Ryousangata Otaku

NOTE: "One, I didn't "create" this "aesthetic" and I take no credit for doing so. I made this page on this wiki because this is an "aesthetic" I identify with (therefore making it personal). Two, it is prominent in Japan and such, but I'm not sure it would be called an "aesthetic", after all it is just the phenomenon of being a big fan of someone and taking cute pictures themed around that (something like that lol). But yeah, I basically made it for fun so don't take it too seriously!! I'm still new to aesthetics and fashion stuff so please pardon me" - Gominokyara, creator of the page

Ryousangata Otaku (量産型オタク) or Ryousangata Wotaku (量産型ヲタク) is an aesthetic that centers around the lifestyle of fans who wholeheartedly support their oshi (推し)— an idol, an utaite, a VTuber, a celebrity, a fictional character, etc. It can be defined by two main factors: supporting someone and having them as your oshi, and wearing girly kei fashion.

The word “ryousangata” (量産型) does not refer to the style and fashion of the clothing, as it means "mass-produced" in Japanese. It refers to people who wear trendy fashion but don’t stand out, and how these people "look the same" and "like they've just walked out of a factory". This doesn’t necessarily refer to just girly kei fashion, but the style is popular and common among those sorts of otaku.

History[]

(very very very rough........ still in progress?)

"Ryousangata" (量産型), meaning "mass-produced", is used to describe a person or group of people who wear clothing that is trendy at the time. The term is sometimes used with negative connotations, similar to how "basic bitch" is used in English, as a ryousangata lacks individuality.^[1]

In the early to mid 2010's, the ryousangata label was given to female university students, more specifically, it was called "ryousangata joshidaisei" (量産型女子大生, lit. "mass-produced female university student"). These people wore girly, feminine, yet plain clothing, with brands such as H&M, Uniqlo, etc., as well as curly, light brown hair and natural-looking makeup. Girls who would wear these would look the same as a result, and were sometimes called "creepy" or "like a cloned human".^[1]^[2] The style of ryousangata joshidaisei changed as years passed, in correspondence of what was trending at the time.^[3]

In the late 2010's, around 2017^[4]-2019, it was observed that fans who attended Johnnys concerts wore similar clothing to each other.^[5] This phenomenon was referred to as "ryousangata otaku/wotaku", characterized by frills, ribbons, and an overall fluffy and cute vibe. Since then, the meaning of "ryousangata" seems to have evolved from a negative term to a one with a more positive meaning, popular with idol otaku.^[6]

Philosophy[]

Ryousangata otaku are extremely devoted to their oshi, meaning that their dedication towards them can affect their mindset and lifestyle. Their devotion towards their oshi means that keeping up with all things related to their oshi is a high priority, from liking and replying to all of their posts, watching their streams and performances live, and so on, as well as buying merchandise. A ryousangata otaku doing activities dedicated to their oshi makes it feel like they are supporting them, which bring them joy.

Usually, ryousangata otaku who keep their love towards their oshi on a level of admiration and respect, supporting them from the sidelines as a fan. However, certain ryousangata otaku can also be over-obsessive over their oshi, where they become extremely infatuated over them, wanting to form a deeper connection with their oshi, and thus forming an unhealthy parasocial relationship (this is referred to as "gachikoi" (ガチ恋, lit. "serious love") or "riako" (リアコ, short for リアルに恋している, lit. "I'm in love for real")).

Visuals[]

Ryousangata otaku (2) — An observation of the ryousangata wotaku, specifically those found at Johnnys concerts^[5] (by @nitsuko225)

The overall aesthetic of ryousangata otaku is defined by the particular way they support their oshi, which is visually done through uploading photos on social media, showing how devoted they are. There are different ways ryousangata otaku take pictures.

One common type of photos that are taken are that of goods and merchandise of their oshi, including uchiwa fans, penlights, keychains, badges, itabags, acrylic stands, photocards, plushies, etc., either just on their own or the goods or whenever the otaku goes out (such as to the city or the beach). In photos of merch, having several of the same item is common (often badges, acrylic stands, keychains, or photocards), as it shows how much someone supports their oshi.

Another notable feature of the pictures ryousangata otaku take is the fashion, with girly kei being the style that is most common, along with nail art that is based on their oshi.

Often, the photos that these people post have soft, brightly-lit, and sparkly filters applied onto them, giving it an elegant, cute, and affectionate image and vibe.

Sanrio characters are also common, either as shown in outfits as an accessory (for example, bags, plushies, and keychains) or stickers in photos and/or emojis. The cute and fluffy image of Sanrio's characters appeals to many ryousangata otaku, and coordinates well with the overall soft vibe that is associated with the aesthetic.^[7] My Melody and Kuromi are the most popular Sanrio characters among ryousangata otaku.

Other common motifs and symbols shown in ryousangata otaku pictures and imagery include:

Hearts
- Symbolizes love and affection, reflecting how they love their oshi, and also because hearts are a "cute" shape.
Sparkles
"Fashionable" and "cute" textures, patterns, and features, representing ryousangata otakus' fondness of fashion, including:
- Check patterns
- Quilt
- Lace
- Ribbons
- Jewels and gems
- etc.

In summary, the ryousangata otaku aesthetic as a whole is visually cute, soft, and sweet, reflecting how they devotedly support and love their oshi while also being stylish and fashionable.

Fashion[]

Still in progress.

The fashion that is associated with and worn by most ryousangata otaku is girly kei fashion.^[8] Any style of girly kei is worn by them, with notable ones including sweet girly, dark girly, and french girly. Colors worn by ryousangata otaku include pink, white, and black, but colors that match the oshi's image color are also often seen. For more information on the fashion ryousangata otaku wear, see the previously linked pages.

Themed nail art is also often seen in ryousangata otaku.

Accessories paired in ryousangata otaku's outfits include itabags, decorated with their oshi's goods, often with a huge amount of them. Along with itabags, there are all sorts of accessories to display goods, for example, pouches and cases for goods like acrylic stands and plushes, keychains to display photocards, trading cards, or bromides.

Sanrio accessories are also popular with ryousangata otaku,

Media[]

Manga[]

If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die

Characters[]

Hanasato Minori (Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! feat. Hatsune Miku)
Setsuna Yuki (Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club)
Chizuru Nakamura/Chuu-tan (Confession Executive Committee)
Eripiyo (If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die)

Artists and Illustrators[]

These artists and illustrators mostly create works that focus on ryousangata otaku.

Music[]

Songs[]

Activities[]

Still in progress.

The activities ryousangata otaku do are called otakatsu (オタ活), or wotakatsu (ヲタ活), as well as oshikatsu (推し活) or oshigoto (推し事) for activities for activities focused on a single oshi. Otakatsu and wotakatsu are a portmanteau of "otaku" (オタク)/"wotaku" (ヲタク) and "katsu" (活), meaning "activity", referring to "things done/enjoyed by ota/wota".^[9] "Oshikatsu" is a portmanteau of "oshi" and "katsu", with "oshigoto" being play-on words for the Japanese word for "work" (お仕事), replacing "お仕" (oshi) with 推し (oshi).

Otakatsu/wotakatsu and oshikatsu/oshigoto include:

Buying your oshi's merchandise and goods
Donating to your oshi
Listening to your oshi's music
Watching your oshi’s streams
Attending your oshi's live shows and concerts

あんスタ⌇本人不在のお誕生日会_祭壇制作①_Happybirthday!!!_Ritsu♡ — あんスタ⌇本人不在のお誕生日会祭壇制作① Happybirthday!!! Ritsu♡

The process of making an altar for your oshi's birthday party

本人不在の誕生日会 (lit. "birthday party without the person in question")
- As the name suggests, these "birthday parties" without the birthday person, and are held by ryousangata otaku, to show their devotion and support for them, and just to celebrate their birthday. They are often held in hotel rooms, karaoke bars, and rental spaces, in which the rooms are decorated with balloons and other party decorations, as well as otaku goods.^[10]
- Things done in these birthday parties include:^[11]
  - Having a custom cake, based off your oshi
  - Having an "altar", decorated in your oshi's goods (+ the cake)
  - Having champagne
Purikura