Top 5 Social Networking Sites for Otaku
Author: 
February 6, 2009 
Remember AnimeOnline? It was destined to be the next MySpace–or by popular demand, Facebook. With the help of FUNimation Entertainment, it was the premier site for fellow Otaku to meet up and make friends, ala MySpace or Facebook. Unfortunately, the AnimeOnline went offline, displacing the AO staff–and the people who inhabited the community.
With Facebook and MySpace killers on the rise, there are very few anime social networking sites who have (yet) to make a lasting impression like AnimeOnline did. These sites feature the native MySpace-like qualities of a social networking community.
GaiaOnline
GaiaOnline is the first true social networking sites designed for Otaku. Not only is it a forum, but it’s coming along as the next big RPG-style networking community. A lot has changed since I wrote about it a long time ago. There’s even a GaiaOnline MMORPG in the works.
AALikeThese2
“AALikeThese2″ stands for “African Americans Like These Too”. The community started as a side community of the Delaware Anime Fans Group designed for mainly Black (and non-Black) Otaku and Asian culture enthusiasts alike. It began as a series of satellite sites hosted on GaiaOnline, LiveJournal, and MySpace. In 2008 after a failed presences on a ProBoard hosted forum, the founder created a MySpace-esque version of AALikeThese2 on Ning.com. Today, there are over 600 members and growing.
Cosplay.com
Cosplay.com is THE premier social network for catering to anime cosplayers. You can share your cosplay photos from various anime cons, post your previous and upcoming cosplay photos, and post in the foums. There is so much to do on the site, even for hardcore cosplayers: it can become quite addicting.
MyAnimeList
MyAnimeList doubles as both a social networking community, as well as an interactive list of Anime (and Manga) you’ve watched (and read). MAL even looks a lot like Facebook, but it’s very far from having the same Applications as the sophisticated MySpace clone.
OtakuBooty
I was not sure whether I needed to mention this site. When I heard about OtakuBooty in 2007, it appeared to be a dating site designed for Otaku, ala Match.com or E-Harmony. It turns out that’s it’s just another social media website for all anime fans (or all things in geekdom, from Star Wars to Batman). The site is free, but to help keep the site running, a paid subscription is available which unlocks extra content that’s probably not worth getting after the first few months after joining. But if you like the site and have the cash, it could be worth it.
Conclusion
The sites listed above are very active. There are more I could have listed, but they are either inactive (Such as AniFriends, which is dead), closed, or not close enough to count as a Facebook/MySpace clone for Otaku. I personally have accounts on MyAnimeList, Cosplay.com, and AALikeThese2 as “Sanjo-chan”. If you have one or created an account, feel free to add me and be sure to say hello! You could always communicate with other fans who have other social networks in their repertoire. Why not try them out?
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Tagged: 
(Fandom)
have you tried http://www.animingle.com
Haven’t heard of Animingle before. Thanks, I’ll check it out! ^^
Well, u should try anihub.com too.
What about MaiOtaku.com? It’s been called the “OkCupid for anime fans.”
Have you heard about this site? http://anime-special.webs.com/
It’s very new, just created today and needing a lot of new members. It’s not stylish like others nor over decorated. It’s simple since we want it to be simple as facebook. It’s priority is to gather the anime lovers,share photos, chat,the FORUM DISCUSSIONS and obviously role plays. People in Anime Special post their DRAWINGS, SCRIPTS which had the potentials too. This site had it’s page and community. Search “Anime Special” in facebook and you’ll see. ^^
Please have a look at my new anime social networking site: http://www.worldofanime.com/
anyone who wants to try for Otakuzone?! please click the link:
http://www.otakuzone.com/registration/index.php?sn=MTk0NTd8YW5nZWxkdXN0MDcxMQ==
^_^
thanks!
There’s a new social networking site called Otaku Social Network that shows alot of promise. It’s fairly new but has grown pretty fast. They have video,music clips,forums,chat,whole bunch of stuff. Plus they give away free boxsets and figures every month. It’s totally free to join too. I’m Raizor on there, so send me a message or a friend invite
http://www.otakusocialnetwork.com
this is a much better site http://www.zincview.com
their growing fast too
Check out anime girl\’s recent [type]: Log Vs Clucky
why yes, yes we are and need more people O: we want to grow and get active some more we the staff enjoy what we do and try helping you on getting new features for the site O:
http://www.zincview.com
Organize your addition! Staff
Check out Maney\’s recent [type]: ⓡιιяⓔη-mï§åkï †åkåhå§hï updated their profile
ENJOYING>>??? maybe the STAFF are enjoying…. but do you think growing needs deleting..?? and do you think with that new rules..??!! the otakus in Zincview will enjoy..??
We’re listening for ideas over here we take them and put them on the test if something doesn’t work out it just doesn’t work out ;D
Check out Maney\’s recent [type]: Maney 3 and the other staff
There is one that recently opened up at http://otakuconnect.com
all these sites look cool…i’ve already joined one..
has anyone of you tried Nanoda here..?
it is a very cool site which makes me feel proud that i am a part of it..^^
Here’s a new one! http://www.animefriendsnetwork.com have
fun!
Ikasu-Anime.com this is the newly anime social network thats really owsome
yes i join that site and its really great
try http://janime.tv a place to watch anime online.
well it’s an anime social networking site.. with custom made profile systems, chat to chat, connected to forums, and especially a “wall” just like fb. they call it “takabeh” this site is still new and need to be advertise.
Thanks everyone for suggesting other social networks! Feel free to suggest more, and please do advertise one of your own!
Just a reminder that a lot of the ones suggested when the post was first written are out of date (thanks to “jake” for the tip). Good news is that I am currently working on a new list of sites, so if you know of one or want to advertise one, now is a good time to do it for the new post before I close the comments. ^_^
arrggh. Otakubooty. There’s a site whose glory days have passed. Now it’s just full of sh*& posters and boring people. I think the mods are actually so proud of their amazing judgmental abilities that they never bother to contribute anything to the site themselves. What drives people to ACTUALLY PAY MONEY to post on a necro site (outside of the veterans who stay on for free). Sure people stay on out of habit and they have friends there, but it’s a sinking ship. Might as well listen to the band as the Titanic goes down.
Jouver.com
The Only Roleplaying Social Network Ran By Roleplayers For Roleplayers that gives you what all the other sites like myanime list, divient art, zerochan.net, myspace, twitter, and facebook can do in one!
*Likes RoleplaySquare.com*
http://hydronime.com
Pay a visit to this site its surely worth visiting
I’ve made life long friends on there which I would not exchange for any other experience in the world.
People and features such as live chat,customizable profile and anime streams are awesome!