Final answer:
Otaku culture is a subculture with its own practices that remains distinct despite mainstream media influence. It is part of a wider pattern where subcultures retain unique identities amid global cultural exchanges, exemplified by the worldwide popularity of anime and K-pop.
Step-by-step explanation:
Despite the influence of big mainstream media, otaku culture and practice have retained their subcultural credibility. A subculture is a smaller cultural group within a larger culture that maintains a specific identity by sharing distinctive practices, beliefs, and interests. Otaku culture, primarily centered on the enthusiasm for anime, manga, and video games, represents a vibrant example of such a group. This culture has its own celebrities like Xavier Woods, who are well-known within these circles but may be unknown to the broader public.
Cosplayers are another example of a subculture, and they might be seen emulating characters from various franchises, including anime and comic books. Despite the mainstream success of related media like Japanese anime and South Korean K-pop, which have become global phenomena, these fandoms hold on to their subcultural flair by maintaining distinct personal and group identities that differ from general societal norms.
Subcultures such as otaku, cosplay, and K-pop fans are driven by shared tastes and preferences that set them apart from the mainstream, despite their interaction and coexistence within larger societal structures. Hollywood's influence persists, yet the diversity of global influences, including the immense popularity of pieces like 'Squid Game', indicates a multi-directional flow of culture.