As tj_han recently demonstrated, among the subset of otaku known as “anime bloggers” there exist further subgroups which can be used for classification. Unfortunately, his list omitted a number of significant subtypes, which I feel are important to properly identify.

The same disclaimer applies here - all classifications and examples used in this article are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons or blogs is purely coincidental. Even if they have the same name and URL.

The Weeaboo

“ZOMG Japan is t3h CHOU SUGOI! I am more awesomer than u because I have been there and u have not!”

The Weeaboo blogger is a rabid fan of any and all things Japanese. He has usually visited Japan at least once and can speak some measure of Japanese. He declaims passionately about anything related to Japanese culture, and brooks no argument from those who he views as possessing inferior weeaboo qualifications (i.e. - have not personally visited Akihabara). He can frequently be seen employing phrases such as “Well my Japanese friend said that…” or “Actually in Japan it’s like this…”

Epic Win is a classic Weeaboo.

Note that upon reaching level 42, The Weeaboo may evolve into its third stage evolution: Read the rest of this entry »

The thick plottens! *zawa zawa*

Oh, just as an added note, I never, ever want to get into a situation that requires me to lock myself in a toilet with two other men. Especially a pink toilet. If they hadn’t already realized from the whole insurmountable gambling debt thing, this would surely be the sign that they’ve hit rock bottom.

Another of the things I enjoy about Kaiji is the interesting angles used in relatively ordinary scenarios. There’s nothing particularly interesting about a bathroom stall, but with top notch cinematography this series can make the typical seem intense and anxious.

“Typical?”

Actually, you know what, nevermind. I don’t want to know.

Although I’m sure this was supposed to be a gripping scene, I just couldn’t take it seriously because of the unintentional comedic effect the setting provided. I mean, the toilet is pink. Read the rest of this entry »

First of all, omedetou Furude Rika on winning SaiMoe 2007!

A good showing for Higurashi arimasu desu~! Nipaa~!

Even though there are others I would’ve preferred to see come out on top, I don’t think it’s worth wasting time and energy complaining about it. SaiMoe has way too much emo drama as it is.

So instead, please accept this humble tribute to the fallen - those who fought valiantly but, in the end, were vanquished.

Click on the images for larger versions. Read the rest of this entry »

DarkMirage’s recent criticism of Nyoro~n’s Gundam 00 translations sparked a flurry of criticism, mostly petty ad hominems telling him to get out of his parent’s basement, but also a few reasonable arguments defending Nyoro~n. After checking out Nyoro~n’s releases myself, I feel compelled to offer some defense of my own, on DarkMirage’s side of things.

Although I don’t usually watch fansubbed versions, I decided to download a few of these Nyoro~n subs to check out whether this was for real. I almost couldn’t believe that these so-called “translations” could actually be that bad until I saw it for myself.

At first I thought maybe it was just an isolated incident, or perhaps due to the extensive technical jargon that Gundam 00 employs. To double check, I decided to take a look at Nyoro~n’s subs for Gurren Lagann, a show which is much easier to understand and translate.

To my dismay, however, it’s just as bad! I feel sorry for the people who watched this thinking they were getting the real Gurren Lagann!

Take a look at the following comparisons: Read the rest of this entry »

OK, after seeing Danny Choo’s latest dance performance I couldn’t resist blogging about this.

Not only is the song great, the dance moves are hilarious. It even comes complete with free background dancers!

Speaking of all the guys who jump in to dance along with Danny…many people have this mental image of Japanese as being quiet and reserved, trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves, but as this video clearly demonstrates, even they can’t resist the lure of going crazy in the front of the cameras.

It’s also ironic that he’s doing this in Shibuya, of all places, which is where all the “too-cool-for-school” yuppie teens and 20-somethings come to hang out. This kind of funky, off-the-wall behavior would fit right in in Harajuku, where people regularly parade up and down the streets in every fashion on Earth, as well as a few that I’m convinced originated on some other planet.

Shibuya, however, is a completely different story. The kids who hang out in Shibuya are often trying so hard to appear cool that they look like they’re in pain. Danny’s performance must have just blown their minds. It was such a departure from the normal image the Shibuya-kei (Shibuya style) guys try to put on, they probably just had no idea what to make of him.

In Shibuya your collective attire should have the roughly the same retail value as the downpayment on an automobile…so en vogue it’s almost embarassing. Whereas in Akihabara it’s almost expected to see some form of street performers; in fact you’d feel a little cheated if you crossed the street without seeing some kind of crazy cosplay or idol performance.

And you can think of Harajuku as the crazy art student cousin of the yuppie metropolitian professional known as Shibuya.

As a gaijin in Japan, fitting in is not an easy thing to do. Standing out, on the other hand, is both easy and fun! People are gonna stare anyway, might as well give ‘em a good show, right?

Props, Danny. It was megas funny.

Original at www.dannychoo.com