Does collecting imports necassarily make you an otaku?

[Lord Contaminous]

Lately since I've been focusing on Japanese games and the artistic value put into it, I've been among some other boards with some jocks that arrogantly call you otaku when you say you collect imports or compare different versions, or the lowest form "Japanophile" on the level of a sex offender or something (pedophile). It really pisses me off to no end. Sure there are some things about the scenario I usually don't like, such as Japanese phrases mixed in English sentences (Ohhh that cat is kawaii, just doesn't sound right)

But back to the subject at hand. It is true that I am fed up with how I see the American gaming industry is, they haven't brought out a great addicting shooter since Ikaruga or Gradius V, and I when I played Espgaluda on import PS2 and saw it's a work of art, that's when I had the last straw. But do I have to put up with shallow insults like that? Fuck No. As far as I'm concerned they do that just to try and look cool.

Anyway what's y'all's take on it?

[roushimsx]

Some people will blindly attack anyone who seem to have a preference for Japanese games over US/European games for whatever reason. They will also assume that since you play Japanese games that you're a lord and master of all things anime and jpop and that you love nothing more than dickgirl hentai. Those people are fucking cocksuckers and annoy the living hell out of me. They're the reason I quit going to a few forums.

I love good games and I don't give a damn where they come from. I don't care if a game was made in Canada (Baldur's Gate II!), Japan (Dodonpachi!), Croatia (Serious Sam!), The Czech Republic (Operation Flashpoint), or right here in the ol' USA (Half Life 2!). It's a damn shame people (that consider themselves gamers, no less!) will look down on others just because they try to broaden their gaming horizons.

Shit, the people calling you a japanophile are the same doublestandard fucktards that'll masturbate furiously at the latest Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Gran Turismo. They'll wax all nostalgic about Contra, Super Mario Brothers 3, Final Fantasy, and Sonic. Fuck them, I say.

p.s. on a tangent, fuck the Gigawing Generations haters, too. Sure, it's a crappy port but the game is damned fun :(

p.p.s. Shikigami no Shiro 2 got published here by XS Games as Castle Shikigami 2 for $10 and it's damned awesome. Hard as hell for me, though :( Great 2 player shmup (not quite on par with Gigawing or Gradius V in the 2p area, but still awesome).

ESPGaluda's soundtrack is the total win. Shame Mushihimesama's soundtrack isn't half as good :( (hell, the port of Mushihimesama isn't half as good...but it's still a mega fun game :( ).

p.p.p.s. Import Simple 2000 vol 81: Earth Defense Forces 2 and thank me later :) (not a shmup, it's a simple slowdown infested 3rd person shooter where you fight off an alien invasion. and it rules)

[importaku]

I wouldnt take it too much to heart. Screw them just enjoy your hobby.

I love the world of videogames especially japanese ones, hehe even my username is a giveaway LOL

A good game, is a good game regardless of where it was made.

[chaoticjelly]

日本語があることを懸命に試みるこ� � ^_^

[Tachikoma]

Well, if it really pisses you off, don't continue using lame words like "otaku" or "japanophile"...

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I'd rather be a nerdy Otaku who plays and collects quality PC-Engine and Saturn titles that were never released domestically then a douchebag goon who spams people on the internet for not liking the latest vietnam FPS.

[Push Upstairs]

As long as you don't buy used panties from a vending machine or turn into one of those people who uses "kawaii" too much you should be fine.


There is nothing wrong with wanting to collect something "different" from what you have readily availible around you. Some people watch foreign movies, some collect paintings or funiture from different countries, some people collect/play video games from overseas.

Short answer:

Fuck the jackals.


p.s. "otaku" is a dumb word.

[kainemaxwell]

Just collect what you want and don't let anyone else steer you wrong.

[Cryomancer]

Otaku is a general term actually, just for anyone who's really into something, so perhaps you are a game otaku. However i do think it has somewhat of a negative connotation. Honestly I wouldn't let it bother you.

Honestly, I don't see why you'd get too offended. Ever get called a nerd or geek? I enjoy that label personally. Hell, I've been calling myself a hermit lately du to my not going outside often habits.

[Lord Contaminous]

Yeah I know what you mean, but it's just that dicks like who you see in this thread on Neo Geo.com posted below is the perfect example of what I'm talking about, giving the word a bad ring to it. It's the thread of a Castlevania/Akumajo Dracula name debate that drifted off into a flame war.

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125171

[roushimsx]

to be fair, the opening post in that thread was some fucked up flamebait. There's a million different ways that it could have been rewritten to not sound like, "OMFG DIE WHITE DEVIL AND TAKE YOUR CURSED LANGUAGE WITH YOU"

But yea, that thread is a nice example of lameness.

[MrSmiley381]

Jeese.

Good thing I'm only on Neo-Geo.com for the market. They need to stop arguing about Castlevania's name and just buy the damned game.

Anyway, if someone calls you a Japanophile, fuck them. Most general Americans like Madden. You could call them retarded. Personally, I only do that when they start an argument. After I mention the fact that it barely changes every year, they shut the hell up. If you try that and they don't stop, use a crappy import and sodomize them while yelling "YEAH, I'M A JAPANOPHILE AND I LOVE SHOVING IMPORTS IN PEOPLE'S ASSES!" This is guaranteed to make them stay away and shut the hell up. Problem with that is that many more people will also stay away. Most of the games I want are either made in Japan and translated, or just plain imported. 'Nuff said. If those are the games you like, fine. I'm with you on this one.

I feel like playing Devil Summoner a bit more.

[Tron 2.0]

You shouldn't worry what other ppl think.

Just play "what you like period" so what if you spend money on imports.

That's your money not there's.

I pick up imports once in a while as well not, becuse it's cool or elite. I just want 'to try a game.... i've never played befor.

[maxlords]

Just say "bless you" and offer em a handkerchief when they say otaku :D

Seriously...you can't survive on the net if you can't ignore closedminded assholes.

[GaijinPunch]

Internet people being condescending is just perverse to me. That makes -- no sense.

Tron -- nice cans on that chick in your sig. :)

[Funk Buddy]

I just buy them to impress myself... since nobody else gives a crap! :D I will never care if someone doesn't get what I like to play or buy.

[MrSmiley381]

Does anyone else here enjoy playing RPGs in a language you can't understand? For some reason, I really do.

[pragmatic insanester]

wow. that forum's banter is actually more entertaining to me than sitting here feeling sorry about my mere 700-ish game collection. :D

[MrSmiley381]

What's sad is that most of the collectors there have a grand total of seven games, but they're worth as much AS 700. Quality-wise, that forum has gone down the toilet. Market is still relatively OK, though.

Well, I guess everyone here is a Wapanese Pedophile.

Yep.

[Richter Belmount]

bah who cares what people call ya ,if have friends that are huge gamers and they ever come over to your house they will atleast be impressed by the size of your collection and what strange shit you got lieing happened when i invited some friends for halo.

[Tron 2.0]

Tron -- nice cans on that chick in your sig. :)
Why thanky every body needs a Mai now and then :D

[Arthur-Otaku]

I just asked to my japanese friend about word "otaku"

He said:

***************************************
Yes I know the word "otaku".
In Japan everyone know the word.
"otaku" is a japanese word and it originally means "you" or"how about you?"
This word is for anime-related items collector especially girls anime video
or video games collector.

Japanese anime collector always have this kind of conversation between his
friend"I have found this rare video.How about you?"

so an anime collector was named as "otaku"
"otaku"became to be an international word now.
but please dont ask someone Are you an otaku? in Japan

because the word "otaku"has a bit negative meanings here.
***************************************

I believe that some people calls you otaku like an insult because they are "japanese language racist" and believes that you always must play and love american games, if no, you're a idiot, believes too that "game universe" was created by americans and any "foreign" stuff is always crap, it's an very stupid nonsense, looks like a horse that only looks to the front, they loses so much exclusive japanese stuff and creations

Otaku word can be negative sometimes because is an word used to name hentai collectors, it's better to say that you are an vg otaku before, to avoid any problems

I really love vg stuff from japan, covers, artworks, manuals and others that normally are superior to US stuff that doesn't care about "art"

[Yamazaki]

Hey hey, great topic!!

I started as an otaku buying japanese mangas and games. I liked mangas that weren't published outside of Japan and I bought japanese games because they were cheaper (buying them directly in Japan/asia) and a lot of games got never published outside Asia.

Then I started learning Japanese. Then I started visiting Japan moreoften. Now I'm living here with a Japanese girlfriend (definitily otaku ;) ).

I do understand though when people think negative of japanese gaming or anime fans. Go to a anime convention and listen to the discussion. Counting all the "-chan"s and "kawaii"s makes you sick!!


My gf got startled though when she saw me buying a figure since that is the trademark of being an otaku.

I mean yeah, I collect figures and anime and video games. So what?! Besides that I study ecomony, do bodybuilding, spend a good time in discos and clubs, have a lot of friends and I'm a really nice guy (I hope).

So I always like to give an example of a so-called otaku by presenting myself.

And just ignore the internet! It was made for flaming and spamming! Realize that!


PS: I would like to have some links to forums where they seem to hate japan-lovers. I like flaming.

PSPS: Japanophile is an actual term for a Japan-friendly person.

[le geek]

Having read through the thread, I still have to say the answer is YES.

If you are really passionate about something other than sports, money, booze or getting laid you probably have geekish tendencies.

The trick is to not worry about it and try to find a balance of things. If it bothers you being called an Otaku, that's a warning sign right there. It's like if you're a "Trekkie" but prefer the term "Trekker".

If it still bothers you, go outside and chop some wood or something...

That being said, when did teh jocks learn to type? LOL

Cheers,
Ben

[Arthur-Otaku]

Having read through the thread, I still have to say the answer is YES.

If you are really passionate about something other than sports, money, booze or getting laid you probably have geekish tendencies.

The trick is to not worry about it and try to find a balance of things. If it bothers you being called an Otaku, that's a warning sign right there. It's like if you're a "Trekkie" but prefer the term "Trekker".

If it still bothers you, go outside and chop some wood or something...

That being said, when did the jocks learn to type? LOL

Cheers,
Ben

I really don't worry about the word, I like the word, see my nickname LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

[Cryomancer]

Having read through the thread, I still have to say the answer is YES.

If you are really passionate about something other than sports, money, booze or getting laid you probably have geekish tendencies.

The trick is to not worry about it and try to find a balance of things. If it bothers you being called an Otaku, that's a warning sign right there. It's like if you're a "Trekkie" but prefer the term "Trekker".

If it still bothers you, go outside and chop some wood or something...

That being said, when did the jocks learn to type? LOL

Cheers,
Ben

In Japan, there are such things as sports otaku. Just so you know.

[Lord Contaminous]

OK I'm beginning to see it differently now. I've just beed jaded by the negative energy those casual gamers put on the word "otaku".

Hey I'm a club dude myself 8-)

Get this when I go out in public, I don't even have the stereotypical appearances, glasses, always wearing anime shirts all the time. And I'm black/afro american, because of that, where I live where most people of that race play NBA Street or Madden, I think I stick out like a sore thumb.

[Lord Contaminous]

PS: I would like to have some links to forums where they seem to hate japan-lovers. I like flaming.



It's no much of Japan lovers or flaming, but it's one of those "some people like it some don't" kind of threads.

http://shoryuken.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96409

[le geek]

In Japan, there are such things as sports otaku. Just so you know.

Sure :) There are sports geeks in the US too. BTW I suck at sports (and most sports games made after 1990). I was just pointing out that we're all really into videogames and for the most part have a dorkish streak... ;)

[Cryomancer]

Of course, no argument here.

[Yamazaki]

recently i read about otaku marriages.
for example a plush otaku woman marrying a anime otaku man.

[Ed Oscuro]

Heh. I don't really like the word due to the negative connotation. I wouldn't be surprised if the creators of the term are the same folks who still call video games "Famicom games," aka those folks here in the states who call playing video games "playing Nintendo." Although who knows, maybe the "Otaku" created the term themselves in a moment of self-depreciating humor.

But as Yamazaki says, it does conjure up images of kids yelling about how kawaii This or That is and calling game characters "-chan." I can't stand that.