Heylo everyone!! For this week's entry, i have decided to write about what we have learned from lecture this week. Culture is a very intriguing aspect and its diversity and dynamism interest everyone around the world. In short, it symbolizes what we are, and it is the quintessence of our identity. There are two extreme spectrum of culture: Individualism Vs Collectivism. What distinguish individualist culture from collectivist culture lies in the way we deal with the relation between individual interests and communities' interests.
If you guys recall, during one of the lessons, Ms Hui played us a short Japanese video clip on the Otakus. I am sure that many of your first impression is, "What is a Otaku?" Well, i myself have no idea at all!! So I've decided to dedicate today's blog to give clear all the doubts on the collectivist world of Japanese animation and Otaku.
What is Anime? Anime is an English name for the style of art and animation developed by the Japanese. The word "Anime" is just the Japanese word for animation (of any kind), and it is pronounced "Annie-May"(Marc Marshall). Anime, in a simple sense, is Japanese cartoons. In a more complex and true meaning to anime, its Japanese animation that ranges from children shows to more adult themes. There is a sub-culture to this culture. That sub-culture is something called being an Otaku. Otaku is something like being called a nerd, dock, fan,geek. It is a label given to people with obsessive interest in Anime, manga(comic) and video games.
Otaku is extremely negative in meaning as it is used to refer to someone who stays at home all the time and doesn't have a life (no social life, no love life, etc). This basically means the person that is named an Otaku stays in the room and only leaves the room for food or some other necessity. Hence, they are often being associated with negative connotations like asocial, unhygienic, obnoxious, weird. Most would also think of them as living in a unrealistic world of the anime, thus having high tendencies of committing crimes like rape, robbery etc. Being ridiculed and isolated by parents, peers and society, many flock to socialize with others like then themselves in order to gain a sense of belonging, security and identity.
The most famous area where groups of Otaku gather and exchange ideas and information is the Akihabara district in Tokyo, Japan. This is the center of Otaku culture and it is a major shopping area for anime and Otaku goods. To add on to the Otaku experience, "cosplay cafes" with costumed waitresses/maids whom the Otakus adore, will serve customers in squeaky cartoon voices, and cater to every Otaku's needs. Most "maids" will address and treat the Otakus like "masters" by giving them massages, entertaining them with songs and games, all in the effort for them to have a memorable experience and to patronize again. "Maid" cafes has become part and parcel of the lifestyle of an Otaku as it gives them a sense of being cared and concerned for, and temporarily erase the emptiness and loneliness that surrounds them. 
There's more than just costumed waitresses to attract Otaku to Akihabara. A variety of businesses cater to a range of Otaku interests. From comic books, anime, and video games, to vintage computers and the bewildering array of electronic components that Akihabara offers. This wide range of merchandise certainly lure the curious Otaku "out of hiding".
All in all, I feel that the Otakus is another culture created by society for people who are rejected and cannot fit into the mainstream; like in the "Hippies" culture in the 70s. These individuals then come together united by a common bond and a common passion. Not all of them had to be friends or close buddies with each other, but they belonged (and remained) to the same community, which enables them finally have a sense of inclusion.
Your comments on culture refer to hofstede's dimensions, of which I/C is but one of the dimensions. Another conceptualization which may be more useful to use is Schwartz's values, in particular intellectual autonomy - a trait in which cultures emphasize individual pursuit of self decreed intellectual paradigms. The strength of the value, or in this case, the lack thereof could be a possible reason for their non-acceptance of Japanese Otaku sub-culture. Another prudent point to consider could perhaps be the openness rating from the Five-Factor Model of personality which may describe their aversion to new things, anime can be considered rather new.
ReplyDeleteHi Zhen Ming,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
Firstly, yes I have chosen to use Hofstede's model to analysize the otaku culture..
However, I do not quite agree with your point on Schwartz's values being more useful to in my analysis. This is because as far as I know, there have been experiments done to compare Hofstede and Schwartz's model on cultural studies, and the result was Schwartz's seven value types are basically one dimension, opposing an active vs passive attitude to life, which is similar to Hofstede's Individualism Vs Collectivism model, which I have mentioned.
Secondly, about your second point, anime is not exactly new.. it dates back to 1917..hence, i do not see how the (FFM)'s aversion to new things can be used to explain the stereotyping of the otaku culture.
Hope to receive your comments soon :)
In the case of japan, we have the Otaku as mentioned above. In the context of
ReplyDeleteSingapore, i believe we have the 'cybergamers'. They are addicts who spend hours, losing sleep and skipping meals, just to fulfil their addiction towards cybergaming. Where friends are made in the 'vitual world'. Should we attempt to change the behavior of such people? Or should we not interfere because that is their comfort zone?