Otaku Fashion

Otaku fashion is a generally negative term for those who look and dress nerdy (hence otaku name).

## The Name

Otaku (オタク) is a term that roughly translates to "nerdy". It describes people that grow consumed in varying hobbies and interests, and is very often reserved for those interested in japanese animation and gaming culture to a concerning degree. As the name implies, the fashion category was originally meant to criticize the fashion sense a specific subset of anime otaku: nerdy, awkward individuals obsessed with technology and anime culture. Its sister term, weeabo or just weeb, is a western-originating term describing western otakus obsessed with Japanese media.

## Controversy

Otakus in Japan are seen in a very poor light due to their reputation as socially inept, immature, and inactive in the workforce. The otaku subculture is well known for harboring NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) people and has a reputation of attracting shut-ins, or hikikomori, who isolate themselves from society and avoid leaving their houses for extensive periods of time. Because of their avoidance of society and social situations, otakus are also associated with poor mental health and conditions such as social anxiety and depression. There has been a growing effort to reintegrate poorly functioning otaku back into society, including guides teaching otaku to dress and behave in public.

## Style Basics

Otaku fashion is meant to be characteristically "lame" and awkward. Some wearers enjoy taking in a bit of inspiration from 90s depictions of otaku characters.

### Tops and Bottoms

Popular tops include collared tops, and polos, and unpilled sweaters decorated with flannel, striped, or checkered designs. Solid-color tops are accepted, often in black, as are T-shirts with prints of anime characters. Pantwear is usually wide-fitting straight-legged jeans or khaki pants, though rolled-up trousers pair nicely. Medium or high-waisted styles are common, as are suspendered pants. Belts are usually large and clunky. Old sneakers, usually converses, are good to accompany with decorative socks. The state of the clothes may vary, but leaving clothes unironed and unclean is also common.

Because of its connection to anime culture, cosplays of anime characters are very popular.

### Makeup and Accessories

For headwear, glasses with thick rims are paired with hairbands, bulky headphones, baseball caps and hair bandanas. Ties or bowties are common to pair with tops.  Otakus are often seen with backpacks presumably filled with manga, which makes them a popular paired item. Anime-related paraphanalia (stickers, figurines, body pillows, katana weapons, etc) is also seen.

Because otaku fashion is designed to be low-maintenence, it is very avoidant of skin, nail, or hair decor. Female otaku are not known for wearing makeup, earrings, nail decor, complex hairdos or other feminine fashion accessories.

## References

1. ↑ Otaku. Cambridge Dictionary. dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/otaku
2. ↑ Does anime, idol culture bring depression? Structural analysis and deep learning on subcultural identity and various psychological outcomes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9489955/
3. ↑ This is the fashion you can get out of otaku! Introduction for otaku men and women who are worried about outfit coordination. Konkatsu. https://konkatsu-japan.xyz/%E7%94%B7%E6%80%A7%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%83%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3/datsuotakudekirufashionhakore
4. ↑ Kuze. No More Mistakes De-Otaku Fashion Bible.https://store.kadokawa.co.jp/shop/g/g321512000158/
5. ↑ Let's learn about "unfashionable fashion" from images of otaku fashion. First-Poker. https://www.first-poker.com/?p=1987
6. ↑ The creator of Heisei otaku fashion was KimuTaku...? Interesting insight into KimuTaku fashion in the 90's and generations influenced by it. Togetter.https://togetter.com/li/1763329
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Suzuki, Gian. "Why Do IT Otaku Boys Wear Plaids or Black?” A Risky Dialogue. 2015, Feb 7. Ascii.https://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/002/630/2630098/
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Common Features of Uncool Otaku Fashion & 5 Recommended Coordinates for De-Otaku. 2020, December 22. Happymail. happymail.co.jp/happylife/koikatsu/otaku-fashion/
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Learn how to coordinate with a sense of familiarity while 'de-otaku fashion'!. 2023, Jan 12. Arine.arine.jp/articles/43435