“I’m Alone, But Not Lonely” - An Essay on the Rise of Otaku

For this event, sociologist Volker Grassmuck will give an illustrated talk about his visit to Tokyo in 1989 and the experiences which resulted in his popular and influential essay “I’m Alone, But Not Lonely”. The essay focuses on the emergence, through the 1980s, of the now well-known, albeit mercurial Otaku phenomenon (originally defining over-technologised Tokyo teens.) The essay’s enduring relevance and popularity today points to the implicit proposition ‘Are we not all Otaku now?’ – a question that might provide a good focus for discussion.

For this new publication Grassmuck’s essay will be provided with a reflective introduction by the author and illustrated by manga artist Kengyuan Qiu. It has been edited, designed and bound by publisher of artists’ books, eeodo, who will be present with books available for purchase. Dr Griseldis Kirsch, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Japanese Culture at SOAS, will join Grassmuck in discussion. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Paul O’Kane, founder of eeodo, who will field questions and contribute his own experiences of using the essay while teaching students of his long-standing undergraduate seminar in Fine Art and a history of technologies.

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Contributors: Volker Grassmuck, Dr Griseldis Kirsch

Free but booking is essential at http://www.dajf.org.uk/event/im-alone-but-not-lonely-an-illustrated-essay-documenting-and-reflecting-on-the-rise-of-the-otaku