The Word Otaku Good? Bad? Thoughts?

So recently there is this hot debate on one of my Instagram peeps I follow. The owner is gun-ho about Otaku being a bad offensive word. Not to be used to describe ones self. In looking up the actual word Yes it does derive as an offensive word. Almost as bad as Weebo. In my honest opinion Otaku may have started like a bad word but over time changed. Just like "gay" isn't happy anymore. Instead I think Weebo has replaced it and otaku has turned more of a positive way of saying you love anime. Is what I think. What are your thoughts on the subject?

My thoughts are simple, The word Otaku is the same as the word Nigger, In the sense that, Just because those who have been called have embraced it, Doesn't make it a "Nice" word. Both are still offensive and both are used like they are the opposite. It's up to you if you wish to be called it and like it, Just don't call me it and we're fine. Because no matter what you say right now, It's meaning stays the same. That's this vampire's thoughts on it anyways.

Anyone getting their panties in a twist over "Otaku" really needs to lighten up and learn about it and its roots: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otaku (read up on the references). It's no different than "nerd" or "geek" and can be applied to ANY hobby or interest another person may see as obsessive; cars, trains, matchbooks, stamps, pop idols, Nike shoes, you name it. That otaku is used outside of Japan for anime/manga fans just specifies their interests inside the community. Seriously, if you're so concerned about what "outsiders" refer to you as you're wasting too much time and energy on things that don't matter. Anyone what thinks so highly of themselves that they look down on you for having an interest in anime, manga or cosplay more than likely will have no problem using other, genuinely derogatory terms to describe you.

I vote it is a good word. In Japan it mean Shut-in. In the USA. it mean anime, manga, and cosplay fan. And for among the people who still think anime is a cartoon. Otaku is a type of sandwich like a Hokage is also sandwich.

Just to clarify, hikikomori are more shut-ins. Otaku can participate in social events. Speficially, hikikomori don't need to be otaku but they generally don't leave their house. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEET Hikikomori can also fall in the NEET catagory.

In the western world it is usually just humored like what Geek has become now days IMHO, if they even know the word at all. I do not usually identify myself as one outside of friends or co-workers. Got into a huge discussion about SAO today with my boss and co-workers as we were building out our new data lab. I was caught off guard as my boss is a cool guy but he never mentioned Anime before in the 6 years I have known him. The Japanese I know have said it is not exactly the best thing to be called but not a scarlet letter or on a level with racism for example. There are much worse things to be called, Ainu for instance. Nerd, Geek, or Dorky by it's classical Western sentiment before Geek became a popular fad maybe is a suitable analog. Otaku also has an 'obsessive' trait implied with it from my understanding. An Otaku could be said to be a type of pop culture geek but one who is a little more into their hobby than what might be considered healthy. There was an anime/RL documentary called 'Otaku no Video' that came out early in the Anime boom here. Some of the people interviewed were definitely sources of the negative stereotypes attached to Otaku. It is also an informal/humorous telling of the origin of Gainax Studios. NEET & Hikikomori are more recent revelations due to examining the state of their social/economic conditions. They are often mistakenly lumped in with Otaku as Anime is the perfect solo retreat and popular accessible entertainment there. Otaku are quirky next to these folks who are genuinely ill and need help. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b0/Otaku-no-Video-DVDcover.jpg

All I think of when I hear NEET is a person with no job. There are soo many in this country that I don't think much of the word. For example if I didn't have a job heck ya I would be watching anime n playing games. So I don't use NEET much. I learned the word Hikikimori from the anime Outbreak Company ^+^ they made it sound kewl so I also use that to bag on some friends at work xP lol They get me right back with it to -_- lol But you guys are right I think it's stupid to get bent out of shape over the word otaku. Yeah I love anime is it wrong to be labeled as someone who has extreme passion for something? The word Nigga is a good example it was a way to negatively describe a person with a certain skin color who was low on the social totem pole. Now it's used for anyone. It can be offensive "It's because your a nigga" or it could be used to express tight friendship " You're my nigga" I only use Otaku sparingly to those that are truly hard into anime. I consider myself otaku and My nigga is only used for my close friends. It's all in context my friend ^-^ So word natzi's out there shouldn't be getting bent out of shape if I call myself or friends that. Saying we are culturally unaware if we use the word in a positive sense.

i honestly dont give a fok, words are words just dont call me a tea love, cuss that shit is nasty

anyone has the right to chose how they live yet we only see certain people labeled for how they live, life is like that nothing to fret about, most important thing is one is happy with how he lives and shrugs those who try to mock or just reply back with sound logic and sarcasm