The so called Otaku culture is sometimes associated with Hikikomori. Having some of the same social tendencies one might suspect that otaku is a lifestyle that eventually leads to Hikikomori. Closer inspection, however, does not support this comparison.
The Otaku concept, despite the word’s original meaning, is used to describe a youth popular-culture who is fanatic about different hobbies like, Manga, Anime, Computer-games, and the Internet. They are often seen as somewhat geek-like persons who are living in their own fantasy- and virtual computer-world. One might say that Otaku is a kind of counter-culture, shaped by teenager’s who create their identity through these different Medias. They share some of the tendencies we see in Hikikomori, being socially isolated from the society in general, but they also seem to recognize themselves as part of a unique group and they have some pride in their identity as Otaku.
Although the Otaku culture does have similarities with Hikikomori, in the sense that they withdraw socially, the big difference lies in the fact that they do have a culture. They do have a social network although it is perhaps limited to other like-minded, to other otaku people. On the contrary one rarely talks about a Hikikomori-culture, or that the Hikikomori person identifies himself as a part of a larger group. Therefore it is quite clear that Hikikomori can not be compared with Otaku and that Otaku in contrast is actually an example of a group that in their own way has been able to adapt to the modern Japanese society.
Otaku and Hikikomori are thus very different phenomenons, but the otaku culture seems to clarify exactly what is missing for the person experiencing Hikikomori: a feeling of belonging to a social community.
Otaku Culture
The so called Otaku culture is sometimes associated with Hikikomori. Having some of the same social tendencies one might suspect that otaku is a lifestyle that eventually leads to Hikikomori. Closer inspection, however, does not support this comparison.
The Otaku concept, despite the word’s original meaning, is used to describe a youth popular-culture who is fanatic about different hobbies like, Manga, Anime, Computer-games, and the Internet. They are often seen as somewhat geek-like persons who are living in their own fantasy- and virtual computer-world. One might say that Otaku is a kind of counter-culture, shaped by teenager’s who create their identity through these different Medias. They share some of the tendencies we see in Hikikomori, being socially isolated from the society in general, but they also seem to recognize themselves as part of a unique group and they have some pride in their identity as Otaku.
Although the Otaku culture does have similarities with Hikikomori, in the sense that they withdraw socially, the big difference lies in the fact that they do have a culture. They do have a social network although it is perhaps limited to other like-minded, to other otaku people. On the contrary one rarely talks about a Hikikomori-culture, or that the Hikikomori person identifies himself as a part of a larger group. Therefore it is quite clear that Hikikomori can not be compared with Otaku and that Otaku in contrast is actually an example of a group that in their own way has been able to adapt to the modern Japanese society.
Otaku and Hikikomori are thus very different phenomenons, but the otaku culture seems to clarify exactly
Miyuchi
Dude~
I don't want to confuse you with your study but you might need this one too~
http://www.vickery.dk/hikikomori/cat_otaku_culture.html
Tags: research