Why do you want to live in Japan?

[Hikikomori]

I am really looking forward to eat a Japanese bento. I don't know why... But I will have Ryoko to make a good bento for me when I'm going out to play with her little Leo or when I'm going to meet with Kenici.

A little bit of topic, but anyways ^^

[AlwaysPEPSI]

Haha, I like anime somewhat, but I've grown to be very picky... But personally, if any Japanese people (especially women) ask me if I watch anime I will deny it full out!! I've got a reputation to maintain after all...

[Hikikomori]

Originally Posted by Senshi

I don't think the problem is with the Otakus. I think it's just they recognize something they really like about Japan, but don't get exposed to the depths of it. A lot of otakus are looking for something to get confidence in and when they can get expertise in a part of Japanese culture, that's something they can point at and acknowledge.

As far as the women go... I was an otaku. Women are vain (as well as men) sometimes because they're human. I don't think nerds have more respect in Japan than the U.S., although I could be wrong on that account. Just be yourself, and whether you're an otaku or not you can find people to get along with, but keep in mind Japan is much more than anime, manga, and video games.

But you can still enjoy those things.

Heh, i have a friend from Japan. And he says "be a otaku, I'm proud of you! Run around in your shinigami costume and let me laugh behind your back "

When I say I'm an otaku, I'm an "Norwegian otaku" - and I don't think that can be compared to an otaku from japan at all. And I have only been watching anime in little bit more than a year, at the beginning I was all crazy, but now I have gotten it under control, and I'm only enjoying anime when I actually have time, not skipping anything more important in my life.

But I don't really get it, do otaku's really lack self confidence? I have never noticed, the anime fans at "my level" in Norway are VERY outgoing and don't really care about what others think..

[Senshi]

I'm American, so I can't speak from a Norweign POV.

From my experience, I was an otaku 4 or 5 years. It was one of the main ways I had to study Japanese.

In the U.S. it has a sorta cult sub-culture status, and otakus are sorta ridiculed because anime used to be VERY expensive to obtain and many wouldn't be dubbed, so you needed time, money, and persistence to understand it. Hence it's seen as nerdy, although anime is much more popular now, it still has some stigma.

From what I've seen a lot of otaku can scare Japanese away because in Japan otaku has a negative connotation. It's not seen as a good thing. For a lot of otakus that can be surprising, because they REALLY love Japan and support it. So there's an amount of cultural dissonance when you're rejected for trying to be too Japanese, or seeming like an out-of-the-ordinary foreigner.

This is the reason I talked about confidence. I know from meeting a lot of otakus, and having been one that there is some psychology involved, but that can be overcome if the person is genuine and open-minded. Eventually you find some nice people even if you are mistreated.

This is all from an American perspective again, so it's no to say your otaku community is the same, but in general a lot of otakus, especially before their mid-20s are like this in America.

[Henbaka]

Originally Posted by Hatredcopter

This is the problem that I see around here all the time...

Please don't feel bad for me using your post as an example, it's nothing against you personally. There's just so many people who say they want to move to Japan and "because I love anime" is far too often the reason. Anime is really an insignificant part of daily life in Japan - the vast majority of adults in Japan don't even watch anime. If you go to Japan expecting to lead a life like anime characters do, you'll get laughed at, and reality will come crashing down hard. Being an "otaku" in Japan isn't a good thing - it's not quite the badge of honor that it is in western countries.

At the university that I went to (in the US), every semester we'd have Japanese exchange students come over... and every semester they would have to go out of their way to avoid the anime club, because the anime club would always hound them, asking questions about what their favorite anime is or what anime is popular in Japan at the time. It was a little embarrassing to watch. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy some anime just as much as the next guy (or girl)... I have a few series sitting on my shelves - but the bottom line is, anime isn't, nor shouldn't, be a reason for someone to make a life-changing decision like moving to a foreign country.

I think I understand what youre saying, and I have to say I mostly agree. I too think that people should realise Japan isnt the anime-world (even though I have to say parts of akiba/harajuku are).

But what I strongly object is the notion that there are reasons "not good enough" for a person to want to travel and live in a different country (in this case Japan). For someone to dictate that "your reason for wanting to go to Japan isn't valid" is just plain wrong to me.


An example:
A real die-hard anime-loving otaku super-nerd says he wants to go live in Japan because it's "anime heaven". He saves money, and goes tto Tokyo (tourist visa, since he can't get any other kind). When he gets there he sees that, although he loves the maid cafes@akiba and cosplay@Harajuku, Tokyo is not the same as an anime world.

Perhaps this will put him down alot, maybe not. Chances are he will still be able to have serious fun during his stay. Afterwards he returns to USA (or whatever country) and brags to his otaku-buddies about the cool stuff he did. Maybe he's still a bit down about all his dreams not coming true though. He might be sad.

Whats wrong with this scenario? Life offers let-downs in various forms to everyone, but stay at home in fear of atleast trying something new and you won't get any of the good shit either.. Why would anyone tell that otaku guy to not go, just because his reasons to them are ridicilous (and they "know better") ?

Someone just said that Japan aint some remote unreachable island, and it's just so true. You won't die from going there for a while. If youre thinking about it or just want to find out how you like it, save some money and go.

[Hikikomori]

Originally Posted by Senshi

I'm American, so I can't speak from a Norweign POV.

From my experience, I was an otaku 4 or 5 years. It was one of the main ways I had to study Japanese.

In the U.S. it has a sorta cult sub-culture status, and otakus are sorta ridiculed because anime used to be VERY expensive to obtain and many wouldn't be dubbed, so you needed time, money, and persistence to understand it. Hence it's seen as nerdy, although anime is much more popular now, it still has some stigma.

From what I've seen a lot of otaku can scare Japanese away because in Japan otaku has a negative connotation. It's not seen as a good thing. For a lot of otakus that can be surprising, because they REALLY love Japan and support it. So there's an amount of cultural dissonance when you're rejected for trying to be too Japanese, or seeming like an out-of-the-ordinary foreigner.

This is the reason I talked about confidence. I know from meeting a lot of otakus, and having been one that there is some psychology involved, but that can be overcome if the person is genuine and open-minded. Eventually you find some nice people even if you are mistreated.

This is all from an American perspective again, so it's no to say your otaku community is the same, but in general a lot of otakus, especially before their mid-20s are like this in America.

Hm, I don't know that many Norwegians watching anime actually, so I guess there are some hardcore nerds sitting inside 24/7 here with low self confidence.

Ah, I know about being an otaku in Japan aint necessarily a good ting. That was the first thing I was told when I started watching anime, that it's the same in norway. Being an otaku, using all your time and money on anime and manga aint cool, and it will never be.

[Henbaka]

Originally Posted by Hikikomori

Hm, I don't know that many Norwegians watching anime actually, so I guess there are some hardcore nerds sitting inside 24/7 here with low self confidence.

Ah, I know about being an otaku in Japan aint necessarily a good ting. That was the first thing I was told when I started watching anime, that it's the same in norway. Being an otaku, using all your time and money on anime and manga aint cool, and it will never be.

Might be fun though.

[Hatredcopter]

Originally Posted by Henbaka

I think I understand what youre saying, and I have to say I mostly agree. I too think that people should realise Japan isnt the anime-world (even though I have to say parts of akiba/harajuku are).

But what I strongly object is the notion that there are reasons "not good enough" for a person to want to travel and live in a different country (in this case Japan). For someone to dictate that "your reason for wanting to go to Japan isn't valid" is just plain wrong to me.


An example:
A real die-hard anime-loving otaku super-nerd says he wants to go live in Japan because it's "anime heaven". He saves money, and goes tto Tokyo (tourist visa, since he can't get any other kind). When he gets there he sees that, although he loves the maid cafes@akiba and cosplay@Harajuku, Tokyo is not the same as an anime world.

Perhaps this will put him down alot, maybe not. Chances are he will still be able to have serious fun during his stay. Afterwards he returns to USA (or whatever country) and brags to his otaku-buddies about the cool stuff he did. Maybe he's still a bit down about all his dreams not coming true though. He might be sad.

Whats wrong with this scenario? Life offers let-downs in various forms to everyone, but stay at home in fear of atleast trying something new and you won't get any of the good shit either.. Why would anyone tell that otaku guy to not go, just because his reasons to them are ridicilous (and they "know better") ?

Someone just said that Japan aint some remote unreachable island, and it's just so true. You won't die from going there for a while. If youre thinking about it or just want to find out how you like it, save some money and go.

I didn't say they shouldn't go, I said it's not a good reason to go. On vacation, sure, it's a fine reason, but not fine if you're talking about spending years of your life there.

Regarding your scenario, I've witnessed this first-hand. On my exchange program to Japan in the 06-07 academic year, the other guy who got accepted to the program besides me was a die hard otaku. Spent hours a week watching anime and such. I think he had a bit of an epiphany during his stay in Japan, because after a month went by during the exchange, he didn't give a hoot about anime and he became more serious about learning more things about Japan and the Japanese language. I was happy to see that change in him.

My message wasn't really supposed to 'deter' otakus from wanting to live in Japan, it was more of a forewarning that Japan may be a lot different than they expect - that's why in a lot of my other posts I've urged people to visit Japan before deciding they want to ship off and live there. And by visit, I mean longer than just a vacation, because a week spent in Akiba isn't really experiencing Japan for what it is.

[rubberghost]

i've been fascinated with japan since i was a little kid. for the last 6 or 7 years i've been particularly interested in tokyo. i travel a lot and could see myself living in japan. i would like to. i've only been to the airport in osaka though.

[crazyjrockluver]

i love their food and culture there's something about it draws my attention