Global Otaku: Labels and Japanese Pop-Culture in Translation

Abstract

The idea of what an otaku is and how an otaku might act has changed gradually over the years. The phrase in it of itself has its own cultures and subcultures that intermingle and disassociate from one and other in varying ways. However, the consensus of the term from a Japanese context is its use to describe people with a strong interest in a particular object or subject, that also lack social skills. From a more western perspective, otaku means for a general interest in Japanese popular culture and media. This research will be looking to understand the history/origins of otaku, then comparing that to how it holds up today. Additionally, it’ll be looking into of the usage of devices such as the Gatebox, online communities, and other virtual mediums used for communication. This serves the purpose of looking into what it means for the “Global Otaku” as a sphere of communication, both inside and outside of Japan.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe