The Otaku Syndrome: Are you at risk?

By: Melanie Beveridge
Date: Saturday, January 01, 2000

The symptoms are wide and varied. The syndrome takes over your life gradually. You may not even be aware that you have it. But there is a way to find out. Read through the list of statements below and give yourself 1 point for each one that applies to you in some way.



1. You know what an "Otaku" is.

2. You get just as excited as your mate does when the penguin is shown in Evangelion.

3. You hear "Central Park" and you don't think New York.

4. You find words like "Nihao, nani, and kawaii" creeping into your everyday vocabulary.

5. You watched the WB's sneak preview of "Batman Beyond" and couldn't help thinking how much they were imitating "Akira" with the motorcycle chase scene.

6. Your boss starts chewing you out and you wish longingly for a hyper-dimensional hammer from hell.

7. You really understood the final episode of Evangelion. (just a side note: if you did, can you please explain it to me? J )

8. You find yourself longing for 6ft, green ponytails.

9. He wants you to model a sailor suit and you say no because it's not like Sailor Moon's.

10. You hear the question, " Will you cook for me for the rest of my life?" and roll on the floor laughing.

11. You see the word "Ran" and don't think : ran what? Or ran where?

12. You find yourself strangely jealous of Priss.

13. You see a beautiful woman walk in the room and smile at you and promptly get a nosebleed.

14. You feel the need to call your mate "Darling!" and then electrocute them.

15. You find yourself wondering how Lupin would get out of a situation you find yourself in.

16. You have more animation prints on your walls now than you did as a child.

17. You've seen "Akira" more times than you've seen "Star Wars".

18. You hear your mate mumbling "oroooo... oroooo..." and don't find it strange.

19. You know what a Pikachu or a ryo-ohki is.

20. When watching "Legend of the Overfiend", you're thinking 'great story' instead of 'sex, sex, sex'.

21. You wish she looked like "Belldandy".

22. She says "role playing" and you think : tiger bikini with boots and horns.

23. You think of a really clever way to get out of chore and hear Jinnai's laughter in your head. (or any other maniacal laugh)

24. You know the words to the "Yappa pa " theme song.


25. You visit this site more than 4 times a day.





Now the moment of truth comes. How did you do?

If you scored:



00-10 RUN! Run now while you still have a chance to avoid the otaku syndrome.

11-20 You might as well get the "Otaku" name tag now, because you're well on your way.

20-25 You too might marry an anime webmaster!



And if you're male, add in 5 more points. Just because.