"What exactly is an otaku?", "What are the characteristics or attributes of otaku?", Those questions seem not only be asked here but also in Japan. Despite being the birthplace to this nerd and geek community, the characteristics of this phenomenon haven’t been determined with any certainty.

To research this, a Japanese company, Dip (Dream Idea Passion) asked 1,843 men and women aged 10 to 49-year-olds about what comes into mind when they hear the word otaku. What do they think about it in the Land of the Rising Sun? Let’s take a look.

15. Pants With A Lot of Pockets - 4,8%

One of the most distinctive features of an otaku is cargo pants. It’s still a mystery of what items are being stored in those pockets.

14. A Recent Jump in Stylishness - 6%

Given the fact that the otaku lifestyle constantly moving into the mainstream, there are more and more stylish people turned out to be an otaku. Moreover, merchandise, such as stylish daily anime, manga, or game-themed equipment is also increasingly omnipresent.

13. Paper Shopping Bags - 13,7%

Anime or game shops (or doujinshi exhibitions) in Japan usually give long and thick paper bags instead of plastic ones, so that their goodies don’t get bent or scratched.

12. Plaid Shirts - 13,9%

For their tops, plaid shirts are one of the most distinctive features of an otaku. Even in Japan, the 'otakucoord' or otaku coordinate style is hugely popular.

11. Bandanas - 14,5%

Perhaps a lot of otaku wear glasses, but that doesn’t necessarily mean every four-eyes are otaku. Other accessories that really describe these hobbyists are bandanas or headbands; useful to keep bangs out from overgrown haircut. Especially if it has the name of their favorite idol group or anime on it!

10. An Increasing Number of Girls - 18,9%

As it gets more into the mainstream, the otaku lifestyle that was once attached to males is now being enjoyed by females.

9. Backpacks - 23,5%

Wherever an otaku goes, they are often seen carrying bags -- not just the backpack, but also shopping bags in their hands.

8. Someone Who Likes Video Games - 37,8%

Yup, what is considered as otaku by Japanese people isn’t limited to fans of anime, manga, or idols; but also video game fans! Usually, otaku is synonymous with people who love to spend time inside, so, it’s not really surprising that this is the eighth otaku feature.

7. Someone Who Likes Manga - 38,8%

Somewhat surprisingly, 'someone who likes manga' is not higher on this list of otaku features, with only 1% margin from the feature above.

6. They’re Entering Their Golden Age - 41,5%

Despite having a bad stigma in the eyes of the majority of the Japanese population, otaku are often deemed as people who are extremely passionate about their hobbies. Therefore, they seemed to be enjoying the best part of their lives. 

5. Akihabara - 45,6%

Dubbed as 'otaku’s paradise', this electronics district in Tokyo is indeed synonymous with otaku’s features. Although the shopping spots for otakus are also getting bigger; such as Den Den Town in Osaka.

4. Someone With His or Her Own World - 46,8%

Whether it’s because of their passion for specific things, or their delusional escape from reality, this otaku feature occupies the fourth position.

3. Someone Who Knows A Lot About One Thing - 47,9%

Obsession is not always bad. Due to their passion for exploring their hobbies, otaku are often considered as people who have a profound understanding of certain things; whether it’s anime, games, computers, and so on and so forth.

2. Someone Who Likes Anime - 50,4%

In the second place, you might have guessed it: ‘otaku = anime'! The drawing style of colorful wide-eyed girls can hardly be separated from the terminology.

1. Someone Obsessed with His or Her Hobby - 61,9%

And in the first place, as said before: otaku are obsessed people. More or less, that’s the general perception from the perspective of Japanese people toward the terminology in question.

Well, those were the characteristics of an otaku from a Japanese perspective. So, guys, do you think that you belong to those characteristics?

Featured image source: pinterest.com

Source: Soranews24.com

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