Patrick W. Galbraith

Part curiosity, part sociology, part anthropology, this book looks at the lives of a handful of people who identify themselves as otaku. Otaku may very cursorily be described as avid collectors and/or fans of anime, manga, technology, and a myriad other subjects. Each individual is interviewed by the author and accompanied by a photograph of them in their living space or 'otaku room'. Each interview is fascinating in its own way, teasing out how the individual sees themselves and their show more hobby. They range from housewives to intellectuals to young men living with their parents, but all share an almost obsessive drive to collect, consume, and collate. Praise to Galbraith and Christodoulou for their wide range of subjects. While certainly some nearly hopeless nerds are featured, we are shown the vast array of people who could fall under the otaku title, up to and including a champion kick-boxer and some fashion models. Accompanying the interviews are several short essays on the development of otaku culture, its commercial centers, and academic discussions of what it all means. I found show less

Patrick W. Galbraith’s Otaku Spaces is a fascinating piece of sociology focusing on the world of Japanese otaku, people who are deeply devoted, some might say obsessed, fans of anime, manga and the subculture these are associated with. Otaku Spaces begins by attempting to understand just what an otaku is. Even for a Western fan of anime/manga this is an important part of the book. Althought anime and manga have become popular in the west the general connotation of “geek” it has taken show more on here is significantly different from the frequently pejorative use the term sees in Japan.

From here, taking up approximately 2/3s of the book, Galbraith presents interviews with numerous otaku, with photographs of parts of their frequently immense collections of (usually but not always) anime and manga related possessions, ranging from figurines to DVDs to hug pillows, costumes and beyond. These interviews are the heart of the book and are fascinating for their diversity and candidness. Most interesting is the number of people, of different ages, educations, sexes, professions, etc., who identify as otaku. These interviews lead the reader into an otherwise secret, and sometimes secretive, world. Included is a young man who literally lives in a closet in his parents’ house, surrounded by his collection, a few idols and a kickboxing champion.

Finally, there is a section about the places associated with otaku culture, such as Akihahara and parts of Shinjuku. These are places that hold shops, some of them quite famous, that cater specifically to otaku culture. The descriptions of these areas give the reader a feel for the culture that goes beyond private collections and awkward social graces.

Throughout Otaku Spaces are numerous photographs. While the otaku interviewed are present, it is, not surprisingly, their spaces that truly capture one’s interest. With the exception of the final third of the book, these are pictures of personal spaces. They are intimate and private, representing a glimpse into the life of an otaku that is otherwise invisible and therefore easily misunderstood and ignored.

As a piece of fieldwork, Otaku Spaces is excellent. One might complain that there is a distinct lack of conclusions made. The whole of the book is dedicated to describing otaku and their spaces. I think, however, this is the point. Otaku Spaces is not a dissertation, there is no thesis. Instead it is a presentation about an otherwise little-studied Japanese subculture, replete with its own technical terminology, social stratification and personal and public spaces. The reader is left to draw their own conclusions as to what it means to be an otaku. This is a poignant message, as each person interviewed is asked that very question, and each has their own, distinct answer.

Anyone with an interest in otaku culture, the sociology of subcultures, or anime and manga in general would do well to read this book. show less

Interesting, but dense. I thought, from the title, that there would be more fun and whimsy but this is a rather serious discussion of what it means to be otaku in Japan. It's fascinating, but took me quite a while to read. It wasn't quite what I expected, but it certainly is illuminating. It's worth a read if you're interested in Japanese culture or the culture of otaku.

A bit of an otaku myself, I was naturally interested in Otaku Spaces, written by Patrick W. Galbraith with photography by Androniki Christodoulou. I was very happy to be selected to receive a review copy of the book from the publisher Chin Music Press through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I was also thrilled to be introduced to Chin Music Press. Originally established in Tokyo and now headquartered in Seattle, much of the publisher's catalog is devoted to Japan-related titles. show more Although I haven't read it yet, I know Galbraith as the author of The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan. And while I am not personally familiar with Christodoulou's work, she is an award-winning photographer who has recently been focusing on traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and on otaku culture in particular. Otaku Spaces seemed like it was in good hands and so I was excited to have the opportunity to read it.

While there have been plenty of books and articles exploring the otaku phenomenon, there has been a tendency, as Galbraith points out in the introduction of Otaku Spaces, to "talk about them but not to them." Otaku Spaces changes that by including profiles and in depth interviews with nineteen people, most of whom self-identify as otaku, in an attempt to challenge the stereotypes fostered by popular culture. Otaku Spaces begins with an excellent introduction that briefly examines the origin of otaku culture and the history of the term itself. The introduction is followed by a brief glossary before Otaku Spaces turns to the real showpiece of the book, "Otaku Interviews and Portraits." Each profile is accompanied by a photograph of the individual posing with their collection. The next sections are the photographs and profiles of "Otaku Places" such as Akihabara and Ōsu, interviews with "The Experts," and additional "Supplementary Material."

Galbraith and Christodoulou interview a wide variety of otaku, from those interested in underground paraphernalia to those interested in pop culture collectibles. Otaku are commonly associated with anime and manga, which are certainly well represented in Otaku Spaces, but they can frequently be involved in other subject areas as well. Stereotypically speaking, otaku are usually thought to be male, but there are plenty of female fans included in Otaku Spaces as well. I was surprised to discover that I was actually already knew of some of the otaku interviewed for Otaku Spaces, such as the cross-playing champion kickboxer Nagashima "Jienotsu" Yūichiro. But for every otaku I already knew there were four or five that I was meeting for the first time. Otaku Spaces provides a wonderful opportunity for them to share their knowledge of and passion for the things that they love, whether that be calculators or video games or just about anything else.

While many of the questions that Galbraith and Christodoulou ask the interviewees are tailored to their specific interests or collections, there are several questions that they make a point to ask each individual. These include questions like "Are you an otaku?," "Will you continue to collect in the future?," and "What is the difference between an otaku and a collector?" among others. The answers vary from person to person, emphasizing the fact that there is really no one type of otaku but that they are all experts in their own way. They may not always agree, but that is a valuable lesson in and of itself. The otaku in Otaku Spaces are real people with real lives, proving that there is more to otaku than just stereotypes. Otaku Spaces is an enlightening and engaging volume. It's also a very attractive book with full color photography and simple infographics. Otaku Spaces is easy to recommend to anyone interested in otaku specifically or in Japanese pop culture in general.

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