オタク狩り

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English
Tue 2007/06/12 00:34
われわれオタクの聖地アキバが少しずつ危ないところになっている。一回アキバに行くと、お金がフィギュアや同人誌などですぐなくなる。しかし、フィギュアなどを買わなくてもなくなる。なぜかというと、オタクハンターにお金奪われるからだ。

よくニュースで被害者の声よく聞きますが、お金を盗るがわの声が聞かないね。そこで検索して、オタクハンターとのインタービューを見つかった。。。

Q:一回の "狩り" で、だいたいどれぐらいの金額を手にするんですか?
A:一回でだいたい3千円〜3万円ってとこかな。最高額は13万円。去年の年末の時だね。
Q:狙うのはどんな人ですか?
A:一人で歩いてる、ひょろっとした "いかにも" ってカンジの弱っちい奴を狙う。   髪の色が茶色だったり、体格が良さそうな奴は最初から狙わない。
Q:狙わない理由は? 体格がよさそうだったら反撃とかがあるかもしれないと?
A:ん? 別に、反撃なんか全然怖くもなんともないけど。   ただ、楽にカツアゲできる奴が他にうようよいるから、なんとなくそうなった。
Q:なんで "オタク" を狩るんですか?
A:親父を狩ったり、街ン中で餓鬼をカツアゲするより楽だし。   何つっても"オタク"は金持ってるから。
Q:罪悪感とかはないんですか?
A:全っ然、ない。(笑)オヤジを狩ったりするのは、何か気が引ける時とかがあったけど。   オタッキーを狩るのは何にも感じないね。   オタクは汚くて臭いし、退治したって感じすらするよ。   ほら、ドラクエみたいなもんよ。   モンスター倒して、経験値とゴールドが手に入るじゃん。
Q:・・・なんで、オタクがそこまで嫌いなんですか?
A:別に理由なんてない。「気持ち悪い」のに、理由なんてないっす。ゴキブリと一緒でしょ。 同じような臭いするし。
Q:反撃された時とかありますか?
A:今まで、一回もない。だからやめられないんだよね〜。「かっぱえびせん」みたい、あははは!!
Q:逮捕された時の事とか考えてますか?
A:考えてるわけないじゃん。そん時はそん時。まあ、捕まんないように、色々と努力はしてるけど。
Q:こんだけ派手にやってると、インターネット上、例えば「2ちゃんねる」とかに顔がアップされるかもしれませんよ?
A:すれば?って感じ。 引き篭もりどもに何思われたって、痛くも痒くもねーっす。まあ、あんたみたいな探偵やマッポに目つけられると薄気味悪いけどよ。オタクにできんのなんてそれくらい(ネットに画像をアップすることぐらい)だろーし。

僕が育ったロンドンのハクニー地区にはよくこのような犯罪が会った。おかんも2回の被害に。ある日電話がかかって来て「お母さんが病院に運ばれたよ!すぐ来て!」病院に着いたら、頭が血まみれのおかんがいた。頭にぶたれ、財布が盗られた。
僕も中学校ぐらいに「お金かしてくんねぇ?」とよく言われた。
幸いことに日本に来てからこのようなハプニングは今までなかった。

ところで、写真は ゲーマーズという店の中だ。萌え、美少女、エロ、アニメ、ゲームやフィギュアがずらりと並ぶ店だ。まさにオタクの好物。僕も嫌いではないよ。
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日本の一人暮らしは決して寂しくする必要はない。テンガ も買えるし、Candy Girlのレンタルだって...(もっと見る)
Wed 06/06 23:59 comments (58)
静岡ホビーショーに行った時に、品川駅で撮った写真だ。MSやアマゾン時代のサラリーマン生活を思い出した。電車...(もっと見る)
Fri 06/01 21:24 comments (27)
静岡にあるバンダイの工場の外に撮った写真だ^^;ってことはガンダム好きな人の中で痴漢がいっぱいいると?...(もっと見る)
Sun 05/27 00:01 comments (43)
殆どみんながタバコを吸っていること以外に日本に住んでいて気になることはあと一つだけ。皆が歩道で自転車を走っ...(もっと見る)
Thu 05/17 00:13 comments (61)
アンケートに投票して「GO!」をクリックしてください!
windbell in Singapore/シンガポール, Tokyo/東京 (登録日: 2006/12/25 13:08)
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
I have seen it while watching Akihabara @ Deep! It's pretty crazy how they lure the otakus easily. Guess I'll have to be careful myself when I did visit Akihabara. Maybe grab a Lightsaber or BB Gun to fire at those hunters ^^;
(ID #49493) Posted on 2007/06/12 01:02
CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal (登録日: 2007/01/03 03:00)
Student
The trick to not get mugged while traveling is always walking in groups, it seems these guys are chickens and go for the weak guys as he says like most Otakus won't fight back. Still I don't get how such a high-tech society like Japan is and people don't walk around with credit cards, here almost everyone has one or even two or more depends on how many bank accounts you possess.

Still here there is a difference, we call credit cards to those cards that the bank gives you an extra amount to spend then you'll have to pay it later in other words it's the banks money, only people with somewhat good month payment has them. Normal people have what we call Cartao Multibanco, its a card that you go to a bank machine and take your money or go to a shop and buy stuff with your "magnetic band "
plastic card" lol freaking great (I have two of them ^^).

But its not that simple when you go to another country that uses different "coins" and you try to use these machines you always need to pay a tax because of the money difference exchange. So when I travel I always walk with money of course not to much since we disperse the money with the group, let them try and take the money from 4 or 5 guys with a knife they won't know what hit them ^^  
(ID #49494) Posted on 2007/06/12 01:10
SG in Britannia (登録日: 2006/12/28 06:27)
Art/Media
I hope that does'nt happen to me when I go to Japan for a holidy (which is somewhere near).

Then again, I'm not a Otaku... hell' they catch me in a alley, I'll be bursting out laughing haha. Always laugh when things like that happens to me... it normally confuses the attacker too..and me @_@
(ID #49495) Posted on 2007/06/12 01:29
kiseki gurl
That's actually pretty scary. I went to Akihabara a year ago and I thought it was perfectly safe then. *shudders*.

Oh and to answer your poll question, I live in the safest city in the US. So no. 
(ID #49496) Posted on 2007/06/12 01:44
Ken in NYC (登録日: 2007/03/15 23:26)
Student
Good thing I don't look like a weakling. I workout 6 days a week and besides, I don't carry more than $20 in my wallet. I charge most of my purchases unless it's for food.
(ID #49497) Posted on 2007/06/12 02:02
Subaruhess in Portsmouth, UK (登録日: 2006/12/24 23:25)
You'd have to be a pretty dumb to get caught by scum like that. Luckily I've never been mugged in my life, could be because of my build though I'm very tall & stocky. A kid called me a giant once. ^^;
(ID #49498) Posted on 2007/06/12 02:03
blackhawk in USA (登録日: 2007/03/04 07:53)
I live in California.  In the San Francisco Bay Area.  There is a whole bunch of crime hear.  The dealings of Akihabara seem almost insignificant compared to around hear.  Although it is still a shame that this happens.  That "hunter" in the interview has a problem.
(ID #49499) Posted on 2007/06/12 02:20
ron~ in Melbourne, Australia (登録日: 2007/05/12 11:25)
IT Developer
nice info, i'm going to japan on august, I'll be careful. 
it's sad to hear that most of them don't accept credit card. 
(ID #49500) Posted on 2007/06/12 02:30
Miki-kun in Perth, Australia (登録日: 2007/08/17 00:46)
System Administrator and full-time Otaku
Five years ago, credit cards were still relatively rare, but this has largely changed by now. Many businesses, including Gamers, *DO* accept credit card nowadays, but the take-up rate by people is still pretty low.

Credit cards seem to be more a thing to use on overseas trips and for online purchases. People in everyday life don't seem to use them much yet. I think it's to do with the hassle of having to swipe a card, sign a slip of paper, etc. It slows down the queues somewhat, and people are wary of inconveniencing others.

Far more frequently used are the Suica/Edy cash IC cards that you can just swipe across the reader at the cash register to pay for your purchases...
(ID #202757) Posted on 2008/06/02 19:09
Tiny Red Man in Singapore, Maju Camp (登録日: 2007/04/11 17:39)
6 SIR Rifleman
er...wat? otakus are like cockroaches? DAMn him, he is the cockroach himself...otakus are friendly ppl going after things they like LEGALLY while those cockroaches are doing it ILLEGALLY!! RATS and cockroaches to them! :P  
(ID #49501) Posted on 2007/06/12 02:38
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 23:36)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
I just hate that kind of guy who boasts about himself, doing criminal stuff.
He deserves to be stoned (and not high).

I don't carry much cash either on myself.

Here we go with the general mental image that otakus are weak physically and unable to counterattack when threatened...

I would have never thought that those kinds of criminal activity would exist.
After the pantsu thief, the mugger.
Certain places of Japan aren't safe anymore?
(ID #49502) Posted on 2007/06/12 02:43
TatsumiSaiga in right behind yo...
When I make it out to Akihabara I almost hope one of these otaku hunters tries to pull a fast one on me so I can show them how we do over here. Most muggers don't really want to hurt or kill anyone. If you throw down, chances are they will just run off and look for an easy target. What kind of losers would only rob otaku. That like stealing candy from a baby or something like that.
(ID #49503) Posted on 2007/06/12 02:48
shippoyasha in NYC (登録日: 2007/06/10 16:22)
NEET
Sorry to say, but I'm a huge, huge Otaku. 


In that my muscles bulge out more so than any type of fat.

I don't think it'll only inconvenience a thief. More like they'd get curbstomped by me instead.

Funny because I was mugged once in the past. I seriously doubt that'll ever happen to a bunch of people aiming for fat, smelly, unwieldy, streotypical Otaku. Sorry to say, Otakuhunters..
(ID #49506) Posted on 2007/06/12 03:00
Rufus Shinra in 神羅HQ 60th floor, Midgar (登録日: 2007/01/20 01:53)
The place I live has a highly developed debit card system (I'm pretty sure that Cartao Multibanco mentioned by CrazyAnimeTuga is the same thing). Most stores and many restaurants accept debit so I'm never really in a pinch if I forget to bring cash. It's quite convenient since I don't have to deal with pesky change or worry about paying off my balances like credit cards. 

I read in another japan blog that many stores accept Suica as cash but I guess not enough do.

Kinda surprised by the Otaku Hunting problem but not worried for my visit to Akiba next month since I dont dress like otaku, I'm above average height and I work out. 
(ID #49507) Posted on 2007/06/12 03:11
Demacrez in Evansville, Indiana, US (登録日: 2006/12/25 14:19)
Link Cosplayer, Video Gamer, Amatuer Programmer, and Artist
That hunter seemed to really contradict himself seeing as he robs Otaku yet calls them roaches.

He sounds more like a bully than some savior of the people... -_-  He's sounds more like the roach.

Luckyily for me, I've taken martial arts so I can go to those places without problem with those bullies er I mean hunters.
(ID #49508) Posted on 2007/06/12 03:33
Edward in SE Michigan/Osaka (登録日: 2006/12/24 12:50)
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Sometimes muggers can be bad news, but this guy is just a young punk.  He's just crying out for someone to kick the you know what out of him.  Probably stare him down and he would go hide in the alley.

Yes I know that sounds cocky of me.  I'm assuming that those of us here living in large cities probably grew up in them as well.  We've all learned that one's best defense it not to look like a target.  Unfortunately, some of the otaku that I've seen in Japan just scream target.   
(ID #49509) Posted on 2007/06/12 03:47
Kira in USA Atlanta, Georgia (登録日: 2007/02/10 16:01)
College Student
All Im going to say is I wish they would try to rob me when I come to Tokyo and but my anime goddies. They may think its going to be a robbery and turn into a stright ass wumping on my behave!!! 
(ID #49510) Posted on 2007/06/12 03:49
X-Gear in his room (登録日: 2007/01/18 17:48)
College student
I get it a lot around my store.  I try not to bring as much but sometimes i worry how much i should carry.  If it comes to worse, just run really fast or take out your key and whoop ass.
(ID #49512) Posted on 2007/06/12 04:13
Space Cowboy in Los Angeles (登録日: 2007/02/10 16:01)
College Student
I live in a college surrounded by homeless people, less than 10 miles from Downtown LA, and pretty much near Beverly Hills. Yeah, there are muggings.
(ID #49513) Posted on 2007/06/12 04:37
Henry in /usr/bin/ (登録日: 2006/12/25 20:05)
anime/cosplay events organizer
lolz @ Dragon Quest statement. from that he thinks like an otaku

heard of the rampant Otaku Hunting before and to think that Akiba was once a safe place to buy some otaku stuff

i'll remember to bring some self-defence weapons like a tazer or some pepper spray just in-case i get mugged when buying stuff in Akiba

Otaku = cockroaches? does that mean we'll survive for a million years even after a nuclear explosion? :3

hehehehe
(ID #49515) Posted on 2007/06/12 04:45
-XYZPDQ in Pennsylvania, United States (登録日: 2007/01/01 15:00)
Student Engineer
Generally speaking, in a rural/suburban environment no, your chances of being mugged are low around here. 

Head to any large city such as Philadelphia or Baltimore,and you are asking to be potentially mugged. It doesn't happen like the plague, but it IS out there.

Our area is very safe; I never go out on the roads without seeing a police cruiser patrolling, it makes me feel safe. I use plastic instead of carrying around loads of money: I made a wise choice the other day to deposit nearly $1000 USD instead of carrying it around all day.

In terms of build, I would not be a prime target ^^. To the gushing point of blood I would fight back and not make it easy.
(ID #49516) Posted on 2007/06/12 04:48
Adun in Sydney, Australia (登録日: 2007/01/01 15:00)
ColdFusion Developer
Something like this doesn't surprise me very much. Though when I went, I was with friends so we didn't come across anything like that. Though most people don't watch their backs, I have a tendency to do this wherever I go. Just a force of habit since I'm not exactly big.
(ID #49517) Posted on 2007/06/12 05:10
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (登録日: 2007/06/11 15:45)
TK-8316 / 宅男 Otaku / 工程师 Engineer
Singapore is pretty safe as over here it is a cashless society. Most of us do not carry large amount of cash since we make majority of our payment using ATM card for costly items.
(ID #49518) Posted on 2007/06/12 05:30
The Otaku Hunter they interviewed must have a severe case of low self-esteem to regard otaku as such inferior beings. I suppose getting money from them and skillfully avoiding the police boost his self perception. He's actually justifying his deeds with the physical traits of otaku? That's far more disgusting than any of the reasons he had listed.
(ID #49519) Posted on 2007/06/12 06:00
AndyH in Birmingham, UK (登録日: 2006/12/25 10:56)
3D artist
"Its just like Dragon Quest where you beat the monster and take the gold."

LOL!

Too bad to see stuff like this happening in one of the safest countries in the world, but from a muggers view, it makes perfect sense. If there was an Akiba in the UK, this would have been happening many, many years ago.
(ID #49520) Posted on 2007/06/12 06:27
Phenie in Aichi (登録日: 2007/01/08 16:14)
Catgirl Trainer.
Hrm, well, in South Africa muggings must happen every few seconds if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. =(

Can't say it's ever happened to me, but I'm not exactly someone who wanders around town a lot. ~-~
(ID #49521) Posted on 2007/06/12 06:38
Otaku Blue in London (登録日: 2007/05/12 23:20)
Student
Didn't think this stuff actually happened when i saw the first episode of Akihabara@Deep but now i can see it does. To think that these guys prey on Otaku because they have certain hobby's they dont agree with.Going to Tokyo in August and while in Akihabara,if an Otaku Hunter comes up to me i'll be sure to tatakai him XD
(ID #49522) Posted on 2007/06/12 06:39
pirogoth
i was in japan just last month in May for a few weeks during golden week.
Was in Tokyo, Akiba for a few day, wandering all over the place aimlessly carrying a good amount of cash to get me some stuff.

but didn't see anything dodgy or dangerous while i was there except for the crazy guy playing the drums at the arcade :)

very fun, loads of dodgy store ^_^;
(ID #49524) Posted on 2007/06/12 07:16
Arekusu in The Lost Woods (登録日: 2006/12/31 19:12)
Video Game Design Student and Dai Gurren Dan member
[f] 
It certainly makes you think about things when such a subject arises. Thankyou for posting it, atleast i can be aware when i go in August ^_^
(ID #49526) Posted on 2007/06/12 07:30
akaugly in The Firehouse, 2nd floor (登録日: 2007/03/30 12:07)
Self-employed
The Dragon Quest comment was pretty funny. 

I also live in the Bay Area and the crime rate is terribly high here. I rarely go out into the city, especially at night. 
(ID #49527) Posted on 2007/06/12 07:48
slam in Jakarta-Indones...
I was mugged when i was in 3rd grade elementary school. But now, since i'm quite big (i'm so thin when i was in elementary school), no one ever messing around with me anymore, may be because i always wear "non fancy" clothes and didn't care about "new fashion style" or whatever they call it. I mean i still carry my ripped off (i fill it with thick college books and use it to smash a pick pocket head in train when he try to run away with my bag along @_@)) when i go out. May be bad guys think "this guy don't have load of money",  ehehehehehe...
(ID #49529) Posted on 2007/06/12 08:04
chun in the rain or in the snow... (登録日: 2007/01/09 15:21)
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
When I was in my teens and still living in Singapore, I got flashed at before under my apartment block at the lift area (ugh). And you think Singapore is supposedly a safe country :P I was so pissed off I gave chase for a short bit and couldn't bring myself to call for help just in case the passer-bys were accomplices :P Unfortunately the flasher was not caught and when I went to make a police report I was made to feel like a criminal instead (shudder)... And I'll be careful when I go to Aki :P thanks for the warning!
(ID #49530) Posted on 2007/06/12 09:03
LoboBrancoTimido (登録日: 2007/01/14 22:39)
In my area crime rate is getting higher, they don't use only knives these days...Like I said to the police commander in my area if someone tries to hurt me or my family I'll just have to brake their arms and call you guys later XD...Now with guns it's different, it's better not to fightback specially with amateurs, one can be strong but in life one doesn't have a second chance...
People don't mess with me even if they are in groups. Like my father says "you just need to hurt them a lot in the first punch or kick" my old guy was in the MP and with him I learned to use anything to defend myself and the ones I love. Anyway to the guys/gals that aren't strong enough is better not to resist and go to the police. It's only money after all...Like a funny friend of mine says "it's better to be a living coward than a dead hero" XD...I don't agree but his words make me laugh a lot.  
(ID #49531) Posted on 2007/06/12 10:13
kaito kun in Hong Kong (登録日: 2007/06/11 17:19)
student
in hk you get some money hunters tat steal ur stuff especially in a place called mong kok in hk 
(ID #49532) Posted on 2007/06/12 10:21
Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium (登録日: 2007/04/25 06:02)
IT, Programmer, ...
My opinion is that it's the Otaku hunters that are the cockroaches, goddamned. They are still thiefs none the less, so they should be arrested.

If it's really becoming a sport, then I think it's okay to have a bit more police in the streets there. But I wouldn't like to get searched though.

P.S.: yeah, Gamers is also one of my favorite shops ;p Also like Animate a bit further down Chuo Dori.
(ID #49534) Posted on 2007/06/12 10:40
Alafista OTAKU in Singapore (登録日: 2006/12/25 12:22)
Policy & Research Officer
That so reminds me of Akihabara@Deep.

It just feels so strange that in such a modern society like Japan, people dun use credit cards.

I'm sure your darth vadar or stormtrooper suit is mean lookinng enough to prevent you from getting mugged.
(ID #49535) Posted on 2007/06/12 10:45
lanie-emon in Keldabe, Malaysia (登録日: 2007/06/05 12:16)
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Around here people get mugged as well. The crime rate is getting higher, sigh.

There must be something wrong with otaku hunter. I guess it they do it cause they reckon got an easy prey.
(ID #49536) Posted on 2007/06/12 10:59
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia (登録日: 2007/06/01 05:27)
student
it dangerous to mug ppl here, why?

because when the mugged realize he/she been mugged he/she scream "maling!!!!!!!"(thief/muggers)" which many ppl will gather and kill the muggers 'not intendedly' if he/she got caught.
yep, stupid brute law in my own country

and in other case... otaku rarely borrow a lot of money as there are rarely any store here

and in the worst case they rather kill you and take it than mug, so if any of you intended to go here and got caught by black mailers just give what they want, run and squeaaalll
(ID #49537) Posted on 2007/06/12 11:28
D_Blade in Montreal (登録日: 2006/12/31 23:36)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Hmm... I've thought of something.

"The arm-around-shoulder is supposed to make them look like friends. He then says "can you lend me some money?""

At this precise moment... "Boom!" A good elbow blow in the gut or face and all is set. 
(ID #49538) Posted on 2007/06/12 11:48
Kyoji in UK
What if you knew a martial art like Aikido?

You won't have to worry about this guy then since you look like you have a good build, Danny.

And I'm sure he won't mug someone trekking around in a Darth Vader/Storm Trooper suit because it's too attention catching. Who knows... Your gun could be a lethal airgun or your light saber can do some real damage!

That aside, I read you can actually pay by mobile phone over there now such as in McDonalds... I guess the Otaku shops don't support it!
(ID #49539) Posted on 2007/06/12 11:53
Zeroblade in Manila, Philippines (登録日: 2007/04/10 22:35)
Student
Well, muggings and hold-ups are pretty common in most urban areas, so I guess it's not a problem that'll be easily solved. lol at the ice cream in post box thing though; I never read that yet.
(ID #49540) Posted on 2007/06/12 12:29
XiaoRouWan in SG (登録日: 2007/05/15 04:09)
Anime viewer, Manga Reader
It's rather sad that otakus get pick on just because they are mostly stereotype as being weak. Some even get discriminated. 

Wonder what happen if the otakus group themselves up to help help other whom being rob? :)  
(ID #49544) Posted on 2007/06/12 14:01
loplop in Somewhere on the Tokyo Subway (登録日: 2007/02/10 16:01)
H/R Type person
I think someone might get a surprise with some otaku.  Being 2m & 120 kilos tends to scare people off . . . .
(ID #49546) Posted on 2007/06/12 15:01
kyo171 in Singapore (登録日: 2007/04/18 15:31)
student otaku
hmmm well the only mugging that you can find in Singapore is the mugging for exams. And in Singapore there's not reallie a district or street that can be an otaku haven, oh well i guess the govvernment does not allow it anyway even if there were to have one.Dark ages of anime history in Singapore currently.
(ID #49547) Posted on 2007/06/12 15:35
001 in LB Cali (登録日: 2007/02/27 10:36)
ditsy student
did this guy say something about dragon quest and he hates otakus? so he's a nerd that hates otakus then? 
(ID #49548) Posted on 2007/06/12 17:57
Subaruhess in Portsmouth, UK (登録日: 2006/12/24 23:25)
Re interview: If I was the person who did that interview I'd so give away his identity & location to the police. Why protect the criminals?
(ID #49549) Posted on 2007/06/12 18:01
dinosaur in Canada (登録日: 2006/12/27 03:25)
Sales/Buyer
This is interesting; however, looking at the rest of the web site content does make me wonder regarding the reliability of this information.
(ID #49550) Posted on 2007/06/12 18:30
R8 in No Man's Land (登録日: 2007/05/27 02:02)
Fighter
interestingly enough, i just read a similar post a kotaku regarding the crime rate going in akihabara from the yomiuri shinbun. that interview is hilarious.
(ID #49553) Posted on 2007/06/13 00:10
Hummy in London, United Kingdom (登録日: 2007/03/05 21:46)
Student
I live just down the road from Hackney, so I suppose by default I must answer yes!
(ID #49554) Posted on 2007/06/13 00:42
BeLe in Davao, Philippines (登録日: 2007/01/03 17:24)
.NET/Web Developer
Woah! 8 floors? Sweet! When I get to japan I'll be visiting that place first. heheh!
(ID #49560) Posted on 2007/06/13 01:27
Aya Kyunik in Melbourne, Australia (登録日: 2007/05/22 17:26)
Hobby Store clerk guy thing...
Wow, I never knew...

While I was in Akiba I was always witha  friend, so I guess I was pretty safe... not that I'll just hand my money over, I RATHER GET INJURED THAN NOT BE ABLE TO BUY MY FIGURES~!
(ID #49579) Posted on 2007/06/13 03:16
Pocky in Tustin, California (登録日: 2007/06/04 11:28)
Freelance Translator (anime, games, etc)
Wow. I had heard about this, but this guy takes the cake.

Not that I've ever been in any 'official' fights when I lived in Japan... >.>

But if someone pulled that on me, I'd try the 'gaijin defense' (since I look Japanese to some), and when that didn't work, kick the dude in the groin.

I'm not advocating violence, but man, otaku/geeks/etc. everywhere need to stand up for themselves.

'like cockroaches' really annoyed me. >.
(ID #49585) Posted on 2007/06/13 04:39
Tofu-san in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (登録日: 2007/03/04 07:29)
ecchi student
When I go to Akiba next yar, I'll be sure to watch out for those shady guys...
(ID #49588) Posted on 2007/06/13 05:19
Windup Weeaboo
If you live in RPV, I'd have no problem taking lots and lots and LOTS of money from you. ^_-

(Note:  I don't really live in Pasadena)
(ID #49608) Posted on 2007/06/13 22:17
Danny Choo in Tokyo (登録日: 2006/12/11 11:54)
Director/代表取締役
Subaruhess,
The interviewer is just a journalist and guarantees the Hunters anonymity in return for a scoop.

Hummy,
Yep!
(ID #49612) Posted on 2007/06/14 01:15
yasser anas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (登録日: 2007/01/15 22:05)
Project Manager, Engineer
Muggers, thieves, or whatever.. those are the real roaches... they say otaku are smelly (i really dont know about that) but i thinks the muggers are also smelly. criminals are trash of society. My father always says that, its better to kill them rather to let them live.. i know he was making a joke but when i think about it, and with the crime rates going up, capital punishment isn't a bad idea for those lowlifes. 
(ID #49636) Posted on 2007/06/14 04:47
Marauder (登録日: 2007/01/11 05:10)
大学生
These hunters primary purpose for doing  what they do is to steal money. Otaku have money and are generally easy targets. The cockroach comments to me seem more like a way to justify what he is doing. Along the lines of, "Sure I'm stealing but they're only otaku so don't feel bad for them."

It is not right no matter what kind of person the target is.
(ID #49644) Posted on 2007/06/14 05:53
syrix in U.S. (登録日: 2007/03/21 10:18)
student
Wow, thats pretty low, especially considering these otaku work their low paying jobs just to purchase otaku stuff.  This guy knows dragon quest and what cockroaches smell like, seems a bit like an otaku to me lol
(ID #49694) Posted on 2007/06/15 00:33
GabrielNYC
Exploit the weak.

And I agree with the mugger's assessment of Otaku. I work at a comic store with my brother in NYC's Forbidden Planet and the majority of modern anime fans are filthy, rude, immature weirdos. 

I don't have ANY sympathy for modern american otaku because they think they know all there is about Japan. 
(ID #49749) Posted on 2007/06/15 14:34
Kousaka
I agree with Gabriel.  Many so-called American "otaku" do not look or behave at all like what you would expect from a true otaku and their insight of Japanese culture is, in short,limited.
(ID #50000) Posted on 2007/06/20 01:25
Miserabike in Ditch
Beating up nerds for cash is good business, as many of you know from the receiving end. Beating up nerds who spend hundreds of dollars on anime, though, is a public service.
(ID #50106) Posted on 2007/06/21 09:27
Emperor's Hand in Ohio, USA (登録日: 2007/12/25 01:39)
  Well i have lots of experience with local comic book/game shops in my time. Sadly this sterotype of the smelly unsociable fanboy is rooted in truth,like most sterotypes are to some degree. Oddly enough the less desirable people from that shop would also be the types that would steal from others, or mug someone. These people were very "gothic" looking, full of anger and lacking respect. All they did was play magic: the gathering all day long. So its a slightly different picture around the cities i go to. 

  Either way it gives me a bad name, and i have many friends who share some of my interests and they all take bathes, ahve jobs, are quite sociable, and far from all these negative connations that go along with being a serious follower of any hobby. And i don't appreciate anyone else on here agreeing with the mugger, saying they should have it happen for spending their money in a way they choose.Whether it was in jest or not, its uncalled for. Thats absurd. Preying on the weak, if i saw that happening, i would grab the nearest blunt object and lay  into the guy. How pathetic  can some people be.
(ID #50379) Posted on 2007/06/26 04:16
Subaruhess in Portsmouth, UK (登録日: 2006/12/24 23:25)
I have no respect for people who encourage crime. Stereotypes? If you people get out & see what the world is like beyond your computer screen you'll in for a shock. How sad.
(ID #50572) Posted on 2007/06/28 23:58
RoZioN in Sweden
Ok, im going to akiba in a couple of days, but im a bejin, approx 190cm and has some piercings so hopefully that will scare them off, if not, I will let them taste their own medicine.

But from wieing some blogs and stuff to prepare myself for the trip I stumbled accross some pretty sick stuff. There is more to life than to live it through Manga and other virtual medias.

I actually feel sorry for the guys who live to watch the latest anime shows and go to maid cafes =/
(ID #50973) Posted on 2007/07/05 00:32
Karasu-kun in オタキュブ (登録日: 2007/07/27 12:49)
大学生徒
It's really ridiculous that anyone would take such a retarded attitude towards an entire sector of society, just because of their interests. And to anyone who posted here decrying otaku and their hobbies, two things: 1) if you are in fact an otaku-hater, then why are you reading a site like this one? Only to post hateful, spiteful comments on it? Doesn't that make you more "pathetic" than them? and 2) so just because someone enjoys a hobby, that should make them lose all of their money and be a target of such things? Methinks you have a problem as well (sociopath?) if you wish bad things on people just because they spend an inordinate time at the computer, or reading manga, or whatever their obsession may be. What's the difference? You and the person you're deriding will both be dead eventually, so why not enjoy life while you're living it, and not try and make other people feel bad about their lifestyle choices so long as they aren't hurting anyone else? I think that 90% of the otaku out there are probably not the hikikomori, jobless, caught-in-fantasy people that everyone would have them be. I consider myself a very to-the-core otaku and I work out everyday and keep myself abreast of social/political/newsworthy goings on and have a well-rounded battery of hobbies as well as have quite a few friends. The only thing I read that I DO have agree with is the comment made about american otaku/comic book/sci fi fans. Most of the friends that I've had that are ameri-comi fans are very cynical about a lot of things, have very downbeat attitudes and a few have had really bad hygiene as well. And american otaku? Don't even get me started, americans consider themselves otaku if they know what Naruto is, or like girls that have Kuroneko-sama backpacks and a Hagaren shoulderbag. As a student of Japanese for nearly 15 years, an otaku for just as long, a voracious reader/watcher of Japanese history and culture for almost as long, it sucks to be lumped in with those people when you're reading manga or listening to J-音楽.
(ID #52777) Posted on 2007/07/28 03:11
wavehawk in Melbourne
I might be...tempted to go out and maul a few Otaku Hunters myself for their haul. >)

There was this one incident when some guy with a knife tried to hold me up at Makati Cinema Squre (back when I lived in the Philippines). Unfortunately for him, I was in a ticked-off mood. Kicked him right between the legs (yes, there). He went down, then I kicked him in the head. End of discussion.

If I read these muggers correctly, they operate with a knife and are working on the theory that otaku are going to be too timid to fight back. My recommendation is to make life miserable for them. Simplest solution is to carry a much bigger knife. >)
(ID #56221) Posted on 2007/09/03 04:38
Dillithium in The other down-under (登録日: 2007/11/14 03:28)
nada
I wouldn't advise that at all, if he pulls a knife on you, and you pull a bigger weapons/gun/gunpla on him.
You're forcing him either to run, or actually take a swing at