I think the real, primary qualification for the Psychotic Fan is that they have no realization when they've gone too far.
In other words, when they take the thing they're Fanning about so seriously that they are no longer capable of even accepting
that other people might think they're weird.
To help with proper Fan identification, we here at the department of extraneous levels and tables have constructed the following
Fan-O-Meter to rate how dangerously whacked a given Fan is.
1.
Casual Fan
Acknowledges that anime has it's moments, and will watch
if other people are. Would rather knaw off own leg than have anything to
do with fringe stuff such as Sailor Moon.
2.
Fan
Occasionally pokes about in "fan material" in 'zines and web
pages. Owns a few commercial tapes. Pokes fun at hard-core fans. If local
to an anime club, attends meetings whenever they're showing something cool
and there's nothing better to do.
3.
Big Fan
Owns a few fan subtitled tapes. Occasionally takes part in
"fan politics" discussions such as wether Lopa should be strung up by her
toes, wether fan-subbing is 'moral', and on the merits of sub vs. dub.
Pokes fun at hard-core fans. Will watch 'fringe stuff' like Sailor Moon
and 'Doji, but will be a bit uncomfortable in doing so, and will generally
poke fun at it.
4.
Big, big fan
Chibi otaku. Owns many subtitled tapes. If in college,
also owns a TV and VCR setup -- and does watch things other than anime on
it. Sometimes. Can talk for hours and sometimes days about "fan politics"
issues. If local to an anime club, attends every meeting unless there's
something utterly cool that takes their attention away from anime. Pokes
fun at "hardcore" fans somewhat half-heartedly, as the jokes are starting
to get close to home. Will watch 'fringe stuff', and secretly kinda like it.
Will generally have a few posters of 'mainstream' anime on their walls.
Attends Cons whenever possible.
5.
Big, big, big fan. Otaku
Owns enough anime tapes to stun unprepared
observers. Is generally either an officer in the local club, or the
President. Gets heated up to the point of violence by "fan politics" issues.
Is recognized by name on most anime newsgroups. At this level, may actually
have attracted followers of lesser fanboy nature by sheer magnitude of
fannitude. Pokes fun at "casual" fans. Openly hostile to anyone who pocks fun
at the One True Medium. Has a pocky stick or two on their person whenever
possible. Unabashadly a fan of 'fringe stuff'. If female, will often dress
as Sailor Moon or other 'fringe' characters. Has large, expensive, full-wall
posters of their favorite, generally fairly obscure, show.
6.
Huge fan
Has connections with every fan-subtitler around. Will often
subtitle their own tapes. Owns multiple laser disc players and large numbers
of subtitled Laser discs. Has a non-trivial amount of people who follow them
around because they're such a big fan. Openly scornful of "fanboys", and
incapable of realizing that they are one. Maintains at least one or more
standing good-natured feuds with people whose tastes in anime run counter
to theirs (ie Mecha Fans vs Sentai Fans). Has life-sized wall hangings of
the entire cast of their favorite series. Is not only the President of the
local club, but the acknowledged authority on anime in the area. Attends
so many conventions that they're considering buying a house in California
to live at during "Con Season".
7.
Ludicrous Fan. Otaking
Their home anime-watching theatre is so superb
that it costs more than their house. Are considering attempting to get THX
accredition. Are attempting to subsidize UPS by having daily packages from
Japan sent to them. Speaks Japanese fluently, working on learning Zentran.
Knows more about the Far East than the people who live there. Has everything
-- *everything* that relates in any way to their favorite show, including
the $1000-value B-Club Special that went out of print before they had even
become a fan, and the complete set of animation cells that were smuggled
out of AIC headquarters by a ninja commando team. Is far too cool to get
involved in any "lesser" affairs. Feels completely comfortable dressing
as a Sailor Senshi (even if male). Owns property near every major con
area, and lives off the rent from those places when it's not "Con Season".
Considering funding terrorist attacks on dubbing studios. Completely and
utterly insanely addicted to anime.
8.
Burned-Out Fan
No longer capable of prying themselves away from the
television for more than 10 minutes at a time. Has replaced 50-80% of their
body's fluids with caffeine. A living repository of all anime knowledge.
Is insane enough to put most 'lesser' fans off of anime forever merely by
presence. Possible head of underground religious cult or other such
wackiness. Terminal sleep deprivation has convinced them that they are
the reincarnation of their favorite character. Spends almost every waking
second submerged in a world of anime. Memorizes soundtracks in their sleep.