After visiting the DeDeCo convention in 2022, we were last year again asked by the organizers if we could present an update on the project. Given that our project relies on data from online enthusiast websites, we want to share our results with the larger Manga/Anime fan community and were happy to have such an opportunity again. Two members of the project team travelled to Dresden in February to attend DeDeCo 2025.
The program featured a varied mix of Anime and Manga-related panels, workshops and activities over three days. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place in 2022, the con felt much livelier this time around. The halls were packed, especially in the vendor areas.
Besides the two presentations from the context of our project, there were other presentations with an academic background. Three students from Frankfurt University discussed various aspects of Final Fantasy computer games in a panel format.
From our side, Magnus Pfeffer gave an introduction to the project and its current state in his presentation “Das Projekt ‘Japanese Visual Media Graph’”, and Saskia Dreßler explored possibilities of data-driven analysis of queer characters in Japanese visual media in the presentation ” Wie leben und lieben queere Charaktere in Fan-Fiction?”. Both presentations had attentive audiences who engaged with the presenters with questions and ideas. We even got to know an active contributor to an online enthusiast website who was interested in helping with the development of the Japanese Media Graph.
We enjoyed taking part in DeDeCo 2025, and we would like to thank both the organizers and the visitors who came to attend our presentations for making this such a great experience.