''Otaku Unite!'' is a 2004
documentary film
A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...
by Eric Bresler on American fans of Japanese culture, specifically
anime and manga, known as ''
otaku
is a Japanese word that describes people with consuming interests, such as anime, manga, video games, computers or other highly enthusiastic hobbies. Its contemporary use originated with a 1983 essay by Akio Nakamori in '' Manga Burikko''. ...
''.
Summary
''Otaku Unite!'' provides a history of otaku-
fandom
A fandom is a subculture composed of Fan (person), fans characterized by a feeling of camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significan ...
and an introduction to
anime convention
An anime and manga convention (often called just anime convention) is a fan convention with a primary focus on anime, manga and Japanese culture. Anime conventions are commonly multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college cam ...
s, with a focus on the fans themselves. A variety of individuals are featured throughout interviews, including anime
voice actors
Voice acting is the art of Acting, performing a character or providing information to an audience with one's voice. Performers are often called voice actors/actresses in addition to other names. Examples of voice work include animation, animated, ...
such as
Corinne Orr and
Peter Fernandez, industry representatives, convention directors and a plethora of "otaku" anime fans.
Production
Initially Bresler had planned to create a short, 15-minute film. Filming turned into a -year project, culminating in a near-feature-length film. Extras on the DVD come to 130 minutes.
Reception
''Otaku Unite!'' has been shown at a number of anime conventions, as well as film festivals including the 2004
Philadelphia Film Festival
The Philadelphia Film Festival is a film festival founded by the Philadelphia Film Society held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The annual festival is held at various theater venues throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area.
Overview
The annual ...
. ''Otaku Unite!'' has been translated into Japanese and Russian and was featured in the May 2006 issue of the Japanese lifestyle magazine ''
Cyzo''.
See also
*
Cosplay
Cosplay, a blend word of "costume play", is an activity and performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and Fashion accessory, fashion accessories to represent a specific Character (arts), character. Cosplayers often i ...
, a predominant form of fandom featured in the film.
References
External links
Anime Superhero - Filmmaker Eric Bresler On "Otaku Unite!"Anime News Network - Otaku Unite! Review''Otaku Unite!'' at the Internet Movie Database
2004 films
Central Park Media
American independent films
Documentary films about anime
Documentary films about comics
Documentary films about fandom
2000s English-language films
2000s American films
English-language documentary films
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