Last November, the Connected Learning Lab (CLL) brought together international media scholars and researchers for the symposium Otaku Communities as Platforms for Neurodiversity Inclusive Learning – a Cross Cultural Dialogue. The event explored how fan cultures – long stigmatized in mainstream society – are being reimagined as vital learning spaces for neurodivergent youth to find refuge, develop craft, and build community.
The dialogue featured Henry Jenkins, Provost Professor of Communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts and Education at USC; Kohei Kato, Educational Researcher and Game Designer at the Kaneko Research Institute in Tokyo; and Daisuke Okabe, Professor in Sociology and Media Studies and Informatics at Tokyo City University. The symposium was conducted in both English and Japanese, with live translation bridging the conversation.
Redefining Otaku Culture: From Stigma to “Imaginary Homelands”
Henry Jenkins speaks on the visibility of neurodiverse people at the CLL 2025 Fall Symposium.
The symposium opened by tracing the evolution of the term otaku. The concept – referring to those deeply immersed in Japanese manga, anime, and gaming – carried a heavy social stigma in Japan during the 1970s and 80s. Okabe noted a radical transformation in recent years. “Nowadays, the term is more associated with building collaborations with other people,” Okabe explained. He highlighted a “cross-pollination” effect where American and Korean fan cultures are now influencing Japanese practices just as much as Japanese media influenced the West.
Jenkins provided a U.S. perspective, describing how otaku culture offers a means of stepping outside one’s own cultural identity. He shared a story of meeting an Appalachian grocery clerk with a Japanese name on her tag – a moment of shared cultural identity in an otherwise isolated environment.
This sense of belonging often manifests as what one of Jenkins’ students termed an “imaginary homeland.” For many fans, especially those in regions like Shanghai, identifying with Japanese culture can be an act of defiance against rigid familial or state expectations, offering a space of acceptance that is often absent from traditional school or work life.
Jenkins also raised questions about cultural translation and what may be lost in the global spread of otaku culture. While Japanese elements of otaku culture hold appeal for audiences outside Japan, he suggested that meanings deeply rooted in Japanese cultural context may not fully translate across borders.
Finding the Research in the Fandom
Okabe’s path to studying otaku communities started in the late 90s when he was still an education major. He began to see otaku culture as another kind of learning space, one where young people could express their interests and strengths through hobbies like cosplay and doujinshi (fan-made comics). It was also a space where they could explore identity.
Kato identified as an otaku before he became a researcher. When he began studying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), he noticed a significant overlap between autistic youth and fan communities. “ASD doesn’t equal otaku,” Kato clarified, “but otaku communities happen to have a lot of ASD participants.” He observed that these spaces allow autistic individuals to showcase their strengths – such as deep focus and technical mastery – in ways that traditional social structures do not.
Jenkins noted that this “blurring” occurs in the U.S. as well, where otaku culture is celebrated for its radical acceptance of difference. By centering on shared interests rather than social “norms,” these communities become a natural fit for those who feel unaccepted elsewhere.
The Third Space: Finding an Oasis in the Desert
A recurring theme was the concept of the “third space” – a sanctuary that exists between the home and the school. Kato used a striking metaphor to describe the lived experience of neurodivergent youth: “While playing TTRPGs (Tabletop Role-Playing Games), children called it an oasis for them. School life is the desert. In these third spaces, you can be yourself, in your own style.”
Okabe’s research into the cosplay community further illustrated this. In his lab, students use 3D printers and digital sewing machines to bring fictional characters to life. This process turns interests into artisan-level craftsmanship, allowing neurodivergent individuals to be recognized for their creative contributions rather than judged by their social differences.
The speakers also explored how “identity play” – the act of becoming someone else – actually facilitates a deeper sense of authenticity. Kato discussed “social camouflage,” the exhausting effort neurodivergent people expend to “mask” their traits in neurotypical environments. “In cosplay and TTRPGs, one is freed from the confines of society,” Kato explained. He recounted the story of a student with ASD who felt most aligned with her true identity while role-playing as a male character in his 50s.
Mentorship, Craft, and the “Media Mix”
The symposium concluded with a discussion of the natural apprenticeship systems found within otaku culture. Okabe described a “chain of creativity” where craftsmanship serves as an expression of love for a character or work. This environment naturally fosters mentorship, as experienced fans are often eager to share their skills with newcomers.
Kato shared a success story of a girl with ASD who was told she would likely never attend university. Through the medium of art and the support of a hobby-based community, she found her path to design school. “We can broaden our worlds through the medium of anime, manga, and games,” Kato said. “It allows people to navigate worlds and learn in a safe environment.”
The panel also touched upon the “media mix” of otaku culture, which uses multiple modalities like text, image, and performance. Jenkins suggested that this multiplicity of vantage points, including traditional Japanese storytelling methods like Benshi (film narration), offers unique affordances for neurodiverse communication.
Kohei Kato, Educational Researcher at Kaneko Research Institute in Tokyo, comments on the craft of cosplaying in Otaku Culture at the CLL Fall Symposium 2025.
Moving Toward a “Multi-Independent” Future
In the final Q&A, the panel addressed how to bridge the gap between these “oases” and the “desert” of everyday reality. Kato proposed a shift toward being “multi-independent” – the idea that true independence is built on the ability to depend on a diverse array of supportive communities. Okabe agreed – rather than trying to fill in the gap entirely, we should continue to create oases in the desert. “We can work toward building a more inclusive society, but we must be mindful and actively try to do so,” Okabe urged.
While some might dismiss these fan worlds as escapism, Jenkins argued that they represent a healthy adaptation. In cities like Shanghai, where teens hang out in malls in full cosplay, it has become a lifestyle of mutual support and mental health care.
A recording of the full symposium is available for viewing on the Connected Learning Alliance YouTube.
