Fanatics, Cuties & Geeks: The Otaku Phenomenon & its Impact Abroad

June 9, 2005
past event image
Lecture past event

Thursday, June 9
6:30 pm

Image:  Mr.  V.  2005. Acrylic on canvas.  Collection Larry Warsh, NY.  Courtesy Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris and Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo.

In 1980s Japan, the expression otaku came to describe a subculture of manga and anime-obsessed misfits. Despite its negative connotation in Japan, in the West, otaku is often positively associated with Japan’s cutting-edge coolness, including the latest in gadget technologies and the growing trendiness of manga and anime fandom. Aiming to examine the origins of the otaku phenomenon and its impact and incarnations abroad, this panel features Lawrence Eng, otaku fan cultures expert and PhD candidate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Robert DeJesus, manga-inspired comic artist; and Ed Halter, regular contributor to the Village Voice and organizer of the New York Underground Film Festival. Moderated by Thomas Looser, Assistant Professor of East Asian Studies at New York University.

Tickets: $10; Japan Society members and seniors $8; students $5. Ticket-holders will be granted free admission to Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture until 9 pm.

  • Thursday, June 9, 2005
  • 6:30 pm