otaku

An otaku is a person with an intense, all-consuming interest in a hobby, most often anime, manga or video games. In English it’s usually a neutral or proud label for a serious fan; in Japan it can sound much harsher.

What otaku means

Calling yourself an otaku in English means you’re deeply into anime and manga: you follow studios, collect figures, know the voice actors and watch more than just the big hits. Merriam-Webster defines it as a person with an intense, obsessive interest, especially in anime and manga.

In Japan, the word can apply to any obsession, such as trains, idols or military history, and it has traditionally implied someone socially awkward who has withdrawn into their hobby.

Examples

• “She’s a total anime otaku, her shelves are full of figures.”
• “I’m more of a casual fan than an otaku.”
• “Akihabara is a paradise for otaku.”
• “He’s a train otaku, he knows every line in Tokyo.”

Why it’s harsher in Japan

Wikipedia notes the word carries more negative weight in Japanese society. In 1983, writer Akio Nakamori used it as a put-down in a magazine series, and the 1989 arrest of a murderer whom the media labelled “the Otaku Murderer” gave the fandom a dark image for years. Attitudes have softened, but it’s worth knowing the difference.

Where otaku comes from

In Japanese, otaku literally means “your house” and was used as a polite, slightly distant way to say “you.” Nakamori’s 1983 articles turned it into a label for obsessive fans. Merriam-Webster dates its first English use to 1992.

Related terms

• Weeb: a non-Japanese fan obsessed with Japanese culture.
• Waifu: a beloved fictional character.
• Isekai: “another world” stories.
• Stan: an extremely devoted fan.

Explore more in our anime slang dictionary.