Otaku Elf

Otaku Elf

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, Anime
Founded	June 17, 2019 (2019-06-17)
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, Anime adaptation

is a Japanese manga series created by . It initially started its serialization in Kodansha's Shōnen Magazine Edge in June 2019 and transitioned to the Comic Days platform in December 2023. By March 2025, the series had been compiled into 11 volumes. An anime adaptation produced by C2C was broadcast from April through June 2023.

Plot

Koito Koganei, a sixteen-year-old girl, serves as the miko of Takamimi Shrine and acts as the guardian of its living deity, Elda—an immortal elf who was summoned over four centuries ago. Elda, a reclusive otaku haunted by past experiences that make her reluctant to leave the shrine, spends her time immersed in anime and video games. Koito endeavors to assist Elda in connecting with the world beyond the shrine while managing her own responsibilities.

Characters

The fifteenth-generation miko of Takamimi Shrine, who took over the position after her mother's passing. She holds a deep affection for Elda, who once provided her comfort during childhood.

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A 621-year-old elf brought forth during the Edo era by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Though revered as the deity of Takamimi Shrine, she is a shut-in otaku known for her passion for anime, gaming, and energy drinks. Her sole magical power is telepathy. Her ageless nature has earned her enduring popularity among locals.

Koito's close friend and fellow student.

Koito's younger sister, renowned for her culinary skills and favored by Elda; she is well-known at the local fish market.

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A 622-year-old dark elf deity affiliated with Hiromimi Shrine, summoned alongside Elda by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. She is lively and well-traveled throughout Japan but has poor navigation abilities. Despite being older than Elda, she often displays childish behavior.

Also sixteen years old like Koito, she serves as the fifteenth-generation miko and caretaker of Yord.

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The deity of Uramimi Shrine, summoned by Lord Maeda Toshiie over seven centuries ago. As the eldest elf among the three deities, she commands respect from Elda and struggles with a gambling addiction that worries her miko.

Haira’s caretaker and a well-known internet personality admired by Koito. She frequently photographs Haira but also reprimands her over gambling issues.

Manga

Otaku Elf, both written and illustrated by Akihiko Higuchi, commenced serialization in Kodansha's Shōnen Magazine Edge on June 17, 2019. After the magazine ceased publication on October 18, 2023, the series shifted to the Comic Days website on December 20. As of March 2025, eleven volumes have been released. In North America, Seven Seas Entertainment holds the rights for both print and digital editions.

Anime

The anime adaptation was revealed in June 2022 and produced by C2C, with Takebumi Anzai directing. It aired from April 8 to June 24, 2023, within the Animeism programming block on MBS and its affiliates. The core creative team featured scriptwriter Shōgo Yasukawa, character designer and chief animation director Takeshi Oda, and composer Akito Matsuda. The opening theme song Kien Romance was performed by Nanawo Akari, while Cody Lee provided the ending theme titled Odoru Hikari. Sentai Filmworks acquired streaming rights for Hidive, and Medialink secured distribution for Asia-Pacific through Ani-One Asia’s YouTube channel.

Reception

Alex Henderson from Anime Feminist commended the series for its "charming character interactions and meaningful themes," emphasizing Elda's enthusiasm for gaming alongside her "profound dedication to the community." He characterized the show as a supernatural comedy that relies on fully realized characters rather than relying on isolated humor, notably avoiding fan service elements.