[phishn37]

If you're using otaku how most westerners use it, then being otaku doesn't really mean you're an obsessive introvert who only spends time with anime, manga or games. It's just someone who likes anime a lot ~ ! But in the Japanese sense... yes, otaku can be quite extreme. Just make an effort to get out of the house every once in a while ~ !

I've also found that even in the Japanese context, the negative feel of the word is softening up.