Present-day overseas otaku culture and society that could affect the popularity of .moe domain

Even in the year 2014, the trend of moe still continues on without much trouble in the anime industry. However, the same thing could not be said for otaku culture and society of the overseas, especially Western otaku culture. In the last 5 years, the moe trend were still widely accepted among the otaku, but nowadays, the acceptance is quietly decreasing. One of the most popular or successful anime series don't have any aspect that could be associated with moe. Here are the two reasons I could think of that would affect the ultimate popularity of the .moe domain.

1. The most popular or successful anime series in 2013

Is it moe? Just forget it, it definitely isn't.

You would already recall Attack on Titan anime series which had swept deep into the majority of the otaku society. The anime is really, really exciting to watch, it is such a popular and successful anime in the large epic scale. But AoT does not intend to have any aspect of moe at all. Yes, it is totally true that the anime series can forgoes cuteness and still proves to be able to become popular or successful.

Another of those would be Psycho-Pass. Its theme is really dark and serious toned, and so has become another one of the most popular anime series. Does it has anything moe in that series? Totally out of the question, it will never be. (Note: I didn't look at this series much at all. Apologies...)

2. Otaku's conflicting persuasions

One of the best places to see this issue in action is to see reviews of anime that is cute and moe at myanimelist.net. This might be a strong statement, but the otaku culture is starting to be divided up into two. Here goes what my intuition said: There is a blurry line between the two otaku societies.

1. Otaku who have affection of lightheartedly cute or moe anime series and characters.
2. Otaku who always persuade anime series which are dark, serious, manly, or violent.

You do know this common quote right? "Anime is not just for kids!" So now, my intuition said that because anime series which are cute or moe is considered to be "just for kids", the Type 2 otaku will most likely be the one who would initiate a drama toward Type 1 otaku.

The final score of anime reviews can be an indicator of how moe/cute or dark/serious anime in review is. Type 1 reviewers of moe anime series usually rate generously (10/10), whereas for dark anime series, Type 2 reviewers rate honestly. (8 to 9/10) This doesn't mean however that the moe anime would become the best rated anime series, because Type 2 reviewers rate moe anime series critically (5/10 or lower).

Does the above has anything to do with the future .moe domain popularity?

Yes, it does, just not directly obvious. Because of the above, some Type 1 otaku might be discouraged to spread the moe trend further, including the .moe domain hype, or lose their confidence or pride. From Type 2 otaku's perspective, the new addition of the .moe name either means absolutely nothing to them or perhaps negatively to them. They aren't pleased or excited with the new .moe domain, because cuteness or moe is not for them, darkness or seriousness is.

Do be reminded however, the two Types are definitely not a discrete property, but continuous. Thus, there exists otaku who accept any anime themes, including moe.

That is it for my analysis and theory of the otaku culture and society. Again, only my experience and my intuition are used in my writing, not the actual research. So, you are free to either disagree or expand upon my analysis and speculation I've made for this article. Thank you for taking your time reading this article and exploring the future of the .moe domain! This is Kagami Hirasawa, signing off.