The term " otaku ," in reference to anime otaku , is used more as a snide insult in Japan compared to its use in the West. The label used to have a heavy social stigma that has only recently begun to subside.

Republican strategist Rick Wilson made it known that Western anime fans' reputation apparently isn't unlike their Japanese counterparts when he likened Donald Trump supporters as "childless single men who masturbate to anime" and fans of Hitler iconography in the same breath on MSNBC on Tuesday.

The latter part of the association comes from an internet-based White Nationalist movement, the Alt Right, which has taken up support for some of Trump's talking points from registering Muslim immigrants and closing borders to Syrian refugees.

Much of Twitter reacted humorously, some even demanding an apology for being compared to Trump supporters.

Childless Single Men Who Masturbate To Anime is definitely a growing demographic that the political classes need to get on right away — YOU GOT THAT WRONG (@NotFaulty) January 20, 2016 GOP strategist calls Trump supporters childless single men who masturbate to anime. Next rally will be held at Comic-Con — Atheer Yacoub (@AtheerYacoub) January 20, 2016 @TheRickWilson makes insane comment that Trump supporters are "single childless men who masturbate to anime" NOT TRUE it's called hentai — Snake Sullivan (@SnakeSullivanFL) January 20, 2016 @visionerror What an insult to childless single men who masturbate to anime — spare for any talent (@fullcombobut4th) January 20, 2016 Calling Trump supporters childless single men who masturbate to anime is offensive to childless single men who masturbate to anime. — Sean Howard (@sqorgar) January 20, 2016

According to data published by The Washington Post, Trump's strongest supporters are White non-Evangelical Christian male conservatives earning less than US$50,000 a year.

[Via Mashable]