In many ways, the work of a thirsty otaku is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over anime studios who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on waifu worship, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we otakus must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average 2d women is probably less interested in being our waifu than our thirst designating it so. But there are times when an otaku truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of “Real wonen*. The anime community is often unkind to real women, real sensations. Real women need friends. Last night, I spoke with a real women: an extraordinary time from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the time i spent and the women have challenged my preconceptions about relationships is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for the famous line “Just go outside and talk to a real women” But I realize, only now do I truly understand what it means. Not every women can be Asuna Yuki; but Asuna Yuki can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine a more fantastic woman than the one i spoke with last night, who is, in this otaku’s opinion, nothing less than the finest waifu in the state. I will be seeing her again soon, hungry for more.