An opinion expressed on Twitter has fueled a hot debate about deep-rooted discrimination towards otakus in Japan, generating a wave of reflection on the evolution of social perception towards this community. The user shared their memories of a time when discrimination towards otakus was the norm, describing how they were considered “disgusting” and avoided by those around them.
- «I had forgotten how easy life has become for otakus, but when I was growing up, discrimination towards otakus was still the norm, it was normal for otakus to be considered “disgusting” and no one wanted them around. However, perhaps people in their 30s or older still have these prejudices.“, wrote.
The message resonated deeply on Japanese comment boards, where many users recalled the negative stigmas and stereotypes that have accompanied otaku for decades. From the era in which otakus were seen as social outcasts to the present day, where negative perceptions about their interests and behaviors persist, discrimination against this community has been a persistent reality in Japanese society.
Otakus, defined as fans obsessed with Japanese pop culture such as anime, manga and video games, have faced stereotypes that portray them as antisocial, misfits or even dangerous. These negative perceptions have been fueled by media and cultural representation that often caricatures otaku in a negative way, contributing to stigmatization and discrimination.
The reason behind this ingrained discrimination can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the human tendency to fear or reject the unknown or different. Furthermore, traditional Japanese society values conformity and uniformity, leading to the exclusion of those who deviate from established cultural and social norms.
- «It’s not that “otakus aren’t disgusting”, but rather that we are in a time where “it is now frowned upon to be cruel to otakus”, but they are still as disgusting as ever.», someone responded.
Despite advances in the acceptance and understanding of otaku culture in recent years, such as the global popularity of anime and manga, stigmas and prejudices persist in some sectors of Japanese society. And you do you think?
Fountain: Yaraon!
