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Negative Image on OTAKU in Japan

Negative Image on OTAKU in Japan
Seems that OTAKU culture has been accepted overseas.
As long as we are living in Japan, it's hard to know the reality. But it sounds "not bad" just considering the news flowing into Japan.
But the prejudiced view towards OTAKU is just harsh here in Japan.
Firstly, we need to clarify the meaning of "OTAKU" in Japan. Though everyone has a different opinion, OTAKU is not just a person who like manga, anime and games.
Is that so?
There are many categories in manga, anime and games. For example, "Dragon Ball" is a famous manga and anime overseas, but you would not be considered as OTAKU if you say you like Dragon Ball here in Japan. Similar cases included "Doraemon", "Sazae-san", "Pokemon" etc.. You won't be considered as OTAKU if you read these mangas.
Foreign friends should know about Pokemon. As for Doraemon and Sazae-san, they are anime classics being broadcasted on television for a long time. Their original are mangas. Doraemon has been broadcasted continuously for over 30 years. Sazae-san for 40 years.
Watching these animes would not become OTAKU, as they're for children and it is common for parents to watch with their kids. With the long history and family-targeted, these works never connected to OTAKU.
Then what kind of works are for OTAKU?
Basically, OTAKU works refer to any anime or manga other than that kind we've mentioned above. As for games, "Dragon Quest" series, a famous stuff in Japan, and Nintendo works such as "Mario Bros." are not OTAKU works. If you like a certain anime with long history and good reputation, you are not OTAKU but a fan of that classic.
Such as "Mobile Suit Gundam" series.
Mobile Suit Gundam series has a history of 30 years and becomes a genre on its own. As a result, Gundam fans are not OTAKU. We have a particular category named "GUNDAM OTAKU" for them.
Isn't that OTAKU too...
Works with long history are expelled, only the leftovers are considered OTAKU. Animes with many female characters are of course OTAKU animes, but anime with no girl doesn't mean that it is not OTAKU. Quite hard to clarify, but it should be noted that it doesn't make you OTAKU just because you like anime or gaming.
But in the foreign point of view, manga, anime and games are considered as OTAKU altogether.
As you say.
As for today's topic, there is a negative image on OTAKU in the Japanese sense.
Here in Japan, we praise OTAKU culture as a culture accepted worldwide. On the other hand, we blame OTAKU as sinners.
Sinners!?
Many are saying, "OTAKU make me sick".
Why is that so?
Firstly, appearance. OTAKU spend too much money and time on manga, anime and games. They don't care about fashion, appearance not good at all. And there is another important reason.
What's that?
Too much negative information on television and magazine.
We seldomly got a positive news...
Once we got a crime, mass media would make up a connection with OTAKU. Nowadays most Japanese youngsters read manga and play games. When they commit a crime, mass media would blame the influence of those hobbies immediately. As a result, society just got an image of "criminal" on OTAKU. These situations last for years and OTAKU could never improve their image.
It's sad that you will be blamed just because you like manga, anime and gaming.
But that is the common reaction towards OTAKU in Japan.
How about overseas?
We'll talk about that next time.

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