We here at Iyashikei are celebrating Otaku Pride Month this August!
What is Otaku Pride Month?
Otaku Pride Month is a month to celebrate otaku culture. It’s a month to spread the message that being an otaku, whatever your preferences are, is nothing to be ashamed of, and to let passion speak the truth about our subculture.
Why August?
August is the month that saw the premiere of the Daicon III and Daicon IV animations, which were pivotal to the formation of Gainax, one of the most important studios in the anime industry. It’s also the month in which Summer Comic Market takes place.
The “Hidamari” – The Otaku Flag
The emblem in the center is based off of one of Oda Nobunaga’s emblems, and represents unity. It also represents the five demographic groups of anime and manga (Shounen, Seinen, Shoujo, Josei, and Kodomo). The fifteen triangles surrounding the center emblem represent the fifteen major types of otaku:
Anime
Manga
Seiyuu
Cosplay
Figure
Maid
Idol
Game
Military
Train
PC
Eroge
AMV
Karaoke
Martial Arts
What does “Otaku Pride” mean?
“Otaku pride” means being okay liking what you like. It means enjoying your hobbies to their fullest without compromise. It means defiant positivity, not letting others dictate to you how to feel about what you enjoy.
It also means celebrating this culture we all love: It’s past, its present, and its future. Paying heed to the classics while looking to the horizon for what’s to come. Sharing our cultural knowledge and educating one another.
It’s about letting the truth about our subculture and not letting otaku be scapegoated and used as a target by other subcultures or mainstream culture.
It’s what you make of it.