Buzz
Are you someone who loves Japanese culture? Are you a fan of anime and manga from the land of the rising sun? You often hear the online community mentioning the term 'Wibu.' So, what is Wibu exactly? Let's unravel the answer in the following article!
1. What is Wibu?
In essence, Wibu is just the Vietnamese way of pronouncing the root term 'Weeaboo.' Both Weeaboo and Wibu are used with a mocking and negative connotation. Besides referring to those excessively enthusiastic about Japanese culture, Wibu is also used for individuals who lack knowledge about Japan and its culture but still consider themselves knowledgeable and eager to show it off. This term is also employed to differentiate between 'ordinary' fans and those who are 'excessively obsessed.'
However, globally, the term Weeaboo is more commonly known, essentially used to refer to Western individuals who excessively and passionately admire Japanese culture. On the other hand, Wibu is specific to Vietnam, used exclusively for enthusiasts of Japanese culture in Vietnam in an uncontrolled manner. Most often, this term is used to mock those who, without much understanding, proclaim themselves as heroes on social media platforms.
For instance, when you watch a few anime series, read a few manga chapters, and then start claiming proudly on social media that you are an Otaku. Not only that but also frequently boasting about your knowledge of Japanese culture through superficial understanding, piecing together unfiltered and somewhat exaggerated information. Individuals like this are often referred to as Wibu.
2. What is Weeaboo?
The precursor to Weeaboo is Wapanese, a term that emerged in 2002 and gained popularity from 2005 onwards. It's a combination of 'Wannable' and 'White,' meaning 'White person obsessed with Japanese culture.' This term is commonly used to describe white individuals who are overly obsessed with Japanese culture, often focusing on Anime, Manga, and Hentai.
The term 'Weeaboo' gained recognition through the Perry Bible Fellowship comic by Nicholas Gurewitch, introduced in 2005. It became widely used on the internet, making its first appearance on the 4chan forum, replacing the term 'Wapanese' to refer to these individuals in an unpleasant manner. However, it still carries a negative connotation, similar to the preceding term 'Wapanese.'
3. Characteristics of Weeaboo
According to the Urban Dictionary (2005-2015), individuals identified as Weeaboo often exhibit the following characteristics:
- Obsession with Japanese culture to the extent of prioritizing it over their own or other cultures.
- Overuse of Japanese language expressions in their speech. Excessive reliance on Japanese words, often leading to social boundaries being broken.
- Manifestation of an obsession with Manga, Anime, or other cultural elements derived from Japanese culture.
- Many of these individuals gain knowledge about Japan and the Japanese language primarily through Anime and Manga.
4. Weeaboo - Good or Bad?
Everything has its positive and negative aspects. According to the Japanese, enthusiasts of Japanese culture wanting to learn and appreciate their heritage is a positive thing, increasing awareness. However, Weeaboo often faces mockery and criticism for their fanatical self-centeredness. Their love for Japan reaches an uncontrollable level in both actions and words. They harshly criticize anyone expressing contrary opinions, especially about mainstream Japanese culture. They excessively idolize Japan while belittling other cultures, including their own. These negative actions lead to strong condemnation from others.
5. Weeaboo and Otaku: Are They the Same?
Both Otaku and Weeaboo are terms used to describe individuals excessively passionate about Japanese culture. However, Otaku is not used for Western individuals, reserved specifically for Japanese enthusiasts.
Otaku is often used to refer to Japanese individuals passionate about the world of comics and animated films. They tend to enjoy learning and collecting items related to their favorite anime and manga. Otaku can stay up all night reading and watching manga and anime, accurately recalling character dialogues. Moreover, they often engage in imaginative role-playing, acting out scenes from their beloved stories, emulating the actions and expressions of their favorite characters.
If you're a passionate fan but can still distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, there's nothing inherently wrong. It's akin to being a fervent Kpop fan and playfully declaring yourself as an idol's girlfriend or wife. Being a Wibu isn't bad; it's the unreasonable use of the term 'Wibu,' especially when those being labeled haven't done anything wrong.
Here are the details surrounding the question 'What is Wibu?' I hope this article provides you with a specific, clear understanding of the term.
