I hate it when I come across huge anime fans who think they know everything about the country and culture, when they have never been to Japan. I used to see this all the time in high school. Does anyone know someone like that?

Yes, unfortunately I know many of these "Wannabe Japan Insiders"- who think they can speak japanese only by watching some anime and stuff.

They dress like cosplayers and every ten seconds you can hear them yelling "kawai!" or "sugoi" or "uso"-
then they tell you what great country Japan is and how cool all these japanese people are and that you don't understand a thing because you're not "geeky" enough......

and what I like most is when people associate me with these stupid Otaku's just because I like Japan and Animes

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OI! Shizuru...where the hell is my mayo??

I know exactly who you're talking about, believe me. I frequent a comic book store.

lol u cannot learn japanese by just watching anime xD u need classes! although u can STILL pick up some basic stuff like simple phrases and a lil bit of basic grammar here and there if u can sort of understand some words of a sentence :P

Anime is what got me into learning about Japanese and their culture. I wouldn't consider myself a geek because I am actually trying to learn the language formally. People might consider me an otaku because I speak a lot of simple Japanese but it's only for practise for when I actually go to Japan

I think those people can be annoying sometime. Luckily, one of friends acually come from Japan, so he petty much can make those know it all people shut up.

having japanese friends can be cool i only have ONE japanese friend, and another one who LEARNED japanese xD

Japan really is a great place - visit every chance you get

I'll tell ya something funny...Over the course of my studying abroad I've made a LOT of Japanese friends, and only two of them actively watch anime. And one of those two spent the last 8 years in the states.

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"'Best not to mention these bats,' I thought. Poor bastard would see them soon enough."

Remember, kids: Just say no to temporary forums. Fanpimps sites are the Devil.

I met some people like that when I went to an Anime Festival.
I've gotten to know way more Japanese people on my exchange in the US. It's pretty cool to hear all their stories about Japan, like what they do when they go clubbing and all that stuff.