Freak Culture

By André Rey Vidal (4th year ESO)

 

In many places in the world, even in the core of this “sub-culture”, Japan, it’s impolite to go out with the T-Shirt of your favourite anime, saying you play “Dungeons and Dragons” or shout 'Avada Kedabra’ with your friends. But, let’s go back to previous times, how have we got to this almost irrational hatred?

 

According the Real Spanish Academy (RAE) the definition of Freak is: “Colloquial. Person who practises a hobby unconscionably and obsessively”. Why? Let’s go to the Nihon country to get an answer. Apart from the term Freak there are ‘Otaku’, or in their extreme variant, ‘Hikikomori’ as well. The first one is a person who’s extremely fanatical of the animation series in the country, labelling this person as childish and immature. The second, instead, gives a step further. This person doesn’t even go out to buy something unless it isn’t extremely necessary and all his necessities are satisfied by the Internet.

How does that part of the Japanese culture affect us, in what sense? In most cases, the people here becomes less Otaku than the standard considered in Japan, getting the title of “Freak” in the case of being a follower of animes or, in other variant, “Geeks” usually used derogatorily in the case of people who love Fantasy Books and Role Games.

So, how does that affects us? The simple answer is, in everything, but it's no so drastic. The long answer is solved based on more questions. As a young child, have you ever seen “Shin-Chan”, “Pokémon” or, if we don't travel so far, “Dragon Ball Z”? Congrats, you have seen at least 3 animes in your life. Have you ever played video games like “Super Mario Bros.”, “The Legend of Zelda” or “Bomberman” with your friends? All the best for you! You have played at, at least, 3 Nihon video games. The freak culture spreads over this vast world, stealthily, getting more and more followers.

  

Then, why do we keep hearing that animes/videogames are bad? There have always been the typical mothers who never let their children play video games because they think “kids get more violent”.

There have been cases of “Japanophobia” not only from mothers who have seen so many Hollywood films. Cases of murder have been attributed to video games or role games, alleging that “the player's mind was caught in the video game world”. Both are ridiculous. If a person is insane, he/she will be insane forever, you can't blame video games for that.

 

I have listened about E-Sports, what are they? Are they inside the world of the Freak Culture? Of course, they are. The Electronic Sports or E-Sports are world famous. They are based on professional players of teams who “fight” to know who’s the best. The most famous at the moment is “League of Legends” a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) which moves millions amounts being 100% Free to Play (F2P).

 

How do they manage to move that amount of money? Simple. Aside of their merchandising, their principal fount are E-Sports. A ticket for an International tournament like the EU LCS (European League Championship Series) can cost around 30€, and it isn't limited to regional tournaments.

Final conclusion: The freak culture is getting bigger all the time, and even though many people want to stop it, the phenomenon is, right now, unstoppable.

That’s everything said. ‘Sayonara’ and have a nice day.

PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE ARTICLE.

The photographs were taken from the following links:

 

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/W6a_pgSkVrcl-5V2U-UOnsVBjFM=/356x0:1244x500/1600x900/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47846167/league_of_legends_world_championship_2015.0.0.jpg

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https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRO0qOFA1pfVjcZw2nCkpdXCUT38LEWXhRqQlPP9XIaeBNtyAYG

http://www.hobbyconsolas.com/sites/hobbyconsolas.com/public/media/image/2014/09/384756-videojuegos-nintendo-tambien-tienen-manga.jpg

http://1001camisetas.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lacoste-camisetas-manga.jpg