[8] Although otaku is an honorific of the word take, or home, it has an extremely negative meaning in Japan. It suggests an overzealous anime or video game fan who does nothing but stay at home and pursue his hobbies. <<

[9] The more literal meaning of the Japanese proverb is "the name reveals the body," but its import is closer to the Latin proverb: Nomen est omen, meaning name is an omen (of that which is named). <<

[10] Japanese Broadcast Association. <<

[11] As is probably evident, Japanese Hikikomori Association. <<

[12] Released in English as Magical DoReMi, it’s a children’s show about magical witch girls. <<

[13] Tower of Druaga is an old NAMCO game for the NES. <<

[14] The name of his apartment, apparently located in the Mita area. <<

[15] Japanese expression for young people, not including students or housewives, who lack full-time employment or are underemployed. <<

[16] Technical, gimmicky school for people who want anime/manga/game industry jobs. Pretty much anyone can get in. <<

[17] A Japanese Order (decoration) established in 1937. The order has only one class and may be awarded for contributions to Japan’s art, literature, or culture; recipients also receive a lifetime annuity. <<

[18] John 3:20. <<

[19] John 3:36. <<

[20] Romans 6:23. <<

[21] Holiday week in Japan, April 29-May 5. <<

[22] The rainy season usually lasts from June to July in Japan. <<

[23] Company that makes erotic fiction. <<

[24] In Japanese, erotic game often is called eroge, which is why this he is plausible. <<

[25] Gakken Mu is a group of people obsessed with the supernatural and strange, based around the magazine of the same name. <<

[26] Ruri Hoshino is a character from Martian Successor Nadesico. <<

[27] An energy drink. <<

[28] Katsushika Hokusai, the legendary printmaker. <<

[29] Three-Day Tororo is a dish of grated Japanese yam (tororo) that is eaten on the third day of the new year, hence its name. <<

[30] Ping pong is the conventional Japanese onomatopoeia for both doorbells and game show success indicators. <<

[31] 1274-1281 A.D. <<

[32] Tetsuhou later became teppou, which means gun, rocket, etc. <<

[33] At movie theaters in Japan, they often sell official pamphlets with information about the movie. <<

[34] Used to put a family stamp/seal on documents. The Japanese use these seals more often than signatures. <<

[35] Called Dragon Warrior in English, it’s a very old Nintendo RPG game. <<

[36] The Japanese Self-Defense Forces, established after World War II, are Japan’s military branches. <<

[37] In Japanese erotic games, you have to go to the right "flags," or key scenes, to get any specific ending. <<

[38] The Japan Weakling Association. <<

[39] The Japan Pessimist Association. <<

[40] The Japan Hostage Exchange Club. <<

[41] A more socially acceptable term for hikikomori that has sprung up in the past few years. <<