Anime: Genshiken

As an otaku myself, I love watching anime or dramas that portray slice of life comedies about otakus and the various elements that surround their lives. Although fictional, a lot of us does come across those awkward moments from time to time, making this genre a part of me as it does become a part of a lot of others out there.

But after seeing the genre over used.. or watched horribly written series on the subject...overusing various cliches in a very unimaginable ways... I was turned off to the genre.

Then, I happened upon a series called "Genshiken". I watched it half-heartedly, but before I knew it I was looking forward to the next episode. This thing I call "The Geshiken Legacy" is composed of 2 seasons and a next generation-like third season. Although each season can stand on their own, you need to watch from start to finish to fully enjoy the inside stories and subplots within the whole series.

Aside from the nice production work, I was fascinated with the development of the characters and the inter connectivity of the stories within each season. There are a lot of things that they seem to include in the anime that I think happened only in the manga, which puts me off a bit (because I don't get to see it actually unfold). But overall, the series itself is a must see to all otakus, those intrigued by otakus, or those who don't understand otakus in general.

The quirkiness of the various characters complement the stories as the whole gang of otakus goes on with challenges in their lives. Like... school fairs... facing ordinary people...bouts with figures of authority...and the greatest challenge of all... releasing their own book in ComiFest (or Comiket). But underlying all the craziness are the way their relationships change, forging bonds that they themselves failed to see in the first place. And there is nothing more cuter than watching otaku love blossom.

While the series entertains me a lot, there are also within a touch of reality, where all things generally end up to. Not all things come with chuckles and giggles... not all things otaku goes on forever. But we must not lose the fire that keep us with our passion