To "Otaku" or not "Otaku"

@JackTechno - Watched the video. Sure a lot of words can be "subject" but that doesn't erase the negative connotations of a word. For example "bitch" can mean so much more than just a "female dog". It can be used in many other ways that are derogatory or insulting to women, a person or whatever. Because of this no one ever uses the Denotation of the word. We just say "female dog" instead. I'm pretty sure one of these days someone will try to defend the word "bitch" and attempt to use it in a positive light. So while "otaku" didn't start as a negative thing, I still think people should be wary of it. Like I said though, these are changing times, and even Japan may have excepted it back as at least a neutral term.

To me the word Otaku doesn't really bother me. People can call me Otaku all they want, it is all about your perspective, and how you view yourself. It is only a negative connotation if that's how you view it. Most people view it as negative, because society deems an Otaku as being a negative thing. So most people feel akward, and don't accept who they are, because the majority of people disagree with it. Whether a pyscho was an anime lover or not, it should not tarnish how you feel about the word. If you look up blank murderer in any category you can pretty much find one. Whether it is a puppy lover, or an Otaku. The way I view Otaku is, sweet you just called me an Otaku, your right I absolutely fucking love anime, and I don't really care if you like it or not, your opinion does not matter. am proud of it too. I used to not be that way but, I am now.

I agree with the OP here, 'otaku' is equivalent to using the word 'kike' or 'nigger', its derogatory and demeaning. Otaku does to me, in the US context, carry some similarity with the word 'weeaboo'. I simply believe the term Japanophile describes me relatively well. Much better than any of the other words.

No its a manufacturing from Greek, philia, which means love of, and Japan, the country. It literally means "Japan-lover" Pedophile means "Child-lover", but is irrelevant here as the root comes from Greek.