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■御宅族(圖)的次文化源於日本，近年在香港也頗為流行。 資料圖片
Lily Poon
Otaku (御宅族) is a term in modern Japanese slang which refers to people with obsessive (沉迷的) interests in any particular hobby. For example, a fan of anime(Japanese animation)is anime otaku, a fan of video games is gemu (game) otaku. The term first appeared in a Japanese animation called Super Dimensional Fortress Macross(1982)(超時空要塞). Nowadays, this word has a negative (反面) connotation(含意) linked to adults who spend a lot of time at home and are obsessive about anime, idols and video games.
An overwhelming majority of us negatively stereotype (定型) otaku as being antisocial (不愛交際的) and isolated from the society since they rarely leave their homes. The term particularly refers to Japanese men who remain single and continue to live with their parents in their late 20s and 30s. Many of them focus too much on technological merchandise and their behaviour deviates from the mainstream society (主流社會). In general, it is considered as undesirable or even offensive to be labelled as (被標籤為) otaku in Japan. However, some of these otaku simply ignore the negative connotation of the term and accept their status as fans of comics and video games. They like to gather in the Akihabara district in Tokyo known for stores selling electronics, video games and anime products.
A story of the otaku subculture (次文化) was made into a movie called Densha Otoko(translated as Train Man《電車男》)in 2005. It is a love story about an otaku and a beautiful lady whom he met on a train. After seeking advice from posters in Japan's largest Internet bulletin board channel, Train Man ultimately started dating the lady. It is a sweet love story about an otaku who successfully emerges from his shell.
Doubtless, Hong Kong has a long history of importing Japanese anime. You can find almost all the latest Japanese comics and games here. Many young people are heavily influenced by Japanese products and this explains the well-developed Otaku subculture in Hong Kong. In March, anime fans dressed in costumes of comic characters and they demonstrated for the improvement of Otaku's status in Hong Kong. They disclaimed the negative image of men in Hong Kong who are anime fans and cosplayers. This movement broke out after a local TV programme described otaku as "men with poor education and lack self-confidence (自信心)and communication skills (溝通能力)". This movement has shocked people who used to think that otaku are naive and reluctant to conform to (遵守) social norms. Yet it takes time to build the confidence and courage needed to get out of one's comfort zone (安逸地帶). "Just jump! Otaku!"
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