Otaku no Video [Review]

2009-08-10_onv

Otaku no Video is my first Netflix review since signing up for the service a month ago. It’s also the first Anime put in my queue (Next: Fushigi Yuugi—Date TBD). This is also an Anime OVA that I’ve put off for quite sometime, being fairly new to Anime back in the day.

You may think that Otaku no Video is for Anime vets only, but it can be for everyone—if you have what it takes to become an “Ota-King”.

Review

Otaku no Video is a series of short stories put together by the legendary Gainax (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagaan) that takes place in 1982 (the shorts was actually released in 1991). It follows the lives of two men, Kubo and Tanaka. Tanaka, who is trying to live a normal life with his girl friend, Yoshiko Ueno, runs into Tanaka for the first time since High School. From the circle of friends who join him on the elevator, Tanaka is obviously an Otaku.

Kubo is an Otaku too, but he makes every effort to socialize with the outside world. After their reunion, Tanaka invites Kubo to his apartment—where him and 5 other Otaku: The Fangirl, The Military Otaku, The Martial Arts Otaku, The SF (Sci-fi) Otaku, and the NEET sleeping on the floor, resides.

Tanaka’s dream is to become the #1 Otaku of ~~Japan~~ the world—an “Ota-King”; Otaku of Otaku. Kubo is reluctant to join his circle… I mean, he has a girlfriend, after all. Kubo gives in and moves in with Tanaka. This is where his life turns for the ~~worst~~ better.

After camping out for Anime screenings at the local movie theater for the obligatory Special Edition Cel, Kubo’s life starts to fall apart, and is eventually dumped by his girlfriend. (What’s an Otaku to do?) With Yoshiko out of the way, Kubo gives up his near-perfect livelihood, and with Tanaka’s help, they start their own Garage Kit company, their own Garage Anime (?), and even an Otakuland (a theme park for Otaku only)—that comes with many turbulence.

Otaku no Video is not only just a series of shorts that takes place in 1982, and again in More Otaku no Video beginning in 1985 (keeping in mind that it was actually released in 1991), but it also comes with a brief Live-Action “documentary”, “Portrait of an Otaku”, of actual (?) Otaku in Japan, from a Salaryman, to a Missionary from the US, to a Cel thief.

Thoughts

I have a lot of mixed feelings about Otaku no Video. I was embarrassed, intrigued, and proud at the same time. Then again, in the words of YouTuber/Podcaster, Otaku, No Video on Twitter: “Well, as they say, one never wants to admit to the mistakes of one’s youth.”

I’ve heard so much about Otaku no Video for a long time, being an Otaku myself for 10 years, but was reluctant to actually watch it at first as I was unsure of how I would react to it. (That was back during the days when I was exposed to Pokemon, Dragonball Z, and anything that came on Toonami).

Otaku no Video can be watched by anyone, but if you’re uncertain about it, go ahead and rent it. But buying it is recommended once you’ve watch it the first time. It’s something that can be shown to your grandchildren someday. ^^