Editorial
Do You Flaunt Your Anime / Manga Fanaticism?
Yuumi and I share the same pastime, minus the fondness for tragic stories.
I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time now, ever since I noticed that I seem to be the only one freaky(?) enough to read mangas or novels in public transportation, at least in our country (Philippines). I know I’m not the only one who buys mangas here, as the manga business is steady flourishing with the coming of the North American-licensed mangas. The reason why I have yet to see someone do the same pastime during the long train or jeepney ride is either because (1) they’d rather read their mangas at the comfort of their homes or somewhere else (those who decided not to flaunt their otakuness), (2) the percentage of people buying mangas here are so few that there’s but a slim chance that I’ll run into one who will actually read it in public, or (3) the ones who buy these mangas are so rich that they don’t ride the public transportation like I do.
I guess I can say that this my way of flaunting my fanaticism, though my real intention is learning Nihongo and making the most of my idle time. This never fails to gain me some curious and befuddled look from people btw, because people of my kind are a rare species—one of the minority of avid anime and manga fans in the country, who actually read stuff in Japanese. The reactions I get from people vary from time to time. There are some people who poke their nose at what I’m reading, with some people trying to read it with me (those with Nihongo knowledge), and other ones who are probably amazed by the pictures and/or garbled characters they see. There are also some who talk about what I’m doing (behind my back), and then talk about stuff relating to Japan afterwards. And there were two instances where a guy actually talked to me and asked me about what I was reading (no of course that was NEVER my intention) o_O
Most of the people I’ve seen here prefer to flaunt their fanaticism through less flashy ways, by wearing shirts with anime designs, decorating their bags and other stuff with anime novelty items, such as pins, stickers, and pencil boards (placed in their transparent folder). I have yet to see someone cosplay in public, because I don’t think anyone is gutsy enough (or crazy enough) to do such a stunt here (feel free to correct me if I am wrong, or if you’re one of the few Filipinos who have done this =P). I have seen a few people with a Japanese school-girl getup, but none of which are specifically aimed at cosplaying a certain anime/manga/game character.
Contained herein is the PoT umbrella, featuring my fave Seigaku guys: Fuji, Tezuka and Echizen =p
Speaking of flaunting, I have yet to use this Prince of Tennis umbrella I bought in Japan, for fear of damaging the thing and also for the lack of courage LOL. One day when I go out with my friend, I might just muster up the courage to use it, for the sake of observing how people will react (and hope my friend won’t disown me afterwards) =P
So, how do you guys flaunt your anime and manga fanaticism or otakuness? Do you actually flaunt it, or would you prefer to be a closet otaku, showing your true colors only in the company of fellow fans?
Credits to Danbooru for the konata pic
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32 comments for “Do You Flaunt Your Anime / Manga Fanaticism?”
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It’s not that I flaunt it but I often watch drama/anime on my ipod on the way from/to work..but mainly to pass time or because I didn’t have time to watch it at home. I’ll also read manga on the train, mostly because again I want to pass the time and/or wanna do something else at home.
I don’t know if it counts as flaunting, but today I was reading shoujo manga on the bus home from a trip where I spent over $600 HKD on manga. So you see this guy in his early twenties, who has a two days’ worth of stubbles, carry two massive pretty big bags filled with manga and reading Honey and Clover on public transport.
Probably a strange sight, but it’s something that I do all too often (not the splurging on manga bit, but the reading shoujo on a bus with stubbles bit).
I read manga outside often but I get dizzy.
Also, I wear anime shirts and smell like an otaku. I also bring my figures and take pictures of them in public places.
And I hate your new comment system. Please take it away!!
@Hinano: I can see myself watching dramas and animes on my way home, if I were in a safer country lol. Otherwise, I might find my ipod being stolen
@Lupus: I think I looked just like that when I was in Japan lol. It’s not a strange sight in countries where there are many otakus, like Japan, US, and probably Singapore as well.
@tj: lol. The otakus here are in hiding. I have yet to see people take an outdoor figurine photoshoot here, because the ones who can afford to buy figurines are really… scarce.
Wow you mean people just rip ipods from your hands ?_? Sounds scary. Also I agree with tjhan that new captcha is horrendous, even normal people can barely read it @_@
I have some buttons and a shirt, and I’ll read manga in public or at school, but I don’t really think of it as flaunting. (Most people at my school DO know I like anime/manga though, from me reading it and the fact that I draw it almost constantly)
I always read something while I wait for the bus be it a book or a manga, I treat them the same.
I never saw someone else doing it, but sometimes I see teenagers looking at my manga and whisper “I read that one too!”, it always makes me laugh…
the only time i read manga was on my way home from camp years ago (it was bleach btw volume 10 i think) naturally i had a big headache.
nowadays im content with listening to my anime op/ed and osts when on public transport.
Let’s see… I do read manga in public from time to time, but Jeepneys are far too crowded to do it comfortably (and I don’t wanna damage a 500 Peso book). Whenever I go out, I tend to hum to some anime song, and some of my school stuff has anime-related things on it. I don’t really flaunt it all that much, I guess.
I’m already considered a freak since i wear robes instead of normal clothes, so i dont care if people seem me reading manga or not
My house is pure fanatasicim run wild though, you’ll find manga, light novels, dvd’s and cd’s scartered every where, and i do mean everywhere. Found several series of manga in the bathroom earlier >.
geh, forgot comments don’t like certain emotes and cut them off hehe
Anyways, i have an anime themed letter box a mate of mine made for an xmas pressie a few years ago. They don’t even bother asking what i want for xmass anymore hehe.
Although not so long ago i did buy an entire D’Eon outfit that i wore to a expo, full thing, ruffles spats and sword. Even had a wig made and everything. Got all the way to the expo (im never riding to an expo in cosplay on the bus ever again) and found i was 1 of about 6 people woh had went in cosplay, man how out of place did we look
Though we did get interviewed, won a prize and stuff cause of it hehe
I am not sure if it is flaunting, but I build models of gundam mechas i learned to really like… mostly super deformed ones but it stops there. I don’t join contests either. I just build or sometimes snap them together.
as for other anime types, i know i am already obsessing about them when i start buying their DVD’s, search the net for their mangas and when that happens, i start to wean myself from it.
I don’t really view it as flaunting, but rather expressing or showing what you like. It’s not something to be hidden either because anime/manga are quite interesting things. It’s just that sometimes one does get obsessed with the stories and characters that you find yourself looking for and downloading every little bit related to the story or character you are currently following, even if one cannot read Japanese or Chinese (like me) and is a slave to the long wait for english translations.
For me it would probably be the amount of anime ringtones I have (ef’s OP, Clannad’s OP/ED, Evangelion Rebuild’s Fly Me To The Moon Utada ver., and so on).. an understated yet effective way of saying “I’m a fan!”. But a Gurren-Lagann T-shirt would be nice, since it isn’t something I’d be embarrassed about wearing in public…
Unless you’re one of my close friends (who are also otaku in their own right) or an acquaintance that I’ve met in an anime convention… you’d probably not think that I’m an enthusiast when it comes to these kind of things.
My MP3 player is filled to the brim with anime and game related music, and I always listen to songs when going to and from university…
Though, it’s a bit sad that nobody else in my class is on the same otaku wavelength as me… T_T
(Except for a few people… like Mike and perhaps usagijen-nee… :D)
hmm… i’ve yet to meet a die hard otaku. I’m what people call ‘kikay’ or girly (i also have my tough side though) and people are usually surprised to find out that i like anime.
as for flaunting, i don’t have much except for my airbrush samurai x tshirt which i got as a present and an anime keychain collection i recently started. i don’t have manga except for one, the last one vol of furuba my friend gave, so i guess i really don’t have much to flaunt^^;
but the moment talk about anime, i do try to contribute what i can especially when it’s something i’m familiar with:)
@usagijen: yeah i agree with u about the safety thing. listening ot ur ipod on a jeepney is like tempting someone to steal it!:p
*sigh* i’d love to visit japan someday but then i’d probably go crazy when i see all the manga and anime i can’t have;p
I’ve only recently filled my video ipod with anime episodes, and brave enough to watch it at my daily commute. I worry more about thieves than thinking about other people’s reactions.
But hmmm reading manga in public? Yea I did back in the days when I was collecting Fruits Basket. It’s no different from reading novels in public, which is already rare in itself. I mean… who knows what the heck you’re reading anyway? Would they realize that what I’m reading is actually a shoujo manga which 95% of its readers are girls (and I’m a guy)?
A manga with ecchi drawings is another matter…
At the moment I’m a (sorta) closet otaku: people know I like manga and anime, but they haven’t seen how zealous I can get about it. And for the moment, that’s fine with me. :3
As a Filipino anime fan in Canada I’ve seen a few people, male and female, ranging from teenagers to even some on their early 20’s reading manga while on the public transit even in class(!) I on the other hand watched a couple episodes on the train but i try to avoid it now because its not very enjoyable when you can’t laugh out as loud as you want.
When I was still in the Philippines (about 5 years ago) anime wasn’t all that popular and I agree that i have never seen anyone cosplay there nor have I seen a single piece of manga.
wow… so many comments now @_@ I guess I’ll spare some time to comment on some…
@Hinano: yeah, robbers are all around our place here… @__@ and, the reCaptcha thing has been removed, as per tj’s request, direct from the AB channel LOL.
@Zeroblade: I usually do it inside the MRT/LRT, where I am able to sit and stand, comfortably lol.
@Tiamat: wahehe… a manga mess of a house
that Chevalier d’Eon cosplay is so cool~! :3
@KaeBoo: my brother likes building Gundam models as well!
He’s just not as obsessed as I am with other stuff… now that’s where we are both similar 
man… my wallet really burns =__=
@kat: fellow fans understand each other, but the majority of people who’s not into the fandom will give us curious stares… like in my case :p not that I care~
@Owen: yes, it’s one subtle and effective way of conveying that message indeed
I secretly smile whenever I hear someone in the jeep or train who have such ringtones. If it’s someone in class or in the office, then I’ll go approach that person and say “I know that!” (meaning, I’m a fan too! XD)
@meganeshounen: aww… way back in college, I had people who are as otaku as I am (or even more). But then they were the ones who flunked the computer subjects, so I found myself in the company of non-otaku, yet great people, who knows how much of a fan I am
soon enough, you’ll find someone in the same otaku wavelength as you are… when get to work :3
@beingmeyuki: my eyes gleam with excitement whenever the topic becomes anime… then the people will see that I’m not as shy (as Hinata of Naruto) as they thought I am =P
@bluemist: lucky for you that you still have that ipod video of yours! I actually read a manga with *ahem* not really smutty, yet not-so-innocent scenes (bath scene with 2 guys… etc). But I was too embarrassed that I quickly flipped the page, never bothered to see how people will react LOL.
@TheBigN: hehe. well, apart from my manga and novel reading habits, I don’t really show my otakuness unless I’m with the company of fellow fans :3
@israfel: I guess it’s really common in countries where the anime and manga business is flourishing. It’s as normal as seeing people read books and ordinary novels.
I try to hide my rampant otak-ism. Of course, it’s hard to hide it when i’m reading tankobans on the bus and in cafes.
it’s a funny thing. i was in powerbooks yesterday and there were like two shelves filled with manga, of course, fanatics were unveiled as they crowded in front of it (including me^_^) although i’m still looking for a manga that i really wana invest in…
@usagijen… well, it would really burrow through your pocket, especially if you go for the PG’s and MG’s… SD’s are cute and they cost much much less.
it’s fun making them… those for macross, too. only that hasegawa kits are pretty pricey.
I am afraid of reading manga or watching anime on public transportation in my country–a few minutes (or even seconds) of lack of awareness of surroundings might lead to some loss of property lol.
Anyway, the public transportation here is not really conducive to manga reading/anime watching pursuits. Whereas in Japan, if the train is not too crowded reading manga is the perfect way to pass time (if you’re not fiddling with your cellphone or other whatnot). I also wanted to do manga reading on the train but I couldn’t do it since I didn’t want people looking at a gaijin reading manga. Guess I lack spine. ^_^;
As for really flaunting, I don’t have anything to flaunt–at least not yet. :-p
I also often read manga while riding a jeepney, i guess we just haven’t bumped into each other hehe. I also once saw one w/ his earphones on singing loudly anime themesongs on a jeepney. I didn’t find it weird ^_^
@beingmeyuki: I also thinking twice (and more) when investing on mangas, especially the more expensive North American releases. I wanna know if it’s worthy of my 500 x N volumes bucks
@KaeBoo: hehe, I think I’ll leave that hobby to my bro
@hayase: I actually find the MRT or LRT conducive for reading mangas, since robbers don’t really care much about these books
watching anime is a different story altogether… now that is really “inviting”.
When I was in Japan, I spent a few times reading mangas/novels/magazines in the bus and the train. I also see people doing the same thing, and they don’t really mind :3 Though, it’s also because I can be easily mistaken as a Japanese, from the way I look.
@shinji: I rarely ride the jeepney nowadays… more of the LRT/MRT when I go home from work. I’ve never bumped into anyone doing the same thing
I love your Seigaku umbrella bag! It’s so pretty. Those 3 are my favorites too, but I am more smitten with Tezuka-buchou! I even bought a set of PoT chibi figures at comic alley, quite expensive, but I just couldn’t resist.
My brother has a Deathnote notebook and I remember him buying a bunch of Tamiya models to build and race way back when that anime was aired here and got really popular. He’s a huge DBZ fan.
I’m not exactly an otaku but I do love watching anime a lot. I try to go straight home from work, eagerly anticipating the newly subbed episodes for this week of the recently airing animes. I’ve tried to re-size the episodes to fit my N91’s resolution… Unfortunately I don’t understand Japanese so re-sizing it is no good since I can’t read the subs properly! ~Lol.
However, my N91 is filled with anime mp3’s (my current ringtone is ef’s OP) but I don’t dare use it when I’m in the jeep or bus because of snatchers and such. @_@
I always read manga at powerbooks whenever I hang out there. Haha. I haven’t bought one yet because I haven’t found a series that I liked that’s actually complete or at least consistently realeased here, it always skips volumes.
I did notice that the amount of mangas have gradually increased in that bookstore, though. Unlike before when it was in the cornermost shelf and you had to go to customer assistance to inquire where it is, it’s now easily seen and displayed. =D
@hazy: yeah, I noticed the number of mangas in Powerbooks are increasing as well. It’s tempting me to buy more English mangas… lol. If you want a wider selection, there’s Fully Booked. They consistently release the titles they have, like Cipher in my case. It’s just more pricey, 100+ bucks more expensive perhaps.
I dun really have anything to fluant yet. LOL ut my mp3 is full of anime OPs and EDs though.-HAHA
I like reading magna on the roads, well I live in Europe so not so many people here are into naruto but I find it is a fun way to past the time traveling.