Dear Akadot,

So, you really don't know who the world's biggest Otaku is? Isn't it obvious? It's me! I AM the notorious Otaku you need! And to think...it all started with "Sailor Moon." Gather 'round, and I will let you know of my life story as an Otaku.

It all started in Seventh Grade. My friend Jenna had a "Sailor Moon" shrine in her locker. When I asked about it, she told me it was the best anime in the world. I looked at her strangely and then quietly ran away. JAPANESE CARTOONS?! Yeah, right. I didn't come in contact with anime again until 8th grade. During the summer between seventh and eighth grade I moved to a new community and school. That summer I had to watch TV by myself because I didn't know anyone yet. Flipping through channels I found that "Sailor Moon" thing on the Cartoon Network. At first I didn't understand it, but I kept watching to give me something to do everyday. THAT GOT ME HOOKED! Then I realized: "Um..Marcie? There are other anime titles out there. EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS." I continued watching other dubbed anime, and eventually I learned about fansubs. Since then my love for anime has gone from "Sailor Moon" to EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN (except hentai).

So that's my story, but you're probably saying, "So? Just because you're...ahem…EXTREMELY interested in it, doesn't mean you're the biggest Otaku." That's true, but I am also an anime scavenger. I scour ever store I am in for ANY type of anime merchandise, and in a store like Another Universe, I go all out - "Hello Kitty" Toys, "Sailor Moon" Dolls, "Card Captor Sakura" PP cards, posters, magazines, POCKY, Japanese gummy candy, "Oh! My Goddess" manga. I am enrolled in Another Universe's Frequent User program, and Suncoast/Samgoody's replay program JUST to get discounts on anime videos and "Sailor Moon" CCG cards.

Ever since I discovered anime, my AIM screen name has never been in English. My current AOL AIM screen name is Shabondama Hime. I even transformed my best friend into an Otaku. We went to the mall the other day both armed with credit cards from our mommies. Nothing but anime stuff! One of the main things I look for when I am searching for colleges is whether they have an anime club or not. I want to do cosplays eventually when I get my car. I really want to attend a convention (I was so mad...my friend got to go to one in California because her dad lives there, and she met Naoko Takeuchi). I always carry my FIRST print "Sailor Moon" manga in my purse (hidden and very protected, of course), in case I was to ever spot Naoko in, say, New York City, or maybe the street across from mine.

Remember that trip to Japan the Cartoon Network was offering? When I first saw the commercial I finished watching "Sailor Moon," then rushed to my computer and entered as many times as I could. Speaking of Cartoon Network, I really hate how they have this whole anime lineup and they interrupt it with "Reboot" and "Batman." I'm sorry, but those aren't anime. They need to put some "Escaflowne" and some "Weib Kreuz" or something up there.

Thanks for listening to my WORLD'S BIGGEST OTAKU ramblings...ja ne!