A post on the anonymous VIP board recounted how the poster’s mother had asked, “How much longer are you going to keep collecting that stuff?” about his hobby of collecting merchandise. The poster shot back that since he pays living expenses into the household every month, she has no right to comment. The thread split between those defending him — arguing that as long as you’re paying your way, even while living with your parents, no one has room to complain — and those expressing discomfort at an adult still this obsessed with merch. The discussion also veered into comparisons with women who are obsessed with K-pop or idols, sparking a debate over the difference between devotion to real people versus 2D or virtual characters.
Do that in your own castle.
This right here IS my castle keep!
Staying creepy forever isn't exactly a good look.
There's no point hammering iron once it's gone cold.
Almond Eye (a character from the horse-racing game Uma Musume)
Wait, so you mean 'chills' as in excited?
Love Live?
I could be wrong, but
I think it's either Hololive or that BanG Dream! thing
I know a bit about this stuff lol
Are you just jealous 'cause you couldn't even become one if you tried?
It's the same deal as train photographers (toritetsu, notorious for obsessive, antisocial behavior)
People get shunned because that's basically all they can do (or all they do)
Basically, the social payoff is low relative to how annoying it is
LOL, that's absolutely none of your business to comment on
Did you even go to your reunion?
Get out there, mix with people more, and upgrade your common sense.
Not everyone who gets married is happy.
Your basic assumption is off to begin with — maybe pick up some common sense before you come back here.
Instead of getting mocked here, otaku-boy, spend that time watching one more episode of anime.
Ooooh, that stings, that really stings!! lol this, this is it lolololol
Owowowowow lol
Mom! Your dear son is right here!!
You can say anything online, huh
Then where exactly am I supposed to say it?
Not like a measly few tens of thousands of yen a month is enough to actually live on your own.
The OP does pay into the household every month though? You've gotta be out of your mind.
If he's paying into the household, that should be fine.
Sooner or later the parents will need to lean on their kid anyway.
Having a son still at home is actually pretty reassuring when that day comes.
I've been watching from the sidelines, and honestly, you're the one who seems pathetic.
Mind telling me why exactly I'm pathetic?
Sure, from your point of view I might look pathetic. That's a fair way to see it. But I'm living just fine without any hardship, so don't worry about me.
Background and Points of Debate
A recurring question in threads like this is where to draw the line on “if you’re paying living expenses, is your hobby off-limits to criticism?” Here too, opinion split between those arguing that paying money into the household means no one has the right to complain, and those arguing that as long as you’re living under your parents’ roof you should be mindful of your family’s feelings — the disagreement really comes down to whether financial contribution and emotional independence can be treated as the same thing. The thread also debated why otaku hobbies draw so much distaste, with some comparing it to women’s devotion to K-pop or idols, but that was met with pushback emphasizing the difference between devotion to a real person versus a 2D character, and no consensus was reached. Note that the thread never reveals the poster’s age or income, nor any specifics about the mother’s side of the story — this remains strictly one side of the story as told on an anonymous message board.
※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Newsspeed VIP) thread “[Image] Awful mom: “How much longer are you going to keep collecting that stuff?”.”
