Otacool


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.

Otacool International Launch

Otacool: Worldwide Otaku RoomsMarketing guru Seth Godin hails otaku as the most desirable audience in today’s word-of-mouth-driven marketplace. If you walk into a hardcore otaku’s room, you would easily see why.

Otacool: Worldwide Otaku Rooms is a new book featuring the well-stocked, well-decorated rooms of enthusiastic otaku. Two of the otaku feaured in the book, top otaku blogger Danny Choo and renowned cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao, will be signing autographs for the book’s international launch. Fittingly enough, Danny learned of Alodia through Internet-powered international otaku word-of-mouth last year.

If you want to meet two of the most passionate otaku on the planet, go to Anime Festival Asia at Suntec Singapore on November 22 at 3:30-4:00pm GMT+8. Look for exhibition halls 403-404, booth D01. In the meantime, check out Alodia’s photos in Otacool.