Otaku is a Japanese term for people with an obsessive interest, especially in anime, manga and video games. Sometimes the term otaku is equivalent to "geek" or "nerd". However, it can refer to any fan of a particular theme, subject, hobby or form of entertainment.
In this case, we're talking about otakus who have an obsessive interest in anime, manga and video games. Even if you are not an Otaku, you might want to know more about Otaku through anime. Here are the best anime that tell the life of an otaku.
1. Outbreak Company
- Alternative title: Outbreak Company - Moeru Shinryakusha
- Original title: アウトブレイク・カンパニー
- Release date: October 4, 2013
Kano is a young otaku who is offered a job thanks to his extensive knowledge of anime, manga and games. But he is kidnapped and wakes up in a fantasy world. There, he is informed that he has actually been selected by the government to help his country's relationship with this new world.
2. Genshihen : Club for the study of modern visual culture
- Original title: げんしけん
- Release date: October 10, 2004
The story follows the lives of a group of students brought together by their common hobbies, trials and adventures associated with being otaku. The main character is Sasahara, a shy otaku boy who decides to join a club he would really enjoy, Genshiken.
Sequel: Genshiken 2 and Genshiken Nidaime
3. Denpa Kyoushi
- Alternate title: He is an Ultimate Teacher / Ultimate Otaku Teacher
- Original title: 電波教師
- Release date: April 4, 2015
The story of Kagami Junichiro who has a disinterest in the real world. He is just interested in anime, manga and games and make his sister force him to go to work as a substitute physics teacher in the same high school he graduated from. Junichiro turns out to be a competent and hard-working teacher who uses unorthodox methods based on the seemingly useless knowledge he gained as an otaku to teach and motivate his students.
4. Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata
- Alternative title: Saenai Heroine no Sodate-kata
- Original title: 冴えない彼女の育てかた
- Release date: January 16, 2015
The story follows Aki Tomoya, a high school student who works part-time to fund his otaku lifestyle, meets a beautiful girl one day during spring break. He discovers that the girl is Megumi, who is barely visible to her classmates. He wants her to become the "heroine" of a game he will create.
Sequel: Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata ♭
5. Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai
- Alternate title: His Will Be Done / The World God Only Knows
- Original title: 神のみぞ知るセカイ
- Release date: October 7, 2010
The story of Keima Katsuragi, a high school student who is an avid board game player and known as the "God of Conquests" for his legendary skills of being able to "conquer" any 2D girl in games. This is a romantic comedy story about his real life adventures.
Sequel: Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai II and Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami-hen.
6. Yowamushi Pedal
- Alternative title: Saddle up, Sakamichi! / Yowapeda
- Original title: 弱虫ペダル
- Release date: October 8, 2013
The story follows Sakamichi Onoda, an otaku who has just entered high school. He wants to join an otaku club, but the club has been disbanded. When he wants to re-establish the club, Onoda, who is noted for his cycling skills, gets Imaizumi to convince him to join the bike racing club.
Sequel: Yowamushi Pedal: Great Road and Yowamushi Pedal: New Generation
7. Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai
- Alternative title: Oreimo / My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute
- Original title: Ore no Imôto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai / 俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない
- Release date: October 3, 2010
This is the story of Kyosuke and his sister Kirino. One day, Kyosuke finds a DVD case of a magical girl anime and finds eroge inside the case. He knows that the DVD belongs to Kirino. That night, Kirino takes Kyosuke to her room and turns out to be an otaku.
Sequel: Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai.
8. Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii
- Alternate title: Wotakoi : Love is Hard for an Otaku / Otaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii / WotaKoi / Love is Hard for Otaku / It's Difficult to Love an Otaku
- Original title: ヲタクに恋は難しい
- Release date: April 13, 2018
Narumi, an office worker who hides her fujoshi lifestyle, and Hirotaka, a handsome and capable business manager who is secretly a gaming otaku. The two seem perfect for each other, but love is hard for otaku.
9. Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
- Alternative title: Haruka Nogizaka's Secret
- Original title: 乃木坂春香の秘密
- Release date: July 3, 2008
This series takes place at Hakujou Academy and focuses on Ayase and Nogizaka. Nogizaka is an avid fan of anime, manga and otaku culture. One day, Ayase runs into his classmate Haruka in the library and discovers her hidden secret. He vows to keep it a secret and does his best to help hide Haruka's hobby while developing his relationship with her.
Sequel: Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Furezza
10. Otaku no video
- Original title: おたくのビデオ
- Release date: September 27, 1991
Follow a young man with a mediocre life named Ken Kubo, until he finally gets involved with an otaku group. Slowly, he becomes like them and decides to leave his life and become the king of otaku -otaking-. This anime is based on a true story.