Internet activism has reached a new level of eccentricity. A self-proclaimed otaku and amateur military commentator, known as Sakamori Ryuto, unleashed a storm of mockery after announcing the organization of what he calls the “Otaku Demonstration in Favor of War”. However, to the disappointment of his supposed followers, the “march” scheduled for April 18, 2026, will take place exclusively online, as the organizer lives far away and “expects little participation”.

“Too much peace in society”

Sakamori, a man born in 1981 living in Miyazaki prefecture and self-proclaimed fan of the anime BLACK LAGOON, published his controversial call on April 16. According to his conservative view, Japan has become an “excessively peaceful” society and blames left-wing media for brainwashing people and using the otaku community for anti-war campaigns, which he considers an “act of treason to the nation”.

To counter this, he urged “true patriotic otakus” to raise their voices using pro-war hashtags on social media, justifying his bellicist ideas by supporting foreign military actions as a way to stop communism.

“If you want war, go to Ukraine”

As expected, the announcement did not spark patriotic revolution, but rather a flood of humiliation. Japanese forums quickly tore apart Sakamori’s initiative. Many users pointed out the irony and cowardice behind the event: “If it’s just on social media, can you really call it a demonstration? You’re backing out before you even start”. The jokes continued with sarcastic calculations about attendance: “Maybe six participants will show up and everyone will be exposed”.

The harshest blow from internet users came in questioning the organizer’s supposed courage. Dozens of comments demanded he go from words to real action: “If you want war so much, go to Ukraine and join as a mercenary”, and others asked if he had the courage to join Japan’s Self-Defense Forces or if he just expected others to fight and die while he stayed safe typing at his computer. So far, the event remains scheduled for April 18, but the movement has become the laughingstock of Japanese internet.