Longtime Anime Fans Share Nostalgic and Hilarious Photos from the Peak of their Awkward Otaku Phase

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Oct 29, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Welcome, otakus. I can't deny that I am a little jealous of young anime fans growing up in the 2020s. While anime has always had a place in the Western world, it used to be a little more niche and nerdy than it is now. Thanks to Netflix making anime way more accessible on their platform and to Otaku celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion who are so open about their love for Japanese animation, kids these days don't have to be embarrassed about being weebs. Furthermore, thanks to easily accessible TikTok makeup tutorials, international shipping, and the internet, it is so much easier to pull off a great cosplay than it was even ten years ago. 

In those dark ages, we elder Otakus had to make our own costumes at home and figure out how to use eyeliner to make our eyes appear kawaii all on our own. If you were a geeky kid who loved anime, take a stroll down memory lane by scrolling down below and perusing these amazing and hilarious photos posted by brave anime fans that don't mind showing pictures of themselves from the height of their blunder years for some internet points. 

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  • 01

    Halloween in 7th grade ‘98-‘99?Anime was definitely not cool yet, and we did our best to make it through middle school unscathed.

    Cheezburger Image 10421138944
    via u/TheVagtasticVoyage
  • 02

    My first cosplay

    1FE:
    via u/3mpty_spac3
  • 03

    My first anime convention circa 2004. I don't even know what I was supposed to be cosplaying as.

    8000 212
    via u/iwasverycringe
  • 04

    Sailor moon cosplay circa 1997

    Cheezburger Image 10421139200
    via u/halfgermanreject
  • 05

    There was a Pokemon mall event in 1999 and I decided to cosplay as Pikachu.

    Bash Pokemon Pikachu 40 HP kémon. Length: 14" Weight:13lbs. Gnaw Thunder Jolt Flip a coin. If tails, Pikachu does 10 damage to itself. resistance 10 30 seireal cost several of these Pokemon gether, their electricity con lightning storms LV 2 #25
    via u/sexi_squidward
  • 06

    circa 2014, in my DIY cosplay for character day at school.

    THING ALEEN
    via u/jerseyshorerulez
  • 07

    In 2005, I was really into making my own *~~original designs~~* cosplays. Drew patterns on MSpaint and asked some dude on Ebay to make it for me.

    Cheezburger Image 10421138432
    via u/Bellandy_
  • 08

    Throw back to my 2000 homemade Halloween costume. I was so proud.

    GAME BOY COLOR + TALLY START
    via u/Shaynasaur
  • 09

    I too studied the blade circa 2009

    protect ungela, even if a dog like you. gets in the way....
    via u/celmeow
  • 10

    That time I wore a homemade Naruto outfit to church youth group

    Cheezburger Image 10421139968
    via u/BookInvertebrate
  • 11

    My good old weeb phase from a decade ago.

    Cheezburger Image 10421140992
    via Reddit
  • 12

    My weeabo years left some awesome photos

    Cheezburger Image 10421140736
    via u/Ok-Tear-4335
  • 13

    Circa 2007? Bless the Mac Photobooth era.

    Cheezburger Image 10421139712
    via u/Grumpypants85
  • 14

    While you were partying, I studied the blade...

    Cheezburger Image 10421140480
    via u/katubug
  • 15

    My mom paid money to have this very professional photo taken at an anime convention in 2006.

    Office DEPOT.
    via u/marynotrhoda
  • 16

    I wanted to live in an anime so bad

    at BOY 9 derfinger ger Kat
    via u/cocoamilky
  • 17

    Here’s me and my life-size anime OCs circa 2009

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    via u/princess-bail
  • 18

    I dressed up as Gaara from Naruto and had my mom take a picture.

    Cheezburger Image 10421142272
    via u/HonoraryBoyscout
  • 19

    This was my costume when I was 9 years old...

    Cheezburger Image 10421142528
    via Reddit
  • 20

    Had an obsession with DN and wanted to look the part (circa 2008)

    Cheezburger Image 10421141504
    via u/allswelltillnow
  • 21

    Freshly 16 year old me.. with the piñata my mom secretly filled with tampons.

    Cheezburger Image 10421143040
    via u/emergencyx0x
  • 22

    That time I was Gohan for Halloween

    Cheezburger Image 10421143296
    via u/recongold
  • 23

    Me dressed up as Yugi Moto for a costume party, prepared to d-d-d-duel

    A
    via u/thotrap
  • 24

    "Mom, take the picture so I look cool but still kawaii"

    DICTIONARY DICTIONARY
    via u/LadyOfIthilien
  • 25

    14 y/o me at my first anime convention. I spent the entire weekend working up the nerve to ask them to take a picture with me.

    Cheezburger Image 10421142784
    via u/Wabisabigirl

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Tags

anime millennials cringe Awkward nostalgia fandom animemes Dragon Ball Z sailor moon naruto nostalgic cringe pics weeaboo gen x anime memes Japan weeb otaku
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