Moe Day

What Is Moe Day?

October 10th is "Moe Day" in Japan. The date comes from the fact that writing "October" (十月) and "10th" (十日) vertically and combining them forms the kanji character "萌" (moe). It was established by Interlink Co., an internet service provider.

A Subculture Holiday Born From the Structure of a Kanji Character

"Moe" is a Japanese term expressing strong affection or fondness, often directed toward anime or game characters, and stands as one of the defining expressions of Japanese pop culture.

• Origin: a discovery rooted in kanji structure -- combining the characters for "October" and "10th day" forms the character "萌" (moe)
• Purpose: to promote the ".moe" domain launched in 2014, and to create a day for confessing your "moe" feelings for anime or manga characters and other favorites
• The word's reach: the term was nominated for Japan's Buzzword of the Year award in 2004 and made the top ten in 2005, becoming widely recognized in society

A Japan-Born Pop Culture Term That Went Global

The word "moe" has spread overseas alongside Japanese anime and manga culture, becoming recognized internationally as one of the keywords symbolizing Japanese pop culture.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Talk with someone about your favorite anime or game characters
• Look into the origin and history of the word "moe"
• Spend time enjoying your favorite character or content once again
• Reflect on the appeal of Japanese pop culture

The Character "萌" Symbolizes a Budding Passion

The kanji "萌" originally described a plant's sprout emerging from the ground, and came to represent the rising feeling of being drawn to something. October 10th is a day to sit with whatever truly makes your heart "moe."