So I’m 33 going on 34, so not middle aged yet but also not on the younger side of the fandom… now, this might be because I’m also a furry, and in that fandom “greymuzzles” aren’t uncommon so maybe that’s part of why I find objections to older otaku so nonsensical but I just really don’t see how teenagers and 20somethings think there are even fandoms to have without the older crowd…sure, I loved anime just as much when I was 15 and when I was 25; but I had nowhere near the stability and disposable income to indulge in those things as I do now that I’m closer to 35.
I think in general, there’s this idea that recently that people who engage in cross generational socialization must have nefarious purposes…I think it’s what happens when you take caution to unhealthy and extreme levels. To me, elders are the lifeblood of the stored wisdom of a community, because there are some things that no amount of intellect can make up for, such as lived experience.
As a 34, i think my first was vampire hunter d and akira. I enjoy going to cons and meeting older cosplayers and otaku. Its helped me to teach my kids that you are never too old for things you enjoy and dont have to defend anything to other that dont like your hobbies.
As someone not as young as I wish I were (xD) , I think age is a problem. In fact, to me it’s comforting to see more experienced otakus, and any other hobbyists(??) expressing themselves, interacting, etc like I know I don’t have to worry about a time limit to enjoy anime or whatever else I like.
But I think the age gap and that generation “rivalry” issues apply to everything so we just accept it’s our turn to be the boring ones, maybe? XDD
Since I’m already out of that “I like it more than you do” age but still not into “I was here when it started” either, I’m still kinda lost tbh, but that’s how I see it.
The GenXers here are well accustomed to being hit with a certain level of derision. We came along right after the Boomers who already thought they were the most important people that ever existed (Beestie being the exception!) We were also a tiny cohort. Then came the Millennials who out numbered us hugely and often confused us with the Boomers.
I was more in touch with youth culture than most since I taught high school and college for 20 years and saw the beginnings of wider otaku culture forming in the early 2000s. I was happy to see it then since a bigger community meant a bigger market and thus more availability of the things I liked. The down side was the judgement as being old weirdos liking this “new” thing, never realizing that thing existed in the US as far back as the 60s.
I dunno. I’ve run into a small number of younger jerks who want to play gatekeeper. But I’ve ran into far more people from my own generation who look at my hobby with a scornful “I don’t get it” attitude.
I am right there with you all. I grew up loving anime having lived in Okinawa when I was younger. The first anime that I remember watching were Star Blazers, Galaxy Express 999, the Captain Harlock series and Bio-Booster Armor Guyver. Now I am pushing 50 and have two sons that think I am a weirdo since I still enjoy both the old and new stuff. It’s nice to know that there are others like me out there. Thanks for starting this tread.
I hate that gatekeeping is a thing. I never really understood why someone would want to hold another back from enjoying the things they like. Wouldn’t it be better to have more people liking what you like so you can have MORE people to talk to about it??? I mean… maybe I’m missing something here but I think gatekeeping is dumb.
Some conventions I’ve been to I’ve been welcomed with open arms, others not so much so it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Like I previously said the “pedo” thing is usually the first line of attack from those who want to gatekeep the hobby. But to me a hobby is fun, social, sharing experiences and likes. Why it’s frowned upon when it comes to age I’ll never know but maybe that’s just me……forever young at heart
