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Nihonjin no Nisemono ka?

Weeaboo is a term for people who were obsessed in Anime World, as well as its cultures. More often, weeaboo is a combination of Japanophile (obsessed with Japan culture and stuff) and Otaku (obsessed with Anime, J-Pop, and other video games, as long as it is Japan-imported).

So what are some hints or clues you can find and see in a typical weeaboo (That almost includes me)? I am not gonna reveal them all, but I am gonna reveal the 10 most common clues or hints that are considered as signs that they have. Here it goes!

1. The Anime Maniac
Himouto! Umaru-chan

Your first clue or hint to look for someone who is considered to be a weeaboo is that he or she is frequently watching some latest weekly Anime, including the recent ones or the ones that are already finished airing in Japan. This does not include some Anime which were mainstream or common (i.e. One Piece or Dragon Ball). Some of the Anime series which were being watched are the Anime shows that have a short run, or having some separate seasons (or Anime series that are 12-26 episodes long).

Usually, weeaboos tend to watch some Anime if they have to. depending on its themes and some fan service. Yes, they do drop it if they were not satisfied with the first episode. Or even, at the middle of the series, the Anime becomes boring. And they tend to drop it, too.

Actually, this is a common sign, but I believe that not all weeaboos can watch all Anime shows in one season (Actually, there are some who can watch them all!). This is just a hint or clue that you can identify whether that person that you are looking at is actually a weeaboo or not. Not a sign, but just a hint or clue, remember.

LAST SENTENCE: The only way to identify a person who is a weeaboo or not is the selection or the line-up of Anime shows that he or she is watching!

2. Armor Time!
Armor and Merchandise! Hell yea.

Another hint or clue that you can identify on someone, whether he or she is a weeaboo, is the clothes or gear that he or she is wearing. Simple, right? Yes, they were dressing up with graphic t-shirts of their favorite Anime crush and they walk around. Usually, they wear it on local Anime conventions. But how about in some common days like work or school?

See this graphic t-shirt above? Basically, it is one of them that I own in the wardrobe at home.

As you can see above, you can see something like this below.

Aqours in their group shot promoting the graphic tees!

When fans find out that their favorite VA (Seiyuu in Japanese dub) has worn some common item, or even a t-shirt, gear, or bag, they tend to be like that with the VA. Yes, and they gonna buy that same item, or gear, that the VA is using or wearing. See? Now that you can have an idea if that person is really a weeaboo. Hell yea.

3. Language-desu!
Watch the words you pull, big guy.

In my experience myself, I am frequently uttering common Japanese words out from my mouth. In a random situation, or even if I am playing or browsing, I can’t avoid of not speaking these common Japanese words that I am hearing from some TV Anime or music that I am watching, seeing, or hearing everyday.

You can tell if a person is a weeaboo is that he or she is commonly using Japanese words or phrases at their sentences. Usage of the common words, like ‘desu’ or even ‘kawaii’, can give you some hint or clue if that person is really a weeaboo. Not only those common words, but sometimes people try to cross some words to have a new meaning, or even a new word out of those combinations! Examples are the ‘sumima-sorry’, and ‘yametekudastop’.

Well, it’s very common and I understand that (I experienced that, too). Someone who didn’t learn Japanese language in the first place (It includes me!), can able to speak. But not, if you were going to talk in Japanese one-on-one (Yep, I am nervous to that). Well, definitely a revealing hint or clue, for me…

4. Anisong and J-Pop Playlist
What is in your playlist, chump?

Another hint or clue if that person that you are looking at is a weeaboo is the lineup or playlist of music he or she is currently listening. This one can be a difficult identification since it can violate some privacy of that person by just looking at his or her device containing the music. Or even, it is very difficult to look at since he or she just press the next button and then closes the device. You can look at his or her device secretly from the distance, and I hope that your eyesight is still sharp. Of course, do not tell him or her that you said “Hey, you are listening to Anisong and J-Pop!” which will make them be feeling embarrassed or shy.

Also, do not make them angry saying that their playlist is trash. Otherwise, your playlist shall be called also trash if you do!

5. Anime Character as Profile Picture
A fan art of myself.

This hint or clue is easy. You can determine if that person in every social networking services (SNS) you see is a weeaboo after all — by looking at his or her profile picture! Anime profile picture has its variations. It can be an art, a screenshot from a TV Anime, or even an Anime figure that you own! For my case, I can equip my profile picture with any favorite Anime character that I like, but instead, I just embed them along with my actual profile picture (Facebook has an ‘add frame to profile picture’ feature). For arts, it can be a customized avatar, or even a fan art of myself (It was done by an awesome indie artist, yay!).

6. Japan-Imported Gaming
Home screen of the Megamiracle Force game.

Of course, a person who is a weeaboo can be identified easily through the games that he or she is playing. Majority of the video games were imported from Japan and mostly, majority of them were untranslated or not yet localized.

One example is the on-going Fate/Grand Order mobage game. In Japan, it has become a massive hit free-to-play game, which also played by fans around the world, despite it is just only available in Japan region.

Another thing is that when a western or even an another non-Japanese video game, whether online or home console port, were imported in Japan territory, players who were considered as weeaboo gamers, will try to take a shot on that imported game in Japan. Example of this was the popular MOBA game, League of Legends. I had no idea, but, maybe it is because of its Japanese dub? Maybe also it is because their favorite VA is voicing that character!

7. Sub or Dub Title?

Actually, I can split this hint or clue into two parts further. Read more to find out.

a. Engrish is better than English!
Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory is an English localization title for US territory gaming. Kamijigen Game Neptune V (Victory) was its original game title counterpart in the Japanese territory. Which is better, the sub, or the dub? Sub means original Japanese voice with subtitles, while the dub is the English voice without subtitles.

As I had said, sub means original Japanese voice with subtitles, while the dub is the English voice without subtitles.

So for the Engrish vs the English thing, well it’s a hint or clue if that guy or girl is a weeaboo. For this Tweet below of mine, here’s an example.

Fans always kept arguing on which is better, the sub or the dub. Well, the war still continues and it is currently on a debate.

b. Super Sentai is Better than Power Rangers

Which do you think are you in favor? Super Sentai or Power Rangers? Of course, normal people will pick Power Rangers for a reason. But for someone like me, I will be picking Super Sentai. It is because without Super Sentai, there will be no Power Rangers.

For weeaboos, they will surely pick Super Sentai over Power Rangers. Oh yeah, original is better than the adaptation. However, in Japan, they really like to see what could be the Power Rangers counterpart would it be, and they also really like to see them in action. Meanwhile, English-speaking countries would really prefer to like Super Sentai than Power Rangers, except for normal people who usually call every Super Sentai team Power Rangers, though.

Hey, this can be one of the clues or hints, but somehow I think this can be a 50-50 chance since I know that not all weeaboos know Super Sentai or Power Rangers.

8. Your Display Name is in Japanese Characters.
Your name is in Japanese lettering, but can you speak some wasabi language?

Has a connection somehow to number 5, Anime character as profile picture. This time, it will be focusing on the name in every SNS (social networking services).

A weeaboo? Or not? You can determine on his or her name!

I do not know, but… They tend to write their Facebook names in Japanese lettering or characters just for fun. But then, are you really a Japanese-speaking individual? This will only apply to people who isn’t really a Japanese, or just pretending to be Japanese (a weeaboo, in short). Meanwhile, legit Japanese people (or half-Japanese) will always write their names in Japanese lettering. And also, their profile and about me section is also written in Japanese.

Also, a fake Facebook or SNS account of a certain popular Japanese idol or actor/actress are considered as ‘dummies’ or fake accounts run by a weeaboo him/her-self.

9. Cross-dressing (Adult males only)

Sorry, I can’t show you a picture about this. I might get sued if I post them without permission or consent. 🙁

Basically, a male person is considered as a weeaboo if he tried cross-dressing as his favorite female Anime character. Example of this is the man cosplaying as Sailor Moon.

10. The Uncultured Swine!
“You uncultured swine!”

One of my last hint or clue if a person is a weeaboo or not is his or her ability in socializing people. Most weeaboos are anti-social, and they only socializing with people who have same interests or tastes just like him or her. Their only topic in their minds were Anime, Japan, and some lewd stuff. Other topics than that, well they have no interest at all. If he or she is in a group of people sharing other stuff than Anime, Japan, or other related stuff, then he or she is out of place.

Summary and Final Words

I listed some ten hints or clues if a person is really a weeaboo. And they are the following:

  1. The Anime Maniac
  2. Armor Time!
  3. Language-desu!
  4. Anisong and J-Pop Playlist
  5. Anime Character as Profile Picture
  6. Japan-Imported Gaming
  7. Sub or Dub Title?
  8. Your Display Name is in Japanese Characters.
  9. Cross-dressing (Adult males only)
  10. The Uncultured Swine!

Well, I am suffering this kind of dilemma, though. Since I am only among the family members who is really fond of Anime or other Japan stuff, I am slowly moving away from their presence. But as much as possible, I am struggling to set all of these aside temporarily and I am giving myself a time to reflect, as well as to meditate and relax. And then, there is also a time that I give myself a stroll outside of the social networking world, as well as outside of the Anime World in which I was in. Of course, I should give time to my family and God and I should not devote myself to these Anime-stuffs one-hundred percent.


Inori Donz

Inori Donz is a blogger, video gamer, Anime enthusiast, bicycle rider, and Anime figure photographer. His favorite area of concentration is 'LoveLive! Series', where he plays its featured smartphone video games, as well as watching its Anime series counterparts. "I like Anime, toys and figures, and mostly, I like playing free-to-play video games. Definitely not your usual commoner you see everyday in the streets." He started his blogging journey since December 2013, with a free WordPress blog, named 'IemDonz Blog'. That free blog contains most of his Anime figure photography works, as well as some of his opinions and experiences in the Anime world.