This article explores the cultural phenomenon of Nijigen fashion, a style influenced by Japanese anime and manga that has expanded from niche fan communities into a globally recognized fashion discourse. The research examines how digital platforms, particularly Instagram, contribute to the development and visibility of anime-inspired fashion cultures. Using @animefashion.archives, an Instagram archive founded by the author in 2020, as a primary case study, the study investigates how online communities curate, document, and promote Nijigen fashion. The research combines digital ethnography, observational analysis, and interview methodology to understand the relationship between anime fandom, fashion expression, and social media participation. The article also analyzes the role of participatory media in shaping contemporary fashion narratives and highlights the interaction between fans, independent designers, and online archives. In addition, the study explores several manifestations of Nijigen fashion culture, including cosplay practices, ita-bag fandom aesthetics, and anime-inspired clothing brands such as SORA Apparel. An in-person interview with fashion student and anime enthusiast Xinzhi Chen further illustrates how Nijigen fashion operates across both underground fan communities and commercial collaborations between fashion brands and anime franchises. The findings demonstrate that Nijigen fashion functions not only as a form of aesthetic expression but also as a community-driven cultural archive that reflects evolving identities, fandom participation, and digital fashion preservation.
Xijia Cheng (Tue,) studied this question.