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There are a lot of words in the world to describe a person with a love of Japanese culture. Otaku: Is it a dirty word? Another gaijin in Akihabara is par for the course in Tokyo's mecca for otaku. Anime nerd.
J-culture addict. And of course, a word that originated in Japan: Otaku. For a member of the J-culture movement in America, "otaku" may have seemed like a password that allowed access to a secret club, in which all the other members understood the strange language that was being spoken and one could feel at ease. T-shirts popped up proudly bearing the word in America, worn by fans to conventions and in daily life. Read More.
Why would a native react that way? A general sense is that otaku are obsessive nerds, and weeb is a more pejorative term for someone with those qualities. Otaku is a term used to describe a Japanese person who is obsessed with their hobby something like anime, manga, or video games, but it can be all manner of things.
A wibu, weeb, or weeaboo is a derogatory term used to describe someone obsessed with Japanese culture on a very superficial level. So what does Wibu mean? A Wibu is an individual who has an unhealthy obsession with Japanese culture. A Wibu tends to enjoy certain aspects of Japanese culture such as anime or manga but they are ignorant of wider Japanese traditions.
Otaku is much more wide-ranging, as someone who is a fan of technology could be referred to as otaku. Wibu on the other hand only refers to this single type of person who idolizes certain aspects of Japan. Although both terms are pejoratives, people are trying to reclaim the words. The usage of the word otaku in Japan usually has negative connotations.
An individual might use the otaku to describe themselves in a self-deprecating way. Although in most cases someone is considered an otaku just because they are a fan of something. Studies have been conducted into the different types of otaku with the largest subgroup belonging to manga fans at , individuals.
Other groups include idol otaku, travel otaku, PC otaku, video games otaku, anime otaku, automobile otaku, and more. The term otaku casts a wide net and is not something just reserved for anime fans. However, the term has become less negative over time. Wibu on the other hand is something that makes people quite angry.
The term originated as a derogatory name to use against anime fans. Particularly fans who went out of their way to add Japanese to their speech, or by being too obsessed with anime. It was this obnoxious way of acting from some western fans that brought the term into existence.
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