Ah, one of the many words that describe a person simply infatuated with Japanese Artwork. Weebs, Weeaboo, Otaku... just a few more of the words. But... what is an Otaku?
Otaku, in a word, simply means a Person with a consuming interests, particularly in the Japanese Art style. (Being Manga, Anime, Hentai etc.)
In Japan, the word is translated as a Young Person who has an obsessive interest in Computers and Social academics.
To put it plainly, when you travel from place to place, the word slightly changes. However, back to my point: The Otaku has a huge interest, sure... But the way I see it, there are different levels of intensity on the interest itself! For example:
I consider myself an "Otaku". I mean, I had it tattooed in Japanese on my Left Shoulder, to signify it, but... I'm not one of those "Die-hard" Otakus. You know, the people who have HUNDREDS of figurines, posters, body pillows, smut magazines, subscriptions, etc. No, I just appreciate not only the Art, but pretty much the entirety of Japan itself. So, yes... I'm an Otaku, but I'm less so than others you'll find.
I understand many people have negative thoughts on the Otaku, but I see a good reason behind it! People who have an overwhelming passion for Manga, Anime and the like are often very reserved and isolated... Now these things in and of themselves aren't the problem... It's what their brain does during this process... Let's break it down further! What's included in Anime and Manga? Most of the time... I'm talking 89% of the time, it's Erotic stuff... Basically itemizing and Sexualizing a Woman. This isn't healthy... especially when it's excessive! When it's loaded into the brain over time... The Otaku starts to see Human Women as the same... just a Sexual object. To make it worse, Anime and Manga makes most of these Women look like Children with Mature figures.... CERTAINLY alluring, but DEFINITELY dangerous! There have been not only reports, but full-blown news articles stating people have certainly snapped, and made huge mistakes in this obsession.
To give an example, this person did some unspeakable stuff... You can google it if you want, but be advised... pretty sad, scary stuff. We can often be afraid that most Die-hard Otakus can gradually become Pedophiles.... Predators... give me chills.
Anyway, on another note, being cooped up in a house for a long time, playing "Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3 V Generation" for over 6 hours can make you smell sour. Hygiene goes a long way! I'm sure it's no surprise that when someone says "Otaku" the first thing to come to mind is an unwashed kid without friends or a non-fictional Girlfriend...
Also, about "Waifus"... It's perfectly OK to have one! We ALL have had Hollywood crushes, right? But when it goes too far... that's kinda weird. I mean... we're in Love with a Two-Dimensional image? Paper? Cloth? Who knows what!
If we can "tone down" this obsession, to a more healthy level, we can really not only enjoy the Japanese Art and Culture, but really fully enjoy Life... In a safe way for our peers.
Let me add: Anime and Manga can be enjoyable, fun, and perfectly OK, as long as wisdom is put into account. Continue your occasional binging, but take breaks, and please.... Go out often. See people. REAL people. Converse with friends. See our Brothers and Sisters as real people.
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I also love anime too, however I just would go with anime fan more than otaku. But why put the word weaboo in the title? A weaboo is a person who literally tries to eat as much ramen, know the language, etc. in order "to be japanese" (they literally think they are and should be, when they aren't). They are much higher than a die hard fan. I mean, I personally think it's fine when a person loves manga and anime and collects stuff. But to me if you think you're japanese, you've gone WAY too far and need to be literally cured of your obsession. But I do agree that everyone should go out and meet people and socialize. I like this take and think it's pretty good, but I just wanted to point out this difference since everyone thinks otaku and weaboo are the same. Remember this: Not all otakus are weaboos, but all weaboos are otakus.
That fine line between enjoying the subject matter and drowning yourself in it for Psychological Disassociation. That aside I do miss the good old days of hanging out to watch some OVA's and learning the finer points of piracy.
Sounds more like underlying Psychological issues and lack of social interaction. Back in my day there was library screenings and the local Anime Convention, fine place to make friends but those were the days before 2012, when everything went to shit.