Gif Essay: The Stages Of Otaku
I should have really done this as the seven stages of dating an Otaku, but that is a gif essay for another day. For now, let’s stick with the seven stages that an Otaku goes through before accepting that they are in fact an Otaku or actually an anime fan in general. The term Otaku is thrown around as a regular term but it actually comes with negative connotations that people do not know. However, we shall persevere!
Here are the steps to dealing with the diagnosis of Otaku or anime fandom:
These steps are very close (if not exactly the same) as the stages of dealing with grief. You are grieving for the life you had before you joined that fandom.
First off is the initial shock of realisation that you now cannot live without anime in your life and the realisation of what life is going to be like following your introduction to anime. Most people have this when they are young, so the shock isn’t such a huge factor, but to all you late bloomers out there – prepare yourselves.
After the initial shock of realising you are now a part of the anime fandom comes the denial or likability to express your true feelings about anime to anyone else. If anyone asks, “Oh you like those weird cartoons?” you’re likely to deny deny deny your deep love for it.
Now you’re desperate and still denying the need for anime but have slightly accepted your growing obsession.
It’s an expensive hobby, and you may find yourself bargaining with your wallet on whether or not to splash the cash and buy that third season you’ve been dying to watch.
You have bargained all the way to the check-out with every last red cent that you have to your name and, even though you are guilty that you cannot pay rent, there is still that niggling feeling that you know it was all worth it.
Now comes the realisation that you are completely broke. You cannot understand why your friends don’t get why you can’t do the things they do; normal things, like going to the pub.
Other levels of depression and sadness come in when you are outbid for the limited edition DVD boxset on eBay with only a half-minute to go. First world anime fan problems, much?
Lastly, but most importantly, is the acceptance that you are an anime fan and know you are as awesome now as you were before the fandom came into your life. Only now you have a passion that you can share with others around you and make new friends in the process.
The outside world is not your enemy, so get out there fellow anime fans and share the love!
