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What kind of otaku are you?
by Jon Snyder, 01/16/2010
What kind of otaku are you? photo

According to wannabe porn site Sankaku Complex, 2chan has identified two kinds of otaku: Type A and Type B. Here's the breakdown of their qualifications for each catagory:

Type A

A person who simply enjoys “anime.”

Is proud of Japan’s anime.

Evaluates anime based on direction, voice acting, art, etc.

Hates shallow anime with no real content.

Story emphasis >>>>> Moe anime.

A recent example would Higashi no Eden. Fans of anime who like Lain or Ghost in the Shell would probably be this kind.

Type B

A person who simply enjoys “characters.”

Will watch an anime if it includes cute or beautiful characters.

Doesn’t care if story is awful, as long as the characters are of interest.

Evaluates anime based on which seiyuu are in it and what the characters look like.

Loves moe elements. Doesn’t like complex anime.

The otaku the media picks up on are usually this kind.

Doesn’t know that much about anime and so is often criticized by Type A otaku.

However, they make much better customers than the more discerning Type A otaku.

Recently there has been a huge increase in anime targeted at Type B otaku.

People who like K-ON!, Queen’s Blade, Strike Witches and so on would be in this class.

While I hate stereotyped overgeneralizations, I have to admit that these criteria are pretty accurate. As for myself, I would like to think I'm a Type A otaku... but I've noticed that I have a few Type B tendencies as well. For example, I will often watch a show because it has a cute or sexy character in it. However, I love story-rich sci-fi and fantasy anime as well as surreal comedy, and I absolutely despise vapid sh*t like K-On!. I guess that means I'm mostly Type A after all.

What about you guys? Which type of otaku are you?

 




(85) COMMENTS



pd771

I'm type A for the most part, but I'll watch anything Gundam. I may not like it, but I'll watch it.
 
nortonantivirus

I guess this says I'm Type A. But that doesn't mean I don't like some moe. I think some anime overlaps. ToraDora! would be an example.
BTW, K-On! and FLCL for Anime of the Decade!
 
Slust

Type O Negative.

I mean, Type A. I sort of got my start watching adult oriented anime, so I need mature stories that escape the melodramatic. Anyone can do stuff. Not everyone can can be a member of Section 9. =p
 
ChubbyHuggs

I'm hybrid, but I lean more towards Type A. Only I don't look down on B, because, "Doesn’t know that much about anime and so is often criticized by Type A otaku."
 
gwjunkie

I'm somewhere directly in between, I think. I liked K-On! and yet I like the deeper storylines as well. I like cute characters, and while I won't typically watch the entirety of a series for one character, it can influence me if I'm on the edge. It doesn't have to be "story-rich" for me, as long as it's somehow entertaining. I like slice-of-life anime as well as action/sci-fi/fantasy. I know a fair amount about anime, I mean hell, I read Japanator and one of my good friends always seems to be up on the news as well. I know next to nothing about seiyuu and I'm not typically criticized for my taste, though I rarely dislike a show enough to flat-out stop watching it halfway in. Except crap like Naruto and Bleach that goes on forever without anything happening and has shitty dubbing.
I guess I'm some kind of AB otaku. Universal receiver? I guess that makes sense somehow.

 
Rick777

Type A, all the way! I've always considered myself an "elitist" Otaku, searching only for the greatest shows. Sometimes I think I'm too perfectionist, to the point of finding Gurren Lagann somewhat dull. But this not only applies to anime, also to movies. I find "cult" movies interesting because they challenge your intelect and make you think, as opposed to hollow movies with only good graphics (Avatar, anyone?).

So, yes, I believe 2ch hit the spot on this one. I'm a full-fledged type-A otaku.
 
Funky Branca

Type A. One or two type B tendencies, but I'm at least 90% type A.
 
Dragonzigg

I'm pretty much slap bang in the middle. I'll watch anything as long as it entertains me in some way. I suppose I lean a little towards Type A, but I've watched a ton of stuff (including K-ON!) just because it was funny, weird or had charming characters.
 
gricomet

Honestly, with the way they set up the characteristics it really seems like you are "good" otaku or "bad" otaku (type B). They make Type B to seem like people who know nothing about anime and just watch crap with no discernment. That seems like an oversimplicaton. Alot of the moe focused people have quite a bit of knowledge about moe targeted shows. They may not want to watch 80's anime classics or anything but they probably know quite a lot about K-on on other recent moe/fan service shows.

And really, I think most of us fall into both categories. Otaku watch some shows for art (Haibane Renmei, Lain, Grave of the Fireflies, Eva, etc) and also some shows just for relatively mindless entertainment (Lucky Star, Saki, To Love Ru). What you classify in one category or the other can vary (Code Geass anyone?) but depending on a person's mood or how they want to relax they might watch something at one point that "means" something or something that doesn't go any deeper than fanservice.

Really categorization like this only is used to say "We're the good fans, but this other group X, they are the bad ones" Has no real value.

 
Mandril

The story often cannot be captivating without interesting characters in it. Ofcourse, it comes down to what makes a character interesting. I think the Type B elements make an excellent recipe for a horrible, uninteresting cast of characters.

 
Golden Turd

Type A here.

@Rick777:
This.
 
Kageryu

I don't think this is entirely accurate, as I can be both types depending on the situation.
 
The-Excel

I'm Type-3.
 
Link1987

Definitely Type A. noooot a big fan of Moe. ill check it out if i hear its good, but most times its just a no go *cough* K-On *cough*. Then again im also all about the action! the only part of B i really follow is the character element. I LOVE finding a favorite character
 
Rangoric

So apparently I'm a Type A and a Type B. Nice to see another worthless "catagorization" scheme come out. Next let's have someone define Casual Gamer vs. Hardcore Gamer and see how worthless that turns out.
 
The Japan Girl

I'm a Type A who happens to like some moe shows. So maybe more like a Type A-
 
serial

Everyone's of these two types, in different proportions.

Either way, it's very generalizing.
 
PBz0r

So how many people on 2ch actually confessed to being Type B? Probably about as many as I'm seeing here.

I'm with Rangoric on this one.
 
shikkoku

Closer to A i think.

I like deep/mature stories. I can't stand anime that doesn't really say/do anything plot wise.

However, I watch B-type anime for a little break every now and then
 
The Japan Girl

It is pretty skewed. They make it sound like only the Type As are true fans and the Type Bs are just shallow morons. Way to be objective, 2ch.
 
u nick

B, but with a few changes:

A person who enjoys “characters", nothing simple about it.
Will put up with a bad anime (to a point) if it includes exceptionally designed characters.
Doesn’t MIND if PLOT is awful/generic, as long as other parts of the whole are of interest.
No interest in voice actors and such.
Likes moe elements. Likes complex anime. Love it when they arent mutually exclusive.
People who like K-ON! (YES), Queen’s Blade (NO), Strike Witches(NO) and so on would be in this class.
 
AQua ng

I would say I'm a Type A otaku, but I have waaaaay too many B-type guilty pleasures that I don't even feel guilty about them.
 
Gee-Man

Like others have said, such stark categories is utter bullshit in my opinion. The way these categories are described makes it sound like all Type A otaku are stuck up elitsts who couldn't enjoy a fun anime if it punched them in the face. Type B otaku end up sounding like ignorant shallow fools who prioritize fanservice and explosions before anything else. I think everyone has a bit of both to be honest.

To fall into only one category makes me think your taste in anime would be pretty boring. One can only watch Paprika, Voices of a Distant Star, and GitS for so long before it gets boring. Same can be said for K-On, Lucky Star, and Sengoku Basara.
 
Wedge Jaeger

who's going to admit to being type B? that's like saying "My favorite movie is Star Wars Episode 1 cause it had pod races and Jar Jar Binks!"
 
MorpheusDreamweaver

I'd put myself somewhere in between. Story is important, but so are characters.

I will watch something with a mindless or generic story if it has engaging characters or nice art, but I'd prefer shows with a strong, original story as well as compelling characters and nice art.
 
lyfeforce

Type-C. Characteristics include "F*ck your characteristics and keep me entertained."
 
The-Excel

@lyfeforce:
I'm Type-3, which is the one that hypocritically talks down to all the other types.
 
Vanacloud

Im a mix of both Type A / B. If i see cute characters and a moe storyline i will watch it. But at the same time im into serious animes as well like Naruto or Gundam Wing
 
Setre

I'm smack dab in the middle. I love moe and I love a deep story. Generally though if the story is shit, or it's not funny, I'll stop watching.
 
Mad March Harris

I watch Queen's Blade ;_;

Other than that I'm pretty firmly in the Type A camp. If I'm surfing lists of anime and find an interesting premise I'll probably pick or pass on it based on art design, of which character design is obviously a facet.

 
Fedcis

Definitely Type A. I am very picky and actually will return a rental, cut off an episode, if the voices sound off or the plot seems too stupid. I love breats like anyone else, but anime that claims to have a plot and is really just breast shots all through sucks.
 
EpcotServo

^I'm with the comments above that are of the idea that this is an extremely poor and meaningless profiling type that should be abandoned in all minds. While in some cases, SOME people might lean in one direction or the other, it's extremely polarizing to say those who love Baccano! and K-On! can't love both. One's smart, and one's light and fluffy, but they both have exclamation points, and are enjoyable entertainment.

I think the very nature OF Otaku, is to enjoy, discuss, and appreciate all of Modern Visual Culture through the eyes and mind of the consumer, regardless of genre or medium, and not be influenced by what others think or stereotype those things to be.

It's all discussed in the good book:

Genshiken

 
mudduck454

I have a 50/50 split on both, I enjoy ghost in the shell. and other shows that have content, but I also like to wind down and laugh too, I was very happy that media blasters is releasing kanokon in april, now it will have an english dub, but since I already had seen the R2 DVDs, I dont mind watching it subtitled.

you cannot stereotype an anime fan, to just 2 sides, there is not a spot there for the ones who buy the the character dolls, and what about the ones who like the H games, or the body pillows, or better yet, how do you classify the fans who wait in line for over 25days just to buy a plate signed by the queen of tsudere (Rie Kugimiya)

ANN link: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-15/rie-kugimiya-fans-wait-25+days-outdoors-in-taiwan

they like that voice actress not because of the shows she does, but they like her acting ability, just like someone who likes a certain actor or actress for the movies they do.
 
Razgriz

TAIPU AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
 
DorjiFAU

Im definitely a Type A, i would consider my self a sophisticated anime enthusiast

 
Rewarp

It doesn't actually matter.
Unless you are the person finding a market.
Then I am Type A.
 
HoodedMiracle

I like characters and story.

Urgh.

I've always worked on characters for my personal stuff BEFORE stories, so that may have something to do with it.

However, don't most people remember anime FOR the characters? I mean, something like Big O, where the plot (for the first season, anyway) was thin but apparent, while the characters stood out really well.

Iunno. -_-
 
killerpickles

I am a strong type A with a few sprinkles of type B.
 
Baka Tensai

I'm an easily entertained fellow. I really could fall under either type.

I'm fairly tolerant of crappy shows as long as there is at least a few interesting characters, but a lot of my favorite anime definitely fall under type A.

I'm an Otaku that doesn't discriminate. If it entertains me, I'll watch it.
 
Djm

I'm DEFINITELY Type A according to this. It's not even close. I don't consider myself an elitist, but I do know what I like (in your wardrobe), and what I don't.
 
Reibooi

Personally I would say any real Otaku are a bit of both.

Me for example. I LOVE stuff like Lain, BoogiePop Phantom, Noien, Ghost in the Shell and so on and so forth.

But then I also like stuff like K-ON!

Personally I think it would be hard to find someone who was 100% type A or B

Which teaches you that generalizations are pointless.

 
Kougeru

I'm Type D

Likes to watch anime for entertainment purposes and the occasional learning experience. K-ON re-sparked my interested in guitar and Strike witches was actually pretty good towards the end (but that didnt make up for the beginning). I try almost every anime that airs for at least a few episodes, sadly as the years go by there's less and less that I stick with, anime just keeps getting worse. Nodame and Hidamari saved me this season.
 
JDirekt

Type A, although I do like K-On!, even though the characters are less like "characters" and more like My Little Ponies or puppy dogs.
 
zentox69

i agree with how trying to catagorize things is bad especially drawing such a defined line, especially one that is so biased, any true otaku would be a mix of both if you claim to be purely one then you are not a true fan, even the most picky otaku will be part of both. it's not even based on a oposite sytem like with good and evil as both types are two ways of seeing the same thing.
for the record i'm newtype AB.
 
LReiviN

I think i´m "A" xD
 
-Moonlight-

I feel like this is a rather 'either this or that' way of categorization. I absolutely freakin' love anime such as Ghost in the Shell, and really appreciate involving storylines.
However, though at the opposite end, I love character-centered anime. For example, Lucky Star. It hardly has a story at all, though the fact it's all about it's characters and their interactions with each other, how people can relate to at least one of the characters (mostly Konata or Kagami) or the situations they find themselves in.
So I am a Type AB otaku, and I'm proud of it.
 
otakureview

I think I def. belong in the type A category though I do have some pretty strong type B tendencies.

 
Cyberlink420

I'm almost entirely Type-A. It takes more than just moe character designs to get me into a show.
 
SageShini

Type, Fuck You You Can't Put Me In A Category. Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell...and Koihime Musou. I love all four of those anime. Its not SUPPOSED to make sense, because I'm a human, not a two-dimensional stereotype.
 
Valkor

I think the majority of everyone here is Type-A and you can include myself in that category as well. But there are some Type-B I feel should definitely be in A such as:

Will watch an anime if it includes cute or beautiful characters.


Evaluates anime based on which seiyuu are in it and what the characters look like.


And why does liking Kon makes you a Type B?
 
Marlin Clock

I have to say, two classifications is really vague. It's like giving someone a fortune or looking up one of those psychology classifications.


 
KomugiStyle

Well i would tend to think that most people who actively follow Japanator would fall into the "A" category. But truthfully these categories are only an outsiders view of the typical anime fan. I'd consider myself to be a Type "A" but i'd be lying if i didn't occasionally watch a show solely for the Moe factor or something of the sort. Even anime fans who enjoy it for the art do this too. People who are only type "B" seem to be young teenagers or other people who recently got into anime and have not had the time to expand their view on anime. I think after you truly immerse yourself into the "otaku culture" you will become somewhat of a blend, leaning towards Type "A" ...although that elitist attitude is unattractive, that can go! ~_~

But Higashi no eden ...genius...however, i enjoyed K-ON for its fun factor.

 
unixvova

type A
 
vedicardi

Type A with a hint of B

because I like some shitty anime

but at least I admit it XD

where is part C?

"give me hentai or give me death" type
 
nortonantivirus

@vedicardi
I agree. There is Type C. "I only like anime because of the Hentai"
 
Paustinj

Type A sums it up nicely for me.

But like pd771 said, I

 
BK-110

I'm type A. But I have type B tendencies as well. I'm obsessed with character design and I sometimes end up watching a series only for the characters. I have no problems with moe either. I found K-ON! relatively fun to watch, even though its story didn't really go anywhere.

But in the end, a good story is the most important thing.
 
Dan CiTi

A, I don't suck.

 
Al-mal

some where in the middle

 
the7k

I'm definitely Type A.

Do I love certain moe characters? Oh, hell yeah. I also have a keen eye for character design. However, I'm not going to like a character unless they are in an anime with some substance - otherwise, I may as well be watching hentai. At least hentai gets straight to the point.
 
ittoujuu

I swing more toward type-A, as I would suspect most of the readers of this site do. However, I do possess two strong traits from Category B:

1. Characters really matter to me, and can extent my interest in a show I otherwise find mediocre (though, it won't save a truly bad series). The characters are the reason for viewers to care what happens in the story.

2. I sometimes rail against anime that the fan community decides to push on the merits of it being "deep," and am quick to suspect such titles of being pretentious. On the other hand, good shows that are simple and do what they do well (even if there are cliches), I'll defend, because the overall experience was enjoyable.

I'll agree that the way it's set up is skewed, such that few would want to self-identify as a Type-B. For a more interesting result, an assessment that gives more of a feeling of legitimacy to Type-B instead of "you are the philistines ruining my intellectual experience!"
 
terebi-kun

Completely Type A here... Some of my favorite series of the past two or three years have "ugly" character designs according to modern standards and are pretty experimental.

Call me a fucking snob if you will, I'll plead guilty, je je.
 
KwameKamikaze

I'm type A with some Type B tendencies, since I watch Naruto and Bleach (which I can't defend for my life)
 
YamatoMori

Type A .
I prefer the history content over the caracters .
Of course an anime with good looking chars is cool but if it doens't have the history incentive bahh .

 
dragonarya

Type A for sure. With maybe a few characteristics of type B.

 
Topher Cantler

Type A, though I quite enjoy Strike Witches. That's for the WWII/mecha musume element in general rather than the characters, though. So uh... A?
 
Arcade Ness

Type A for me as well. However I enjoy watching a silly show with no plot like Excel Saga, Bobobobo, Lucky Star, because sometimes you just want to be entertained.
 
Papasan

Catagorizations like this serve only one purpose: To give fans a chance to officialize their prejudices against other fans, and it stinks. Bad.
 
slickwataris

Type A
 
Urufu

I definitely exhibit most of Type A's characteristics, aside from being proud of anime. However, as far as Type B goes, sometimes a good set of characters can keep me around.
 
SasugaRIVAL

Neither, since I don't really watch anime besides Gibli nowadays.
 
FifthDream

Type A, absolutely. It almost describes me perfectly. I could say i'm 97% A, 3% B (i HAVE checked out anime series because of pretty characters, but i only watched if it ended up being good). I like pretty images and characters, but only watch if the rest of the anime is good. I couldn't force myself to watch a bad anime just for character design or good art. Definitely, plot over pretty.
 
The Amazing Shenazin

mostly type A, with a little B

 
pokefreaks

I'm 70% type A. But I still love my fair share of Nyan Koi! & Strike Witches.
 
mrmr

id like to think we all lean towards TYPEA witha bit of B in there, but i think deep down many of us are mostly TYPE B and go running to TYPE A when the thing we love comes under criticism or scrutiny.

I think its totally OK to initially check things out because you are a TYPE B, but i think the problem comes when it stops there, and anime being oversaturated as it is, doesnt really need 26 episode series of paper thin story based on the fact that people want to do the characters
 
Rick777

Alright, I propose a test. Watch "Kampfer". Did you enjoy it?

Yes: Type "B" Otaku.
No: Type "A" Otaku.

Ta-da! :P

 
Domokun89

Type A all the way through. Why all the hate towards K-On! :S It's a good anime :/

 
CaptainBright

@Rick777

That's a very harsh way of asking people....

I am honestly a A type otaku,but the tendencies of being a B are very minimal.Even though K-On made me love Mio by the lot,but once you have started loving things for its execution(can't think of what to list,mostly great 80's shows),you can never love anything else for just a character in a shitty executed story anymore.

However,if loving Duke Togo is considered a B type otaku reaction,then I'm guilty of that.......
 
terebi-kun

CaptainBright has a good point...

Are Super Robot fans Type B? Then I guess I'm more of a Type B than I thought, just that I don't like Moe stuff. But it's character obsessed, merchandise oriented, the character designs are key to the appeal of the show, etc.

Mazinger Z does NOT have a complex or mature story, really... it's just not cute. Now I see the bias of the categorization.


 
Rank57

I am type B, but I hate moe and animes that are about boobs. Instead, I will watch any kind of anime that features GAR male characters (Gurren Lagann, Needless ignoring the moe) or classy female characters (Yakushiji Ryoko Case Files, Princess Ressurrection), even if it has no story.

I will watch some shows that have good stories, but nothing too deep or philosofical, like Lain, which I simply can't stand without feeling sleepy. Also, I can't stand a lot of talking without no action whatsoever, like Bakemonogatari.
 
ShadowGuardian

I a seem to be type B but I watch and collected Ghost in the shell which is weird following what was said what makes a Type A. We could expand on types of Otaku.
 
king3vbo

But... I'm both
 
KajunBowser

I'm sensing some animosity for the wannabe pr0n site (I frequent there; seen no such inclination).

That aside, I'd put myself as Type AB. I'm more for aesthetics, coherent plot, character growth, and loathe Narutards and bandwagon Sodium Hypochlorite fans. But at the same time, I like mah anime junk food too (which makes me part Type B).
 
Raz112

Just like your very description of yourself, I think I'm a type A overall.
 
 

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