Free Time: Akihabara Protest Against...? Liberated From...?

[News Reader]

Free Time: Akihabara Protest Against...? Liberated From...?
Over the weekend, approximately 400 nerds descended on Akihabara. They weren't there by games and whatnot, but to protest against those who discriminate against otaku culture and reclaim Akiba as the dork "holy land." The 1.5km march was led by three groups: Otakuism Alliance, Japan Revolutionary MOEnist League and Revolutionary Rejects Alliance. Wacky! Note: these kind of protest marches aren't totally uncommon in Japan, and this festival-like march seems like pomp and circumstance than anything else. But still, standing up to otaku discrimination? Otaku culture has been mainstream for a couple of years now — it was even considered "cool" a while back. Shame these folks couldn't spend their time any energy protesting actual real problems in Japan. Then again, perhaps that wasn't the point!

Hit the jump for a clip of the liberation.

Akiba Liberation [Japan Sugoi]

Akiba March [Japan Probe]




Author: Brian Ashcraft
Category: akiba Akihabara Clip free time Japan Otaku
Publish Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:00:24 EDT
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Source: Kotaku

[Dog Pants]

What's otaku?

[eion]

What's otaku?

I'd very loosely translate it as "geek", but in a general sense rather than technology-specific. The wikipedia article might clear it up for you.

[Dog Pants]

I see now. Cheers.

[HereComesPete]

The term was defined as 'pathological-techno-fetishist-with-social-deficit'

Berk!

[Dr. kitteny berk]

Berk!

[FatherJack]

I suppose it's quite similar to "fanboy" in that it's usually used in a derogatory fashion, but occasionally people use it refer to themselves among like-minded individuals.

[MrGreen]

Berk!