1.
otaku; geek; obsessive fan or enthusiast
A person with deep, passionate knowledge of a particular subject, especially anime, manga, video games, or other aspects of pop culture. Originally derogatory, the term has become more neutral or even positive in recent years, particularly among younger generations.
Usage
オタク originally carried a strongly negative connotation of social awkwardness and unhealthy obsession. Since the 2000s, the term has been reclaimed and is now often used positively or neutrally, especially by younger people who proudly identify as オタク.
Compounds
Etymology
The word comes from お宅 (your house), which was used as a distancing second-person pronoun among enthusiasts in the 1970s-80s. The columnist 中森明夫 popularized the label in 1983.