Thursday, March 17: We have SURPASSED our 80,000 yen goal! We'll continue to leave this page up to see how much higher we can all get. You can scroll below to see the numbers.
The current situation in Japan is horrifying. As recipients of much of Japan's rich cultural exports, from music to video games to anime, us otaku have an opportunity to give back to the country that has given us so much.
We propose an otaku fundraiser to raise 80,000 yen (approximately $1,000 USD). In addition to providing timely help, we also hope the gesture will be symbolic that in its time of need Japan's international otaku fan base was among the first to offer assistance.
Here's how to take part:
Donations:
Google setup a page to accept donations for the Japanese Red Cross. The page also contains additional information about the earthquake.
Because donations must be done in yen, which is a little tricky to calculate, here are some suggested amounts:
400 yen = $5
800 yen = $10
1600 yen = $20
4000 yen = $50
8000 yen = $100
You can also quickly donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
If there are other organizations you'd prefer to donate to, make a donation there and post in the comments.
Create Art:
If donating money is beyond your means, then create a work of art in solidarity and to spread awareness of the event and tag it: japanrelief
Also linking it to this page in the description will help spur additional donations.
Note that tons of fan works are being added every hour. To browse them all click here.
Share your donations:
Sharing donations will encourage other people to make them and will help us keep track to see if we reach our 80,000 yen goal. Add a comment to this news post with the amount you donated. Your name will also be reprinted below. If you'd rather stay anonymous, then email us and we'll simply post "Anonymous"
Extra Thanks:
We'll make sure every single person who contributes to this fundraiser, whether it's through a donation or original art, will receive a special gift on their theOtaku.com account.
Current status:
Current progress: 165,486 / 80,000 yen ($2,068.58 / $1,000)!
Japanese Red Cross Contributors:
- phaelin - 12,000 yen ($150)
- Umeda Isao - 12,000 yen ($150)
- theOtaku.com (On Behalf of Staff and All Members)- 8,000 yen ($100)
- Korey - 8,000 yen ($100)
- ddn - 6,400 yen ($80)
- teddy338 - 5,000 yen ($62)
- Ritona Raito - 4,800 yen ($60)
- reviekat - 4,000 yen ($50)
- TimeChaser - 4,000 yen ($50)
- Katana - 4,000 yen ($50)
- CleaversForKids - 4,000 yen ($50)
- chibi-anna-chan - 3,886 yen ($48)
- 2lovinuyasha - 2,500 yen ($31)
- Rageon - 2,000 yen ($25)
- schultzie - 2,000 yen ($25)
- Cedric - 2,000 yen ($25)
- wuzzle - 2,000 yen ($25)
- yokokarama - 2,000 yen ($25)
- BKRTDB - 2,000 yen ($25)
- Ace - 2,000 yen ($25)
- Beulah Page - 2,000 yen ($25)
- saekimidori - 2,000 yen ($25)
- Kitty K.O. - 2,000 yen ($25)
- NekoTenshiEmi - 1600 yen ($20)
- Miracle Star19 - 1600 yen ($20)
- Hulaberry32 - 1600 yen ($20)
- Mariskah - 1600 yen ($20)
- sirmio - 1600 yen ($20)
- lemoond - 1600 yen ($20)
- sasoriofredsand - 800 yen ($10)
- mariskah - 800 yen ($10)
- slevkofski - 800 yen ($10)
- James Cooper - 800 yen ($10)
- kotaru14 - 800 yen ($10)
- deekz - 800 yen ($10)
- EnviousOne - 800 yen ($10)
- sjade1 - 800 yen ($10)
- itsumademo - 800 yen ($10)
- mikecdixson - 800 yen ($10)
- beloved blood - 800 yen ($10)
- Enigmatic Turk - 800 yen ($10)
- SunfallE - 800 yen ($10)
- sangohime - 800 yen ($10)
- Grayfire - 800 yen ($10)
- Hana Ishida - 800 yen ($10)
- Najicaa - 800 yen ($10)
- Mariskah - 800 yen ($10)
- morbo86 - 800 yen ($10)
- Tokyo iris - 800 yen ($10)
- xaos - 800 yen ($10)
- red tigress - 800 yen ($10)
- mewmewpudding - 800 yen ($10)
- LightFykki - 800 yen ($10)
- fma17 - 800 yen ($10)
- LilyGinnyBlack - 400 yen ($5)
- jctmanofsteel - 400 yen ($5)
Red Cross Text Message Contributors:
- Ritona Raito - 1600 yen ($20)
- AnnaKanda - 800 yen ($10)
- darknessslayer - 800 yen ($10)
- Airo Rokkuhauto - 800 yen ($10)
- ariel1 - 800 yen ($10)
- Sham7574 - 800 yen ($10)
- SakuraKatana - 800 yen ($10)
- Make It Shine - 800 yen ($10)
- Sunshine 60 - 800 yen ($10)
- Katerina - 800 yen ($10)
- Allyson - 800 yen ($10)
- AnnaKanda - 800 yen ($10)
- silverart - 800 yen ($10)
- KCHuang - 800 yen ($10)
- Timcanpy14 - 400 yen ($5)
Salvation Army Japan Relief Effort:
- Japan - 8,000 yen ($100)
- Anonymous - 4,000 yen ($50)
- itsumademo - 800 yen ($10)
- 2lovinuyasha - 800 yen ($10)
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue:
- DaisyX - 4,900 yen ($61)
- Hulaberry32 - 1,600 yen ($20)
- Grayfire - 800 yen ($10)
Global Giving:
- The Mask - 2,000 yen ($25)
- itsumademo - 800 yen ($10)
Music For Relief:
- Panda - 2,000 yen ($25)