The Otaku Goddess Rises

“Under normal circumstances it would lead to major events such as a war“
Naoya Fujita, science fiction critic

The Otaku Goddess

The “Haruhi” series became widely popular after an animated TV series adaptation of the first book, “Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu” (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), aired in 2006.

But what has set Haruhi apart from the rest of the teenage pack is the fact that many otaku seem to be able to relate with her lifestyle. “In a way, it has become an otaku (nerd) self-portrait,” social critic Tsunehiro Uno said. They appear to have much in common with otaku who enjoy discussing manga and anime in real life. Uno finds changes in the trend in stories sought by young otaku. A title that includes characters with resemblances to otaku leading idealized school lives tend to gain increasing support from fans than a story that presents a fantasy world like an armageddon or a fictitious chronicle in great detail, Uno said. Fans have changed their attitudes and seek “extraordinary things hidden in ordinary events” through a story, according to Uno.

‘Suzumiya Haruhi’ captures changes in society, Asahi, 2011/06/24

2 comments on “The Otaku Goddess Rises”

26 Jul 2011 at 8:34 am crusader88

Good commentary, and a fine tribute to our Ultra Director.

I’m not sure if the trend away from more exotic narratives is itself good, though magical girl has always been my favorite genre. Currently I’m watching Ojamajo Doremi; ever seen it?
26 Jul 2011 at 11:15 am Charz

Maybe Tsunehiro Uno didn’ t watch the show, and thought it was a slice-of-life type anime. God-like entity, esper, time-traveler, and artificial human were quite exotic. It seems to me that the importance given now to characters rather than to context reflects/competes with the same evolution of in american TV series. Ojamajo Doremi, the title is known to me, but I have yet to see it.

NeoShinka