Riajuu/Reajuu “リア充”
Riajuu is a combination of the English word “Real” (Japanese: Riaru – リアル) and the Japanese word Juujitsu “充実” which translate to something along the lines of satisfied and plentiful. The English equivalent would be normies.
The term is often used as a slang to describe a person who has or is living their life in the real world to the fullest, typically with a healthy social life, making friends, falling in love etc.
Use of the term:
Whilst the term may have a positive meaning, it is often used with envy or scorn. The term is mostly used by two types of people, those who yearn to live a “healthy” social life and those who despise those with a healthy social life either because they themselves don’t have one or because those with a “healthy” social life stereotypically are ignorant to the 2D world.
Non-Riajuu (left) vs Riajuu (right) Image Source
Like water and oil, often, Otaku and Riajuu don’t mix well.
Evolution:
As the term gradually gained popularity, it started to spread outside the otaku circle. Alongside being used out of envy and scorn, Riajuu became something of a mockery and irony, used when one does something that is typical of a Riajuu an example of this would be a couple flirting in public.
As Otaku culture gained more awareness and recognition, a trend of Riajuu denying the fact that they are Riajuu and instead claims to be an Otaku has been spotted. Below are a couple distinctive wannabe-Otakus have:
Use of the following phrases
“I wish I was a Riajuu”
– True Otaku may feel this way, but will never say it out loud.
“I don’t have any friends”
– A person with no friends won’t say that they have no friends…
“I’m not a Riajuu”
– There isn’t a point in emphasizing you’re not a Riajuu unless you are one.
Instagram
Specifically, those who show off every little thing they do and tag themselves as an Otaku. When there are so many offline activities you can share, can you still deny being a Riajuu? Does an Otaku really need Instagram?
What do you think? Do you know any Riajuu that are wannabe-Otaku? Share their story in the comments below!