Yet, as described above, the modern trend does not consider negative perceptions of otaku justified simply because of wariness. So, how should we act within this modern trend?
I once read a phrase in a book: “If lions could speak, could they converse with humans?” The implication was that even if lions could speak human language, their fundamentally different ways of thinking would likely prevent meaningful communication. This isn’t exclusive to animals and humans; similar disconnects can occur between people. Broadly speaking, we live within the same cultural sphere as humans, yet we think and judge differently based on our environments. Our value systems differ, and our perceptions of the same phenomena vary. In that sense, just as communication between a lion and a human would be difficult, situations where communication between people becomes challenging often arise.
However, modern society advocates for mutual respect even when communication breaks down. One might think, “Why should I have to do that?” but in reality, it could actually be beneficial for oneself. Just as I may not understand others, others may not understand me. Whether we choose to respect each other or remain wary is a personal decision. Yet the global trend seems to be leaning toward mutual respect. Within this trend, what choice will you make? Whatever you choose, it’s a matter of personal preference, so no one can judge you. However, you might risk being left behind in the global current. Everything depends on your choice.
