[My First Note] Self-Introduction of an Otaku Who Spends 300,000 Yen a Year on Their Oshi | Wanting to Balance Money and Supporting My Oshi

"Oh, I have no money left this month."

Have you ever muttered that while opening your banking app on your phone, still basking in the afterglow of a concert?

Ticket prices, travel expenses, accommodation costs, merchandise fees. By the time I realize it, my wallet is completely empty. But the moment I see my oshi's smile, I can say from the bottom of my heart, "I'm glad I came."

Not a single yen spent on my oshi is wasted.

I truly believe that. But—when I look at my bank book at the end of the month, I want to look away just a little bit.

I am writing this note for all the otaku who waver between their oshi and their finances.

Nice to meet you. I am an otaku who dedicates 300,000 yen a year to my oshi.

First, a brief self-introduction.

I've been an otaku for over 10 years now. My genre changes depending on the time, but I'm the type to chase after them with everything I've got once I'm hooked.

When I roughly looked back at my spending on oshi activities last year, it came out to this.

Concert/event ticket costs: approx. 80,000 yen. Travel/accommodation costs for trips: approx. 120,000 yen. Merchandise/CDs/Blu-rays: approx. 60,000 yen. Collaboration cafes/pilgrimages/other: approx. 40,000 yen.

Total: approx. 300,000 yen.

That's about 25,000 yen per month. There is data suggesting that the average monthly cost for oshi activities is around 16,000 yen, so I am well above average.

It's not like I have a high income. Actually, I'm quite average. That's exactly why this 300,000 yen really impacts my daily life.

Three worries I have while engaging in oshi activities

Supporting my oshi is the most fun thing in my life. But honestly, I have worries regarding money.

Worry 1: The guilt of holding back on merchandise

A new acrylic stand came out. I want it. But I'm already over budget this month.

I hold back.

...But what if it's limited edition? Will there be a restock? Maybe not. In the end, I buy it. And then I regret it. No, I don't regret it. But my wallet is crying.

This "want to buy vs. can't afford" loop is something only fellow otaku can understand.

Problem 2: Living paycheck to paycheck due to travel expenses

The fate of living in the countryside. Every time my favorite idol holds an event in Tokyo, my travel and accommodation expenses fly away.

A round-trip Shinkansen ticket plus one night in a business hotel easily costs 30,000 yen. On top of that, there are ticket and merchandise costs.

50,000 yen for a single trip is normal. If I travel a few times a year, my living expenses become tight just from that.

The desire to see my favorite idol is real. But the reality of physically not having enough money is also real.

Problem 3: Vague anxiety about future finances

"Should I be putting the money I spend on fandom activities into savings?"

I think about that in fleeting moments. I know I should be doing things like NISA or iDeCo. But I can't bring myself to invest if it means cutting back on my fandom expenses.

At the same time, there's no guarantee that my future self 10 or 20 years from now won't be in trouble.

The "now" where I support my favorite idol, and my own "future." Even though I want to cherish both, I feel like I have to sacrifice one or the other.

What I will write about in this note

While struggling with these worries, I realized something.

That "money problems can be solved not by willpower, but by systems."

There is no need to give up on your favorite idol. Just by "organizing" the flow of money, you can enjoy your fandom activities without guilt.

In this note, with the theme of "how to organize your money so you don't have to give up on fandom activities," I will write about the following:

・A realistic disclosure of an otaku's income and expenses. I want to make this a place where we can be open about money worries and think about them together.

・A way of thinking about household finances that eliminates guilt. How to free yourself from the curse that "fandom expenses = waste."

・Concrete methods for smartly managing travel and merchandise expenses. I will share practical saving techniques and templates.

・A money plan that values both your favorite idol and your future self. A realistic system for balancing fandom activities with savings and investments.

In closing: Why not aim for a "balance between fandom and finances" together?

I think otaku are creatures that demonstrate incredible drive when it comes to their favorites.

Focusing all your energy on general ticket sales, lining up for merchandise on the first train, or staying up all night reading doujinshi.

What would happen if you directed just a little bit of that drive toward "getting your finances in order"?

Surely, you would be able to support your favorite more freely and with more confidence.

Let's think about money together so we can keep supporting our favorites.

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In the next article, I will reveal my entire monthly income and expenditure.

For those of you wondering, "How much do other otaku spend?", look forward to it.