Final answer:
The term "otaku" is used by anime fans to refer to themselves with pride, redefining a once negative term in a positive light, akin to the self-identification practices of hipsters and subcultures like cosplayers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "otaku" is often used by fans to refer generically to anime fans or seek to reclaim the word as a badge of honor. This trend reflects a desire to redefine the term positively, in contrast to its historical negative connotation in Japan where it referred to people with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and manga. The act of reclaiming "otaku" is comparable to how some groups embrace terms that were once pejorative as a symbol of identity and pride.
Similar to the trend of modern hipsters defining themselves through cultural irony, anime fans have embraced "otaku" as an identity marker within their subculture. Cosplayers, like those emulating D.C. Comics characters, represent a distinct subculture within the larger anime fan community. By identifying as "otaku," individuals unify under a shared culture that is rich with its own norms, values, and traditions.