Do you feel the word called weeb is discriminatory?

32 comments

1. Are you a weeb?

2. Discriminatory is not the correct term; nobody is being denied anything for being a weeb, such as access to a school or public transport.

   Is weeb an insult? I certainly think so and tbh there is certainly a portion of weebs that bring that on themselves with their body pillows, wifus and poor hygiene.

3. It’s become derogatory because people have been using them with ill-intent, similar to nerd, geek

4. It depends who is using it and in what sentence. Thank you, next.

5. It can be both, same as calling someone オタク in Japanese. Sometimes it means “someone thats passionate about their particular hobby” and sometimes it means “smelly balding guy who is obsessed with anime figures”. Depends on the context its used in, the way its said etc. etc.

6. I have never heard anyone use weeb to describe Japanese/Japanese culture etc. I’ve always seen or heard it used to describe the cringy foreign anime otakus who are like very very weird and awkward and obsessed with everything Japan.

7. Weeb is short for weeaboo which after an unrelated perry Bible fellowship webcomic was used to replace Otaku for describing western fans. It implies via the original comic that watching anime is wasting time so yes it is derogatory but it’s meant as self-derogatory,to combat the sense of self-importance some people might feel to try and protect their egos when watching animation meant for children.
   Like 4chan in general (where it originated to my best knowledge) the greatest sin is taking something seriously.

8. I think context matters.

   Are you casually enjoying anime when your friends calls you a weeb? Non derogatory, casual ribbing. Are you hugging a waifu pillow in public? Absolutely derogatory, fuckin weeb.

   I have never heard the term refer to Japanese people or culture. Only those want to be Japanese

9. By the most basic dictionary definition of the term, it’s discriminatory in that its a criteria for distinguishing between one person and another.

   Is it unfairly discriminatory? I don’t think so, honestly. It’s a trait that’s completely voluntary and deliberate; nobody was born a weeb or became one against their will. That the traits of weeb-ness are considered unpleasant by a significant number of people doesn’t make the term unfair.

10. I am the king of weebs baby. My whole youtube channel is about being a huge weeb and living life in Miyazaki Japan and through this classification, met some great youtubers and friends and went to many weeb and otaku events.

    Ultimately, being called a weeb is only insulting if you dont classify yourself as a weeb, otherwise the rest of us wear it loud and proud.

    No one has the right to deny you or demean you for anything that makes you happy on such things like toys, anime, waifu culture, anime pillows or whatever any weeb may like.

    I go to the gym and squat double my body weight, am an ex semi professional cage fighter, play for a Miyazaki football team, am a senior consultant, see parents every day at my sons kindergarten, and have found weeby people in every single social circle of all shapes and sizes and personalities and they are all lovely.

    So the word weeb in itself isnt discriminatory, just the context it may be used in to make someone feel uncomfortable.

11. Weeb = おたく. But the culture in western counties towards anime and hobby enthusiasts is different from Japanese culture towards anime and manga type enthusiasts. It just depends on the people around them.

12. I’ve never seen weeb being used for Japanese people. It’s always used to describe people who are obsessed with Japan (very often not even that – obsessed with anime).

13. Discriminatory. No, Discriminatory implies that a group is being denied or restricted from something. Weebs are just being called weirdos. Which at the low end of the pool there’s some pretty weird weebs.

14. What does it mean?

15. I really think it depends on the context and who says it. I have a group of friends who are into manga and Japanese games and we often call each other weebs.

    It is however often used as a dismissive word by people who are not into Japanese culture and I think it was particularly bad a couple years ago when the Western press showed open contempt for anime and Japanese games.

    In the end, depending on who says the word, it can mean anything ranging from “Westerner who likes Ghibli movies” to “Weirdo fetishizing Japan and its culture”.

16. No. Words don’t discriminate. People do.

17. I feel like 10+ years ago it was used to describe the extreme level of otaku. The not so hygienic guy/girl collecting anime figures along with the body pillows doing Naruto running in school.

    Nowadays in America, I feel like if you mention you like anything Japanese, that’s grounds for you being called a weeb.

    You like anime? Fucking weeb.
    Collection of Japanese music records? Weeb
    Want to learn about Japanese anything? Filthy weeb.

    Whatever you’re into, some judgmental piece of shit is out there in some basement waiting to hassle you. You don’t have to care or give a shit. Live your life doing what you want.

18. Op saying they’re a sensitive person really is all we need to know. They’re offended that some English speakers on the internet make fun of anime and jrpgs in YouTube videos, and mistakenly use the term “discrimination” in explaining their feelings.

    This really isn’t that deep. Most of the western world loves Japan. Don’t worry about it.

19. Well, as you can see from reading people’s comments here, it was an interesting discussion tho

20. I think, the word “weeb” it is mostly used in a derogatory way, between mildly and disdainfully, depending on context. I have never heard “weeb” in a positive context.

21. it’s not discriminatory.

    also i’m here to petition we begin referring to groups of weebs as a “disappointment” of weebs.

22. yes and no, i think it depends on how it’s being said and in what sentence. my friends call me “WEEB” but i don’t care and call myself a “WEEB” as well. i tend to see it as meaning someone is an somewhat more extreme version of an “OTAKU”. it’s basically the same as being called a nerd, depending on the context and how you feel about it yourself it can be a good thing or a bad thing. if you call me a nerd i’d take it as a compliment.

    and though the original meaning of the word ”OTAKU” in japanese basically means someone who’s obsessed with something (so not perse anime or similar) we in the west basically use it in the sence that it means someone who’s into anime. and most anime watching westerners call themselves otaku as well.

    but as far as i know the original meaning of ”WEEB” was someone who is obsessed with anything japanese and wants to become japanese and live in japan etc. but words can mean different things to different people and the meaning can change over time.

    but i have never heard of the word ”WEEB” or “OTAKU” being used to describe just japanese people or a type of japanese people.

23. Are you actually Japanese? I read what you had written in Japanese, and it seems like your first language isn’t Japanese, or you haven’t been surrounded by Japanese resources and contents in your daily life. Some word usage and mixing of formal and casual forms are unnatural, and your Japanese seems like it’s translated from a different language into it. You used many correct phrases that aren’t commonly used by Japanese people.

    I feel like I’m talking to a Japanese American, Japanese Brazilian, or Japino.

24. I read your other comments.

    I’ll reply with “not anymore”.

    In the past, people considered “weebs” were often ostrasized (kept out of) social circles, events, people shunned them.

    Now, it’s more light-hearted.

    Using “weeb” in person (face to face with someone) and using it in Livestream chats is completely different.

    If you see the word in Livestream chats, it’s the same as any other troll – they’re just trying to make people mad. It’s mildly offensive.

    But, there’s a huge difference between the way the word was used 10 years ago versus now. Now, no one really cares about it.

25. Derogatory, not discriminatory.

    It did not begin as a derogatory term, but certainly became one.

    Please carefully read and understand the distinction between the two words. These are not words with lose meanings or that are up for interpretation. They are fairly technical and precise words.

26. I think it’s often used to inflict offense because there are a lot of folks who take offense to it.

    I use the term ironically/in a self deprecating manner to categorize the “Japanese-nerd-culture” I’m into, though I wouldn’t consider myself as such.

    One year at Comiket I said “woah, look at all the weeb shit” to my Japanese friend and a random, otherwise “normal”-looking American girl interjected herself and told me to go fuck myself.

    Literally nothing on the surface to suggest she was a “weeb” while I’m out here rocking a Godzilla tee. Not to mention it’s a ticketed event so nobody’s here by fucking accident. :L

27. threads like this are why I stay on this sub lmao

28. Man is liking anime that bad ?

29. Weebs are the most oppressed minority smh

30. Discriminatory isn’t the right word. But it does have a negative connotation. It’s not a good thing to be called a weeb, and weebs are generally disliked. I’d say it’s derogatory, yes.

31. It’s such a strange word. I only ever hear weebs call each other weebs. A weird circle jerk of people being mean to other people who have the same hobby as them. I would guess that if you stopped people on the street most would have no idea what it meant.

32. Whole world: obsessed with american culture and faps on marvel, star wars, etc – nobody bat’s an eye.
    Watched Naruto once – “eew, weeb, so cringy, nerd!”