Genre: Comedy, Action

Age: Teen

Price: $9.99

Enatsu Sota: It’s the name of a teenager, but it could be the moniker of any who walk among us. And, like many others, he is a closet otaku.

Sota wants to find a Limited Edition Wonder Digital Dokidoki Doggy Papico figure, but as he searches and searches in Akihabara, he simply has no luck. No luck, that is, until he looks up from his anger and pouting and discovers a shop he has not seen before: Otaku Headquarters.

And when he finds the store has the item he has been looking for, he is delighted. Unfortunately, when the owner sees that Sota has brought a bag to conceal his purchase, he declines to sell the item to him.

In order to buy the item, Sota must pretend he is talking to his girlfriend and come out of the otaku closet. When he does, he gets a much bigger surprise.

The volume consists of other stories that focus on Sota’s inner otaku and the struggles he faces in coming to grips with both admitting his obsession and remaining isolated from society.

In one story, Sota finds out that a friend of his from high school also happens to be an otaku — one that is especially interested in Papico, the dog-aired anime character that he finds himself clamoring for.

The volume is light-hearted and fun, especially with the character who owns the otaku store. And the smooth shojo art brings home that lightheartedness with its ability to convey the life of the characters well.

I, Otaku is, frankly, delightful. It’s certainly worth a purchase and definitely worth a look.

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