Proud Otaku

My friends know about my love for model kits, they always joke around and say things like: "Hey scratchbuild me a prostetic arm, I wanna smack Joey with it!".

My clothes are normal as well. No headbands, hats, or anything like that.

My room is messy but not filled with wall scrolls or posters. Just a plain ordinary messy room with model kit boxes everywhere, a shelf of manga, and a bunch of old Hobby Japan and Dengeki magazines.

I did have 2 shirts made that I rarely wear. One is black shirt that has a robot on it with the "Got Milk?" font on it, it say's: Got mech?. The other is kinda the same except with a SD-ish Zaku head, that shirt say's: Got Zaku?

I'm not afraid to walk around with a Gundam model kit and hobby supplies out in public. Gunpla is what I live for.

I cannot lie on this one. I LOVE DRAWING MECHAS, GAMES, ANIME and WEAPONS. both made me proud and embarassed.

if people dont ask me. then its not something i will broadcast or try fit into a conversation. otherwise i'm pretty open. a lot of people i know, know i collect statues. no one seems to mind. the way i think is if someone has a problem then tough, why should i care.

my room has a bunch of statues placed about, little bit of manga. no posters or scrolls, theres more magazines lieing around than anything (no no nothing naughty). other than the statues id say my room is pretty otaku-plain.

The only thing I'd be emberassed about is all the eroge me and my girlfriend sport around the place. If family comes over, it would be smart to put it away in the closet.

I have lots of friends that like anime/manga/games. Many of the ones that don't are pretty much people I knew back in elementary or so, but they like games. I did get one friend into "Love Hina" though. Don't know if he ever finished it.

I do have a few images of my room. I plan on bringing out more. Just not now.

I own at least eight shirts that deal with anime/manga/games. I cosplayed maybe twice at most? That was years ago.

I was the unofficial alternate position of my high school's anime club. That is, if some issue came around and the president wasn't there, I had to be the leader. I also was in the anime club at college.

I'm a big shoujo fan, and people don't generally think it's right for a big tough guy like me to enjoy being girly... So I only tell them about my robot fetish, and that tends to stop the questions early... I'm not exactly sure I'm not at all embarrassed by robot thing though. O.o Generally, I keep it to myself and people won't know until I tell them. Kinda like my womanly tendencies... ^_~ But yeah, I can't tell you the amount of times I hear "um, isn't that for girls?" =_=

All my friend and family know that I like anime a lot.

My rooms usually a bit messy with pc parts on my table from my 3 pcs I have in my room and clothes on the floor. Got Zeon and AEUG flags hanging up in my room.

I have a book shelf that's almost completely full of manga and another shelf that has 2 rows of anime boxsets, also a bunch of models and figures from various animes on the shelf too. Closet is full of boxes of unbuilt Gunpla with boxes for my figures on top of them.

Also got a ef Chihiro dakimakura sitting on my bed in plain sight.

I have 4 shirts that are anime, my 2 SoulTaker shirts, Gurren Lagann shirt and my Zeon Jacket.

I'm not afraid to go around public wearing my anime shirts or leaving my local comic book store that's located on a busy street in town with Gunpla or figures in my arms.

My friends know my hobbies- most of them are involved in anime/manga/art/etc. At work, I don't say much about my hobbies. Hard to say how people will take them or what they will make of them. I do have four Zaku on my work desk that get posed a bit during the day, but I just say that they are "robots that I think look cool", and don't give much in the way of backstory.

I've been a nerd long before I became an Otaku, and was open about it with no shame. After all, looks go away with age, but wisdom grows. Then during my first year in college (1992, yeah I am OLD!) I accidentally came across a movie called "Ran" in the foreign section of the local video store (an absolutely OUTSTANDING Samurai and Historical movie I recommend to all). From then on I just went nuts over anything Japan, and that lead to Anime. I loved Japanese food long before that but never really went from food to culture until that movie.

I now tell anyone and everyone about anime and Japanese movies (Grudge, Ringu, etc., that people thought were American originals), trying to broaden their horizon. Grin. So, almost all my friends know about that, and most of my good friends know I am weak for all Japanese women.

HOWEVER... I don't own a single mech/model (I mean no insult to anyone, I simply do NOT understand the fascination with them), and about the only thing Japanese in my room are dishes, as I like their unique shapes and textures. However, if I was rich, and living the dream (which would be living in JAPAN!), I would fill the house/apartment with almost entirely Japanese items, especially furniture.

1) Do you cosplay at all?
no.

2) Wear anime t-shirts?
no.

3) Are you in an afterschool anime club?
no.

4)I'm hoping should I ever get married, it'd be with someone who enjoys the same things I do.
whether she likes it or not i still be keeping them! (gunplas)

i am glad to say i will openly tell me frens i am otaku , if i ever get any frens... or girlfrens..

I'm completely open about it. Me, my mom, and my sister watch anime almost every night, and we all go to anime cons and such together. My mom isn't REALLY into it, but we're trying to get her into it. My doesn't like it himself, but he knows that we like it, and he gives us money to buy what we want from time to time. My friends know very well that I'm into Japanese culture and everything about it. Not all of them like it, but most do. Both my sister and I have figures and wallscrolls up around our computers, which, including my mom's, are all in our "computer room". I also sleep in it because we're in the process of remodeling and painting my room, so it's basically my "room".

I'm slowly crossing the line of out and open with my hobby. The other day I showed my mom my figmas because I felt like I should. I'm not too awful embarrassed about my hobby, maybe just a little bit with the eroge lol. My wife is into it too so I don't have to feel out of place at home. I'm basically the most embarrassed about popping out my figmas and taking pictures in public places while my wife is totally laid back about it and could care less. I own ONE anime shirt (so far) but I'm tending to embrace the otaku in myself and I'm starting to want more. I've changed a lot in the last few years and I like this open side of me more than the old me. I haven't cosplayed before but I'm looking into it someday perhaps. It's mostly because there aren't any characters that I feel I could pull off that anyone would recognize. Sato from NHK? XD I must admit though, I'm quite the antisocial person in real life, I'm working on it though, consider me a recovering hikkikomori.

My friends know that I'm really in to anime... I guess I'm pretty open about my hobby to the people around me, I sometimes doodle anime characters on my notes in school...
I don't wear anime T-shirts, or am I in an afterschool anime club and haven't tried cosplaying yet but I'm pretty sure I am an otaku...
But the main thing is, who cares what other people say otakus are everywhere, you are not alone!

My parents know it and accepts it. Back in my homeland, all of my friends know it, and the majority of my friends watch anime, some are even more otakuish compared to me. xD

My interest in anime and other things Japan wasn't really a big confusion or shock. In my room, I do have the manga books lying around, and maybe one or two anime CD's. I have figurines on a top shelf and also some sitting next to my desk. I have a (leaning) Battle Waitress Mikuru standing right next to a postcard featuring Vladimir Putin, the former Russian President. I have a naked Tessa from Full Metal Panic, on the rocks, sitting next to my Carolina Panthers helmet. I usually have a harder time trying to explain and justify why I like other hobbies, such as flags (vexillology is the term) and national anthems, to friends and loved ones than I do anime and stuff.

For me, all my close friends that I've known for 2+years know I'm into anime.
And all my friends that are girls will never find out. ^.^
No mechs/figures, didn't join a club.
No cosplay
Only one wallscroll(couldn't resist buying a scroll of saber after finishing Fate/Stay Night)
Just happened to spot on walking down the mall...

My hobbies include: Animes, Games(PC MMO/Consoles), Mangas, Working with PCs, Learning Japanese, among other small things.
The only thing I have in my room is also a small shelf of mangas. 28 in Japanese, 45 in English, and a few Japanese-learning material. Other than those, I own no clothes, accessories, figures, etc., of any Anime relation. I have never been to a Con, or have Cos-played. I do have really, really long hair though. I don't know if that's any relation to Animes or not, but I thought I'd throw it out there. =)
With the one exception of "Will Work for ANIME" with an "おたく” on the back, shirt that a friend got me. Which is nice, except that it looks like a shirt that one made by themselves with one of those paper tapes. It looks like real tape, so it seems really ghetto. I've worn it once or twice and haven't since.
(Best picture I could find online) http://www.celede.com/images/mscgigs/swc2006/14.jpg
As for eroge, I have played School Days, after watching the Anime, and Evangelion Girlfriend of Steel(Visual Novel). Other than that, I can't seem to get myself to play an actual galge. For some reason, having a 2D girl actually talk to me on-screen directly, makes me feel very weird, odd, depressing, uncomfortable, etc. I much rather be a spectator on a story's happenings rather than be a 2nd party. Which is why I was able to watch/'play' School Days.
Any who, whenever someone asks me what my hobbies are, I tell them computers and gaming. I basically dismiss the fact that I watch Animes unless they ask specifically. Even when they do ask, I guess you could say I kind of "evade" the question. My reason for doing this, is because well, I've watched hundreds and hundreds of Animes. I have yet to meet someone that has watched more Anime than I have. I may not have watched all or even any of the ones that you or the person in question have watched, but far more in quantity. At times, when someone learns that I'm an Anime fan, they get kind of persistent in asking questions. Every now and then I'll get annoyed, because I know to what degree their fandom is; usually watching only American releases, or TV broadcasts, which is like, a year or two behind. So by the time they've watched something, or just finished a series, it's been like 1-2 years ago since I have and is old news for me. So, once I tell them how much Anime I've watched, or show them my old list (I've stopped keeping track about 2 years ago, which then it was about... 179 series of movies, TV Series + OVAs, etc.. Once that happens, the conversation kinda of grinds to a halt. They go like "oh wow," "holy shit," "that's crazy."

Anyways, that would be my reasoning to keep my Anime fandom to a low profile.
"Wall of text Crits you for over 9000."

For me most of my friends and family know about us (wife and me) watching anime and collecting figures. I have a couple of low key shirts I wear. However, I don't let my clients know.

Hmm, I don't really care if people found out my hobby, but then again, everybody know what I like and I tend to meet people that have the same hobby as mine. My room, is a messy guy's room with four cabinet (2 small & two big)displaying most of my collection and I'm quite proud of it :D.

Though if anybody that's not from anime/manga circle (usually parent's friends) ask why, I usually hdie behind my job that I *need* it for reference :lol:

I'm all out there pretty much. At work I'm known as the guy who likes anime, so anything anime related they talk to me or mention it to me. I have gashapon doubles all around my computer, (sometimes ecchi) anime wallpapers on my computers, and always talk about anime.

I have MANY MANY anime shirts... 3-4 Shana-related shirts, 3 Saber shirts, 2 Ayanami Rei shirts, and shirts from these following anime: Spice and Wolf, Fuuko from Clannad, SOS Brigade & Haruhi from you know where, Full Metal Panic, Hatsune Miku, Totoro, amongst others. And usually a Shana jacket on top of it if it's cold/raining.

My wallet and coin pouch got Saber on it. My towel is Buruma from DragonBall, and my room's got lots of anime related merchandise from plushies, to manga and figures, you name it!

ANIME 4 LIFE!

i try not to go overboard, but the most i would do now would be merely watching anime and going to see pple at cosplay events. my room doesn't even resemble anything near someone whose interest lies in anime.

thatz the best ranka-chan cosplay i've seen to date!

My friends and family know about my otaku tendencies and I don't hide it to anybody. I'm a game tester in a QA so I work with a bunch of geeks but I have yet to see someone reach my level of otakuness, I also have the largest game collection in all the people I know. When people come over they see figures, posters, tons of games, mangas and anime dvds. I don't hide anything. I used to be like that when I was young but it's useless to hide who I am. I might make the exception for females, but if it ever get serious she'll know about me, and then run away haha. The only thing that is kept under lock and keep for me is the ero stuff...

I don't try to hide my otaku nature, though I am getting sick of several of my friends making fun of me (ironically they don't appreciate my negative attitude towards their "jokes"). However, I don't have much of a social life, my school doesn't have an anime club so not all that many people knows that I'm an otaku (though if anyone checks out my facebook page they'd know right away). I dress normally, although people do think me as weird as I like to wear long sleeves all year round (even in the summer).

During my university orientation day I met a girl who seemed to be interested in my hobby as I decided to talk to her, hopefully she's not taken...

I'm a member of both a plastic modelling club and a mecha modelling club. I have many friends who share my interests (scale models, anime, military stuff, movies, etc.) and I can proudly say that I am NOT ASHAMED AT ALL of my hobbies. In fact my hobbies and interests are the first things I want to show to people. If they don't like my interests then they either just have to live with it or they are not true friends.

I'd say on an otaku scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest, I'm probably outwardly a 4 or so, but inwardly maybe a 6 or 7?. I don't cosplay, I don't have a huge collection, I don't really gush about anime to my friends, though many of them know I watch anime. I have a handful of figures scattered around my room, a small single shelf of manga, and about double that in anime dvds. My family's kind of like "hm...ok" about the anime figures I keep in my room, which I just started collecting at the start of the year. None of my other friends know about the figures, and frankly I would be kind of embarassed to tell them about it, mostly due to ....the nature of the figures lol. A friend of mine is always speaking somewhat negatively towards otaku, NEET, or hikikomori to me, which irritates me sometimes since I'm mildly to moderately all of those lol. What I think he doesn't realize is that though he is a hardworking person (two jobs supporting a one year old child, with a second on the way, which disqualifies him automatically as NEET or hikikomori lol), I think he is somewhat an anime otaku as well. It just seems he's outwardly in denial more than I am. Sometimes I even think he is probably more otaku than me when I hear him talking about some things lol.

Well, since I don't have access(AKA money) to get everything I want, my room is really plain, it only has a couple of Darumas close to my bed. But at the computer room I keep all my manga, anime DVDs, papercrafts, and gaming magazines ^^
And yes, I think everyone that I know realises that I love anime and anything related to Japan :3

well, my friends sorta know about my otaku-ness, but they dont truly know how far deep im into it, like, they know i like this kinda stuff, but they dont know im obsessed with it. My family doesnt really know that im really into it, but they have seen some of my drawings, but they didnt look like they looked into it that much. I think it would be more apparent if i had some money to spare, but unfortunately...

I'm pretty open with my otaku related hobbies, which here in the US. are very much shunned. It used to be a problem for me in middle, and some of high school, but I think that it was more about my attitude, and lettinng myself be cast out. I believe the same goes for most types of outcast. Dont let yourself have an attitude of being an outcast, else you will be. I think groups of people are always looking for reasons to alienate others. I learned to avoid alienation by having a positive attitude about my hobbies when talking about them to those who dont care for otaku types.
Ya that girl is pretty cute, though it looks like she probably uses that eye glue to make hey eyes look bigger, not neccesarily a bad thing if she does though.

dunno why i dun want to get 'otakut' sticked on my name... since i dont think my otaku-ism not hardcore enuf to get marked as otaku, i dun mind if someone mark me as tech.otaku though...

as for clothes i like fashion, so there some accesories that i am using when going out... its more to personal fashion, since i just think what i should wear instead following the trend...

and cosplaying... i never cosplaying... except making a pants that cloud ff7ac look alike...

me and husband enjoy watching anime and japan culture ^^ We did feel a bit embarressed when he brought up gundam figures and his japanese friends were like Ooooooh (With a knowing look) lol! I cosplayed a couple times at Singapore's mini conventions before but that's about it ^^;

I've been into weird stuff since I was about 14, which is around 300 years ago, so figures etc are just part of the decor.

Around my other otaku friends, there's obviously no need to hide anything. But around other friends that I have, I realize that some of the stuff I'm into is probably considered inappropriate or uninteresting, so there's no point in me acting like an otaku around them. Everyone knows I'm very into the anime/manga/gaming culture though. Whereas I don't feel like I'm forced to hide anything from any of my friends, I do choose to restrain my otaku personality.

I have like two anime themed shirts. Made a custom calculator cover featuring Yowane Haku and wear it to work everyday and goes with my Hatsune Miku shirt(HP 50g Calc.). My coworkers know about what I know, and a few friends know too. One thinks I should go back playing Wow, but I love Japan more than that. A nice starting collection of anime, like three shelves of manga of at least a dozen titles featuring some long ones. Yeah, I know some Japanese as well, that started it.

not hiding, but not really talk about it all the time. kind pointless to speak otaku if the other won't catch it and u'd have to explain. Wont lie about it when asked tho.
now that i think about it, i'm pretty much bottom of the pits in terms of hobbies....
i don't bother trying to fit in, thus i 90% of the times don't,
i spend too much time on anime,
i study entomology,
....its 3 strikes in life already and i'm only in my 20's.....
...Game of Life = loss, but happy to be a hermit...

Embarrassed and hide this hobby, no really haven't. Pride, no either, I don't see why I have to have pride in my hobbies?

My room is simple, clean, tidy (IMHO lol) and doesn't have a trace of otaku stuffs though.

I consider it's just another of my hobbies. No one has ever had real problem with this hobby of mine either. The most I have ever heard is: "You're watching "cartoon" at your age?" and I just smiled back. My passion for it is high though, I do have a few weird abilities like: know the name of the seiyuu from hearing their voices, know otaku terms, ...

All my close friends (although only a handful, I do have a lot of associations but I only play around with a few) know that I'm into this stuff. Most of my coworkers know, too, as I bring anime into my work desk or read manga or light novels online during breaks.

If I ever met one who go and shun or tease me because of this hobby I might try to convince him/her first. If I can't and that one went overboard then I might just ignore him/her completely. No need to associate with whoever that has problem with my interest IMO.

Guess I'm an out-of-closet-otaku, but in an empty room, so to speak. My parents and bro know about it, and I don't really mind sharing it with my friends. But sadly, anime and otaku culture is so 100,000% unknown here, that nobody besides my brother really cares about it or knows what it even is, much less be into it. Actually, I wouldn't even know how to act if I ever met someone 'in the flesh' who's into otaku stuff....
And yeah I share BandAids hope for marriage: finding a girl who's at least a bit into it

In public I tend to suppress my power level, beyond some obvious activity such as browsing manga at the bookstore. My good friends and family are all aware of my hobbies (my room has a fair amount of related material in it, after all), but I don't make it a point to display my fandom to anyone else unless they ask. If I had to choose a reason, I suppose it's not that I'm ashamed or embarrassed about what I like, but rather there are a number of other fans that I just don't feel like associating myself with.
Plus, being extremely vocal about your tastes (no matter what they are) is just kind of tacky anyway.

if u are not proud of what u do, who u are then how are u going to get enjoyment and fulfillment out of it? ^^;

I'm a proud otaku and I'm not afraid to tell the world that I am one.

My family knows that I'm an otaku and I've got friends and a group that's is composed of otakus who organizes anime and cosplay events ^^.

I sometimes where anime-related apparel and I'm not ashamed if wearing it in public =3

Im a proud otaku, and considering that otaku is basically meaning a hobby interest or something along that line, I always show off my otaku-ness :) Be it from tinkering with gadgets and computers, to anime and manga.

Hey, I need tell you guys I luv ur way of being Otakus, I'm trying my best to follow ppl in tech/anime/figures, but I lack will power >_<, I'm too much addicted to online games, it's like 70% time work, 20% games, 5% anime/tech/figures, 5% digging dannychoo site.

I tend to hide my otakuness from the general public. When I visit Japan, I never wear anime shirts, or sport otaku fan fare while in Akiba. When shopping in Akiba or nakano broadway, I always keep a backpack and hide everything inside so I blend in with all the other turists. I'm not sure it has to do with being ashamed to be an otaku, I think I just like to stay away from that fat/nerdy/dork sterotype, because I don't look nerdy or dorky whatsoever. I find it more benefiting to play it cool, and make friends, then drop the otaku bomb later. Mostly I ned up with "omg you so don't look like the anime geek type" kinda thing. I want to help people's image of otaku by letting them know that not all otaku or trekkies, are overweight ugly social outcasts.

That's my spin on it anyway lol.

I can't hide the fact that I like gundams since I have a room full of it. two rooms actually. ^^; but it's nice to let everyone know about my gundam otakuness since in the end they know what to give me on my birthday or Christmas. ^^
about cosplaying, I never done that before, but wouldn't mind cosplaying as a gundam if I could build a costume. unfortunately with my skills I'd probably be better off wearing a box with the word gundam on it. ^^

proud I am to be an otaku ^^

will I tell others? I won't literally say "I'm a damn otaku", I'd just say I love to watch japanese animation and japan related stuffs. reason? no matter how I explain/say anime/otaku/manga/plamo/figure they won't really understand what it is so using the "common" words helps a lot in having a conversation with commoner LOL

Never tried to hide the fact that I'm an otaku. 90% of my friends are otaku too (more or less). My family never peaks into my business, never ask me about my hobbies and such. Although i feel like they will never understand me.
Dunno if i'am proud though... I'm enjoing this, but i don't think it's the best hobby to choose XD It's very addictive XD

my friends know Im into anime, figurines, gundam, manga, etc. my friends collect them too.
but ever since I came to Japan. I don't really talk about it to my colleague. My manager knew I came here partly because of my interest. Other colleagues always like to make fun of Otaku. When they know i visit Akiba pretty often, they start calling me A-boy or giving weird looks -_-;

i am proud otaku, and if possible i show it wearing some anime stuff (t-shirts, straps, etc) never cosplayed yet, but i really wanted to do sometime! besides i have drawing manga a lot, since the 7 years. i hope some day study manga or drawing some game deign in japan. ah, and i collect a lot of figures, of course!

All of my close friends know about my love for anime, videogames, and figures. They talk about my collection like its some mythical treasure that nobody but myself cares about... >_>

I'm not really an otaku although I wouldn't really mind being one. I've been a metalhead since I was a little kid though so I'm not really normal either ;)

My friends and family all know about my figure collection. Problaby because i talk about figures A LOT ^.^ And I don't think i've ever tried to hide my interest in anime, j-pop or whatever. I just gets weird when talking about shows with people who only watch western stuff and maybe saw a bit of Dragonball once.

I have been a proud otaku in my life.

Most of the people around me know that i collect figures and model kits.

Some of them accept my hobby, some doesn't (which unfortunately, include my parents), saying that it is a waste of money, etc etc..

my room.. nothing otaku-ish except my figures + gunplas ; and some anime posters ..
quite messy though lol

for clothes.. i never do cosplay(although someday i will want to), and my clothes are rarely anime-pic. Not because i am embarassed or anything, it is not too easy to get good ones here lol

My school doesn't have an anime club or sort of. too bad. but i have same-hobby friends which support me well (Thx God for giving me a meeting to those bunch ^^)

The moment where my otaku-ness is at its greatest is.. Figure photoshoot at a public beach together with my otaku friends. Very good moment :3, which ultimately gets us in becoming the centre of attention there lol

Not much of an otaku but am not shy to talk about it despite the possible criticism hurled at me.
Whereas for hobbies, I'm quite a maniac of toy cars and am most proud of it. Neither am I afraid of taking outside, especially to school where I can entertain myself with it when classes get boring. Like "drifting" around the table and mimicking engine noises. There are people who cock an eye brow upon the sight but there are also people who start conversations with me.
And during purchasing these toy cars, kids get a bit daunted when they see this "huge kid" running his hands through the rack. Hope that it's not the way I look...
And I doubt I'll ever get sick of toy cars either...

Can't say that I'm a proud one nor am I a closet Otaku, but the people who know me are aware of my figures, gunpla and fondness for anything Japan/anime related.

While some of ppl and friends brand me as anime otaku due to my figure collections ans knowledge in animes, but i dont think im up to be one.
For now, i'm just a closet otaku. I used to be a computer otaku, buut the gadget are getting too pricy these days and not owning them/just see on internet is no longer fun.

I display my Figures in my Detolf Cabinet,have a shelf with Mangas and Anime DVDS but thats it.The rest is pretty normal and i have no interest in cosplaying,wearing Animeshirts or the like.

Some people know about my hobby and some dont.Its not a fact im proud of but im also not embarassed of it.

In my case, it's an issue of separate identities (not to be mistaken for a split personalities--which in many instances can be serious matter). In my personal life, I have no issues with discussing my otaku habits. But, in my professional life, it is obvious that the best policy is to remain quiet. That is not to say that I am afraid to say anything (I will if something happens to come up), but it probably would be of no benefit to go about flaunting my otaku nature.

I declare Im a otaku to everyone i know~ even now Im at Uk~
I show them how Im proud to be a otaku
never be shame of it~
and the same time~ i show them DannyChoo

I totally enjoy talking about my hobbies with anyone who wants to hear about it! I have figures and other stuff from Japan displayed proudly at work and at home. Additionally, pretty much everyone I know has taken at least one look at my blog, and that is pretty revealing. I have never done cosplay-- I am interested, but wondering if maybe I'm getting too old. :-Z The wristwatch I wear is a nice Fossil watch, but displays the numbers in Kanji. I would like to have more clothing related to my hobbies, but clothing like that can only be purchased online in the midwest USA. The one thing I have is a long-sleeved shirt with scenes from Lupin the 3rd on it. The shirt is super-nice though; prolly don't have to be an otaku to wear it-- it's from the Takeo Kikuchi shop in Circle City Men, Shinjuku. Proud Otaku indeed! I can hardly wait to visit Akiba again this November.

Most of my friends, if not all, at least know I'm interested in anime and Japan's culture more than others or that I'm an otaku. But they would just view me under the "anime freak" category.

Maybe it's cause they do not know what is an otaku, so they do not know one such as me lol.

A little bit of both I would say ^^

I am.... depending on the situation. You walk into my room its not really Otaku except the gunpla. Log on to my computer however, and Evangelion stuff seems to pop at you.

With people who like Anime and manga I am uber Otaku. People who I know don't like it I am normal.

I have about 7 figures on display, many more hiding away from lack of good display space, some posters here and there, and a few manga on my bookcase. I feel like i want to completely overhaul my room w/ anime figures and posters, but i actually hold back because no one i'm around quite understands my interests. I live in a rather rural area where most people don't keep in touch with the rest of the world. Which is irritating to me. It's not just anime and otaku stuff they don't get, its everything!! Old classical music is a great passion of mine and no one i know appreciates that. Same goes for great literature, photography, poetry.....i feel out of place very often for my hobbies. Only my close friends understand and enjoy many of these same interests.

Because of that i was very shocked to discover endless amounts of people who are almost identical to me online on sites like DC. It really helped me realize that i'm not alone with my passions. Hopefully i'll encounter some folks around here that like these activities, otherwise i'll have to stick my plan of moving in the next few years to escape the country. Even though it is far more beautiful than a city could ever be. (Any readers live in Ohio? i'd love to meet up with anyone interested!)

I'm proud of myself as an Otaku. I dont really mind if ppl get offense with me regarding to what I like. but I would love to announce to the whole world that Myself is proud that I'm in love with such wonderful hobby.

Well, I don't announce it to people.

But people who come to know me will know that I'm into anime and gunpla.
It seems normal, nothing strange about liking these things.

I was hesitant about displaying those Figmas but all is well.

i think there are some difference and many kind of otaku. There is the complete otaku that love figure, manga, anime, train, models, porno, computers, videogame etcetcetc and only that things. Than there are otaku that love this kind of thing (maybe not all of that, i'm not intrested in train...) but have other intrests too. Politics, music (not Idols or j-pop), movie (not anime), friends, sport, etc etc etc...So i0've many friends that are not oraku and with them i can speak of other things! But they know that i'm otaku too... So i'm proud if i can be myself in otaku world and in other world too... But i don't have only otaku world. Maybe who has only otaku world is not proud?

All my friends know I am into Anime and Manga, and in fact most my friends are into them as well. Although You would also not ever see me cosplaying unless some really cute girl coerced or seduced me into doing it.

My clothes are pretty normal, I normally wear dress shirts or what not...And if you look in my room you'll notice a couple of figures and a few mangas but the rest of my room is filled with some paintings I did and thats about it, I have no posters or anything like that of anime characters in my room.

I would say I am out of the closet, I admit that I love Otakuish Activities but no one seems to judge me so it makes things easier.

Used to be proud until i realized i was a social outcast. Now i'm a closet otaku... don't let normal people near my stuff 'cause things have gotten broken in the past.
-__-;;
I was forced into anime club at my school because of my looks and not because someone knew i was a otaku all along. It sucks... the club is full of weeaboos and kids who dun know more than Pokemon. DDD:
My Ex-boyfriend accidentally got a glance at my collection and eff him we broke up pretty soon after that. T___T;;
See how un-closet otakuness is ruining my life?

@Danny, I think in regards to my name here on DC, I'd like to keep the mystery that surrounds it. ^^ This way I can humor myself with everyone racking their brains on why I choose it.

I'm a proud otaku dammit!! My friends all know I love this stuff. I dont bother to hide it. What would be the point? I read manga on my bus and some people asked 'why am I reading a backwards book?' but other than that no one really cared. I parade-around my otakuism as much as possible, although I dont have many tshirts... shame... just a hamtaro and milky-tee. I have many badges though. And keyrings/danglies.

I just became a proud otaku recently. I use to just confine myself to reading manga on the internet but now I'm not ashamed to go out and buy it. I just started buying manga and anime this summer and I'm up to a full shelf of manga, one season box set (Genshiken) and a wall scroll with Mikuru. I plan to start a figure collection soon as well.

I only have one anime t-shirt that has L from Death Note on it. I'll be getting a messenger for school this year with Ichigo on it as well. Oh and I'm joining the afterschool anime club this year.

Most of my friends hate the fact that I have these otaku hobbies. One of my friends will watch anime and manga with me. Oddly, enough he's always been my best friend so it works out. Most people are indifferent about it but one of them constantly jabs at me for it saying I should spend my money on things that actually matter. But I always end up winning that argument so it's okay. ^_^

proud? cant say, but i'm not afraid to admit it too. Most of my colleagues at work know i get figures every now and then and i only watch anime. but it difficult to explain to them that i dont buy dolls and dont waste my time watching japanese cartoons, especially to people who hardly know english very well (much less japanese) and who who think entertainment revolves around soap's and movies shown on tv. after a while you tend to automatically ignore the rebukes or stares generated your way and life goes on.......

My close friends know I watch anime but besides that I'm pretty much a closet :/
Most of my friends used to watch anime up till FMA but after that they just stopped I guess high school changes most people.
but with that said if someone asks I do answer them and usually own them with my otakuness
my closet is filled to the gills with anime/manga/posters/gunpla and my desktop background has girls docking on it so if someone came over they'd be like wtf?

I'm an open otaku, but no one has discriminated me because of that! Anyways, many of my friends are familiar with anime and my classmates are very open minded. In fact many of my girl classmates borrow my anime DVDs!

Also, they are times that they really become amazed at me since I can apply anime into our subjects and studies. For example Gundam 00 for economics, social studies and geography. And I also used one episode of Full Metal Panic! Fumoffu ("An Idle Lunch Break") to explain the 'Attribution Theory" in our Educational Technology class.

I don't have anime shirts or clothing as well,and my room is decorated with posters and scattered with Gundam boxes, but my friends think that it's cool!

I sorta hate people who use the word "otaku" in a negative context... And specifically, if the otaku is used to people who like animations and games. I mean wtf? there are people who are passionate about certain sports (or all), or stamp collection. You can't think badly of them, and think badly of those who like anime/games/figure collecting/model making?

My cloths, as my parents put it, "otaku cloth". I REALLY have no idea what that means, other than I have bunch of t-shirts, two or three pair of comfortable jeans, and a jacket/vest. I have three polo shirts I can wear when the occasion calls for it, as well as I have a suit. So yea, otaku cloths, I have no idea where they are getting that...

My room, other than being cluttered as hell, is mixed between novels, manga, completed gunpla, games, and college text books.

My family knows. My in-laws even called some of my figurines chuo-chuos (uglies) :p cos most of it are GFF gundams, corinthians and LOTR figurines...

My school bag has some Gurren Lagann pins (The bag itself is Samurai Champloo) and I talk about conventions a lot with friends that go, but most people seem to just think I like anime a lot. Honestly, if they asked, I would tell them, so I wouldn't consider myself a closet otaku, as a matter of fact, it's sorta weird that they don't notice how much of one I am, they even know I cosplay and collect figures.

i am kinda half closet, half proud. granted, i don't really have much merchandise to actually show for!
my infatuation with otakuism is confined to merely anime and blogs, nothing more that will tear a really big hole in my pocket. that said, i have proclaimed many times to be an otaku, in my scholarship interviews and whatnot. however, i must say my knowledge of anime-related stuff are pretty shallow, given that i hardly know any japanese language. I also have to contend with my parents who thinks anime are cartoons despite my attempts to convince them otherwise. (although they did flinch when i showed them some of the stuff on this site hruhur ^^)

Everyone I know (Friends as well as family) knows about my Otaku behaviour and general love of Japan, some find it weird (especially one of my female friends) but they just know it's a part of me and who I am as a person. If they didn't accept me for me then they wouldn't be my friends :)

So yeah im a loud and proud otaku, and I wouldn't change that at all. Not afraid to say I am to new people as well when they ask what im into, it's something im not ashamed to tell people.

I'm open about my hobby, but I don't run around shouting it out either. The only times my interests stick out in public is when I put up anime-style pictures on my view-binder or if I doodle in class. In my region, it's not uncommon for someone to like some anime related things, so you only become an outcast depending on how you act.
I do cosplay, but not that often and only at cons or Halloween. The only remotely anime-related shirt I have is a shirt featuring a butterfly girl drawn in the style. (I want a NERV shirt though. ^^) My school doesn't have an anime club because some years back someone decided to show Chobits and the teacher flipped out. orz

I'm open about it to any who ask. Now I'm not the type to go around with headbands or (sometimes) anime shirts, but I do love to talk about it. My family knows about it and they don't ask questions (though I think they a little uneasy about it).

Long ago gave up worrying about what others thought of me. My figures are proudly displayed and to heck with what anybody else thinks. Life's too short.

I say to my firend that I am a anime otaku but my friend will only act normal.....some how I feel negitive toward people who into narutao and bleach for some reason...

I'm not embarrassed about it, but then all the people I hang out with and talk to have similar interests. I'm into anime, video games, comic books, manga, dungeons and dragons, fantasy novels, etc, and in our group everyone is a fan of at least one of those sorts of things. So that makes things easier, I guess.
I wasn't into any of those things in high school, but when I got into college, males seemed to think it was cool, and I didn't really converse with girls much. And while I'm not embarrassed to talk about it with my female friends from HS, they won't really have any idea what I'm talking about. I think my parents just wonder what happened to their daughter; I'm into totally different things than what I used to be back at home. Though I have gotten my mom to like a couple of anime, and my dad's been impressed by the graphic and technical achievements of some shows and games. Mostly they just know that if they have any problems with their Wii, DS, PSP or computer they can call me.
I don't have much "otaku" clothing. I have a Final Fantasy battle menu shirt, a shirt with a Darth Vader image pruning a Death Star shrubbery, and a couple others like that. And 2 shirts that I only wear in certain circles (one of which I rarely, if ever, wear out in public), out of modesty rather than embarrassment.
I've never cosplayed, though I think I'd like to at some point; something simple though. And I was never in a club, though there was one at my college; I just wasn't interested in trekking across campus to go to a meeting. Not when I had homework to do (or not to do).

hmm.... how should I put this. I'm not PROUD to be Otaku, but I'm not ashamed too...
I just am. :P

I think it's a different life style, I owe nothing to no one (except my mommy :P), and I don't care for people talking stuff about me behind my back or mocking my hobbies because most people who do that are just ignorant or don't know what they are talking about.

I have a blog about Otaku stuff, I go to anime events everytime I can, I love to be involved in otaku-related activities (I'm now organizing a bus tour for an anime event that'll take place next year)... and I guess I just like to be different.

I know that if the world turns upside down and suddenly being a Otaku becomes the norm, becomes mainstream, it'll just loose some of it's magic for me.

For me, it's not a matter of pride or embarassment, I simply am Otaku, and have been ever since I was a wee lad in junior high, so that makes 13 years.

Outside of anime cons, I never mention it to other people (not that I'm exactly social), although if asked I was a fan outright by someone, I would tell the truth.

The exceptions would usually be when Im doing something that I can somehow to connect to being an "otaku activity", like when I was taking Japanese language classes a few years back, or the time I was still living in Japan. Then, I told everyone including random strangers about my hobbies =)

i try not to label myself as anything. I simply am a lot of things and being an otaku is just one color in the spectrum of my personality. I never brag about it, never wear any anime shirts, never cosplay or go around conventions saying "kawaiii!!" or start conversations with people about animu.

I am what i am im a Filipino Otaku(US Citizen) living in the US. & im VERY proud to be an OTAKU ... Dont care what oter people's say
& thanx to REOS for showing me the way the Otaku way
& the TV Series Densha Otoko Really opens up my eyes
if ur an otaku watch it be proud about it!!!

Being an otaku here is the norm. I own a couple of anime dvds and thats it. I have no interests in figures or anything like that. I simply don't like them. I have no offense against anyone that does. If you like it, then good for you. But lets keep it legal alright? Cosplay, my brother cosplays but if I ever cosplayed I want to go as someone hard to pull off.

I don't boast about the fact that i like aniome/manga etc, but the people i'm close to know.

I dunno if I'd call myself proud of being otaku... but I don't try to hide it and I'm not about to change. XD I don't care that other people may think its creepy or pointless.

I've cosplayed on Halloween in the past, and the shelves in my room are lined with figures, dvds, cds, comics and games. I used to even have posters all over the place too, but I took them down to repaint the walls and haven't put them back up since then. But even without the posters, the looks on peoples faces when they see my room are pretty funny.

The worst though was when I needed to go to the hospital (long story, but I was bleeding internally from a procedure I had the day before, and didn't realize something was wrong until it got really bad) and I'm sitting there barely able to move from all the blood loss, and the first thing the ambulance guys do is gawk at my room instead of trying to help me. WTF!?

I also have a few nerdy shirts but I rarely wear them. I prefer carrying around small things like cell phone straps and keychains. I'm using an Itsuki Koizumi keychain on my keys right now! But yeah, if the topic of otaku stuff comes up, then I'm happy to talk about it. Otherwise I'm just a regular person enjoying life.

I reached the point where I don't care who knows or what they think. I enjoy my hobby and that is all that matters to me. I would like to my otaku hobbies part of my professional life.

Of course when I was in school no one has any understanding what anime was at all. Anime related merchandise was almost impossible to find or buy in the states. Anime didn't start to show up on TV until the end of my high school days... ^^; Anyhow, I know how it is not to fit into the norm so I understand how it is to be young and like different things.

My otaku hobbies have become a cultural bridge for me. All to often they give myself and Japanese I meet a cultural reference to talk about.

I don't own any anime clothing so... I would wear if I had it. If i was young, cute and female I would cosplay. At this stage in my life I just want to take photos of cosplayers. Most are very great people to know, fun to talk with and to spend time around.

Seriously, when I seen BandAID's name I thought of band aids in illustrations. I guess my mind is wired that way... ^^; I wound if that is a good or bad thing.

I can call myself a proud otaku. I wear otakuish clothing, a mario hat for the past 4 years everywhere I go, talk about anime and games in public and at work without trying to hide it, etc. Going into my room, I hae a body pillow, a He Is My Master bedsheet, wallscrolls, posters, books, dvds, random drawings of mine, and a Zelda Four Swords and Metroid Prime 2 standee. As with eroge, my parents already know I have it as when when I went to A-Kon and called home to check in, I flat out said I bought porn. They didn't care, but just said don't go throwing it everwhere and to try and hide it somewhat. As for my friends, they are either into anime somewhat, and every single friend of mine are heavly into video games, so I never have to worry about their opinions as they understand.

Im a proud Otaku, I show my collection to every one who wants to see it.
and im also proud that I can call myself Otaku
on the fora that im on in Holland, Otaku means that you have a great knowledge and collection of Manga Anime and Figures

Totally proud, my friends and wife all know I have a dying love for anime and figures and in no way ashamed of my hobbies. I have toys everywhere plus being an artist helps so people expect me to "act wierd" From horror, video games, artwork and figures Im all out in the open.

Closet Otaku =[ Actually the reason is more because of what (my fellow) Americans think about me when they know, rather than what the Japanese would think. I really worry about being labeled a 'weeboo' or 'japanophile' because of being an anime/manga fan. These kinds of labels really bother me because I have a genuine intrest in the Japanese language and culture for their own sake, and when other people find out I'm an otaku, they tend to immediately write me off as being ignorant and 'not serious' etc. All the people close to me know the real me, and others don't need the details ^_^

More closet than proud. The reason I "hide" more often than not is that I hate it when people misunderstand me - and I don't want to explain myself to people I don't care too much about. You can look down on me, and I wouldn't care so long as you understand your reasons for doing so. And if your reasons aren't hopelessly skewed by lack of knowledge.

But since I don't actively deny it, people who know me well know it and I don't mind.

I am a fairly introverted person. No matter the topic, i don't normally volunteer information to others, but when asked i have no problem acknowledging my interests. Usually if people seemed weird about it, try to make them as uncomfortable as possible. I try to make them feel like the weird ones for not being interested in the same things...

not really the zealous type of otaku. never been to a convention, cosplay, have figures or such although i do spend most of the time either reading manga or watching anime. I do like drawing anime too. i don't flaunt being an otaku, if they ask, i reply. most of my cousins were into it so i joined them but they all abandoned ship so i feel lonely. i do have friends who like it but we only discuss it briefly. i guess i'm a "Shounen B" character if like was one big show.

It was a lot easier for me to 'hide' my hobbies from the rest of the company I work at when we had a private suite for our department, but since we moved and are now 'all open,' I decided that there's no point to hiding my hobbies, so I went all out. I have all 4 Transformers Revoltechs displayed next to the Gurren Lagann Revoltechs, and the Fraulein Revoltechs on the 'shelf' next to my desk, of which I have displayed Rei, Asuka and Rin. I have 2 Megami Magazine posters displayed on my overhead cabinet (Fate in the Fatemobile and Nagato Yuki in Wonderland) and have a Clannad wallpaper on my machine. When I order my figures and gunpla, I have it sent to work since it's difficult to have imported stuff sent to the house since no one's usually home during the day, so I get to have a little joy at work opening those up and displaying them temporarily at my desk before taking them home. At home, I have select Master Grades displayed in a display case in the living room, and figmas on my desk in my bedroom.

I don't really have many anime related shirts, but I do wear convention t-shirts on occasion.

I'd have to say that even if I'm not a 'loud' Otaku, I am a proud one. I don't try to hide the fact I love anime, etc from anyone, and frankly I find that it's quite an effective 'BS' filter when meeting new people. If they aren't able to accept what I like then it probably wouldn't have been a true friendship in the first place.

I have friends of both otaku pursasion and non, so there's little issue here. :3

I don't go around telling people I'm an otaku. Sadly, lots of typical otaku behavior hinges on what I would call socially unhealthy (like this fixation on lolis) and I have no desire to hurt my career prospect. Otakus have a poor social image and most of it is self-inflicted. Even in Japan, where manga is widely read, working adults don't typically tell other people they watch anime.

I don't really see how you'd be "in the closet" about being an otaku. You like something, you make it a hobby, most people in the world are small-minded jerks and why should you let someone whose opinion you most likely care less (and SHOULD care less) about run your life? There's such a thing as moderation, and there's such a thing as being an extrovert. Unless you completely have your head where the sun doesn't shine, you know that cosplaying to grocery shop is going to most likely make you a target for insults. Plain vanilla fact. I'm not trying to be a hippie carebear and saying, "Let everyone do what they want man, why you harrassin me?" Because that's not the way the world works. However, if that's what you like and you don't mind the stares and insults, then what's the problem? To me, people tend to congregate with others who share their interests and such, so why try and hide it? If you act ashamed of who you are, then you've lost your identity anyway. And if you "go with the flow" of who you're around like more than most do, then you have no identity anyway.

That said, I'm a heavy otaku, but my philosophy with anything in life is usually "moderation", and I enjoy living in reality and being sane about life. I buy anime shirts and wear them, I have a few puchi Nendroids adhered to the dash of my car, I would cosplay in the appropriate situation, etc. But as far as personal and social lives are concerned, most of my friends share my interest, I've been studying Japanese since the 8th grade, I've been there, my family knows that I want to move there after college and they support me all the way. (My mom found an old money order from the 90's for the G Gundam game for Super Famicom and was like "Remember when we used to buy you Gundam stuff for your birthday?!" the other day. I had no idea my mom even knew what Gundam was, let alone remembering the word.) I have a legitimate interest in the language and culture, too however. I don't go into a job interview waving a beam saber around and wearing a Gundam necktie, I don't correct people's pronunciation of karaoke and karate, etc. I have lots of other interests too, like I said, I like "balance" even if I am obsessed with Japanese culture and the normal otakuisms, and if someone doesn't like it, chances are we wouldn't have gotten along well anyway.

It depends on the location.

For example in Japan it would depend on the girl. In China or Taiwan I would be a closet. And the same goes for the states, but I have a convenient excuse so everything works out in the end.

I don't really care what people think of me as an Otaku. I don't go around telling everyone I meet that I'm an otaku. But if they bring up the topic, "what are your interests?". I would say it.
I'm in uni and I found out that most of the people I talk to actually watch anime or read manga. Don't know if they have interests in figure collecting or not.

Australia is still quite new to anime and is still growing in popularity (started growing in popularity around 2002). So most people will know what it is and will accept it as a hobby.

Here where I live (in California) I havent had any problem with anime and finding people who are interested in it. Most people only know about the stuff thats on TV (Narutards and Bleachtards) but a few people (most of whoom are my friends) watch the original stuff in Japanese with subtitles and play a lot of videogames. I have some friends who are into figurines and some that think its a waste of money, but they are all into anime. I dont mind admiting Im into anime when someone asks but I hate having to explain what anime is and why I like it all the time so I dont go out and say Im into anime unless I can tell they might be into it too. My room is full of figurines, some posters, DVDs, videogames, and a few computers, so you can tell Im an otaku when you come in. I also wear anime and videogame related shirts all the time. Oh, and I never go anywhere without my PSP.

I keep my porn and hentai hidden, though. 99.99999999999999% of it is digital so I just have it hidden in my main computer with a separate, hidden, backup in one of my extra harddrives. When I go to Comiket someday, I plan on bringing a lot of doujins back, but in the meantime, Ill stick with my digital stuff. No one shall know I have it (except my friends, and even they do not know the full extent of my collection... mwa hahahaha!)

wah i guess im sorta newly "outta the closet" i dont have much manga and figures YET, i wanna try cosplaying and im trying to start a club in school. other than the few stuffs i have lying around my rooms is surprisingly neat and "normal" (except for a huge hammerhead shark lying up across the ceiling from my bed...)

when i tell people im watching anime or reading manga people just go "oh" and sorta just walk away or change the subject. I actually started to convert some of the family and closer friends into being more open minded, and i found out a lot of them enjoy some of the stuff i show them...

i guess im gettin close to becoming a full out otaku

Definately proud. Living the life and loving it. lol

I'm somewhere in between. Basically, i'm proud to be an otaku, but sometimes i've to tone myself down a bit to suit some conditions (but then i revert back to myself once that's done~). This is usually for formal conditions/work/some individuals... you get what i mean.
In terms of otakuness... i've got a few figures, a whole lotta anime, some doujins/manga (downloaded)... well i guess i'm an eligible otaku after all.
Long live Otaku~! Otaku banzai! Banzai! Banzai~~~!

Well, I've come to Japan and I'm learning the language. Given I'm getting something useful out of it I've got no reason to hide it.

I don't shout out about my hobbies, but I don't keep them hidden either. If I'm in a conversation and someone raises the issue of games and anime, then I'll speak up. But then again, almost everyone I know knows that I'm an anime and videogames fan, especially in my line of work.

At first my parents were dismissive of my hobbies, but I think they're more tolerant of it after seeing that keeping abreast of the latest videogames and anime is relevant to my profession.

My friends know about my hobby...some who are not really in to it don't mind it either so yeah I'm proud to be an Otaku....

Proud Otaku!
Cosplay? No
Anime T-shirts? No
Club? Well there was one, but it was so lame I quit.
Besides that, the friends I have [no matter guy or girl] Don't really care...They all know I have such hobbies.

Understand this everyone! I'm on my second beer! I will use anime as a weapon against people in order for discipline to take place!

im kinda open about my fanboyish activities.. most of my friends are also into watching anime and reading manga, but we're not really into eroge or hentai, so i guess we didnt really have anything to be embarassed about..

and i have a close female friend who is pretty otaku, more than me.. she has probably watched more hentai than me O,O she's awesome yo...

Yup me is a very proud Otaku why should you be scared of what people think about your hobbies etc there not doing anybody harm and for those people out there that automatically assume Otaku or weird or Anime is porn then dam they need to get there facts straight and to stop being so close minded, I even turned my wife into an otaku she loves anime etc now what more could you ask for when your wife watches Hentai with you lol

So all in all a supper proud Otaku.

I suppose it depends on one's level of otaku-ness doesn't it? I proudly display my Gunpla in my home, in fact they have pride of place in my living room (locked in a glass cabinet where little hands can't attack), I openly talk about my hobby with colleagues and have no shame in admitting that I watch anime. I've never been a cosplayer but if I was presented with a moulded gundam suit and a ticket to a hobby expo I would rock it. I don't wear anime t-shirts but if they made cool gundam shirts in my size I would. In fact I'd really love a shirt with the Bandai logo on it. So I guess I'm a proud Gunpla enthusiast/otaku. I wouldn't say I'm a fanboy, but I think you've gotta have some pride in the things you enjoy, and sharing with others makes it all the better.

I consider myself to be a bit of a mix on how much "ota" I give off. For starters, I spent all of last years living on campus in the dormitories in a suite with 5 other guys (two triples, shared bath). My desk was pretty much crammed with all the figure purchases that I had made over the course of the year and everyone in the suite (and even a few visitors from elsewhere in the building) always took notice when I rotated in new purchases. Instead of having posters of musical acts or those motivational messages I'd toss up some artwork by the Yoshinari brothers or Shigenori Soejima. Heck, I was even this close to getting a Code Geass oppai mousepad to seal the deal, lol.

Though when I head out to town or even just on campus for class, especially these days, I keep my otaku profile to a minimum. You won't catch me with anything ota-related on me except for maybe a shirt that can definitely pass as something non-anime/manga related. I thought about trying cosplay for a while, but eventually decided against doing anything elaborate (I'm still open to doing something low profile involving regular street clothes). Anyway, I'm fine about attending local anime clubs talking and being seen with the out and proud otaku-types and even openly discussing my interests in this kind of visual culture... but only when I'm asked about it, haha.

My friends know I watch anime, but they don't say anything, so I don't need to mind.

I wont put a plastic bag over my face and hide if someone ask if me is an otaku.

I dont have any anime merchandises or whatsoever in my room except the figures so somehow I dont really seem like one at all but I always rush back home to watch anime everyday ^^;

If I'm confronted, I'll admit that I do enjoy many things to the point of being an 'Otaku' (in normal terms). For the most part, my family and close friends know that I am an Otaku. I don't really mention eroge or anything like that; it complicates things when people don't understand them. Also, since the question "Ah, you like hentai?" (and they'd be referring to anime) occurs often, I tend to keep my mouth shut. I agree with BandAid, being able to meet someone that can appreciate your hobbies and share it.. that'd be nice ^-^
Coming from a girl whose dated an Otaku(while I wasn't an Otaku)there is a chance to find a girl or guy that appreciates you.

hmm hard to be an otaku here more because many who claim to be anime fans only watch the mainstream. But many here who really are into anime or do cosplay and such (and even have official fanclubs *points at alodia &co.)...it's just not for me to follow trends and stuff...many "otakus" i know around often wear emo clothes so, I'm out of it even if I did wear the sort. I guess I look pretty normal for a girl with the exception that I can be boyish with what I wear. But many could second guess that I like games, anime and computers...those sort of things

best part though is that I share the same love with my friends. they're great even if I rant about some boring anecdote over anime :D

I'm out of the otaku closet for sure...

I think I'm actually in a weird and unique position... All of my family, friends and acquaintances know I like anime, manga and other "otaku" or otherwise dorky things, lol. I wear anime clothing here and there and I'm an art student who wants to maybe some day be an mangaka so I even draw it and speak Japanese fluently.

What is really strange is that my dad, too, likes anime and manga. In fact, we share what we think about new series that come out and point out new things to each other to watch/read and when I was young he was the one that got me into it all. . Not only that... We both cosplay together along with my brother and a few friends at anime conventions almost every year. I think that has to be a little strange at the least.

Ive actually worn a cosplay costume to school before as well (Hitsugaya from Bleach)... Oddly enough, most people just thought it was really neat. Only a few people, here in Wisconsin, knew what I was wearing... but all in all it was actually fun and most definitely otaku.

I have to say, however, it was much more fun when I was in Japan to be an Otaku. I had plenty more people to talk to and have fun with. Not to mention all the gorgeous girls who thought an otaku-gaijin was dreamy.

Cosplay? Yes, and trying to improve...
T-shirts? A couple I got from a friend, but that's just because I have yet to find nice ones at cons...
Club? Never came across one of those.

I'm 99% out of the closet with my immediate family, as in I try and often succeed to get my mother into certain animes, have my figures all over the place, and stop just short of leaving that hentai doujin I bought recently lying around. :3 I did explain the basics about eroge while having a conversation about my love of harems, though (they must think harems are like improved soaps for me). As for friends, well, my closest friends IRL are those I met online while geeking around, so.

On the other hand, I am quite shy with fellow otaku that I meet IRL without getting to know them online first...

Let's see being an otaku allowed me to:

-find my soon-to-be wife
-puts food on the table
-puts money in my pocket
-leave the job world and own my life owning an anime store
-brought uber web stardom
-made me an artist
-expanded my cultural acceptances

yea, I'm an otaku and proud of it!

I'm a pround otaku as well.
I'm not afraid talking to others about anime and stuff that is related to them...
Still, here, people view it as any other hobby like collecting stamps or cars...
There is an ever growing anime culture here in Canada.
Well, being a country that isn't like Japan, some people don't know what otaku means...so I think it's better not letting them know about it...

1. OTAKU POR VIDA!
2. that cosplayer looks scrumptious.
3. i think bandaid may be bad andi?

well i'd say that i have "one foot out of the closet" since if u look in my room my entire anime/manga collection is in a bookshelf thats in my closet, and there's also a chobits wall scroll on my wall... other than that i have a tshirt from the only anime con that ive ever been 2, i have no cosplay experience (still deciding what i should even cosplay as in the first place, but attending a contest was a good start i guess =D)... so i guess even though i'd love 2 get more involved, i AM proud 2 b a huge fan of anime but i dont call myself an otaku for some reason xD

I was a pround otaku, but im becoming a closet one. I like to consider myself more of a "stylish otaku". Its hard to explain

Nice topic. I can't say that I'm proud to be an otaku, I've experienced what it means to be a full time otaku+hikikomori and it's decidedly not fun. I don't mind telling people that I watch anime, or struggling to explain that they aren't cartoons ^^, but I would like to lessen the amount of anime in my life. As a disciplined, controlled hobby, it's one of the best :D.

My freinds call me an Otaku, and they kinda are too, or atleast they are gamers but it's nothing to be ashamed about as long as your hobbies don't harm yourself, or others

i would consider myself an otaku, my room is filled with various ota stuff(manga, doujin, cels, anime, pvc). and my laptop is also begining to fill up with unlicenced dlds. but i dont really broadcast my fandom. if someone where to ask i wouldn't hesitate to tell them, im proud of my hobbie and lifestyle, and see no reason to try and hide it in the closet.

I don't consider myself an Otaku since my range of interests is quite wide and different, meaning that i never become a specialist in any field, be it Anime, Figures, Manga, Gadgets, Computers, etc...

Some years ago, it hit me, I am totally an otaku. I am unashamed, and share my interests with anyone I can. It all started with comic books, and cartoons, the progressed to animé, manga, figures...I grew up with Nintendo...I can relate any topic to something I've once read or watched.

I am 100% American Otaku.

E^D

Fortunately otaku's stigma in Japan isn't as harsh in USA, so I have no problem to say I love anime, manga and video games. The usual response is along the lines of "that's for kids, grow up", but I rather be true to myself than try to please every bloody person out there. I'm done trying to follow society's expectations, isn't enough I don't steal, kill and sexually assault anyone?

in AUS the term otaku isnt used much, it seems no1 here cares if your into otaku stuff or not its just like any other random hobby. my collection isnt very big though... (got more warhammer that i collected billions of years ago then i have anime figures T_T). Im interested in anime/manga/CG though and do draw like crazy when ever i can. I was thinking of posting a few of my CGs up on DC but realised i havnt posted 50 comments yet =O

anyway i dont think anyone should be ashamed of being an otaku ^_^

I'm yet to be labeled otaku, possibly because most British people I know would consider it a typo of some sort. Although I do hide it pretty well, BandAiD's description of his room pretty much fits mine too. Normal student room, messy, books everywhere etc. The only things to give it away are a bunch of manga and learn Japanese books on my shelf, Google reader and my hard drive of course ^^
Being an otaku isn't particularly accepted around here, I only know a handful of people who would even know what I was on about if I mentioned anime/manga. The rest would probably laugh.
I don't think its something to be ashamed of, I just think when people hear otaku they immediately think of the extreme. Some people are just more confident than others and can take criticism, however undeserving said person is.

"Me? Is proud to be otaku."

Really? Never would've guessed, Mr. stormtrooper danchou.

I am not at all ashamed in the proper situation, i.e. at a con or going amuck in Akiha, but it's hard to show in normal situations. I would never do the dance on Nanjing Road (Shanghai's almost equivalent of Akiba), and I only danced Hare Hare Yukai and Motteke! Sailor Fuku in front of my Chinese language class because of the limited audience. I did wear the armband sometimes, but it usually got a confused reaction of "Tuan-zuan?!'. Which was epic, in its own way.

Ahh, band-aids, the censor bar turned fetish.

Well, IMO, there are several levels of Otaku.
I am proud to be Otaku. But definitely I'm not the type to test out equipments like Tenga or Candy girls, or take pictures like the low-angler.

I love and I am proud to be an otaku. Even in the Philippines, otaku also has a negative image. They think your a dork or something. I still can't hide what's inside of me by being an otaku. Everyone has its own kind of fetishness and we must respect that although some of them doesn't understand. They don't have to but they must respect each and every individual.

but ever since my girfriend came to my life, my otakuness is kinda fading but my otakuness stll remains and she knows that I am an otaku.

I'm not embarrassed to be an otaku or anything. I openly talk about games and anime with whoever, whenever. Most of my shirts have some character on it. I'm just not flamboyant about it like others I see, who take it to another level.

I know that me and all my friends are into anime. But I don't think we've ever said anything about what extent our interest in it goes. I know that if the subject ever came up during conversation I don't think I would have a problem share how much my interest goes.

I know I'm not ashamed to be an otaku. If there's someone who has a problem with the fact I am one, well that's their business. I'm not ashamed because I know there's nothing strange about my interests.

I have mixed feelings about being an otaku: a part of me is proud of being able to indulge in the things I love the most, another part of me is afraid of what others might think. So, I'll only divulge my hobby when the topic of anime is brought up in the conversation. Being in a conservative country like Malaysia, having hobbies which most people would perceive as 'weird' doesn't bode well for one's self-esteem and social status.

With regards to fashion, no anime-related apparels nor accessories could be seen in my wardrobe. I dress with a twist of trendy, victorian and gothic influences.

The worst comment I've gotten so far when someone found out about my figurine-collecting hobby was a comment from my superior during work: "You actually buy these? Tell me, what's the colour of the plastic girl's panty?"
*face-palm*

I don't think any of my real life friends knows of my anime/figurine interests. They all know of my gaming interest, and I'm constantly reminded of it. My online friends all know of my anime/figurine interests, because most of my online friends visits the same websites as me so they would know.

I guess i'm more towards the closet otaku type, where only few of my close fan know about my interest

in where i live in, being an otaku is something to take pride in, it's pretty cool here..

otaku,maybe i am,but i don't know ..well,i love to buy the latest anime series and manga..if i like the merchandise,i will buy..cosplay..when i move to tokyo,then maybe i will do cosplay..the price to create the outfit or rent it very expensive to my liking..but right now i am very interested in bunny ear hoodies dress jumper..i came across on ebay..thinking to buy that dress..why you have to cosplay to certain day only, when you can wear everyday..i don't mind to wear that..checkout the minkyclub to found out about that dress..it look very anime...

its strange... cause in my home i can be Otaku and watch my anime and read manga and enjoy commenting on DC but with friends, my friends like 1 or 2 anime, but they all think its kinda lame to be Otaku, so i keep it hidden that i tend to watch a lot of anime and manga. they always knew i was a huge gamer and most love this cause well i got all the cool games lol. my best friend doesn't know just how Otaku i am, when we hang out, which isn't often cause he likes to Rave and go out and party in different city's, he often has interesting story's of how he got shot at by gang members or how he almost died on acid >.> when we hang out its really fun we drink and play Halo a lot get pizza and hit on girl's lol my mom knows i like games, and anime, but i don't really want to tell her about figures. when i talk to people, i tend to get over excited about Anime, manga, games, and people kinda stand there dazed looking at me when i go off ranting about how a anime character died, or how it was freaking awesome when the O Riser linked with the 00 System and Setsuna got super powered... i tend to forget not everyone finds that fascinating as i do. i Cosplayed a few times, though i don't really have the right body for it, me being 6 foot 4 inches tall, i guess i could Cosplay a Gundam >.> as for wearing Anime T-shirts i would if i had them lol, clothing is no big deal I'll wear what i have. and in school i was never allowed to have any fun classes like Computer class or after school programs, the most fun i had in school was Science class, the teacher was very nice and easy to understand, and she looked and talked a lot like my sister so i was always happy in that class.

One of the primary reasons I got out of academia and started working is so that I can buy figurines and mecha model kits, upgrades for my PC, and afford to pay an internet service provider so I can get anime and eroge-related stuff off the Web. So yeah, I figure I'm an otaku, and I'm not ashamed of it.

I'm a proud otaku :D I take no shame in it. All my friends know I like to watch anime or read manga and they're okay with it some of them even like it. I don't even try to hide it, I'll talk about it freely to new people I meet which some people find weird but still they dont mind or care. As for my parents not sure if they know >> Think it'd be obvious with the anime poster next to my desk and manga.

proud since the year i was born!

A few of my friends are otaku as well, but only my closest friends know about my love of anime, figures, etc. All friends outside of my close circle of friends don't know. But it's fine, I don't like to go around telling people or letting people know IRL I'm otaku. ^^; Unfortunately, when friends who don't know I'm otaku come over, the figures and gashapon end up being stashed in the closet. It's a shame, I know TT__TT

More towards proud than a closet, my family and closest friends know about it (Tho my family sometimes nag me of my spendings on those GunPla and figures... >,<), am not afraid to convey my status to anyone I've already know... but it still takes time...

Total strangers, not a chance...

My friends know about me being a little otaku. I also made a friend who is an otaku himself, we talk alot, and its fun. However, there aren't many here who are into this kind of thing so no cosplaying and such for me. My room is just like what you described up there and I don't have a problem telling people that I'm into this, they don't really seem to mind! (^_^)

Otaku and PROUD.... Lol...

I'd have to say otaku and PROUD :3 I do cosplay (even outside on rare occasion) and my friends know that I like anime, since I've started school over here i just kinda announce it immediately. The way I dress is a little extravagant itself but I decided bringing anime shirts with me would be a bad idea. I love cosplaying <3 I just haven't really done specific characters over here yet... once I have money I will definitely be cosplaying though. My room isn't too extravagant right now 9 posters some ufo winnings and I have about half my figure collection with me at the moment, my room at home was covered before came though.

haha half way out but yet still halfway in xD

Been brought up in a family that regards reputation and "face" as a very impt object. When i first took notice of how negative people take otaku-ism as, i was kinda scared of telling anyone. But then met a buncha friends that openly discussed this subculture and weren't afraid of other ppl's views, and i started hanging out with them ever since, til now :D Great friends. As i progressed i took their so called "spirit" and i started talking about anime to people i just met, and have also met a few more friends who are into figs, anime and manga and such xD

about being an otaku i am not the nerd one and also not that casual in anime and manga,drawing and an obsession for Nippon
for me if i were in japan i would have bought anime merchandises and souvenirs but anime isn't my 24 Hour thing so i am not a geek also my friends the closest of them knows that i am into anime and i love japan so much but some of them thinks that any animated drawn things are for kids :(

To my JP friends, Students and Girlfriend I do play down my otaku level.. admittedly I am not all that otaku to begin with, and since coming to Japan my otaku tendancies have slacked up as opposed to having been inflamed, but I am still more otaku than the average Taro and out in the middle of Gunma thats not something you wanna wear on your sleeve.