Lovers of Japanese manga, anime and video games met this Saturday at the Amphitheater of the Historic Center to exchange about their tastes and share games and affinities.
This Saturday, an emblematic site in Old Havana changed its usual appearance. Instead of its usual concerts and children’s activities, the well-known Amphitheater of the Historic Center was invaded by icons from distant Japan. But not because of the feared ninjas or samurai warriors, but because of characters from their famous mangas, animated films (animes), and video games.
Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
A few meters from the sea, teenagers and young people from Havana — and also children, parents, and people of all ages — gathered in the amphitheater during the Otaku Freak Zone Convention.
For five hours, between 4:00 in the afternoon and 9:00 at night, lovers and followers of these demonstrations exchanged and had fun without complexes or fear of appearing strange or anachronistic.
Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
Contests, participation games, group dances, exhibitions, and other activities animated the day, in which there was no shortage of the usual cosplayers, who not only dress like their favorite characters but also characterize them rigorously and assume their gestures, attitudes and even ways of speaking.
Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
Even amid the economic crisis that the island is suffering, and despite the thousands of kilometers that separate Cuba from Japan, these young people manage to join a culture that has deeply penetrated the contemporary world.
With their own means and resources, they follow their stories, obtain or make their clothes, organize meetings, and share tastes and affinities that know no borders.
Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
This has happened in recent years at different times and spaces on the island — such as the last International Book Fair —, and this was the case again this Saturday at the Amphitheater of the Historic Center.
Happy to share and show that now indisputable part of their identity, the Cuban otakus met again, this time in Old Havana, and our photojournalist Otmaro Rodríguez was there to leave graphic testimony of their meeting.
Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Otaku Freak Zone Convention, held in the Amphitheater of the Historic Center of Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
