Why do you want to live in Japan?

[Henbaka]

Originally Posted by Hatredcopter

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.

Yeah, I see your points. I guess what i oppose is the "not good enough reason" part. Perhaps yours or mine reasons to go to Japan ain't good enough for someone else...get what I mean? You were happy to see a change in that other guy because he changed into what you think is right, but not you nor me know which the "right" way to be is.

It's not like he was hurting anyone before, right?

And hell, just because someone says they wanna go live there for years and years, that shouldn't stop them from simply giving it up and returning home if it's nothing like they expected?

[tommasi]

I think the problem with otakus is how they are viewed by others.

In Japan, the media already created a stereotype image of otakus and it's not a positive one for sure.

But there is a new trend among entertainers to come out with their otaku expertise on the television.

There's a tv show on TV Asahi called Ame Talk.

This show has been featuring otaku topics for quite sometimes now and I can say that comedians on this show made it look rather cool to have sufficient knowledge in amine like Gundam, Evangelion, and some other non-anime related topics that are considered nerdy.

Anyways, if some of you are interested in watching Japanese TV on line, google TVU and download this program.

It's awesome because I can watch almost all the major TV stations online!!

I haven't tried too many channels other than Japanese ones and Fox Soccer Channel, but there are many channels available through TVU.

[Hikikomori]

Originally Posted by tommasi

I think the problem with otakus is how they are viewed by others.

In Japan, the media already created a stereotype image of otakus and it's not a positive one for sure.

But there is a new trend among entertainers to come out with their otaku expertise on the television.

There's a tv show on TV Asahi called Ame Talk.

This show has been featuring otaku topics for quite sometimes now and I can say that comedians on this show made it look rather cool to have sufficient knowledge in amine like Gundam, Evangelion, and some other non-anime related topics that are considered nerdy.

Anyways, if some of you are interested in watching Japanese TV on line, google TVU and download this program.

It's awesome because I can watch almost all the major TV stations online!!

I haven't tried too many channels other than Japanese ones and Fox Soccer Channel, but there are many channels available through TVU.

I did that, but the only Japanese channels coming up is one news channel, 3 music channels and 1 funny channel with crappy quality.. :/

[tommasi]

Originally Posted by Hikikomori

I did that, but the only Japanese channels coming up is one news channel, 3 music channels and 1 funny channel with crappy quality.. :/

Yea, I think it was down yesterday.

Try some other time cos usually it works well.

[MisoOtaki]

I don't wish to live there for good, though sometimes I wish I had been born in japan instead of america, because i'm afraid if I lived there i'd be like the amazon lady, XD.

I would love to go there a lot though, like maybe marry an asian dude whose family lives in tokyo. or get into some kind of work that I'd have to go over there a lot. :]

I love they're culture, fashion, food, music, respect, and they're awesome manjas and anime. and they're television shows like ninja warrior and stuff.

[ChisaChi]

I want to live there temporarily to improve my Japanese language skills and experience something different Japan's culture and history is the opposite of Australia's in many ways, but has enough Western influences to still be comfortable and familiar enough, I think.

I think the main problem with otaku dreaming of living in Japan is that it's difficult to be realistic about a place you've only seen in pop culture media. Just like people coming to Australia thinking it's all koalas, kangaroos, surfing and Steve Irwin! It's not a correct or complete representation of the country as a whole, and certainly not of the day-to-day lives of people living there, so if people move to another country with that impression they're bound to be disappointed.

[Akakage]

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.

This happened to me while I was in Taiwan. Everyone thought I played basketball because I was black. One guy kept calling me Kobe. At first it was funny...then it got kind of annoying.

Everything in life requires balance. If you love Anime, watch it! Just don't become a Hikikomori because of it.

[Hikikomori]

Originally Posted by Akakage

This happened to me while I was in Taiwan. Everyone thought I played basketball because I was black. One guy kept calling me Kobe. At first it was funny...then it got kind of annoying.

Everything in life requires balance. If you love Anime, watch it! Just don't become a Hikikomori because of it.

Heh, it's kind of funny reading that when my name is Hikikomori on this forum xD
I'm NOT a hikikomori though, I just think the word have a nice sound to it : )

[Akakage]

Hehe...meant no offense by it. The sad thing is people becoming Hikikomori's NEETS or Freeters in Japan is becoming a real problem. Have you ever seen the series "Welcome to the NHK"? It's a great anime that deals with a person who has become one and his fight to overcome it. It's HILARIOUS but has some serious moments as well. Another film to watch about this is the Japanese film "The Mamiya Brothers". Very cool movie, but has a sad ending.

[Hikikomori]

Originally Posted by Akakage

Hehe...meant no offense by it. The sad thing is people becoming Hikikomori's NEETS or Freeters in Japan is becoming a real problem. Have you ever seen the series "Welcome to the NHK"? It's a great anime that deals with a person who has become one and his fight to overcome it. It's HILARIOUS but has some serious moments as well. Another film to watch about this is the Japanese film "The Mamiya Brothers". Very cool movie, but has a sad ending.

Yeah, I took the name Hikikomori from Welcome to the NHK So I know what you are talking about, it's a very serious problem.
I'm going to check out that movie though