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Before I get started on my rant, I would like to point out a few things. First being, I am a fan of anime. Second being, I am a U.S. citizen. I am not Japanese. I have never been to Japan. I do not follow fads in Japan to the fullest extent of my being. If you see me listening to Puffy AmiYumi or Gackt or any other Japanese band, it is because I find them genuinly interesting. However, these bands are not my favorite nor do I obsessivly pursue their music, concerts, merchanise, etc.

That being said, my rant is about "fans."

What is the definition of a fan? Aside from the air conditioning unit, of course. Well, I'll tell you (compliments of "Dictionary.com).

Fan (Second Definition. The first was about tail feathers and devices).
-an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.: a baseball fan; a great fan of Charlie Chaplin.

Now, what I interpreted from that was someone who enjoys the item in question. Someone who constantly listens to the song, wears the clothes, reads the book, etc. However, there are (apparently) levels of fandom. I will be making three different categories.

Veteran Fan: the one who had followed the item in question for quite some time. Someone who wishes to spread the "word."

New Fan: those who have recently discovered the band/clothing/actress/etc. in question. Those looking to further their knowledge of said icon.

No. 1 Fan: those who believe they know more about the icon than anyone else. These people will shun New Fans and insult anyone they dislike or truly knows more about it than they do.

To me, if you truly value the icon, you should welcome and befriend others with the same interest. Recently, I've read a forum discussing Britney Spears making a new music video done in an anime style. Many people said it was an insult to anime. I personally didn't like the video, but the fact that Miss Spears would make a video showing her intest in something I enjoy very much makes her cooler. In my eyes, anyway.

Why do some older fans assume that becase someone is new to a certain thing, or they are someone they dislike, that they don't DESERVE to be a fan of the said icon? I believe it is because one wishes not to compare themselves to someone they dislike. The fact that they hate that person means that person does everything wrong, no? And when they do something right, they are unwilling to accept it. Thus, they become elitest jerks and claim the person has no idea what it means to be a "fan."

I am a fan of many things. Some more than others. But, just because I do not go to school wearing thick eyeliner, white sweaters, and jeans and call myself "L" doesn't mean I'm any less of a fan. I personally believe people go to this level to show that they are the "Elite Fans." That they are the only ones willing enough to embaress themselves and are, thus, the only ones worthy to judge the "New Fans."

It's pathetic and sickening, really... stare