Otaku Coin, new virtual currency created for anime fans
Image: Otaku Coin official website
A new virtual currency, based on blockchain technology used in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, is under development. Its target market are fans of anime, manga, games and other interests in the realm of Japanese subcultures.
Aptly called “Otaku Coin” the cryptocurrency came from online store Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) which specializes in selling various anime, manga and game-related products.
TOM aims to make Otaku Coin a means for fans worldwide to support the anime industry and other industries connected to it, like plastic figures, light novels, collectible merchandise, and more.
The word “otaku” refers to someone with an obsessive interest in a particular topic. Contemporary use refers to fans of anime, manga and games, but there are also train otakus, military otakus, among others. The English vernacular has the words “nerd” and “geek” as counterparts.
Otaku Coin will launch sometime this June. Like other cryptocurrencies, anime fans can “mine” Otaku Coins by watching anime, sharing content and writing reviews. They could also cash in through an Otaku Coin issuer.
Image: Otaku Coin official website
The Coins can then be used to support new projects in development or purchase goods at events. Otaku Coins could also be earned as rewards for supporting projects by big companies and creators directly. It could be a new anime, manga or an independent game.
In a way, the Otaku Coin system works like crowdfunding setups such as Patreon and Kickstarer, except it uses cryptocurrency.
It has been known to fans for some time that the anime industry in Japan has been struggling. Creators are paid low salaries and are forced to work within very tight deadlines, making it hard to recruit new talent.
Thanks to Otaku Coin’s apparent mandate to preserve the anime industry, support from individuals like Palmer Lucky of Oculus Rift and Christopher Macdonald of Anime News Network, and famous virtual YouTuber Kizuna Ai have come in, reports SoraNews24.
Meanwhile, how Otaku Coin will work in the anime industry’s favor remains to be seen. JB
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