Akibatteru


IDG Interviews Alodia

Since you’re reading a tech blog, you probably already know that International Data Group (IDG) is a leading trendspotter in the technology industry. From research to media to events to investments, all of IDG’s businesses revolve around successful trendspotting.

The whole thing started when a UNIVAC executive complained about the lack of market research on the then-nascent computer industry. Yes, that UNIVAC, America’s first commercially available computer. IDG has been playing the trendspotting game since 1964.

Someone at IDG Japan has spotted one particularly interesting trend, a trend uniquely enabled by the connective power of the Internet: the meteoritic rise of Filipina cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao. Akibatteru, an IDG-produced Web show, recently caught up with Alodia and her sister Ashley during their performance at Anime Festival Asia 2009 in Singapore. They even threw in a peek at Alodia’s room back home, toys and all, as it appears in the photobook Otacool: Worldwide Otaku Rooms.

It’s one thing when Animax says you’re popular. It’s another thing when International Data Group says you’re popular.