Why Otaku Girls Meet and Break Up Again and Again, Especially in Spring

Spring is the season of meeting and parting. How are you all doing? I am Satomi Zunda, an Alaska otaku girl.

Since I am in my twenties, I don't have much to meet or say goodbye to in the spring. It's sad to be an adult, isn't it? However, I am very excited that a new episode of " Digimon Adventure, " which is arguably the most beloved anime in my otaku life, will start airing this April. Yes, even though the character designs have become much more dated compared to 15 years ago, Taichi (*1) and all the other characters from the original series (*2) will be back. How could I not be excited?

(*1) Taichi Yagami. (*1) Taichi Yagami, the main character in "Digimon Adventure. (*1) Taichi Yagami, the main character in "Digimon Adventure." He bears the emblem of courage.
(*2) In the Digimon series, this term refers to "Digimon Adventure. Digimon Adventure 02" is abbreviated as "02" and "Digimon Taimers" as "Teima".

The world is impermanent. ...... Even otaku girls are impermanent.

Fifteen years ago, when Mujiru was broadcast, I had just become an otaku girl. Many years have passed since then, and I have had many encounters and partings. I became addicted to a certain genre (*3) and made dojinshis, and then I became addicted to another genre and made dojinshis. When it came to Digimon, I loved it so much that I even organized a coterie magazine sale.

(*3) A specific "work" or "series of works.
Example: "Hey, what genre are you into now? I'm into 'Shinkage no Kyojin'!

However, the world is impermanent. Digimon, which was once immensely popular and boasted a considerable number of circles at Comiket, gradually lost its number of circles once the anime finished airing, and before I knew it, it had become a weak genre. I also stopped doujin activities in the Digimon genre.

That's right. The same goes for " Fullmetal Alchemist " and " Hetalia," which once dominated among otaku girls. Even " Haikyuu," which is in its prime right now, and "Sword Dance," which is gaining momentum, will surely go out of style one day. ......

In this article, I would like to talk about the "changing genres" of otaku girls.

Otaku girls change rapidly!

Although there are individual differences, it is generally said that otaku girls are more likely to shift genres than otaku boys. While boys, once they get hooked on one work (or character), go straight to it for a while, slowly deepening their love and staying in love with it for a long time, girls tend to be "easy to heat up and easy to cool down". Girls, on the other hand, tend to be easily cooled off. This may be the same as the romantic tendencies of men and women.

The main reasons why otaku girls change genres are various, such as "simply because I got into a new work," "because the current genre has become obsolete," or "because the seasonal genre (*4) is more exciting and fun. Some of the most common girlish reasons include "I changed genres because relationships within my current genre have become too delicate and I don't feel comfortable." ......

(*4) A genre that is particularly popular among otaku girls nowadays.

Incidentally, in the 15 years that Zunda has been an otaku, she has only been into four genres, including Digimon, that she has really gotten into. This is probably a rather small number. Of course, there are many genres that I have dabbled in.

If I change genres, what happens to my previous genres ......?

A simple question arises here. Do otaku girls who switch genres forget all about the previous genre they were so into? This is different for each person. This depends on the person. In my case, all genres are important and unforgettable memories. I continue to love the previous genre by frequently reading the doujinshi of the previous genre and fantasizing about it. On the other hand, there may be otaku girls who completely forget about the previous genre.

There are also those who are strong enough to switch from one genre to another as the time goes by. Of course, the genres that are in season are very enjoyable, with lots of official goods and fanzines being released, and many events taking place. However, I don't understand the Zunda way of saying "whatever is in season" (......).

These people are also called "movers and shakers." They jump on a new genre and instantly make the genre exciting, but they also quickly leave the genre. The "movers and shakers" come and go, making it seem as if the genre is quickly dying out, so they are not well-liked by fans who stay hooked for a long time.

Incidentally, the "migrant" is different in nature from the "anime refugee" that otaku boys tend to fall into. In the case of anime refugees, they love anime so much that they don't know what to do with their lives now that the anime that had become a part of their lives has stopped airing. They don't really want to become refugees, and would rejoice if the second season were to start. In this way, anime refugees are motivated by "love of the work," while those who are called "movers and shakers" move from one genre to another with a light heart, regardless of their love of the work, because "the work is very popular right now.

However, unlike these movers and shakers, many otaku girls are cautious about genre transitions. They worry endlessly about what to do with their current genres, whether they will not be able to mentally and financially sustain themselves if the number of genres they love increases, and so on. Still, once I get into a new genre, I usually enjoy it (laughs). I never get into that one! I'll never get into that one!" It often happens that I unexpectedly fall in love with a genre I thought I would never get into.

Whether it's spring or not, otaku girls are sensitive to great encounters. You never know, there may be another otaku girl in your neighborhood who is getting into a new genre.


(Text and pictures by Satomi Zunda)