Comiket Will Have an Odor Defense Squad for Stinky Otakus
You know that stinky otaku meme? Well, it’s real. Whenever I’m looking for interesting topics to bring to the site, I often come across something about stinky people at anime events, card game tournaments, and so on. And with Comiket coming up, taking place on August 15th and 16th, well… Comiket will have an “Odor Defense Squad” for stinky otakus.
The so-called Odor Gate, created by WAKAYAMA Co., Ltd., will once again be present at Comiket 108. The initiative began at Comiket 104 in 2024 and is now entering its third year, turning the fight against stinky otakus into an activity at the event itself.
Comiket Will Have an Odor Defense Squad for Stinky Otakus
The company will set up a booth with six cosplayers forming the so-called “Odor Defense Squad,” or “Odor Defense Team” (what a cute name for something that basically means “the squad against stinky people”). Here’s a photo of last year’s squad:
The members will use an antibacterial and deodorizing spray developed by the company to help quickly neutralize odors caused by sweat and bacteria.
And it looks like the booth will have some new features this year.
In addition to the spray, visitors will be able to receive small gifts and try a gacha machine featuring limited-edition stickers. Naturally, they will also have the chance to take photos with the cosplayers from the squad.
On the squad’s official Twitter account, the cosplayers who will participate in this year’s team were announced. Check them out:
Before Comiket, Everyone Is Asking People to PLEASE TAKE A SHOWER!
Despite the whole initiative sounding fun, many netizens took the opportunity to make a very simple request to Comiket attendees: please take a shower before going to the event!
The problem is that thousands of people spend hours packed together indoors, with many of them walking around, waiting in long lines, and carrying bags. During the Japanese summer, with high temperatures and plenty of sweating, things can get pretty intense.
And there is a limit to what even a booth called Odor Gate can do.
Some netizens pointed out that showing up without taking a shower, sweating for hours, and then expecting a deodorizing spray to completely solve the problem isn’t exactly going to work.
In other words, if you’re going to spend the entire day at Comiket, perhaps the first item on your preparation checklist should simply be a shower.
via Nose Rescue