Ask John: Why Did Faye Call Ed an Otaku?

Question:
I noticed on the Cowboy Bebop episode “Jamming with Edward” that Faye had described Ed as a “lazy OTAKU who…” That’s the part I couldn’t understand. Now, I’m aware that otaku means fan [or anime fan in America] but for an anime, it doesn’t make much sense to say Ed is a “fan” of nothing, and I’m pretty sure Faye didn’t mean anime freak. Can you please find out what Faye meant?

Answer:
Since Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese show, it uses the Japanese meaning of words like “Otaku.” While Americans think of “otaku” as a devoted anime fan, in Japan the word refers to anyone with an unhealthy obsession with any given hobby. In Japan there are “car otaku” and “gun otaku” and “golf otaku” and “idol otaku.” In Japan the word “otaku” implies an irresponsible and reprehensible obsessive/compulsive disorder that ignores social interaction and normal career-minded employment. So Faye is literally referring to Ed as a worthless, childish, lazy and irresponsible computer otaku.