When you love the idol life so much you become the idol.
Japan is home to all sorts of otaku. There are train, video game, and gun otaku, and while some people view them as nerdy geeks, otaku see themselves as superfans, and there’s nothing they won’t do for their obsession.
One of the largest otaku communities belongs to the world of Japanese idols, where superfans known as “wota” (a shortened from of “otaku”), pay big bucks on CDs to receive tickets to handshake parties and perform special cheering routines known as wotagei to show their dedication to their favourite performers.
While these wotagei usually consist of coordinated chants and glowstick movements performed by fans in the audience to amp up the performance occurring on stage, for some fans the cheering routine just doesn’t do justice to the swirling emotions of adulation rising from within.
Case in point is this idol otaku, who does away with the wotagei cheering routine and goes straight to performing the idol group’s dance as if he’s an idol himself.
Check out the video below:
11/3
— ·̩͙꒰ঌむたPrologueむた໒꒱·̩͙ (@umatumat) November 7, 2019
東中野にて🥺 pic.twitter.com/AihUBy8rb2
Filmed at Higashi-Nakano in Nakano Ward, Tokyo’s second most popular otaku neighbourhood after Akihabara, the short clip shows an otaku taking the phrase “dance like nobody’s watching” to heart.
In this case, though, everyone is watching, from fellow wota in the room to the Japanese idols themselves, Wa-chan and Yuu-chan, who together make up the J-Pop group Waayuu.
▼ Wa-chan
https://twitter.com/wa_yu512/status/1193380656417390592▼ Yuu-chan
https://twitter.com/wa_yu512/status/1193442903554543616It looks like the wota with the moves is an otaku called Otogi-chan, the dance leader for their fan group, who’s known for busting out difficult moves at their events.
https://twitter.com/wa_yu512/status/1192670197179568128People online were full of praise for Otogi-chan, whose dance has since had over 2 million views, leaving comments like:
“He’s acting like more of an idol than a real idol!”
“He’s so kawaiiii!”
“I couldn’t help but lol at his amazing agility!”
“To be honest, I thought this would be bad but it turned out to be awesome.”
“Time to add a new member to the group!”
Otogi-chan does have all the agility, charisma and dance ability needed to make it as an idol, so if things ever start to go downhill for Waayuu they might want to think about adding their number-one fan as a member.
It wouldn’t be the weirdest move ever for a Japanese idol group. After all, *ChocoLate Bomb! from Jonny’s Entertainment has a handsome goat as one of their members.
Source: Jin
Images: Twitter/@umatumat
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Bizarre otaku dancing catches on as Wotagei spreads around the world【Videos】
Japanese concertgoer sues idol group because dancing otaku ruined the show for him
Elitism divides otaku culture as the popularity of Japanese pop idols expands
Whack-an-otaku event held by idol singer unit in Tokyo【Video】
New “Love Dance” takes Japan by storm, thanks to a Japanese drama and a handsome J-Pop star
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Daughter of Osamu Tezuka, God of Manga, discovers his stash of hand-drawn sexy mouse artwork
Village Vanguard’s most expensive Black Lucky Bag sets an ominous tone for 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japanese company trips – Workers “absolutely hate” them, so why do they still happen?
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply