Brahminis a term originating fromStage1'sMeme, originally used to satirize veteran ACGN enthusiasts who cannot accept the changes of the times and consider themselves superior. It later evolved into a mockery of those who pretend to know more than they do, and is also used by some for self-deprecation.
The term was originally called "Anime Brahmin," but in fact, the "Brahmin" phenomenon is common in various circles, so the term has now extended to the entire ACGN community.
Original Meaning
BrahminThe term originates from the Indian caste system, which divides people into four castes:
- First ClassBrahminMainly the priestly nobility, who possess the privilege of interpreting religious scriptures and performing sacrifices, as well as the right to receive offerings. They focus on education, with the Kshatriyas as their audience, and are responsible for monopolizing cultural education, announcing agricultural seasons, and holding the power of religious discourse interpretation;
- Second ClassKshatriyaMilitary and administrative nobility, the audience of Brahmin ideology. They have the privilege of collecting various taxes, lead the government and military, and are responsible for protecting the Brahmin class for generations;
- Third ClassVaishyaThey are common Aryans with no political privileges, required to support the first two castes through alms and taxes, primarily engaged in commerce;
- Fourth CasteShudraThe vast majority are conquered indigenous people, belonging to non-Aryans, composed of high-level servants and artisans who serve meals and cook; it is the most populous caste.
In addition, there are those known as "untouchables,"Dalits, who mostly engage in the lowliest occupations.
Origin
On February 25, 2017, S1 user "Lan Lian'an" posted a thread titled "The History of the Extinction of Anime Brahmins" on the forum[1]. In the post, she depicted a former veteran anime enthusiast, an "Anime Brahmin," who, unable to tolerate current phenomena in the anime community, gradually became out of touch with the times, finally concluding that "perhaps, he always thought of himself as an Anime Brahmin, but was actually an Anime Dalit."
Because this post vividly depicted the phenomenon of the "chain of contempt" among anime enthusiasts, it received an immediate positive response and was forwarded to various platforms, eventually becoming a common idiom among anime fans.
Derived Meaning
Due to the rigid hierarchy of the caste system, the four castes are often used to represent the "chain of contempt" within certain circles. In the ACGN circle, the original meanings can be roughly explained as follows:
- Brahmin: The original source of production analysis and knowledge sharing for works; capable of searching for materials on Japanese websites with extremely high technical proficiency; simultaneously loathes a series of emerging similar works or other genres, and treats newcomers poorly;
- Kshatriya: Obtains knowledge materials from Brahmins and can absorb the corresponding content; some can act as content creators to explain things; seniority is second only to Brahmins;
- Vaishya: Users in transition from the surface level to the deeper level;
- Shudra、Dalits: Often claim to be fans of a certain work, but may not even know or care about the most basic information of the work[2]。
Nowadays, the definitions of the four castes have gradually become blurred. Those mocked as "Brahmins" no longer possess high technical proficiency and may just be average consumers who feel superior about their status and exclude other users, while "Shudras" and "Dalits" are not necessarily newcomers who don't understand the works and the industry orBrat, they might simply be looked down upon because they love or use works and products that the Brahmins despise.
Examples
- WatchingEizoukenThose who do not shed tears are certainly not Brahmins.
Brahmin Forum
Summary
Everyone's preferences for works and products are different; do not easily categorize works, products, and their audiences into hierarchies, thereby looking down on or even directly interfering with others' hobbies. Do not strive to be a "Brahman."
References
External Links
- (Simplified Chinese)The version after the original author corrected typos.