Otaku subkultura u Hrvatskoj

Tandarić, Laura. (2016). Otaku subkultura u Hrvatskoj. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Pedagogy
Department of Sociology. [mentor Car, Sandra and Nikodem, Krunoslav].

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Abstract

Otaku subculture is one of the most recent subcultures in Croatia. This subculture originated in Japan in the early 1980s, while technological development enabled it to spread across the globe. Although the term otaku bears various meanings and connotations, in the western society it is most easily defined as a term for slightly obsessive lovers of Japanese popular culture – from Japanese animation (anime), comic books (manga), wearing costumes of favourite characters (cosplay) and computer games to various elements of traditional Japanese culture. Since the world of Japanese animation and comics offers a plenty of themes, it is possible for people of different ages, interests, lifestyles, languages and cultures to find their own place within the subculture as well as create dialogue and a sense of community regardless of their characteristics in the real world. This is also one of the reasons for the development of otaku culture in Croatia. After a short summary of research done on the subject of subcultures internationally and in Croatia, as well as definitions of basic concepts within the otaku subculture, the main part of this work focuses on otaku subculture in Croatia. Since there had been no previous research on this phenomenon, and considering the rise in the number of members and events related to this subculture, a qualitative study ''Otaku subculture in Croatia'' has been conducted, hypothesising the existence of such a subculture. Besides the very identification of the subculture, the study set out to determine the circumstances of its creation, its outspread and specific elements such as: more detailed desciptions of participants' interests, reasons as to why particular areas interest them, their relationships, the activities, gatherings and processes of entering the subculture, the significance of the subculture when it comes to individual members, their self-perception and perception in relation to the parent culture, as well as numerous stereotypes they face. The participants of the study were also asked to provide their own definitions of otaku subculture, as well as how and to what extent it affects their free time, their beliefs and the formation of their identity. The educational components of Japanese popular culture were also taken into consideration and finally, the present popularity of otaku subculture in Croatia, its representation in Croatian media, as well as its local characteristics.

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