Japan opened what organisers are billing as the world's first "Otaku" summit Saturday, drawing visitors from around the world as the country looks to boost the international fan base for Japanese comic books and anime.
So-called Otaku -- usually translated as "geeks" -- from at least 18 countries and territories, many dressed as their favourite anime characters, were converging on the Otaku Expo at a convention centre near Tokyo for the two-day event.
The Expo is part of a special comic book fair held every five years, which attracts about half a million visitors, but this year's event marks the first time that groups from outside Japan are invited. About four dozen overseas Otaku groups were expected to attend.
Briton Katie Carter, 23, was dressed as Usagi Tsukino, a character from the popular "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon".
"This is amazing. There are so many people of different cultures coming together," she told AFP.
The culture of Otaku has grown into a major industry in Japan.
The term is commonly used in the country to refer to people obsessed with Japan's unique take on comics and animation.
While it once carried a negative connotation, many Otaku are now proudly displaying their love for two-dimensional heroes -- while the number of foreign fans is also soaring.
"The number of foreign visitors has been increasing over recent years," said co-chief of the organiser, Comic Market Committee, Kahoru Yasuda.
Otaku culture is spreading worldwide "like a big snowball picking up a pace," Carter said.
"In my country, Italy, currently it's a very big thing," said Expo visitor Valentino Notari, 28, about the Otaku culture outside Japan.
"It used to be much smaller, we used to be sort of outcasts when we started back then about 10 years ago, and now it's becoming massive," Notari told AFP.
"It's quite fun and nowadays everybody accepts it."
GMT 14:07 2016 Tuesday ,15 November
Shooting begins for Emirati comedy ‘Rashid & Rajab’GMT 10:33 2016 Wednesday ,26 October
Ottoman prince visits former realm to spread laughterGMT 06:11 2015 Thursday ,22 October
Comedian Chris Rock to host Oscars againGMT 14:43 2015 Thursday ,24 September
Comic book hero Corto Maltese back to lifeGMT 07:51 2015 Tuesday ,22 September
Korean webtoons intrigue Belgian comic artistsGMT 05:29 2015 Friday ,18 September
Sin City's Frank Miller to headline first Paris Comic ConGMT 09:51 2015 Thursday ,10 September
Marvel adds Native American, Korean superheroesGMT 09:19 2015 Wednesday ,09 September
US comic Colbert succeeds TV legend LettermanMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©