Anime is a Japanese animation technique that has been around for decades. In reality, the first Anime film was produced in 1917. It has now expanded to embrace a wide range of story genres and styles.
There are many different types of Anime available nowadays, so you should be able to discover something that appeals to your preferences.
For Anime fans, there is something no one else has, an animated universe full of unique characters and tales just waiting for them!
Anime fans receive a lot of attention online, particularly on social media, where everyone can quickly share their favorite memes or gifs from their favorite show.
Anime fans are identified with cliche terms such as otakus, weebs, or weeaboos. Some supporters wear these titles with pride, while others find them upsetting and degrading.
Most Anime fans are generally quite pleasant individuals, despite their peculiarities. Sure, there are a few people who need to be shot straight into the sun, but that happens in every society.
Despite their differences, all Anime nerds have a sincere passion for the genre. Even if it is the only thing these very diverse types of fans have in common, it’s still something.
Nonetheless, Anime fans are among the most content people on the planet. Here is all you need to know about these fans.
What is anime?
Anime is a type of Japanese animation that is created or influenced by it. It is the Japanese name for cartoon or animation, and it is employed to describe all cartoons, regardless of nationality.
Outside of Japan, anime refers to Japanese animation films characterised by dazzling graphics, dynamic characters, and appealing themes such as sci-fi, romance, and supernatural forces. Consider the following syllogism: all anime shows are cartoons, but not all cartoons are anime.
The art style related to anime is unique and immediately recognisable. Huge eyes, wild hair, long arms and legs, and other characteristics are undoubtedly familiar to you. Its exaggerated style helps the characters express themselves more freely, which is abundant in anime.
Otaku
The term “otaku” is frequently used to refer to someone who truly adores Anime, especially among Americans and other English speakers.
Many Americans and English-speaking people choose the term “otaku” to identify themselves because they desired a way to communicate their interests to others.
As a result of their obsession with Anime, the term otaku in Japanese was initially used to describe someone who lived alone and never left their home.
Akio Nakamori initially used the term otaku to characterize fanatical fans of Mobile Suit Gundam and Macross in an essay published in Manga Burikko in 1983.
To put it simply, an otaku is far more knowledgeable about Anime than the typical fan.
They could be familiar with the finest Anime combat sequences or every nuance of the climactic episode.
There is no doubting their passion for the Anime genre, despite the fact that they may also appreciate other, non-animated forms of entertainment.
Weebs or Weeaboos
The phrase “weeaboo” often abbreviated to “weeb” is extremely unique to Japanese culture. Beyond Anime, those who are passionate about all things Japanese are referred to as “weebs.”
People who are not of Japanese origin are typically called “weebs.” Weebs are essentially foreigners who have a deep respect for a variety of aspects of Japanese culture, both traditional and modern.
All things Anime are associated with Japanese culture by these people, who constantly combine their limited knowledge of Japanese terminology with English in their speech.
Weeaboos undoubtedly adore Anime and Japan, but in their attempt to ‘be’ Japanese and reject their own identity, they enrage many fans who feel that they are stereotyping Japanese culture.
So here’s the thing: some people think the name “weeaboo” has a pejorative origin. This is because the term could be bestowed upon someone who is deemed to be “over-obsessed” with Japanese culture.
| Comparison | Otaku | Weebs |
| Origin | Japanese word | Derived from the pejorative term Wapanies. (a wannabe Japanese) |
| Demographics | The nerds or geeks of Japan. They may obsess over Anime, Manga, idols, or Dramas. | People who are not Japanese but they imitate and are obsessed with Japanese media |
| Obsessions | Anime or manga is the most common example, although it can also refer to a variety of other interests. | Also includes Anime or manga, as well as other parts of Japanese culture. |
| Typical Characteristics | They are usually introverted, have poor social skills, and are a homebody. | Absent-minded, can be obsessive when discussing their hobbies. Can have eccentric fashion sense. |
| Implication | The term is usually derogatory in Japan and neutral elsewhere. | The term is generally insulting outside of close friend groups. |
The Waifu Fans
This is similar to what a Waifu fan is, as most Anime fans have at some point had feelings for a certain character.
They are fans who become utterly obsessed with a certain character and have a serious crush on them.
The term waifu was first used by male fans of female characters who had a crush on them, but nowadays we may find female fans also adopting this phrase to describe their infatuation with male characters.
Some waifu enthusiasts have gone so far as to wear wedding bands to declare their love for their Anime waifu, talking more about the character they like than the storyline or plot.
Shippers
The love between characters is the central theme of the shipper.
While there is some crossover with the Fujoshi, the shipper isn’t only those people who watch a show, choose One True Pairing or OTP, and then use their creativity to create fanart, fanfic, fan mixes, AMVs, or just shout with joy whenever their OTP has a sweet moment.
However, life is not all ice cream and sunshine. Ship conflicts have the potential to quickly destroy a fanbase. Because shippers often cause trouble with their ships and beliefs by being highly poisonous and somewhat…forceful.
Shipping is a major contributor to the toxic nature of the fandom.
Although shipping is supposed to be a fun and harmless activity, some people take it too far. And regrettably, because of how aggressive they may be about it, shipping and shippers have a terrible image.
Cosplayers
The act of dressing up as your favorite character in an Anime, Manga, or video game series is known as cosplay.
You find yourself wanting to dress up as one of the characters because you love the world the author built. It’s sort of a homage.
showcasing your artistic abilities, displaying your passion for a certain form of entertainment, such as Anime or Manga, and having the opportunity to connect with people who share your interests through your work or common attire.
The Seiyuu Fans
If you are an Anime lover, you are already familiar with the voices of all the characters. There is no denying that their voices bring the characters and the whole Anime game to life.
Seiyuus, also known as voice actors, are becoming more popular all over the world as a result of being recognized.
Japanese speakers refer to voice actors as seiyuu. Fans adore the stories they contribute to creating. You’ll feel joy, sorrow, and frustration.
The extent to which they keep expanding their horizons impresses Anime fans and paves the way for new voice actors in Japan to pursue their exploration.
Many seiyuu lovers wait in long queues just to get their idol to sign their CDs of songs sung by them, they eagerly wait for a series in which their favorite seiyuu will play a character.
Seiyuu fans often send their favorite seiyuu emails, and gifts, and some obsessive fans may even stalk them or harass them which can make their everyday life very troublesome.
The Intellectual Fandom
There are a lot of intellectual Anime lovers, yes. I met a bunch who were studying physics, math, information technology, and related subjects while attending a university with a relatively good reputation.
How come? Because several Anime shows have proved that it has an intellectual undertone.
Wonder Egg Priority, for instance, was released in 2021. This Anime’s artwork and lifelike characters are beautiful, but it also provokes thinking and is designed to pique your interest while you watch it.
Suicide, mental health issues, and dealing with death are all handled in a creative, artistic fashion that so-called intellectuals may appreciate.
Anime is a continuation of education for fandom intellectuals. They most often have degrees in anthropology, literature, science, history, psychology, or media studies, and they are seeing Anime through those prisms.
While the Fandom Intellectual may concentrate on Anime that raises thought-provoking ethical and philosophical issues, you can also find them writing on the internalized racism that the small clown man from YuGiOh 5D experienced.
Which anime has been damaged by its fandom?
The fans wrecked the most renowned anime of all time in Japan, Neon Genesis Evangelion.
As in, the creator was so horrified by his franchise’s followers that he believed the way they were taking it and what they were getting away from it were so off-base that they opted to spend their entire lives revolving around false storylines.
This anime has remained the most renowned otaku animation with the most devoted fans of all time. Certainly, Dragon Ball and Gundam are bigger—but they continuously produce new animes, mangas, and games, so new fans are always being generated.
Nevertheless, Evangelion remained the single biggest and most iconic anime of all time, never releasing a single new thing but maintaining consistent product sales.
But, a few years back, a new version was put out that stole all of the original story’s themes, spirit, and soul and turned it into the easy, mindless escapist fantasy that all of the fandoms expected from the original.
Conclusion
- Anime Fandom is a diverse community connecting millions of fans of different countries and heritage for a common thing.
- Although Anime fans are often dismissed as obsessive, delusional introverts there is more to this community.
- Many fans bring together fundraising cultures to pay homage to their favorite studios, artists, and Seiyuus and raise funds for welfare organizations.
- Other fans bring the community closer by organizing gatherings and social media groups to hang out virtually and physically.