The infamous Type Fantasy otaku.
A few days ago, Penny Arcade’s Tycho described the Kinect vs. Move debate as a “media-driven false choice.” Hell, I would probably characterize the whole goddamned console war that way. While thinking about this pointless gaming rivalry, I’ve come to realize that the anime fandom has it’s own false choice: the infamous Type A vs. Type B otaku classification. Seemingly based on Japanese blood type fortune telling, this classification has lead to widespread debate and flaming among otaku, along with the predictable cries of extremism. “Moe is the cancer that’s killing anime! Oldfags are pretentious elitists! The evil critics are trying to destroy the shows I enjoy!” So on and so forth.
But does this classification have any purpose beyond a flame war weapon? Does it offer any real insight into otaku mentality? In my opinion, the answer is a vehement NO. Our society loves labeling and categorizing other people, because it makes it easier for us to judge them without getting to know them first. “I don’t want to associate with that man! I’ve heard he’s GAY! You know how they are!” The problem is, people’s attitudes and opinions are complex. Herding them into neat little categories for our mental convenience is just a form of self deception. The same applies to the Type A vs. Type B debate.
Read why these oversimplifications are total BS after the break.
Here are the criteria as Sankaku Complex described them.
Type A Otaku
A person who simply enjoys “anime.”
Is proud of Japan’s anime.
Evaluates anime based on direction, voice acting, art, etc.
Hates shallow anime with no real content.
Story emphasis >>>>> Moe anime.
A recent example would Higashi no Eden. Fans of anime who like Lain or Ghost in the Shell would probably be this kind.
So Type A otaku simply enjoy “anime”. Unnecessary air quotes aside, I’m not sure what that means. Anime is a medium, not a genre. Does a librarian simply enjoy “books”? Does a projectionist simply enjoy “movies”? Of course not! The librarian might be partial to romance and historical novels, and the projectionist loves a good Hong Kong action flick. The same is true of otaku; they watch anime that correspond to genres they enjoy. Granted, there are a few who will watch pretty much everything they can from Japan, but even they have one or two shows that they’ll admit “just aren’t for them.”
Type A otaku also evaluate anime based on direction, voice acting and art. Well, believe it or not, EVERYBODY does this. If a show has hammy acting, you laugh at it. If the art sucks, you get bored with it. A good director knows how to create an engaging sensory experience, one that tells your brain to keep watching. Whether you know it or not, you’re subconciously criticizing every anime you watch. Of course, when confronted with an anime that’s offensive to your senses, most of you just stop watching it. I get on my blog and rant about exactly why it sucked. Does that make me more Type A than everybody else?
Maybe I’m missing the point here. Maybe these criteria were supposed to mean that Type A otaku have more refined, sophisticated tastes than Type Bs. After all, they hate shallow anime and emphasize story over moe. Obviously Type As are far more cultured than their lowly brethren!
Out of my sight, Type B mongrel!
I’m beginning to think this classification was created merely to make moe fans look bad. Let’s explore further and see if my hypothesis holds water.
Type B Otaku
A person who simply enjoys “characters.”
Will watch an anime if it includes cute or beautiful characters.
Doesn’t care if story is awful, as long as the characters are of interest.
Evaluates anime based on which seiyuu are in it and what the characters look like.
Loves moe elements. Doesn’t like complex anime.
The otaku the media picks up on are usually this kind.
Doesn’t know that much about anime and so is often criticized by Type A otaku.
However, they make much better customers than the more discerning Type A otaku.
Recently there has been a huge increase in anime targeted at Type B otaku.
People who like K-ON!, Queen’s Blade, Strike Witches and so on would be in this class.
Wow. Apparently, Type Bs are all about characters. I guess they’re smarter than I thought; after all, a story is nothing without compelling characters. They provide a point of reference and relatability for the viewer and drive the plot forward. That’s why poorly-written characters and bad dialogue can ruin an otherwise good premise. It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say characters are the very heart of storytelling!
Wait, I’m missing the point again, aren’t I? These criteria are obviously trying to say that Type Bs only care about character FANSERVICE. They’re only interested in ogling moe girls who do cute things, right? Then they collect loads of merchandise, date their dakimakura, and eventually get married to their Nintendo DS. The media discovers their creepy habits and puts out a hyperbole-filled report, which makes us RESPECTABLE otaku look bad! That sound about right?
Is she Type B... or Type DD?
I guess my hypothesis has been proven. This list was created to demonize moe fans, making them seem like ignorant, creepy 2D-love freaks who are killing anime with their evil ways. Has anybody here actually MET an otaku like that? I sure as hell haven’t. I know plenty of moe fans, and I wouldn’t characterize any of them as creepy or ignorant. Some of them even enjoy complex shows like Evangelion just as much as Strike Witches. What about Shamisen? He buys tons of K-ON! character albums and merchandise, but is still highly critical of its story. Why don’t my otaku friends fit easily into these nice little categories?
Every lie has a morsel of truth behind it. I think these A vs. B criteria are based, in part, on certain trends that are present in the more extreme factions of the fandom. Hell, I’ve had unpleasant run-ins with militantly anti-intellectual K-ON! fans I’ve dubbed “moe cultists”. Despite this, I wouldn’t think for a moment that their behavior is representative of moe fans as a whole. The writer of these criteria took certain trends he observed and turned them into an ‘us versus them’ manifesto designed to insult and marginalize those who don’t share his taste in anime. That is the textbook definition of false choice.
Let’s stop using this silly A vs. B list. Don’t worry about whether the shows you’re watching are “intellectual” or “moe.” Just watch what you enjoy, and skip what you don’t. Be vocal and biased in your opinions, but don’t marginalize those that disagree. Stop taking it personally when a show you like receives criticism. And, above all, remember the timeless advice of Bill and Ted: