I like pokemon (which is just one of my obsessions) but I don't consider myself as a nerd. Why? Because 'nerd' is just a term created by society, and I don't follow it. Look at it this way: in the 1700s, I bet there was no such thing as a 'nerd'. But now (late 20th-21st century) we always label a person (usually male) with glasses, acne, bad taste of clothes and an obsession for studying a nerd. But that's stereotyping. Calling someone a nerd is just a way for the those who think they are part of the status quo to alienate those who aren't, and it angers me. While I am not proud of it, I have beaten up people in high school who call me a nerd just because I like something they don't. I feel that nerd is a offensive term, and that people who like pokemon (or anything else 'nerd' related) shouldn't take that crap.
From what I've seen, most people here are in the high school age, and are afraid of alienating themselves from everyone else by saying they like pokemon. While I think all people should be proud of what thet like, I kind of understand what they are coming from. I'm in university, and everyone (everyone that does my course, anyway) accepts that I like pokemon and all that 'nerd' related stuff (anime, video games, and the like). Heck, some girls compliment me on being open with what I like (not that I'm complaining, though :)) I'm a fan, and I'm not afraid to show it and to hang out with those that share my interests (ie the campus anime club). So yeah, I don't consider myself a nerd, because it's just a stupid word that has no meaning to me.