Otaku no Video

Otaku no Video is truly one of a kind work. Its mixed media approach of combining live action scripted "interviews" with a fictional animated story makes into a strange breed of mockumentary. Otaku no Video could be enjoyed by someone with a historical or sociological interest in how it presents a very skewed version of Studio Gainax's roots. It can also be enjoyed by an otaku who can pick up on the IMMENSE amount of old school anime references. That being said Otaku no Video doesn't really put otaku in an entirely positive light. It portrays them as separated from reality, perverted, and even criminal at times. It simultaneously celebrates the creative, entrepreneurial, and enduring spirit of otaku. I'd recommend Otaku no video if your interested in 80s otaku in Japan, or if you are a fan of 70s and 80s anime and can get the all the references.

Otaku no Video is a mockumentary on what otaku are and what they do. I say mockumentary because it is clearly poking fun at being an otaku all the while praising the culture. It works best to serve as a social commentary on otaku as a whole in the 80's and early 90's. Otaku are not well liked in Japan and should not be perceived as if this lifestyle is the norm. Many of the prominent Gainax artists who are now out of Gainax worked on this and establishes how they create their animation's. Essentially if you watch a work by Trigger, you can expect a lot of references to not only their anime but others as well. While simultaneously poking fun at not only the industry but themselves. This reflects the state of animators that fall under the umbrella of Gainax. If you ever needed a starting point for Trigger or Anno's work, this would be the place to start to understand who they are and how they work. As for the anime itself, it has a story spliced in with live action footage in a documentary-esk fashion. The story is quite serious with some interesting drama about the industry and otaku trying to become something in the industry they love. Both sides of the OVA is a great time to consume both healthy perspectives on the subjects at hand.

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