As many of you may know, ‘Otaku,’ is a Japanese term for people who have obsessive interests, usually being anime, manga, or video games. Think of it as what we Americans call “geeks.” In Japan, it’s considered offensive to be called an otaku. In America, just as we have altered most things borrowed from Japan, it’s completely the opposite. Most anime-loving, manga-breathing, video-game-leeching geek proudly wears the title “otaku.” Why is that? It shows a sense of belonging to a certain group, one of which they love and enjoy being a part of and strive to meet more people involved with.
As the breed of otaku grow larger and larger each year, many non-otaku folk seem to be generalizing the otaku cult. Meaning that even a common school boy who watches Naruto can be considered otaku. While can be true, that’s not always the case. As many otaku may know, there are different types or levels of otaku. However, non-otaku folk might find this difficult to understand. So I have compiled a detailed list of the 5 major levels of otaku using some Epicly-Tofugu-ish names for each level.
Level 1 - The Come-Acrosser Otaku
This can hardly be considered an otaku, but it exists nonetheless. The Come-Acrosser Otaku are people who suddenly find one episode of one anime on television, usually Cartoon Network or Adult Swim. They take interest in this show because of the story line or a specific fight scene or character and begin to watch it, but really shows no interest in watching any other anime. Usually the anime they "come across" is Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, or Inu Yasha and other mainstream titles. Eventually, the Come-Acrosser Otaku gets tired of sticking around for so many episodes and they realize the show will keep going on and on and on and they finally get bored of it and stop watching it all together.
Level 2 - The Mellow Admirer Otaku
This is usually the stage every otaku goes through but only sticks with it for a few months before moving onto the next level. Some otaku never leave this stage. The Mellow Admirer Otaku likes anime and watches whatever they can find on television, Comcast OnDemand, or YouTube. They enjoy dubs (English voice-acting anime) and are usually annoyed they find a subbed (subtitled) anime instead. Mellow Admirer Otaku usually like the anime that every otaku on higher levels have known about already. However, to the Mellow Admirer Otaku, it's as if they just discovered it and it's the most awesome thing in the world! Their behavior seems silly to the much older and more experienced otaku. Mellow Admirer Otaku also can't stand higher levels of otaku behavior because they feel that "they like anime, but they can never take their interest that to higher levels". Mellow Admirer Otaku should never be invited to a convention. They usually won't appreciate going to one. Usually it is the Mellow Admirer Otaku who discovers hentai (anime porn). Lucky them!
Level 3 - The Fanboy Otaku
This is usually when an otaku can start being called a "Weaboo," which is an offensive slang term non-otaku folk use to refer to otaku. The Fanboy expresses interests in going to conventions and might go to one or two and enjoy the panels, usually cosplaying as a Death Note character. They also start liking subbed anime but still prefer dubbed over subbed. About 30% of their money goes to anime-related things like posters, wall scrolls, and plushies. They might start buying manga from their favorite anime. They start to show interest in better quality anime, but usually not ones you find from watching television. You may find Fanboys searching anime websites and forums for anime titles so they can expand their interests. Their speech may also be speckled with pseudo-Japanese words like "Kawaii" and "Baka" as well as a lot of things they talk about have to do with anime or the manga they read.
Level 4 - The Actual Weaboo Otaku
This is when an otaku becomes extremely annoying to non-otaku folk and some people may not enjoy their company at all. The Actual Weaboo Otaku will begin to absolutely hate Ameircanized anime. The well-known anime like Naruto and Pokemon become their least favorites and they will refer to those types of anime only as "my starter animes" or “anime puberty”. Conventions are a yearly thing for them and they usually spend months trying to save up money for them just so they can splurge on the mountains of merchandise. Usually 40% of their money goes to anime related things. They also start buying cosplay costumes on the Internet or in stores and sport them at conventions. Usually, they dress as Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, or some well-known anime character. Their speech has also gone from only a few Japanese words to entire phrases they ripped from an anime, and also pronounced and said just like the character who delivered the line.
Level 5 - The Epic Otaku
This is the level every Actual Weaboo Otaku reaches. Their room suddenly becomes covered with plushies, posters, and Japanese toys. The anime The Epic Otaku watch are usually anime that no one knows about, except those who have already reached this level. Epic Otaku not only attend conventions multiple times a year, but they usually run panels at the conventions or volunteer at one, and make their own cosplay costumes rather than buying them. About 60% of their earnings go to anime merchandise. Epic Otaku usually never buys manga unless it's on sale or brand new. This is because almost all their money would go to manga, with the amount that they read. They instead find manga scans on the internet. Usually Epic Otaku become interested in visual novels and other Japanese video games. Though Actual Weaboos Otaku and Epic Otaku can be very similar, the major difference between the two is that Otaku have a deeper appreciation for Japan as a whole, not just the anime and manga. They may try to go to more Japanese restaurants or cook Japanese dishes. Japanese culture absolutely fascinates them and they yearn to go to Japan one day. Some even try to save up or enter contests to win trips. They subscribe to blogs (like Tofugu!!!!) that will teach them more about the country they love. Otaku are usually looked up to from other levels as the big sister. If someone from a lower level wants to ask about a certain anime,you can bet the Epic Otaku will know something about it.
Now that we have all the levels laid out for you, you non-otaku people may be surprised to find that there is more to otaku than just what you may consider “a weaboo”. As for all the otaku who reads this, after you’re done laughing because you either just recognized your own level or a someone you know, what level do you’ll end up on?
--Written June 2011 for Self-Confessed Otaku-ness
A culture blog for foreigners who would like to learn Japan and it's language
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