Wotaku ni koi wa muzukašii

The term “otaku” is often dubiously associated with antisocial behaviour, attached to an almost pathological obsession with popular culture. It’s for this reason that Narumi is keen to hide her visceral enthusiasm for anime, and especially yaoi manga, in which heterosexual men share moments of burning passion. However, her childhood friend Hirotaka, himself a video-game otaku, works in the same company and knows all about Narumi’s passions. Although she initially shuns him, they reconnect over a few games of Mario Kart and vow never to reveal their secret. As they spend time together, Hirotaka falls in love with Narumi, but she, out of fear of the gaze of another, has no intention of falling in love with another otaku. (Fantasia International Film Festival)