I, Otaku Vol 1

by Jiro Suzuki

There's a new fandom comedy in town! Meet closet "otaku" Sota, a seemingly normal high school student with a secret obsession for the dog-eared anime character Papico. During one fateful trip to Akihabara, Sota's life takes an unexpected turn when the crazed owner of a collectibles shop forces Sota to come out in all his fanboy glory. I, Otaku is an ongoing manga and anime series in Japan by Square Enix, the publisher of Full Metal Alchemist .

Genres: Manga

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2007

About the author

Tumblr: https://jirosuzuki-renraku.tumblr.com/

Reviews

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll be 100% honest and admit the ONLY reason I picked this one is it's a book 1. I'm actually surprised there's a book 2, as tired as the joke gets *halfway through this volume.* Like, the Tencho* is essentially BULLYING Sota over the fact that he isn't OPENLY UNABASHED about liking what he likes, when, uh... what's it his business how someone likes something?

Granted, it's more positive to just embrace that you like something rather than keep it bottled up, sure. However, the problems Sota had with being bullied at school for bringing in his toys really stemmed from taking his toys to school. Heck, I stopped taking mine when someone got glue on one. Also, taking collectibles anywhere outside the house is a great way to get them stolen or broken... easier way to find your "crew" would be to have licensed notebooks, clothing, or lunchboxes, rather than "dolls" that bullies will belittle.

But I lost sympathy with Sota when he struggles to defend "why" he is dating Eri—especially after the Tencho accuses Sota of only liking Eri for her resemblance to Papico, the fictional character Sota obsesses over. Especially when he doesn't exactly prioritise spending time with Eri.

I mean, it definitely has a LOT of content. I feel like I've slogged through the whole book but have actually only gotten halfway before getting fed up with it. The chapters are pretty much the same: Sota has to choose between normal life and some limited edition Papico item that, for all his obsession, he fails to reserve. I say "has" to choose, but he's awfully wishy-washy about it, like... if you're REALLY so into a thing as to want every special limited thing, then GO ALL IN and GET THE THING. How exactly does he have time to date Eri?

-OR-

If Eri is really special to him and not just a vague stand-in, surely he can be satisfied with having *some* limited Papico things AND spend some time being in a "normal" relationship?

I don't know. Maybe I'm just too grown-up to sympathise with Sota. (Also, I can JUST BUY the things I want so badly, haha. My spouse is in the same boat, so we enable each other, bwa ha ha.) Anyway, I've at best seen bits of (but not read) Comic Party since my spouse likes the anime, but despite the "Move over, Comic Party! There's a new fandom comedy in town!!" tagline on the back cover, I don't think this really holds a candle. I'm not even that interested in Comic Party, and it still feels like a better time than reading I, Otaku.

*owner/manager of a business

[Salazar Magdalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had some really good laugh with this manga. Its a way over the top and bizzare at times, but it kept me laughing throughout the volume. I ended up visiting the book store just to grab the 2nd volume.

[Courtney Holcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wth did I just read this book was chaotic from the beginning and end btw the main character is kinda a horrible boyfriend ngl.....

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall Rating: C+
Summary: a Shōnen comedy created by Jirō Suzuki, which follows Sota, your average highschool guy. He's pretty popular, and has an attractive girlfriend, but Sota has a secret life as an otaku. Particularly, he is obsessed with a character called Papico, and he will cancel all of his plans for the chance to buy new collector's items for the character.

This leads to the bulk of the plot when one day he can't find the latest Papico release, the Ultra Limited Edition Wonder Digital Dokidoki Doggy Papico figure. As a result, Sota ends up in a store called Otakudo, where the owner (Mano Takuro) has the hard-to-find item. However, in order to buy the item he has to admit that he is an otaku. Somehow, Sato's girlfriend, Eri, has shown up at the store after following Sota, and Sota ends up confessing his obsession to her. Hilarity ensues.

I picked this one up, because I saw some of myself in it. When I was in high school, I wasn't that popular, hadn't even kissed a girl, and hadn't figure out A) my hair, B) black is a good color on me and B) women like men in eyeliner. I looked like a preppy kid who was trying too hard. I was also hiding my geekiness in the desperate hope that I could become popular. By hiding it, I meant I only played Magic: the Gathering before school in the science classroom and in front of the band room (I wasn't in band, but I was a geek). All of this is to say I really wanted to like this manga. The series seems to focus more on being a parody of otaku than on the trials of being a closet geek. I still enjoyed it, but the characters aren't very deep, and the plot mostly focuses on the small group of otaku and their hijinks. If you're looking for a fun, light read, then this is worth checking out, but if you want a plot and interesting characters, then I recommend you pass.

Check out a preview here.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A self-referential comedy about otaku, fans of manga and anime who are a bit over the top by most standards. The central character, a teen boy named Sota, is crazy for a particular anime that seems to have aimed at younger kids. He collects the toys and other items from the series, but is afraid to let anyone know of his fannish obsession. Then, one of his male friends finds out, and he learns that his friend is also an otaku, so they have their hobby in common.
Unfortunately, Sota's girlfriend isn't an otaku, but at least she is understanding and amazingly patient.
The subplots involving competing store owners who cater to these fans are so far over the top that they're difficult to read. Still, the stories are mostly funny, even if the footnotes are essential to understand several of the sight gags.

[Rickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is funny and filled with plenty of parallels one might relate to. The art is sleek and unique, which is something that Seven Seas likes to pick up. Sadly I believe that the English release is discontinued, so reading it online would be recommended. Otherwise, for a slightly more serious take on the same concept without a girlfriend already attached from the start, I suggest reading Genshiken.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's like Welcome to the NHK, only way less perverted. I would actually recommend this one for teens.