What Are The Strongest Otaku: Time and Money Spent

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The term “Otaku” is often associated with die-hard anime and manga fans outside of Japan. However, in Japan itself, the meaning of the word is much more complex and layered. More than just a label for animation and comic lovers, “Otaku” describes a rich, diverse, and—sometimes—controversial subculture. Let’s dive into the world of Otaku in Japan and break down its various aspects.

A Brief History and Evolution of the Term “Otaku”

The word “Otaku” was originally used as a general and neutral term to refer to “home” or “someone’s residence.” After that, the term “Otaku” was then used to refer to individuals who have a strong obsession with a particular hobby, often related to the fictional world, such as anime, manga, games, and model kits. This usage then became popular and widespread, although initially not entirely positive.

Initially, “Otaku” had a negative connotation, even considered a derogatory term that described antisocial, strange, and isolated individuals from society. This image is often depicted in the mass media as individuals who ignore personal hygiene, live in chaos, and only focus on their hobbies.

However, over time, the negative connotation began to fade. Among fans themselves, “Otaku” became a proud identity, a label that embraced their love and dedication to their chosen hobby. Today, while there are still some who view “Otaku” with skepticism, the term is more often accepted as a neutral, even positive, description of a die-hard fan with deep knowledge and incredible passion.

Different Types of Otaku and Their Interests

Illustration of a man playing games

The world of Otaku is vast and diverse. Not all Otaku have the same interests. There are various subcultures and specializations within their interests, some of which include:

Anime Otaku: These anime fans have extensive knowledge of various genres, animation studios, and anime history. They may frequently watch the latest anime, keep up with industry developments, and participate in online discussions or fan forums.

Manga Otaku: Similar to Anime Otaku, they have a deep knowledge of manga, from shonen, shojo, seinen, to josei. They may collect manga, read various titles, and follow their favorite mangaka.

Otaku Games: These fans can focus on a variety of games, from console games, PC games, to mobile games. They may follow the development of gaming technology, play competitively, or collect rare games and special editions.

Otaku Model Kits: These enthusiasts love to assemble and paint model kits, whether from anime, manga, games, or vehicles. They have high skills in detail and incredible patience.

Otaku Figures: They collect figures or action figures of their favorite characters, often of high quality and incredible detail. They may also be very concerned with the storage and maintenance of their collection.

Vocaloid Otaku: These fans love the music produced by Vocaloid, a vocal synthesizer software. They may create their own music, attend virtual concerts, or participate in fan communities.

These are just a few examples of the different types of Otaku in Japan. Many individuals also have overlapping interests, for example someone can be a fan of anime, manga, and games all at once.

Otaku and the Japanese Entertainment Industry

Otaku play a vital role in the Japanese economy. The anime, manga, gaming, and related merchandise industries rely heavily on the support and spending of Otaku. They are the primary consumers of these products, driving innovation and creativity in the industry.

The presence of Otaku also influences the development of technology and digital platforms. For example, anime and manga streaming platforms have become very popular due to the high demand from Otaku around the world. Online communities and fan forums have also grown rapidly, allowing Otaku to connect, share information, and discuss their hobbies.

Otaku and Japanese Society

Although there has been a change in perception towards “Otaku”, there is still a certain social stigma associated with them. Some may still consider Otaku as antisocial or unproductive individuals. However, this view is diminishing with the increasing popularity of Japanese pop culture globally and the recognition of Otaku’s contribution to the Japanese economy.

Otaku also contribute in other ways, such as through fan art, fan fiction, and cosplay. They create creative content that enriches and expands their favorite fictional worlds.

Time and Money Spent by the Strongest Otaku

Yano Research Institute announced the results of a survey conducted among otaku of 10,000 men and women aged 15 to 69 living in Japan. Among the respondents, some identified themselves as otaku and some were recognized as otaku by a third party.

It is said the largest number of otaku is a manga otaku with around 6.74 million people. Meanwhile, the otaku who spends the most money Among the otaku are PC otaku and technology otaku with annual consumption per person exceeding 100,000 yen. In addition, otaku with the longest average otaku activity time per week is a VTuber otaku for 15.7 hours.

Idol otaku is in the top five in terms of the number of people and the amount of money and time spent. The estimated number of idol otaku is around 4.29 million people. The annual consumption amount per person is around 80,000 yen and the average otaku activity time per week is 10.8 hours. 

There is a tendency that idol otaku spend more of their income for otaku activities compared to other otaku. There are times when otaku buy oshi items that can't help but buy.

Conclusion

“Otaku” in Japan is a complex and dynamic subculture. It is more than just a label for anime and manga fans. It is a representation of incredible passion, dedication, and creativity. While there are still some challenges and stigmas to overcome, Otaku continue to play a significant role in the Japanese entertainment industry and global pop culture. To understand the world of Otaku is to understand a rich, diverse, and growing community that makes significant contributions to global culture. From neatly organized figurine collections to in-depth discussions about anime storylines, the world of Otaku offers a depth and complexity that is fascinating to anyone willing to dive in. They are more than just fans; they are an integral part of Japan’s evolving cultural landscape. They are the creators, consumers, and prime movers of a global phenomenon that continues to capture the world’s attention.

That's the discussion about otaku in Japan and the time and money spent. What about you? How much time and money do you spend on your otaku activities? Also, how Japanese people spend their salary is an interesting thing to discuss.