Hey Foreigners! Tell Famitsu About Your Otaku-ness
The always delightful Otaku USA has hooked up with Japanese game mag Famitsu in hopes of finding out what is going on in your nerdy, foreigner head. Oh goodie.
Otaku USA bossman Patrick Macias blogs, “We want all foreign otaku to rise forth and fill out our ‘Foreign Otaku’ survey below. The results will be published this summer in an issue of Weekly Famitsu, and (because we’re big-hearted and foolish) we’ll follow up on the Otaku USA website with appropriate post-game analysis.”
Onward foreign geeks, onward!
OTAKU USA x FAMITSU – The 2009 ‘Foreign Otaku’ Survey [An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla]
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
I wish IGN, Eurogamer, Famitsu conduct some surveys,
such as World's Greatest Games All Time, World's
Most Favorite Character or World's Top100 Creators.
PeachPurin
Just filled it out.
Perhaps I will be picking up the Famitsu in question to see if they quoted me ;)
Particularly Japanese scene?
The Honey Bee Inn from FFVII, and you KNOW it.
Voyeurism, cross-dressing, (implied) homosexuality, prostitution and cosplay, it's all there baby.
@Desolation_Angel: I don't see why it would. Akira is a phenomenal manga.
cornpopsicle
@amake: Yeah, being called an "otaku" is not a compliment, no matter how you look at it.
I'd say I'm just an avid fan, which would be the truth XD.
@Desolation_Angel:
I tried to mix things a little, but you can take solace in the fact someone else put Akira as best anime.
@Channing: Maybe, but if you tripled my intelligence, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't still get a failing score.
spannu
@Sutekh_Slain:
I can see how you'd eventually get fed up with it.
In defense of the Famitsu question, though, I'd say that perhaps Famitsu really wants to know how it's (it's being Japan or it's culture) perceived by a foreign individual. That being said, I just became really curious about what people feel is particularly American in our movies/comics.
If I had to pick something, and some might disagree, I'd pick explosions.
@spannu:
This kind of feeling, huh?
+ Watch video
I am constantly amazed at the incredible misunderstanding of Japanese culture that has led so many foreigners to call themselves "otaku."
@Channing: Well, what I forgot to mention was that I had to read a book about past Korean technological and cultural accomplishments. It sounded innocuous enough at first, but then you picked up these subtle hints that essentially amounted to nothing more than propagandic language.
A quarter of the way into it, I realized what it was and got extremely POed cuz I was wasting my time. And this wasn't an isolated incident. The thing is, literally everything I have read and every (korean) adult I have spoken to jack off South Korea's collective dick. It gets tiresome.
Korean culture is varied, interesting, etc, but it has a major inferiority complex.
You must admit, that question sounds awfully like it's fishing for compliments. And really, what is your typical gaijin otaku is going to reply to something like that?
Also, what's the difference between otaku and nerd?
Does it just make you sound cooler than you really are?
Q. "What anime, manga, or game do you most want to see released in the US next, and why?"
A. None. Most of them should be withdrawn instead.
@Desolation_Angel: I talked about Mazinger Z('73) and Dancougar ('85) so don't worry too much.
MonsterKingRen
@milford: That's not otakudom. That's kids watching TV shows.
MonsterKingRen
I couldn't take the survey because I don't watch anime or read manga. I did back in my teens, but it got boring and I started reading Japanese, history, culture, religions and language instead.
So... I could give you a lecture of what was going on in Japan in 50 000 BC, but I can't give you any answers or opinions on anime and manga.
I'm a nerd but I don't qualify as an otaku. I'm not even a "foreign otaku", I'm just foreign... Wow it suddenly feels like all that studing didn't get me anywhere XD
@FarmboyinJapan: Being a foreigner, I'd obviously run up to them and yell NICE BODY with two thumbs up. Meanwhile, you'd have secretly hopped on a bus by then.
spannu
@Sutekh_Slain:
Hahaha. While the question is a bit loaded (KOREAN IS BEST!) it doesn't seem comlpetely nationalistic. What do you really like best about Korean culture/history?
It was interesting to learn of the introduction of Buddhism to Japan via... oh boy. I forget already. There were 3 warring states in Korea and one of them wanted to befriend Japan so they sent this huge statue of Buddha so that they could have Japan as an ally. If I'm not mistaken it was the western-most state.
Ok, ok. I promise I am not going to use Wikipedia. Lemme go look through my notes.
Packche (Paekche? I write so terrible), Koguryo, Silla
Are the three kingdoms, I believe. There might be some spelling discrepancies. And, if I'm not mistaken, Packche is the kingdom that sends Japan the large Buddha. I may be mistaken but I think this also might be around the time the "Kojiki" is written. (Off topic. :V)
So, yes. I think it's great that Korea was willing to share its culture (religion is culture, kinda) with Japan so they could be buddy-friends and think that asian countries should all be buddy-friends because it's a nice warm feeling.
Now you have a scholarship! Yaaaay buddy-friends! :3
@Channing: Upon further reflection, your icon's regret more than makes up for this and any future actions you may take.
spannu
@+ Watch video
@spannu:
Its a common form of slang among the 'ã„　adjectives'
For example, if you and I were to go shopping in Ginza one day, you would look at all the ladies, and say 'ã‹ã‚ã„ã„ã£ã™ã'
And then I would say 'ãã†ã£ã™ã。'
FarmboyinJapan
Clearly, I am nowhere near otaku enough to touch a survey that only asks about anime and manga.
Doesnotcare.
@FarmboyinJapan:
Oh boy. My Japanese teacher in high school would throw fits when we'd say 「ã™ã„ã¾ã›ã‚“〠before asking stuff. "I'M GLAD YOU DON'T SMOKE!" she'd yell at us then move on to the next student. The offending student would have to go to the back of the line.
@Pentex:
Try'n to be cool with my Japanese slang. Obviously because I am not cool at all.
OTL
@[www.cracked.com]
spannu
@FarmboyinJapan: Thanks for the clarification. Although I've seen letters being dropped for ã£, I hadn't seen that particular case (though it still seems out of context above). As for the second bit, I've heard/seen it that way quite often.
spannu
I think its going to piss them off that I put Akira for nearly all my answers. I'm just not into the less mature material that gets imported nowadays. Gantz was ok, but I hated the ending with a passion. Jin Roh was cool. But again, I'm sure all my favorites are like ancient history to a Japanese person.
Like someone coming up to me and saying their favorite American TV show was Knight Rider or some shit.
@spannu:
「ã™ã”ã„ã£ã™ã‚ˆã€is slang for 「ã™ã”ã„ã§ã™ã‚ˆã€and is used quite often. When spoken aloud, people often drop the ã§, and add ã£ã™ã‚ˆã€‚　
On a somewhat related note, 「ã™ã¿ã¾ã›ã‚“ã€is often spelled out (in slang form of course) as 「ã™ã„ã¾ã›ã‚“ã€.
FarmboyinJapan
Unless "NARUTO!!11" ends up the winner of every category, the survey isn't representative of the whole of American Otakudom.
milford
And half of any American Otakus watch Naruto sadly.
@Channing: It came off extremely nationalistic to me. I see this shit alot in Asian stuff, especially anything Korean related.
Ex) What do you like best and appreciate about Korean culture and it's great history?
That crap was an essay question for a scholarship. Needless to say, I didn't get it.
@Sutekh_Slain: My only guess is that their readers also read westernized manga which would have a distinctly non-Japanese feel to it.
spannu
@Pentex: Probably a mistyped "ã™ã”ã„ã§ã™ã‚ˆï¼", which is even more embarrassing due to the fact that it has no meaning in this context.
spannu
@Channing: In my relative knowledge of japanese, i fail to see what exactly is "Sugoissu" lol. I know "sugoi" or even "suge" or other variations but it's the first time i see the "-su" suffix.
Pentex
@Xuchilbara:
You're in Seattle?
Just go to the Kinokuniya Bookstore (in Wajimaya) located in the international district downtown....they always have them in stock.
FarmboyinJapan
Patrick Macias' 'Japan Edge' changed my life.
FarmboyinJapan
I can't even answer half those questions. The only way someone can remember they're All Time favorite moment in any anime, manga or game, is if they watch, read and play very little.
Plus, what if you're favorite moment is from an American made game? I can think of some great moments in just something like Halo that some people might put as a favorite moment.
AtticusSP
@Sutekh_Slain:
Whaa? Why the hate? I think it's a pretty valid question.
Example:
In Azumanga Daioh no-one can communicate with the foreigners because they have a terrible grasp of English so they run away from them.
Japanese people hate using English. Unless they love using it, but most don't. If you really want, you can use this example. I won't hold it against you. In fact, I won't use this example just incase you decide to use it. I promise! :3
Yeah, "foreigners" my bum. It's a show of "americans" here and "americans" there. There's other people too on this planet :] we're foreigners too.
By the way, I filled the form as well. What comes in USA has a good chance to come to EU as well, so better work to tighten the bond between JAP and USA... only good things can come out of this.
(sheeesh... I can't believe I wrote that :D)
Vidunder
@Xuchilbara:
If I'm not mistaken there was a Kotaku article (a while ago) that said you could order a yearly subscription of Famitsu for a mere 300 dollars or something.
There is also the chance that I am mis-remembering.
dear famitsu,
i read kotaku EVERYDAY
watashi kawaii desu ne,
otaku
ithyphallus
Just filled it out.
@Luke Plunkett: Seattle?
"Is there a scene from an anime, manga, or game which feels particularly Japanese to you?"
Well there was this one manga where all the chinese and koreans had buck teeth and slitty eyes and all the japanese had round eyes and great hair.
And then there was this other scene in a manga where an 8-year old was getting gangraped, that was really Japanerific.
What kind of stupid question is that? Oh yeah, I felt x was especially Japanese, nevermind x came from Japan and I know shit about the country besides J-entertainment, but nevermind that. Lemme tell you about the idealized Japan that I dream about every night, wishing I was Japanese.
@Xuchilbara: It's not that hard to find imported copies if you live in a big city.
If you don't live in a bit city...sorry :(
Bashcraft if you send me a copy of Famitsu this summer, I will fill out your little survey. Deal?
Wow! I didn't know that the UK, Europe, Africa, South America, Australia, and the rest of Asia was also part of Japan. Since I'm not a foreigner to Japan, does that mean I shouldn't get charged Customs on items sent from Japan?
PaxtonAstypalaea
ã™ã”ã„ã£ã™ã‚ˆï¼
I really really have a special place for Patrick Macias. He's a really cool, but dorky (in a good way!) guy.
The fact that he's teaming up with Famitsu (yeah, haters ahoy, I'm sure!) is pretty cool!
Exclaimation points!!!!!
@Chinpokomon: The feeling I get from this survey is not to prove stereotypes wrong or be a "normal" survey. If anything, it looks like it tries to encourage and celebrate "otaku-ness" by creating questions that really only self-proclaimed (hardcore) otaku can answer in a meaningful way.
But I get what you mean. It'd be really interesting to see an accurate breakdown of "otaku" demographics and their preferences.
(After writing all that, I'm now confused about whether you're being serious or sarcastic. =D Your sex question has thrown me off!)
.com
"How did you realize you were an otaku? Just how otaku are you exactly?
Can you give us some shocking examples? "
I almost made it through the survey, but I just couldn't answer this question. Competing to see if I can be the biggest, most shocking example of an otaku is not exactly my cup of tea.
Why couldn't they ask more normal questions like, "Have you been to Japan?", "Are you in a relationship?", "How much do you weigh?" or "Given a choice between sex and a chance to own your favorite anime/manga/game, what would you choose?"
I would love to prove that fans of games in the rest of the world aren't necessarily your stereotypical "otaku"
Chinpokomon
@PaxtonAstypalaea: Boo hoo, US publication caters to US citizens, cry me a river.
Seriously, does any other country have its businesses/media/whatever so widely criticized for catering to their own country's people? If it really bugs you, start your own Otaku magazine for your country. And if it doesn't bug you that much, then please, spare us your whining.
MechaTama31
@elevenoverzero: Sadly, yes. At least in the English speaking world, the usage of the word "otaku" is seen as "cool" by some (or many?) people, but call the same people nerds and they may gt their panties in a knot.
.com
@alecpyron: Don't underestimate the hordes of people who proudly label themselves hardcore otaku despite never having seen any un-dubbed anime.
For some people, Naruto IS anime/manga. I've seen people refer to manga tankÅbon in general as "Narutos".
milford
@elevenoverzero: Do you think America should be deprived of award winning shows like Strike Witches? The prospect of that happening horrifies me. HORRIFIES me it does.
.com
@amake: I'd hang out with self-proclaimed otaku, but they use words like "rise up" and "unite" way more than any other fan sub-culture should.
normalmode
AND GAY MEN!
tobz1000
@PeachPurin: But then you need to remove Famitsu, because the Japanese dont suit well for such international survey.
We know Shigeru Miyamoto, Keiji Inafune or Hironobu Sakaguch. But do the Japanese know John Carmack, Will Wright or Peter Molyneux? Probably not...
KotakuFreund
I tried to fill it out, then noticed I can't really answer some of the questions since I don't really know the answers for stuff not related to games. I guess that doesn't make me much of an otaku.
Is that a good thing?
SagiMewtwo
@FarmboyinJapan: Nice, I will have to check that out. Even though im kinda at a loss for why since I wont really be able to read it... :-\
@elevenoverzero: well, otaku would be someone who has anime/manga and anything related to it as main hobby. At least the Western definition.
@amake: In fairness I think many refer to themselves Otaku in cases where a Japanese person would not. I mean many western "otaku" are nowhere near as obsessed or one-track-minded as a genuine Japanese otaku.
Also I think it's fair to say that the term has come to hold a slightly different meaning in English as is true of many words borrowed from other languages. In due time there may come a day where people may not even realize it's a borrowed word.
@.com: True Strike Witches fans already own the show on DVD and watch it without subtitles. Best show of 2008!
@MechaTama31: I'm not the original poster, but if it's any consolation I do criticize when local companies act parochially. This is the internet after all.
@Zolbrod: What I dont think I ever got in their.... time to dust off my ps2 and start up ffVII.
starwind-hawking
I never knew of this otaku usa cool
starwind-hawking
@amake: I couldn't agree more.
It amazes me people use the term, and don't realize the true meaning of it. Why would you voluntarily call yourself something derogatory and not bother to find out where the term comes from, why it's used etc.
If you went to Japan and met someone and said. "Yeah, I'm a huge Otaku!" It would be the equivalent of saying, "Yeah, I'm a huge fucking loser!" And I'm not trying to be funny.
It can be argued that "otaku" in Japan aren't portrayed as negatively as they once were, what with popular TV shows "train man" (電車男) , but the sentiment still remains within mainstream Japanese society.
@SagiMewtwo: No, same thing happened to me. Unless it's related to games, I'm not very good at coming up with anime/manga answers. I'm a casual fan, but at heart I'm just a hardcore gamer.
@MattB: But it's like criticizing your local independent coffee shop for not becoming a megafranchise like Starbucks. Sure, maybe they could expand, and maybe they would make more money that way, and maybe more people would get to enjoy their coffee that way. But they have decided what size of market they are going to serve, and that's their business. They are not obligated to seek out every person on the planet who might want their coffee.
If a company only wants to serve one town, or one state, or one country, or whatever, that's their call. And if that results in some unmet demand in an area they don't cover, well, too bad. If they don't consider it worth their while to expand, maybe some other company can fill the niche there.
MechaTama31