Otakus in Old Havana

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.

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.

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.

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.