What's on your mug?

A word that simply refers to people with an obsession for anime, video games or anything kinda like those things. Has developed a taboo because often times otakus are seen as the scum of japanese manga society. This taboo has been reinforced by otakus committing mass murders, rape and other crimes. In america to some people it is known as simply a fan, which for the most part it is, but also as an unhealthy obsesser. In japan their really isn't quite as much taboo since a huge portion of society reads manga, probably about 80 or 90% of males between age of 5 and 40 read manga on regularly. Even their Prime Minister, taro aso, who is an avid manga reader, refers to himself as an otaku, so really it isn't meant to hav any negative meaning.

Oh yeah hes an otaku oh.... better make sure he doesn't get a gun naw dont worry hes not one of those hes just a big fan ohh... ok... but really make sure he doesn't get a gun

By Kevin's dictionary

Otaku is the honorific word of Taku (home). 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) Usually an otaku person has nothing better to do with their life so they pass the time by watching anime, playing videogames, surfing the internet (otaku is also used to refer to a nerd/hacker/programmer). In the Western culture, people confuse otaku to be something positive like "Guru". If you think about it, it's not really good to be called a guru if it means you are a total loser who can't socialize with other people except through the Internet. Other Japanese words which have been confused by Westerners also include but not limited to: Anime, Manga, etc

otaku no jinsei ha yabai na! (it sucks to live the life of an otaku!)

By death_to_all

JAPAN:In Japanese was "Otaku" very polite form of "you" (literally your house). During the time the meaning has changed to hardcore fan of something usually manga and anime. Otaku has became used in meaning : nerd or jerk. Nowadays in Japan is the meaning returning back to non-offensive usage because of econimic trends. ELSEWHERE: Out of Japan is the term "Otaku" used in the meaning of hardcore fan of anime and Manga. Many of anime fans call themselves otaku despite knowing it's meaning in Japan.

I'm otaku and i'm proud of it.

By xpozitron

An extremely negative Japanese term, referring to a shut-in or someone with no social life. It also implies that the person's entire life is molded around fictional characters (usually anime and manga). In America, the term has been embraced by anime fans, who (as they do with many Japanese words), use the word incorrectly as a positive term for fanboy/girl.

1. "God, that kid is such an otaku. He won't leave the basement unless it's to buy new Dragon Ball fansubs." 2. "I, like, so totally love Sailor Moon! Serena rawks! I am, like, the ultimate Sailor Moon otaku!"

By Charon

Otaku in japanese is used primarily to describe someone who is obsessed with something to the point of un-healthiness. They lose their grip on reality so to speak. 'Gun-Otaku,' one who is obsessed with guns. 'porn-otaku,' one obsessed with porn. so on and so forth. The american meaning, maybe its used else where to...I dunno. any way, otaku over here is someone who likes anime a wwhhoollee lot, though they normally lead a normal life (unlike jap. otaku). Not really a bad term, though many see it as such.

No example. Its self explanitory.

By Kiwi Lord