Draft:Nerd Otaku

{{AFC submission|d|npov|u=D4RKM47R1X|ns=118|decliner=LunaEclipse|declinets=20250127233441|reason2=adv|ts=20241201192953}}

{{AFC comment|1=Sentences like "Nerd|Otaku contributes to Zambia’s cultural landscape by creating platforms for creative expression." and "Nerd|Otaku collaborates with the Japanese Embassy in Zambia to promote cultural exchange through workshops, anime screenings, and discussions, fostering appreciation of Japanese pop culture in Zambia. In recognition of these efforts, Nerd|Otaku received the Japanese Ambassador’s Commendation in 2022." sound overly promotional. Please rewrite this article in a neutral and formal tone before re-submitting. 💽 🌙Eclipse 💽 🌹 ⚧ (she/they) ^talk/edits 23:34, 27 January 2025 (UTC)}}

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{{Infobox company

| name = Nerd{{!}}Otaku Zambia

| foundation = {{start date and age|2014}}

| location = Lusaka, Zambia

| industry = Entertainment
Conventions

| products = Comic conventions
Anime conventions

| website = {{url|nerdotaku.org}}

}}

Nerd{{!}}Otaku is a Zambian organization that engages in promoting and develops a local community around Nerd culture and pop culture.{{Citation|url=https://www.nerdotaku.org|title=Nerd{{!}}Otaku Homepage|date=2024-01-01|work=Nerd{{!}}Otaku|access-date=2024-11-25|language=en-US}} The organization supports creative expression through various events and activities. It has also contributed to Zambia's growing gaming and developer community through initiatives such as comic conventions and LAN parties.{{Citation|url=https://chromapixelgames.com/2024/04/23/rise-of-gaming-market-in-zambia/|title= Rise of the game market in Zambia|date=2024-04-23|work=Chromapixel Games|access-date=2024-11-25|language=en-US}}

Events summary

File:LSCON 2023 Cosplayer group photo.jpg File:NerdOtaku team Animeet 2023.jpg

Nerd|Otaku organizes events including anime movie screenings and conventions. Notable events include:

class="wikitable"
Event ! Description
LSCON \| LSCon, the Lusaka Comic Con, is the flagship event organized by Nerd{{!}}Widely regarded as Zambia’s largest comic and pop culture convention, LSCon was established in 2015. It provides a platform for local creators, artists, and fans, offering artist exhibitions, gaming tournaments, cosplay competitions, and panel discussions. LSCon also promotes local artistry and has helped creators gain international recognition..{{Cite news\|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/06/04/3rd-annual-lusaka-comic-con-showcases-zambian-youths-talent-creativity/\|title=3rd Annual Lusaka Comic Con Showcases Zambian Youths Talent\|date=2017-06-04\|work=Lusaka Times\|access-date=2024-11-29\|language=en-US}}{{Cite news\|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/03/14/lusaka-comicon-zambias-first-comic-pop-culture-convention-2nd-year/\|title=Lusaka Comic Con Zambias First comic pop culture convention 2nd year\|date=2016-03-14\|work=Lusaka Times\|access-date=2024-11-29\|language=en-US}}
The Animeet \| Focused on anime fandom, Animeet features cosplay showcases, discussions, screenings, and creative workshops. It also serves to introduce newcomers to anime culture.{{Cite news\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJeKPdfSYLo\|title=2023 ANIMEET OPENS UP ENTERPRENUERIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVES\|date=2023-04-11\|work=Diamond TV\|access-date=2024-11-27\|language=en-US}}
Game Jams and LAN events \| Nerd{{!}}Nerd\|Otaku organizes game jams and LAN parties that bring together gamers and developers to collaborate and compete. These events contribute to the growth of Zambia’s gaming industry and provide a platform for aspiring developers to engage in creative projects and networking opportunities.{{Citation\|title=Nerd Otaku Jamsite Lusaka ISL \|date=2023-01-22 \|work=Global Game Jam \|url=https://globalgamejam.org/jam-sites/2024/nerd-otaku-jamsite-lusaka-isl \|access-date=2024-12-01 \|language=en-US}}
Anime movie screenings and movie nights \| Nerd{{!}}Nerd\|Otaku introduced regular anime film screenings to Zambian cinemas, beginning with the premiere of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 in 2021{{Cite news\|url=https://lusakastar.com/features/the-super-zambian-version-of-anime\|title=The Super: Zambian version of anime\|date=2023-04-11\|work=Lusaka Star\|access-date=2024-11-27\|language=en-US}} and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in 2022.{{Citation\|url=https://www.nerdotaku.org/dragon-ball-super-hero-launch-recap-by-malindi/\|title=Dragon Ball: Super hero launch recap by Malindi\|date=2023-10-04\|work=Nerd{{!}}Otaku\|access-date=2024-11-28\|language=en-US}} These events marked the first official anime screenings in the country. Previously, the organization hosted nationwide anime movie nights, which fostered community engagement among anime enthusiasts.{{Cite news\|url=https://bongohive.co.zm/otaku-movie-night-and-the-zambian-anime-scene/\|title=Otaku movie night and the Zambian anime scene\|date=2023-04-11\|work=Bongohive\|access-date=2024-11-28\|language=en-US}}

class="wikitable"

Event

! Description

LSCON

| LSCon, the Lusaka Comic Con, is the flagship event organized by Nerd{{!}}Widely regarded as Zambia’s largest comic and pop culture convention, LSCon was established in 2015. It provides a platform for local creators, artists, and fans, offering artist exhibitions, gaming tournaments, cosplay competitions, and panel discussions. LSCon also promotes local artistry and has helped creators gain international recognition..{{Cite news|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/06/04/3rd-annual-lusaka-comic-con-showcases-zambian-youths-talent-creativity/|title=3rd Annual Lusaka Comic Con Showcases Zambian Youths Talent|date=2017-06-04|work=Lusaka Times|access-date=2024-11-29|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/03/14/lusaka-comicon-zambias-first-comic-pop-culture-convention-2nd-year/|title=Lusaka Comic Con Zambias First comic pop culture convention 2nd year|date=2016-03-14|work=Lusaka Times|access-date=2024-11-29|language=en-US}}

The Animeet

| Focused on anime fandom, Animeet features cosplay showcases, discussions, screenings, and creative workshops. It also serves to introduce newcomers to anime culture.{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJeKPdfSYLo|title=2023 ANIMEET OPENS UP ENTERPRENUERIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVES|date=2023-04-11|work=Diamond TV|access-date=2024-11-27|language=en-US}}

Game Jams and LAN events

| Nerd{{!}}Nerd|Otaku organizes game jams and LAN parties that bring together gamers and developers to collaborate and compete. These events contribute to the growth of Zambia’s gaming industry and provide a platform for aspiring developers to engage in creative projects and networking opportunities.{{Citation|title=Nerd Otaku Jamsite Lusaka ISL |date=2023-01-22 |work=Global Game Jam |url=https://globalgamejam.org/jam-sites/2024/nerd-otaku-jamsite-lusaka-isl |access-date=2024-12-01 |language=en-US}}

Anime movie screenings and movie nights

| Nerd{{!}}Nerd|Otaku introduced regular anime film screenings to Zambian cinemas, beginning with the premiere of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 in 2021{{Cite news|url=https://lusakastar.com/features/the-super-zambian-version-of-anime|title=The Super: Zambian version of anime|date=2023-04-11|work=Lusaka Star|access-date=2024-11-27|language=en-US}} and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in 2022.{{Citation|url=https://www.nerdotaku.org/dragon-ball-super-hero-launch-recap-by-malindi/|title=Dragon Ball: Super hero launch recap by Malindi|date=2023-10-04|work=Nerd{{!}}Otaku|access-date=2024-11-28|language=en-US}} These events marked the first official anime screenings in the country. Previously, the organization hosted nationwide anime movie nights, which fostered community engagement among anime enthusiasts.{{Cite news|url=https://bongohive.co.zm/otaku-movie-night-and-the-zambian-anime-scene/|title=Otaku movie night and the Zambian anime scene|date=2023-04-11|work=Bongohive|access-date=2024-11-28|language=en-US}}

Cultural Impact

Nerd|Otaku contributes to Zambia’s cultural landscape by creating platforms for creative expression. It has encouraged careers in illustration, animation, and game design while highlighting Zambian talent internationally.{{Cite news|url=https://supertravelr.com/en/trip/zambia/how-comic-con-is-inspiring-zambian-comic-book-creators-3B3B8780F6/|title=How comic con is inspiring Zambian comic book creators|date=2024-01-01|work=Super Travelr|access-date=2024-06-01|language=en-US}} The organization has been featured in outlets such as Crunchyroll News{{Cite news|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2022/06/28/interview-nerd-otaku-and-the-power-of-anime-in-zambia|title=Interview Nerd otaku and the power of anime in Zambia|date=2022-06-28|work=Crunchyroll|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628211047/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2022/06/28/interview-nerd-otaku-and-the-power-of-anime-in-zambia |access-date=2024-11-29|archive-date=28 June 2022 |language=en-US}}, Anime News Network{{Cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-07-15/a-growing-anime-fandom-in-zambia/.160984|title=A growing anime fandom in Zambia|date=2020-07-15|work=Anime News Network|access-date=2024-11-29|language=en-US}} and Forbes{{Cite news |date=2015-07-02 |title=This is what its like to live in Zambia and Love Japanese Cartoons |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenorsini/2015/07/02/this-is-what-its-like-to-live-in-zambia-and-love-japanese-cartoons/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=Forbes |language=en-US}} In 2022, it supported the launch of The Super, the first Zambian-produced anime.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nerdotaku.org/the-super-launch-recap-by-tabs/ |title=The Super recap by Tabs|date=2022-08-29|work=Nerd{{!}}Otaku|access-date=2024-11-29|language=en-US}}

Interviews facilitated by Nerd|Otaku have also connected international creators with local audiences. Highlights include discussions with Zeno Robinson (Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero) through Crunchyroll{{Cite news|url=https://www.nerdotaku.org/dragon-ball-super-hero-launch-recap-by-malindi/|title=Dragon Ball: Super hero launch recap by Malindi|date=2023-10-04|work=Nerd{{!}}Otaku|access-date=2024-11-28|language=en-US}}{{Citation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z519DXWoTjo|title=Dragon Ball Super Super Hero - Zeno Robinson Interview|date=2022-09-27|work=Nerd{{!}}Otaku|access-date=2024-11-30|language=en-US}}, and Malenga Mulendema, creator of Netflix’s Supa Team 4.{{Citation |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7QyLKpgeaM|title=Supa Team 4 Interview Malenga Mulendema (Cinematic Sleuths)|date=2023-07-22|work=Nerd{{!}}Otaku|access-date=2024-11-30|language=en-US}}

=Japanese culture=

Nerd|Otaku has worked with the Japanese Embassy in Zambia to run cultural exchange events through workshops, anime screenings, and discussions, fostering appreciation of Japanese pop culture in Zambia. In recognition of these efforts, Nerd|Otaku received the Japanese Ambassador’s Commendation in 2022.{{Citation |url=https://www.zm.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00223.html|title=LsCon 2022 and Japanese Ambassador's commendation to Nerd{{!}}Otaku|date=2022-11-05|work=Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia |access-date=2024-11-28|language=en-US}}{{Citation |url=https://www.zm.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00470.html|title=Cooperation for Japanese Pop Culture Event "LsCon 2024"|date=2022-09-21|work=Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia |access-date=2024-11-28|language=en-US}}

References

External links

[https://www.nerdotaku.org/ Website Homepage]
[https://www.youtube.com/@NerdOtakuZambia Company Youtube Channel]

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