Not shown the power and diversity of the universe of Japanese pop culture Aoki Mon is an otaku and fanatically devoted to the art of manga comics. Only he understands it in his own way and wants to create a new direction, the essence of which is to abandon painting on paper and use stones instead. Therefore, Aoki scours the city in search of special stones that could suit him. On these stones he paints hieroglyphs and considers it art. The incident brings him together with one girl who draws a real manga. They have a difficult relationship. She is also an otaku and a fan of costumed performances of “cosplay”. But she does not understand the art of painting on the stones of her friend, especially since at the festival these stones with hieroglyphs cannot be sold. Over time, Aoki must decide for himself whether to abandon the stones in favor of traditional paper or not.
Matsuo’s film, of course, can hardly be called serious in terms of the issues and topics involved. However, it is very relevant, given the craze of the Japanese manga. Although Aoki Mon is a downtrodden fanatic, he is unwittingly perceived as an introvert. However, in the course of the film, after meeting a friend, he is forced to increase his contacts with the outside world. This is a significant progression for him, given that he never had a girlfriend before. Perhaps this is the message of the film - do not get too carried away by the fictional world of comics, or rather, you can get carried away with it, but it is better to do it together with a person who understands you.
The film shows how the art of manga "all ages are submissive." Of course, this is done for comic effect, but still adults and solid people who play “cosplay” look very revealing in this sense. Or take an older bar owner who used to be a manga draftsman. On the eve of the festival, he decides to give up everything and take up painting again in order to win the competition and thus win Aoki’s girlfriend. However, the images of otaku in the film are shallow and do not differ in good elaboration. Hobbies of the main characters manga and “cosplay” are not taken seriously, although for them, it must be assumed, nothing more serious. Manga is a whole universe with its own mythology, but this is what the viewer is not given. Heroes look just strange eccentrics, and the Director made no attempt to justify them, except for a good grin. At the same time, we should pay tribute to the director who managed to avoid frankly low-grade humor. The jokes and comic situations in the film are Japanese-specific, but at the same time kind and sweet, although they will be truly understood only by those who are a fan of the manga.
Otaku Lovers is more of a film for those who know and appreciate modern Japanese popular culture. Many things in it, in particular, the same “cosplay” is unlikely to be understood by those who know Japan only from its classic films and literature.
6 out of 10