I just found out about this term. People say they don't like these people and mock them.
I don't understand why? I am NOT a Weeaboo, but I can relate to a degree.
I have some Irish background. Many people do. My brother in law and sister go waaaaaay into it. They breath, eat, and drink Ireland I think. They named all their kids with Celtic names and spelling (something I would never do, first, people can't pronounce the names correctly, and second, the names are odd enough to make the kids stand out with odd names).
They try to fix what they consider traditional dishes, and are all about Gaelic (I hear about 10% of the Irish speak Gaelic).
They are just fine, but I am not really into the culture they are. I'm fine with it.
Of course, it's also sort of weird because they have a kid that reflects our background more then the little Irish we have...so you have this Asian looking kid with a name that comes from the old Irish, and using that background instead of the Asian one.
However, I imagine Weeaboos are like that, but in regards to Japanese culture instead.
Why does that bother anyone. If someone took my actual culture I grew up with to that degree, I think it would be pretty awesome to tell the truth. And if they only wanted to date those from that culture, even more awesome...at least for me.
It might be a little annoying at times because I live in the US, and want to be actually be American and eat at McDonalds and steakhouses, as well as enjoy American holidays and etc...so if they insisted that we always eat cultural foods...that may be a little annoying...but still...I'd be pretty honored that anyone would want to be that invested in my culture.
Does that make me an Ameriboo or something? Note, I actually LIVE in the US.
Call me someone who doesn't get the hate. I actually think it's pretty cool from what I just learned/heard. Why don't people think this is actually pretty cool instead of hating on them?
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I think a major source of the stigma comes from the idea that so-called "weaboos" are posers or culturally appropriating things from Japanese culture with no respect for the culture itself. That their ideas about Japan and its culture and media is superficial and shallow, or at least annoying. I can understand this a little. It's good etiquette when you're traveling in a foreign country to at least learn a bit of the native language and avoid shifting between it and your primary language mid phrase, something "weaboos" are commonly accused of. Sort of like how if you're singing along with a song and someone tries to get you to stop by saying "who sings that song? Let's keep it that way."
Another part of it, at least from my perspective, "weaboos" are considered perverts by the majority of their detractors due to the widespread (and overly simplistic and kinda racist) beliefs that Japanese media and entertainment is much more sexually daring and explicit than American or European media. So they find "weaboos" creepy and try to shame them for their interests. This even happens within Japanese culture itself, the term "otaku" largely being used as a pejorative for people who are obsessive fans of a show or series.
That's actually the thread I heard about the term (Well, there's a thread up there about types of gamers and such that I read the term and said...WTH is that?).
Still, I don't think I'd have a problem with it. I have a far bigger problem with min/max players/munchkins who don't roleplay (so if they roleplay, no problem there either really) and disturb the group more than I think I would with people who have a certain concept and want to play it.
I mean, isn't that how mutant ninja turtles came about...because someone thought Ninjas were cool...and even if they had to be turtles, they had to be Ninjas...because Ninjas are cool...type of thing? (plus ninjas jump around and kill things...isn't that what a Ninja is...yes...this paragraph is very tongue in cheek...so not truly serious).
(I actually have NO idea how TMNT came about).
It's like those guys who always have to play Rangers and such...and their Ranger has to be Drizzt or Aragorn and be better than anyone else.
No problem with that...unless they throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the group over a fair roll.
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I'm pretty tolerant overall, but I can think of two instances in which it gets to be a bit much:
1. Part of the acceptance problem may be in the sub-segment of Japanofans who refuse to ackowledge that any other culture or medium might also have relevant and/or "cool" ideas. Like, say you're discussing oversized weaponry. They get so focused on a manga "Buster Cloud Sword" or whatever it is that they turn a deaf ear when you explain that Beowulf also wielded a giant's sword at one point. To my mind, if you want to use your manga guy as an example, go for it, but be open to other examples (especially when those others are much older/more traditional/better known by the general public), too.
2. The other issue is with the whole "my character looks like an 80-lb. 12-year old girl in a miniskirt" thing, especially when the player is a 40-year-old neckbeard fat guy in a dirty t-shirt, who insists on playing out how she sucks on lolipops and has sex with her tentacular eidolon, because it's something he saw in a Japanese comic book. That kind of thing is just WAY over the line (in terms of bile-producing) for most people who aren't fans of that sort of comic.
All that said, I love to pull in Irish mythology, and military fiction, and spy stories, and detective novels and film noir, and all kinds of other stuff that isn't Tolkien, so I never have a real problem adding some Japanese stuff to the mix, too, if players are knowledgeable and want to share.
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Haters gonna hate.
Weeaboo is a fun word to say.
Weeabooweeabooweeaboo!
What is it anyway?
What I want to know is, does it rhyme with "Zebu?"
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omg @ veggietales
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The word was invented by the webcomic Perry Bible Fellowship, but didn't gain its current connotations until it was used in 4chan as a substitute for the derogatory term "Wappanese."
Ah, so it's a term for folks who are really into anime and such (like, really, really into it?)
I've had a couple players like that. They'll send me messages asking "I WANNA BE A CHARACTER BASED ON CONCEPT FROM (Insert Anime Here)" and include a YouTube clip.
I delete those messages.
Also i find the whole thing a bit racist. If you look asian (doesn't matter if you are chinese, loation, or vietnamese) no one cares, if you are a white dude insults are to be expected.
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The original comic. As you will notice, it has nothing to do with Japanophiles. :P
For people who complain about players always wanting to play Asian or anime inspired characters, I'm curious: do you likewise mind players who insist on playing European renaissance concepts, or Celtic concepts? Like always wanting to play a fully armoured chivalrous knight, or a rugged archery focused woodsman.
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Also i find the whole thing a bit racist. If you look asian (doesn't matter if you are chinese, loation, or vietnamese) no one cares, if you are a white dude insults are to be expected.
In my experience, it's other white people who do most of the insulting. A weeaboo is also not a white person who likes Asian culture, plays Asians in rpgs, and watches anime. It is a separate phenomenon, and is not limited to obsessing over Japan. Plastic Paddies are essentially the same thing.
From what I have seen, people learn that it is okay to mock those interested in anime, Japanese culture or the language and history, then they get stuck in with this new whipping boy of the Weeaboo.
Once it is okay to be vile to another person, then they can repeat the same hateful or mocking messages against this group. Then it is a habit and the opinion on them is stationary (and they can react very poorly if someone shows weeaboo interests).
Really sad to see.
I don't have a problem with players looking to work an Asian theme... as long as it's something that FITS in the world I'm working in. Asking to play a literal Final Fantasy character sort of deal is what's over the line to me.The original comic. As you will notice, it has nothing to do with Japanophiles. :P
For people who complain about players always wanting to play Asian or anime inspired characters, I'm curious: do you likewise mind players who insist on playing European renaissance concepts, or Celtic concepts? Like always wanting to play a fully armoured chivalrous knight, or a rugged archery focused woodsman.
Many Final Fantasy characters fit really well into pathfinder or dnd, especially the older more fantasy less sci-fi ones. This is because FF is heavily influenced by D&D (as is Software's Dark Souls series).
http://forum.rpg.net/archive/index.php/t-345217.html
The newest dm I know is a long-time FF player that has finally got around to playing and running pathfinder, having already faced all the old-school dnd monsters, run through typical campaigns, tropes and ideas via decades of ff games.
Would you like to know more?
"The central conflict in many Final Fantasy games focuses on a group of characters battling an evil, and sometimes ancient, antagonist that dominates the game's world. Stories frequently involve a sovereign state in rebellion, with the protagonists taking part in the rebellion. The heroes are often destined to defeat the evil, and occasionally gather as a direct result of the antagonist's malicious actions.[3][63] Another staple of the series is the existence of two villains; the main villain is not always who it appears to be, as the primary antagonist may actually be subservient to another character or entity.[3] The main antagonist introduced at the beginning of the game is not always the final enemy, and the characters must continue their quest beyond what appears to be the final fight."
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I look at them the same way I look at anyone completely absorbed by some silly trend: go on with your bad self, but go WAY over there to do it.
See also: Juggalos, Vampire worshippers, or any other fanboys that basically have one schtick.
Are you saying you're not down with the clown?
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Are you saying you're not down with the clown?I look at them the same way I look at anyone completely absorbed by some silly trend: go on with your bad self, but go WAY over there to do it.
See also: Juggalos, Vampire worshippers, or any other fanboys that basically have one schtick.
Faygo tastes like ass.
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Faygo tastes like ass.
I love me some Faygo Moon Mist! And Ice Cube. Maybe I should become a Juggalo...
hOnK
I came into this thread thinking "weaboo" referred to a type of character concept. Now I'm all kinds of confused. Where can I get a solid, concise definition?
The word was invented by the webcomic Perry Bible Fellowship, but didn't gain its current connotations until it was used in 4chan as a substitute for the derogatory term "Wappanese."Ah, so it's a term for folks who are really into anime and such (like, really, really into it?)
I've had a couple players like that. They'll send me messages asking "I WANNA BE A CHARACTER BASED ON CONCEPT FROM (Insert Anime Here)" and include a YouTube clip.
I delete those messages.
Same thing really, yeah.
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Okay. So then the topic is basically about people who get fed up with someone who keeps playing similarly anime-inspired characters repeatedly? Maybe if I ever see someone roleplay a second kind of dwarf, then I'll consider whether to get annoyed with repetitive anime-style characters. :/
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Well, the roleplaying stuff is only a facet of it. Generally speaking people apply the label "weaboo" to any non-native fan of Japanese culture and ESPECIALLY media and entertainment.
Extremism on the part of the fan may or may not be present. I've seen the term used to shut down discussions and dismiss a fan's opinions immediately in the vein of "Shut up, I don't watch weaboo crap," or "3.5's Book of Nine Swords is WEABOO FIGHTAN MAGICKE!"
Generally, when someone says it, it seems in my mind to carry a subtle racism to it, implying that the media in question is inherently bad because it's Japanese in origin, or at the very least enjoying it is not something "normal" geeks (i.e. straight, white, cisgendered American men between the ages of 13 and older) should be doing.
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Here's my thing: I absolutely do get annoyed with people who play the same character over and over and over. I had a friend that played a rogue that was always just him. But sometimes a halfling. I don't even remember any of their names - so we'll just call him Frank. "Frank the Rogue" for Every. Single. Game. That was irritating.
But the big difference between him and the weeaboos I've played with, however, is that although Frank the Rogue was redundant, his lack of creativity didn't also come packaged with an insistence that Frank was the best way to play a rogue ever and everyone who plays a rogue is doing it completely wrong. No, "Frank's short sword/dagger TWF style wasn't so obviously not good enough RAW because that fighting style is clearly superior to every other fighting style anyone had ever created - like, why would YOU (not you in the general sense, but you who specifically did not choose to play as a Frank clone in this game) choose anything else? Are you stupid?"
Every out-of-game conversation wasn't about Frank's culture, or why it was obviously better than anyone else's. No, "Why would you even want to think about anyone else's? Frank's people are like @#$%ing magic, man. Did you know that Frank's short sword would have killed a medieval knight just by vibrating at the right consistency? Or that even our modern military with all of its guns and drone warfare couldn't take out a force of 50 Franks because Frank's people are just that badass."
And then WotC and Paizo didn't introduce a bunch of Frank-inspired material that was mechanically superior to the core equivalents, even if that would make no freakin' sense whatsoever, just so if you had a world that didn't feature Frank's culture, you could be accused of being stingy or a bad DM when you didn't want to include the new Frank stuff.
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...That sounds remarkably similar to all the masters of western European historical warfare over in the rules forum who totally know which medieval weapons would pierce/not pierce which armors and how fast you can shoot a bow in real life and that's why the designers clearly intended this rule to work in a way that's opposite of what they wrote.
Yeah, they annoy me too.
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due to the widespread (and overly simplistic and kinda racist) beliefs that Japanese media and entertainment is much more sexually daring and explicit than American or European media.
As someone who has lived in Japan I can say that this has a grain of truth to it. It's not much more daring or explicit, but it wouldn't be racist to say that it is more out there, especially (but not exclusively) in the anime department. It doesn't make the entire nation a country of perverts (which is what a lot of people like to say), it's simply a culture thing. So in other words it's a lot more complicated than what people believe it to be, but it's not entirely wrong to say that they are more sexually daring and explicit.
Are you saying you're not down with the clown?I look at them the same way I look at anyone completely absorbed by some silly trend: go on with your bad self, but go WAY over there to do it.
See also: Juggalos, Vampire worshippers, or any other fanboys that basically have one schtick.
Why so serious?
I came into this thread thinking "weaboo" referred to a type of character concept. Now I'm all kinds of confused. Where can I get a solid, concise definition?The word was invented by the webcomic Perry Bible Fellowship, but didn't gain its current connotations until it was used in 4chan as a substitute for the derogatory term "Wappanese."Ah, so it's a term for folks who are really into anime and such (like, really, really into it?)
I've had a couple players like that. They'll send me messages asking "I WANNA BE A CHARACTER BASED ON CONCEPT FROM (Insert Anime Here)" and include a YouTube clip.
I delete those messages.
Liking heroic characters and wanting to play them in a game is bad?
See this is the problem with prejudice. A character from a jrpg or anime fantasy series could be a perfect fit for a PF game, perfect, but your character comes from anime? Ewww.
I am glad I am in a city where the gaming culture isn't so against Japanophiles or content inspired by anime. Here, people with varied interests come together, and get along to game. It is great.
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...That sounds remarkably similar to all the masters of western European historical warfare over in the rules forum who totally know which medieval weapons would pierce/not pierce which armors and how fast you can shoot a bow in real life and that's why the designers clearly intended this rule to work in a way that's opposite of what they wrote.
Yeah, they annoy me too.
this. About a million times.
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...That sounds remarkably similar to all the masters of western European historical warfare over in the rules forum who totally know which medieval weapons would pierce/not pierce which armors and how fast you can shoot a bow in real life and that's why the designers clearly intended this rule to work in a way that's opposite of what they wrote.
Yeah, they annoy me too.
I find that to be kind of the opposite of my example.
I agree that it's silly to debate how real world weapons would work in a fantasy game that routinely features magic, extraplanar beings, and aberrations from distant worlds. But I don't see a lot of those comments creeping into threads/conversations that aren't at least tangentially related. If you know a guy who can take the debate over which toppings you should be getting on the pizza into an hour long lecture on why crossbows were actually preferable to traditional archery, I feel for you - I haven't met anyone like that. Yet.
And also those arguments are usually over the ridiculousness of some things. There's a huge difference between, "Well, that's not realistic because knowing what we do from the historical records and a basic understanding of what materials they had and how combat works, a polearm would have actually been a superior choice to swords." and a slavering dedication to the idea that anything Japanese is automatically superior because Japan. I don't know if some of those guys debating European weaponry are completely misinformed - maybe they are - but I do know I take it a little more seriously than "Katanas (not necessarily just katanas here, but by far the most popular example) are literally superior to every sort of of blade and armor ever invented."
Funny thing is, I do like anime. I don't even mind anime inspired characters (as long as they're still original - I feel you on the dwarves thing. I would love to see somebody play a stuffy dwarf that can't handle her liquor and speaks with a posh accent) but my gaming experience has just shown a huge overlap between people who enjoy the stuff and people who take things way too far.
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I guess I just don't see much of a difference between:
"Anything Japanese is automatically superior because Japan" and
"Anything realistic is automatically superior because realism".
The person telling me that katanas are better because the Japanese are epic, and the person telling me that katanas are better because I've totally made my own swords and practiced with them and know first-hand how medieval combat works, just don't look that different to me. (But maybe I'm wrong; after all, I've only ever encountered the latter of the two.)
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I'm an iconoclast. I don't like it when something that is a 4 or a 5 gets the glowing recommendations for something that should be reserved for a 10.
Hence my problem with people that gush about katanas.
Yes, the process is cool, but they were doing pattern welding in europe in 200 bc. Its not the height of swordmaking either, that would be India's damascus blades. All that work was mostly to compensate for japans poor quality, sulfur ridden iron and you STILL got a very meh sword. Its a calvary saber for cutting down unarmored peasants from behind or to draw in case your spear broke. Thats it.
I'm an iconoclast. I don't like it when something that is a 4 or a 5 gets the glowing recommendations for something that should be reserved for a 10.
Hence my problem with people that gush about katanas.
Yes, the process is cool, but they were doing pattern welding in europe in 200 bc. Its not the height of swordmaking either, that would be India's damascus blades. All that work was mostly to compensate for japans poor quality, sulfur ridden iron and you STILL got a very meh sword. Its a calvary saber for cutting down unarmored peasants from behind or to draw in case your spear broke. Thats it.
You mean the Arab's Damascus steel blades using imported Indian ingots and refining the technology across many centuries?
Take that level of brilliant tech, and make a kilij (curved Turkish sabre) and you have a vastly superior sword to the katana 9it is more reliable and durable, it cuts, better, it has no problem with armour). This was done, it would be a weapon for elites as were the best katanas; but as you say, Japan was always struggling to make great weapons out of often poor quality iron. The katana has fantastic press though and a lot of merits, but there are better bastards swords (and one-handed swords) made of finer steel.
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due to the widespread (and overly simplistic and kinda racist) beliefs that Japanese media and entertainment is much more sexually daring and explicit than American or European media.As someone who has lived in Japan I can say that this has a grain of truth to it. It's not much more daring or explicit, but it wouldn't be racist to say that it is more out there, especially (but not exclusively) in the anime department. It doesn't make the entire nation a country of perverts (which is what a lot of people like to say), it's simply a culture thing. So in other words it's a lot more complicated than what people believe it to be, but it's not entirely wrong to say that they are more sexually daring and explicit.
That's what I'm trying to say. That the reality is a lot more complicated, but angry fans and anti-fans on the internet ignore that complexity in favor of the simplistic idea that the people in Japan are all perverts, which IS patently false.
When someone calls someone a "weaboo," it almost always carries the implication of accusing said "weaboo" of being a pervert to shame them into silence.
I'm an iconoclast. I don't like it when something that is a 4 or a 5 gets the glowing recommendations for something that should be reserved for a 10.
Hence my problem with people that gush about katanas.
Yes, the process is cool, but they were doing pattern welding in europe in 200 bc. Its not the height of swordmaking either, that would be India's damascus blades. All that work was mostly to compensate for japans poor quality, sulfur ridden iron and you STILL got a very meh sword. Its a calvary saber for cutting down unarmored peasants from behind or to draw in case your spear broke. Thats it.
You mean the Arab's Damascus steel blades using imported Indian ingots and refining the technology across many centuries?
Take that level of brilliant tech, and make a kilij (curved Turkish sabre) and you have a vastly superior sword to the katana 9it is more reliable and durable, it cuts, better, it has no problem with armour). This was done, it would be a weapon for elites as were the best katanas; but as you say, Japan was always struggling to make great weapons out of often poor quality iron. The katana has fantastic press though and a lot of merits, but there are better bastards swords (and one-handed swords) made of finer steel.
Personally, I've never seen any hyperbolic praise for katanas, but I have seen a lot of vids/articles, etc, explaining why it doesn't deserve all the gushings it's obviously been on the receiving end of from somebody...
I would love to get my hands on a kilij. Cold Steel do a replica shamshir, which would do, but it seems to be antiques way out of my price range for anything else of that ilk.
However, this is not the sword nerds thread, so I'll shut up now. As you were.