Otaku, Clothes and the Normal Life
A couple of days ago I watched that Genshiken episode where Kasukabe goads Madarame into investing in his outward appearance. The Genshiken crew were a little on the deep end as far as minimizing all other expenses, such as skimping on clothing, to be able to afford otaku gear.
Obviously they can be that stupid since they’re cartoon characters, but there’s probably some truth there even for fans in the west where the super otaku/hikkikimori thing probably isn’t prevalent. It’s not like I purposefully skimp on other things like clothing to afford 3-4 figures and 4-6 dvds a month on top of rent and car insurance, but it’s not like I put an effort to keeping it in check either. I like; I check my bank account; I buy. This then means that sum of cash isn’t available anymore.
I don’t doubt that money would be blown on something else if it weren’t spent on figures. Maybe I could go somewhere other than Ikea for furniture, Ruth’s Chris instead of Golden Corral for steak, or Neiman Marcus instead of JC Penney for an overcoat. If I weren’t an otaku, I probably could have some Armani in my closet — if they actually made stuff for 6′4″ people.
This isn’t to say that I believe I’ve wasted my money. I don’t think so at all. Objects are objects. What they are doesn’t matter as long as I enjoy them and it doesn’t kill me. Still, money is a finite resource.
So really, how much does otaku spending affect your normal life? And how much of a drain is it on the presentation of yourself to other people or even to yourself? Does it even matter? Am I more of a freak than I think I am?
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IKnight
on August 6th, 2008
Hmm. I spent over half of my income in the last tax year buying anime DVDs. That’s rather misleading, however, since as a student I live off government loans and have a pitifully small income from part-time work.
I suppose that amount of spending doesn’t really impact my life, though. I’m pretty miserly, so I just wouldn’t spend the money otherwise.
And is that really ‘otaku spending’ in the first place? ‘Otaku spending’ would seem to imply irrational purchases of goods like, well, figures, rather than just buying anime DVDs. I guess I’m not especially ‘hardcore’.
Thought-provoking post.
Anonymous
on August 6th, 2008
I only buy second hand clothes from Goodwill…and my shoes have gaping holes in them…I’d much rather spend money on DVD’s, doujinshi, and French lolicon artbooks than clothes.
Panther
on August 6th, 2008
I have no doubt my allowance would be better off without my spending on figures, but then again, I might just spend it on other stuff. Earning an income though, I think it will also hardly affect me being able to save since I do not buy that much.
My parents look askance at some of the things I buy but do not really object me buying them. And I hardly buy other stuff, or drink, smoke, or gamble.
Scott
on August 6th, 2008
For me, I always make sure that I have enough money for life’s necessities like rent, food, bills, and in this case, clothing. Those always need to be a top priority as far as spending goes. But after I have taken care of those things, I still have a lot of cash left over to blow on luxuries like anime, video games, and electronics.
I guess it’s a question of luxuries you chose in indulge in. I just don’t care about fashion, so I don’t buy fancy clothing because the hell if I know what’s trendy or not.
But you bet your ass I’ve got to have that killer Blu-ray player to play on my 1080p big screen TV, or that I need an iMac for home and a MacBook Air for travel.
But these are all just extra crap, and as long as I still pay my bills every month, I don’t see how they really “cut” into anything that important.
Some guy
on August 6th, 2008
When i get my check i usaually first pay my bills then buy whatever anime stuff i want. i usaually only get left with enough money for gas, but if i want something else i try and save my money…..it sometimes works ^-^
double
on August 6th, 2008
I’m absolutely certain that I will still be spending my money on other stuff if I wasn’t into the otaku culture. I mean, money’s meant to be spent, isn’t it?
Not totally every single cent, of course. You never know when life kicks you in the ass and you suddenly require an amount urgently.
Hinano
on August 6th, 2008
Ironically I am trying to cut down. A couple months ago I returned a bunch of manga to bookoff, and used the money to buy myself new work clothes.
Damn that felt good.
super rats
on August 6th, 2008
Like many of you, I don’t think it’s a huge deal, just more of a what if kind of thing with me at least. Even money is just an object.
But Hinano, I can relate. I’ve cut some of my junk spending down and bought a new dining room table and chairs. It was just awesome to see it there. Though before I pat myself on the back…it was because my junky dinette set was getting too small for my D&D group, so it was still loozer related. At least have a decent dining room set now.
On the other hand, I do see the need to improve on other fronts I’ve kind of neglected this past year. Just a reflection for myself to pay attention to other things as well.
super rats
on August 6th, 2008
Of course I say this two days before I’m going to Otakon where I’ll be an idiot.
Pure Trance (Figured)
on August 6th, 2008
I kinda spend outside my means, because I also buy makeup and other things outside of my figures & mangas…I don’t buy much clothes in general, but what clothes I do have are usually pretty cool, in my opinion (like…real clothes lol).
Pure Trance (Figured)
on August 6th, 2008
Also don’t forget the Genshiken guys are students and most likely have no job or a part time job if anything. I work full time, so I guess I have a bit more money than they do xD;;
BZou
on August 6th, 2008
Ha the Genshiken crew was always a little too OD on their hobbies. Especially Madarame, I remember that episode where he buys al these doujinshi without even looking through them.
But you can’t live like that in real life, at least not long anyway.
Steve Keys
on August 6th, 2008
If it isn’t one thing it’s another. For me, I don’t own a car, so that means no gas, insurance, or repairs. That’s an incredible amount of money “saved”. Of course, with all that extra money I dump it into PVC figures, mecha kits/paints, and whatever else. Whatever floats your boat.
otaku dan
on August 6th, 2008
the way the guys from genshiken live is so unrealistic to many but if you watch the documentary “akihabara geeks” it is possible but sad. you can read about it at my blog, http://www.otakudan.com/2008/03/akihabara-geeks.html
super rats
on August 6th, 2008
Thanks for the link.
Keonyn
on August 6th, 2008
I don’t really spend much in the way of otaku spending. I have only 3 figures and two wallscrolls and a few artbooks; any other Otaku spending I’ve done is simply DVD’s, although I do tend to buy SE’s with added goodies like Eureka Seven.
Anime is just one of many hobbies in my life, so I don’t give it quite the undying devotion that others might. I also never spend money when it is needed for something with a higher priority. I still find ways to keep it funded, and my anime DVD collection is fairly substantial. I learned my lesson years ago when my spending habits often came at the expense of necessities, though anime wasn’t the issue then, more computers and gaming; but the problem was the same in the end.
Equinox
on August 7th, 2008
I work a full time job, and come home to play a little Diablo 2, watch some anime i have on my shelf that i haven’t even opened yet. I currently have nine figurines, usually buy one per paycheck. They don’t really cost that much. As for anime, i buy a boxset or two, depending on when Borders has their 40-30% coupons available, which is most of the time but then again, it can be hard to stop yourself from making another account to take advantage of it again :). I don’t let the habit get in the way of real life necessities though. Cable bill/rent/groceries/cell phone come first.
ron~
on August 7th, 2008
hmm for otaku spending, I have to sacrifice money for eating outside, so I cook now, and also I don’t buy clothes often too =\ and I have no famous branded clothes
yukionna
on August 7th, 2008
I’ve just recently started my otaku spending but already I’ve had to set up a seperate bank account so I can afford to do so. If my hubby knew that I split my check into “what the family needs” and “my otaku obsession” I’ll have to look for a new place to sleep. :}
No j/k, my husband is just as bad as I am. He’s the dvd and gane collector though. I’m more into figures, posters and wall scrolls than he is. I had to set up a second account because he would spend all the money w/o me!! :[
We do have one rule: Pay the bills first. Once all of the necessities are taken care of it’s splur time.
So as long as you can take care of your necessities w/o any major strain purchase away otaku, purchase away ;P
Blowfish
on August 7th, 2008
This pehonmenon isnt limited to Otaku Culture.Most people out there are into something they like to spend most of their money on.Be it Music,DVDs,Cars,Figures,Clothes.
Theres actually nothing wrong with it if you dont go totally overboard with it and cut down your life due to it.Once again this isnt limited to Otaku Culture.Society seems to see the otaku related problems more easily.Its perfectly normal to spend most of your income on your car or beauty but buying Figures still has the exotic weirdo factor.
Personally i pay my bills and spend most of my money afterwards.I tend to spend my money quite carefree until it falls under a certain level and then i save where i can.
Zeroblade
on August 7th, 2008
I think that my spending habits are pretty much killing me now, to be frank >_>
I save money on stuff whenever I can by getting and salvaging things for free; I skipped meals for five years to buy manga and figures. Hell, even now I still have a total pre-order list amounting to nearly 500 USD, and I don’t even have a job for it all.
And seeing as I’m still a dependent, I don’t really have anything special like an Armani suit outside of what I have now (which isn’t much anyway).
laruto
on August 7th, 2008
the last time i spent ma money on clothing i think it was many moons ago. since i have found a girlfriend that willing to share some of her money to help me improve my sense of fashion and buy me some clothes, i can collect figures with no holding back and not fearing i’ll have to wear the same shirts over and over again
super rats
on August 7th, 2008
*ding* *ding* *ding* We have the winning answer at #22! Get someone else to buy that boring stuff for you.
samejima
on August 9th, 2008
My physical appearance is neglected… I wear the same clothes like 2x a week… and am especially very bad at identifying between men’s or ladies’ sport shoes.. often got laughed at by my younger bro. I save money just for otaku goods… and am thinking that my brain is starting to deteriorate after stepping in to the otaku world… orz
Belela-san
on August 13th, 2008
Well I never was one to spend much money on clothes but this year was the year I spent the most on expensive clothes
. But yeah I spend more on merchandise than clothes mostly because I treat my clothes well and they look always almost brand new 
Ashori-Chan
on August 31st, 2008
Goodwill, walmart, kmart, target etc.
Cheap clothes. more money for otaku gear.