Oshikatsu” (fandom activities) refers to the ways people support their “oshi”—their favorite character, artist, idol, and more. It’s no longer limited to attending live events; oshikatsu is becoming something people enjoy in all kinds of everyday moments. Let’s take a look at what oshikatsu really looks like, through the experiences of an att.ANIME editor W from Taiwan, now living in Japan!
Events are the big, shining moments of oshikatsu. When fans head to events, “collaboration cafes,” or fan meetings, part of the fun is incorporating oshi-inspired fashion and nail art, or bringing an “ita-bag,” a bag decorated with fan merch such as pin badges and cards. It’s not only a way to show your love for your oshi, but also a chance to connect with other fans and grow your circle.
W: Wearing my oshi merch has led to so many encounters, like trading goods at a “collaboration restaurant,” or instantly clicking with someone who supports the same oshi and exchanging social media accounts! That’s one of the biggest charms of oshikatsu: it naturally brings people closer together.
*It’s important to enjoy oshikatsu with good manners and awareness of the time and place, for example by keeping flashy outfits or large merchandise packed away in public spaces.
Even in everyday settings, you can enjoy oshikatsu in subtle ways—by wearing collaboration fashion items or adding simple items inspired by your oshi. Another growing trend, especially among women, is “nuikatsu”: dressing up a plush toy (often called a “nui”) in cute outfits and taking it along on trips, or photographing it at cafes.
W: I bring my “nui” inspired by my favorite character when I visit real-life manga locations. I love being able to take photos that feel uniquely my own!
It’s easy with a few handy items, such as covers for pin badges and acrylic character stands, hard cases for character cards, and clear pouches for carrying plush toys. You can find these at affordable prices at 100-yen shops like Can★Do and Seria, and they’re also available at stores such as animate and Tower Records.
W: Tokyo’s Ikebukuro area is home to many oshikatsu specialty shops. I recommend K-BOOKS Oshikatsu-kan for its wide and diverse selection.
If you want to add more originality, take it a step further—decorate character cards or pin badges with beads and ribbons, or even make outfits for your plushies. Ita bags that let you display your merch are also widely available, from apparel brands to 100-yen shops, in a wide range of materials and price points.
W: I often pick up ribbons and materials for making plushie outfits at Yuzawaya, a nationwide chain of craft stores.
