Degrees of Otaku I've heard people described as "mild otaku" as well as "super otaku". My question is whether there is a sort of "general set" of these sorts of words (maybe similar to the prefixes like: _super-, ultra-, mega-_ etc.), or whether what I have encountered is really just creative language use. Are there some useful terms to describe a kind of "spectrum" of enthusiasm? E.g. Low to high: , , , etc. It has been suggested that _gachi-_ "serious/diligent" may be on par or above _chou-_. Edit: Even phenomena like "Okatu-dom" are perhaps best not described as a linear spectrum. We could theorize dimensions like ( _kakko ii_ > _kimoi_ ), ( _dedicated_ > _casual_ ), etc. Thanks for any help!

There is no such thing as an established "general set" of classifying the degrees of otaku, but both and are commonly used.

- and - can be used as prefixes to modify other nouns. refers to a hardcore gamer, and refers to a casual gamer. Etymologically, comes from , which is originally _sumo_ wrestling jargon. comes from , an adjective meaning "tepid."

Note that has a negative connotation (i.e., "He's not enough" used by people in the tier). Something like / would sound neutral and safe (if used in the situation where using is safe, of course)

is not something people commonly use. I can safely say someone who uses is not a Japanese otaku :)