(no subject)

[senoritafish]

The anime fans should enjoy this.

I was watching "Paddington Bear" cartoon HBO with my kids yesterday. One episode dealt with Paddington's family going to Japan so the father could research a book on sumo wrestling. They visited a school where the instructor attempted to recruit Paddington into joining, and being a bear, he might have been very good at it. One scene took place in a shopping mall, and I was suprised to see that in the window of the store behind the characters there appeared to be costumes for sale. The shop's name over the door, was clearly lettered "Otaku."

Now, I don't know much Japanese, but I think I know what that word means. :D

Comments

[metalmensch.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I wonder which meaning was being used. Because some of the translations are to pervert. :)

Threa yeers ago I cudn't spell OTAKU, & now I are wun...

[senoritafish.livejournal.com]

Just from what I gather from anime and other reading, it has the connnotation of being obessively fannish. Whether that's positive or negative depends on your point of view, I suppose.

Sort of like "Fanboy" or "Trekkie." Wearing your uniform to jury duty and making everyone call you "Captain."

I was just a little suprised to see it referenced in a kid's cartoon.

Re: Threa yeers ago I cudn't spell OTAKU, & now I are wun...

[metalmensch.livejournal.com]

I checked...it also means home (in addition to the vulgar argot and the colloquialism.) I suspect the fanboy meaning is the one which was meant. :)