The Women Otaku in My Dress Up Darling

Summary

In this informal discussion, the speaker acknowledges the lack of focus on female otaku in their video and addresses the hypocrisy of centering male otaku despite acknowledging women's presence in the community. They explore performativity through the character Marin from *My Dress-Up Darling*, arguing that Marin doesn't hide her identity but embodies both gyaru and otaku personas authentically. The speaker contrasts this with more stereotypical portrayals of female otaku, such as in *Kiss Him, Not Me*. They invite deeper analysis of female otaku, particularly Marin, while reflecting on the complexity of identity and societal expectations.

Takeaways

• 📝 The speaker acknowledges that this footnote is less structured than their previous work, and they didn't have time to fully script it.
• 🙇‍♂️ The speaker admits to a potential hypocrisy in their previous video by focusing primarily on male otaku, despite acknowledging the presence and significance of female otaku.
• 👩‍💻 Women otaku have been part of the community historically, and in some cases, they have even dominated certain spaces, but are often less discussed.
• 📚 Kaichiro Morikawa's work suggests that women otaku may hide their interests more effectively than men, leading to their underrepresentation.
• 🎭 The speaker discusses the concept of performativity versus performance, particularly in relation to Marin, a character from *My Dress-Up Darling*.
• 👗 Marin is seen as a 'performative subject,' where her outward actions and persona are not masks but part of her identity as both an otaku and a gyaru.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The speaker contrasts Marin's character with Akira San, who struggles more with interiority and self-expression, suggesting a diverse range of how women otaku are depicted.
• 📖 There is criticism of how otaku culture often labels women negatively, as seen with terms like *Fujoshi*, and the speaker highlights how this reflects broader cultural norms.
• 👧 The speaker contrasts the positive portrayal of women otaku in *My Dress-Up Darling* with a more problematic portrayal in *Kiss Him, Not Me*, where a female otaku gains attention only after losing weight.
• 🙏 The speaker apologizes for not giving more focus to female otaku in their earlier content and encourages further analysis of characters like Marin from a female otaku perspective.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's video?

The primary focus of the video is to discuss the portrayal of otaku, particularly the distinction between male and female otaku, and how this topic has been explored in anime and manga.

Why does the speaker acknowledge a hypocrisy in their video?

The speaker acknowledges a hypocrisy because, while they mention the significance of female otaku in the community, they primarily discuss male otaku in the video. They want to address this imbalance and explain the reasons for focusing on male characters.

How does the speaker describe the depiction of female otaku in 'My Dress-Up Darling'?

The speaker notes that 'My Dress-Up Darling' is filled with female otaku who are adept at hiding their otaku interests, unlike some male counterparts. They emphasize that these female characters navigate their otaku identity differently, often balancing it with other social roles.

What is performativity, according to the speaker?

Performativity, as explained by the speaker, refers to the idea that individuals do not have a 'true' interior identity that they can remove or change at will. Instead, they are shaped by social, cultural, and political forces, and their actions are an expression of who they are within those contexts.

How does Marin from 'My Dress-Up Darling' exemplify performativity?

Marin exemplifies performativity because she does not separate her otaku identity from her external personality as a gyaru. Instead of adopting different 'masks,' she integrates her otaku and gyaru identities, presenting a unified version of herself without a hidden 'real' self.

What is the contrast between Marin and Akira in 'My Dress-Up Darling'?

The contrast between Marin and Akira is that while Marin has no hidden interior and presents herself fully as she is, Akira grapples with an interior identity, feeling like she cannot fully express certain parts of herself. Akira's struggle with this perceived duality differs from Marin's unified sense of self.

How does the speaker compare 'My Dress-Up Darling' to 'Kiss Him, Not Me'?

The speaker compares the two by noting that 'My Dress-Up Darling' presents female otaku as fully integrated into their identity, whereas 'Kiss Him, Not Me' portrays a female otaku who is only accepted by society after losing weight, echoing the trope of a transformation leading to societal acceptance.

What is the significance of the term 'Fujoshi' mentioned in the script?

The term 'Fujoshi' refers to 'rotten women' and is often used to describe women who are fans of boy's love (BL) content. The speaker highlights that, although some may reclaim the term, it still reflects a stigmatization of female otaku within a heteronormative cultural context.

Why does the speaker hesitate to fully explore Marin's character in the video?

The speaker hesitates to explore Marin's character in detail because doing so would extend the video significantly, potentially turning it into a 40-minute analysis. They want to avoid contributing to the trend of overly long video essays.

What conclusion does the speaker draw about their own analysis of otaku culture?

The speaker concludes that while they acknowledge the role of female otaku, their focus on male otaku inadvertently perpetuates an imbalance in the discussion. They express a desire for a deeper analysis of female otaku, particularly Marin, in the future.