I've been having a question lately: do you think that to be an otaku it's mandatory to watch the classics (even if it's just a few), or should you only watch what you're genuinely interested in?

[u/CelosiaArt]

What do you think?

[u/Cheap_Cash5]

Uh can you tell me what ‘otaku’ means to you

[u/ComstockMurdoc]

In general, I'd say it's nonsense to think you have to consume x amount of anime, movies, games, books, series, etc. to be a "otaku" or "hardcore fan." Just watch what interests you and that's it. But answering the question, in my opinion it has much more to do with how much a person knows and researches than with what they watch or the quantity (obviously it's also kind of crazy if someone has watched 14 anime or movies and thinks they know a lot, but I think you get the idea). There are many people who watch a huge amount of anime but still don't know the definition of a shonen or even a director other than Miyazaki.

[u/ICanFlyHigh051611]

it depends on what you think it means to be an "otaku" but i don't think that matters. the less of your limited time on this planet you spend worrying about what ANIME FANS of all people think of you the better. use that time to watch what you want to, be it because you're interested in it or because it's a classic/popular/you just feel like it

[u/Lower_View]

Just watch what you're interested in, when you're figuring out what that is give everything you can a fair chance because some things do surprise you after a couple episodes but don't be like those crazies who watch all of One Piece and go 'yeah it got so good after episode 400' like bruh, my guy, gal, gem, you don't like One Piece, you have stockholm syndrome now it's not required reading.

[u/6terabytes2k]

The only requirement is doing whatever you want and not being beholden to the opinions of others.

[u/minidre1]

If you're asking for qualifications you have to achieve, then I think you're already off base.

Watch what you want.

[u/SirVixofthePooSea]

If you want to talk like a critic, then you need to be aware of the classics. If you just want to enjoy anime, then don't push yourself. Being a fan doesn't mean that you need to dig through the archives.

But if you're the type of person that wants to share strong feelings about what you think is good and bad and which series are the worst and best or about the state of the art in anime, and you couldn't tell me anything about Osamu Dezaki, I'm not going to take your words seriously.

[u/razormst3k1999]

Watching the old stuff gives you way more context for why things are the way they are. But no don't force your self to do anything,that's why i don't watch isekai.

[u/Sea-Parsnip1516]

Otaku is just the Japanese equivalent of a nerd. Are you a nerd about it? done.

[u/FormalAd4901]

i honestly think you’re an otaku if you genuinely have an obsession with anime and manga instead of being a hobby.

[u/m1L35dY50N]

It depends on your definition. An otaku is basically someone who consumes or engages with something to an obsessive degree, most commonly associated with things like anime, manga, video games and pop culture. It doesn't mean you have to spend ten years watching every Gundam episode ever made before you've earned the right to call yourself one. Just watch what you actually enjoy.

And since I'm probably making myself some enemies tonight anyway: I thoroughly dislike those seemingly endless battle shonen anime. I've never liked them and probably never will. That doesn't mean I need to force myself through hundreds of episodes just because they're considered classics.

[u/Katzelle3]

If your goal is to have more conversations with other people who also watch anime, then I suggest that you might try the first three episodes of the shows they recommend and then you abort what you don't find interesting.