Otaku Dance (Odottemita) 宅舞
Japan's odottemita — dancing the songs you love on camera.
Origins & History
Nico Nico era
‘Odottemita’ (‘I tried dancing it’) began on Nico Nico Douga in the late 2000s, where creators uploaded choreography covers of Vocaloid and anime songs. It developed hand-in-hand with the otaku subculture.
Choreographer culture
Iconic choreographers (K’suke, 217, Miume, ATY) authored official or de-facto standard dances for hit songs — fans learned and covered them, building a choreographic canon.
Global mirror of the canon
Through Bilibili and TikTok, otaku dance spread through East and Southeast Asia. Dance covers are now a core fandom practice for idol, Vocaloid and anime music worldwide.
Move Breakdown
- Chorus Choreography: The standardized routine for a song’s chorus — the part everyone covers.
- Wota-gei Adjacent Moves: Calls and arm patterns borrowed from idol concert culture.
- Character Gestures: Signature poses quoting the song’s PV or anime source.
Music Profile
Whatever the fandom loves: Vocaloid classics, anime OPs, idol tracks and utaite covers. BPM varies wildly; choreography is song-specific.
Fashion & Visual Identity
Varies from everyday clothes to full cosplay of the song’s characters; many dancers wear one distinctive item (a ribbon, jacket) referencing the source.
Community & Channels
| Channel | Platform | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| 宅舞区 | Bilibili | ACTIVE | 2026-10-25 |
| r/Odottemita | DORMANT | 2026-10-25 | |
| Nico Nico Odottemita tag | Niconico | ACTIVE | 2026-10-25 |
Variants & Fusions
- Yosakoi-Influenced: Large-team festival formations with naruko clappers.
- Idol Cover Dance: Precision-focused covers of idol group choreography.