While we here at RocketNews24 have no shortage of stories on geeky men in Japan, it should be noted that there are plenty of women that fulfill the otaku stereotype of being obsessed with anime, manga and video games. The recently published photo book Corrupted Rooms gives readers a peek inside the cramped living quarters of 50 self-professed otaku and shows the extreme level of dedication these women have to their hobbies. From rooms packed with action figures to racks of cosplay outfits, click below to catch a glimpse into the world of the female otaku!
Shiori Kawamoto, author of the 160-page book, said that she came up with the idea of a photo book after hearing stories of Japanese idols’ rooms that were filled to the brim with manga collections or video game accessories. Other idols living in the same dormitories would call these rooms “Corrupted Rooms” because the hobby had consumed and “corrupted” the woman’s life. Kawamoto began visiting these rooms and was amazed at the length some of these women went to in pursuit of their hobby.
▼Who wants to sleep on a bed full of stuffed Gloomy Bears, the pink, cute and cuddly man-eating bear?
The book, which went on sale for 1,995 yen (US$19.95) last month, shows the rooms of 50 different women in Tokyo and Osaka who have all dedicated their very limited living space to their personal obsession. The women represent all walks of life such as the unemployed living in their parents’ home or regular white-collar workers. And true to the somewhat murky definition of otaku, these women show an extreme obsession with just about every kind of hobby from railroads to eyeglasses.
▼Ever heard of an “eyeglasses otaku?” Well, now you have.
In the afterword of the book, Kawamoto explains that she was taken aback by how happy these people were to live their lives this way. Even though some of us might enjoy video games or manga, few of us would fill our rooms with action figures and anime collectibles. After observing these people so content to live their pleasant lives, she wondered if people would better off to to allow ourselves to be “corrupted” by our hobbies.
▼This megafan may lack adequate living space, but she seems perfectly happy in her idol-obsessed life
According to some of the reviews on Amazon Japan, some readers thought this book was just a cheap way for lecherous men to peek inside women’s rooms, while other readers thought the pictures gave a fascinating look into the secret lives of everyday people.
Take a further look below at some of the pages from the book and let us know what you think in the comments below! Do these otaku shatter your stereotype of the Japanese otaku by showing that women can be equally as dedicated to their nerdy hobbies? Do you have any geeky pleasures that you love to collect and display at home?
▼ Video game fanatic and Japanese idol Mirin Furukawa of the otaku idol group Dempagumi.inc plays a video game at home
▼The room of a NEET absolutely packed with anime and manga memorabilia
▼ A woman sits in front of her wall plastered with posters from the video game Persona 4
▼Despite not having room for a proper drying rack, this otaku knows her priorities: action figures
▼ Who needs art on the wall when you can have an assortment of maid costumes at your disposal?
▼This room’s impressive manga collection is accented by cute dangling figures
▼No, that isn’t the result of a urban decay, this is the room of an art fan who creates her own work inside a cramped Japanese apartment
▼This gamer isn’t content to handling guns in her favorite first-person shooter, so she’s got a collection of model guns on her desk
▼A display recommending Corrupted Rooms for customers at a store in otaku mecca–Akihabara
Source/Images: Akiba Blog
Never been into a girl’s room before? Then this reference photo book is for you
Japanese women rank the otaku obsessions they can most forgive in a partner
Men with ‘Nerdy’ Hobbies Describe Their Ideal Marriage Partner (And it’s Not Princess Zelda)
Anime vs. idols? Latest annual otaku survey shows where fans are spending their money
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Can we be just like Shohei Ohtani on a budget with a Hello Kitty cap?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】
Start saving room now – Japanese grocery store’s biggest sushi roll yet is coming for Setsubun
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Could you marry an otaku? Japanese people rank the geek hobbies they’d let slide for love
Nearly 70 percent of young Japanese women self-identify as otaku in survey
No boys allowed! Take a look inside Japan’s first cafe for female otaku ONLY
Otaku fashion guide teaches nerds how to dress to impress
State of the otaku union 2017: Idols booming, boys’ love flat, erotic games drooping
Elitism divides otaku culture as the popularity of Japanese pop idols expands
Language of the otaku has infiltrated our Internet forums
Otaku in Western Art: Hilarious viral hashtag finds geeks hiding in classic masterpieces