CATDOLL: Japanese netizens hotly discuss: Nowadays, otaku actually like this type of animation?

In the current Japanese anime industry, various types of works emerge in an endless stream. So what works do some "real people" who are "real people" but love to watch anime like to like? Japanese netizens came to a conclusion after heated discussions.

Generally speaking, "real people" and "otakus" are a pair of incompatible groups. The former are well-received by people around them for their handsome looks, good character and decent behavior. They lead a very fulfilling life and can make friends of the opposite sex. The latter choose to be self-isolating for various reasons, indulge in the virtual world of animation to comfort themselves, and are synonymous with "decadence" and "mediocrity" in social opinion.

"Modern House" prefers works like "Angel Beats"

However, with the rapid development of the Japanese animation industry in recent years, more and more "fake otakus" have also thrown themselves into the embrace of animation. Unlike otakus, these "fake otakus" only choose animations that they are interested in, and do not put too much emotion into them. After watching one, they will look for other works to watch, as if watching animation is just to kill time. This practice has caused dissatisfaction among otakus, who believe that these "pseudo-otaku fake otakus" have tarnished the essence of animation and are not worthy of being called "otakus".

Not only is there a gap between "modern otaku" and "dead otaku" in mentality, but there are also differences in the types of works watched by the two groups. After integration, Japanese netizens summarized it as follows:

The works that modern otaku like are mainly those with a bright atmosphere, relaxed and lively, and the story settings and plots are not complicated, such as animations or comics such as "One Piece", "Dragon Ball", "Angel Beats", "K-ON!" and "The Idolmaster".

The works that otaku like: the atmosphere is dark and heavy, and the story settings and plots are as complicated and difficult to understand as possible, such as "EVA", "Tokyo Ghoul", "Fist of the North Star", "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Yu Yu Hakusho".

"Otakus" prefer works such as "EVA" with complex settings

After the results of the discussion were released, another wave of heated discussions soon followed. Many netizens agreed that "favorite animations can also indirectly reflect the inner thoughts of the viewers." After all, as a popular person with a good personality and a positive outlook, it is reasonable for them to like such positive works. Some people were noncommittal, believing that "there are also popular people who like works like Attack on Titan. Should we say that they just choose works that they can find on hand?"

Honda Mio from The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls

Although it is obviously weak to distinguish between "real otaku" and "dead otaku" based on animation alone, in fact, various differences still exist to a greater or lesser extent. A Japanese netizen cited an example from his own life on the message board: he has a friend who is a veritable "real otaku" and has watched the animation "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls". When asked which character in the show he likes the most, the real friend said without hesitation that he likes the energetic, lively and cheerful "Honda Mio" the most. However, in the dead otaku group, Mio's popularity is not very high, and she is even often criticized...

It seems that the animation style and the personality of the characters can indeed influence the preferences of some viewers. As for the practice of some "real otakus" mocking "fake otakus", it is too funny. Should we say that this is envy, jealousy, or inferiority complex?