Huh? I wasn't aware it had a reputation as otaku-pandering. There might be a little bit but nothing that was glaring for me.
I haven't read the manga (yet) but as of right now I find it pretty fun. I like the world they're in, Chaika is adorable as fuck, and the MC isn't a useless sack of shit like some other ones.
It could go downhill in the episodes it has left, but so far it's solid in my opinion. Though Chaika and everything she does and says has a reputation for being really memetic, so be warned.