Wotagei ヲタ芸

The Otaku movement in dance

The otaku movement is known in Japan as the West, people who devote their free time to manga, anime, idols, or video games. An alternative version has developed in recent decades, integrating dances into the gathering of "Otaku": the Wotagei movement.

 

Idol lovers

Initially, the wotagei movement was born in the gatherings of otaku following their idols, these young Japanese women who devoted themselves to artistic activities such as singing but whose impact is primarily due to their image of dolls, smiling, and the naive air. Fans organized themselves from the 1970s to prepare songs and choreographies using props which they then practiced during concerts, chanting the name of their idols. This is where their name comes from, “wota,” or “ota,” for otaku, and “gei,” which in Japanese means art.

The idol group AKB48 performing

Wikipedia

A growing movement

It is from the 2000s that some fans call themselves "wota" to mark the difference with the otaku. These are the fans of the idols of Hello! The project is a Japanese idol agency whose several groups have performed in France and were invited to Japan Expo, such as Morning Musume. The movement is developing so that it is no longer only performing at concerts but also during meetings with idols or conventions.

Read also: The Akihabara district.

Wotagei performance in Akihabara

Wikipedia

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