Acculturation today does not only occur due to direct physical interaction between two different cultural groups, but rather, it is due more to online interaction. Cultural interaction also raises the imitation of the visual aspects of popular commodities, such as films being cultural products. This study aims to explore subcultures and identity communication built and maintained in the weeaboo fandom community outside of Japan. It also analyzes the daily experiences of individuals in interacting within the community and outside of it. This study uses a qualitative phenomenological approach through detailed observation, in-depth interviews, and analysis of community interactions on social media. Because weeaboo’s scope is anime fans in various countries other than Japan, the sources and participants of this study were drawn mainly from Indonesia. The results showed that the weeaboo subculture arose between millennials and generation Z anime lovers. These cohorts began to recognize anime and form communities from childhood with those with the same habits, so similar characters and preferences emerge. Acculturation occurs in contiguity between two primary cultures where a new culture is born. In the context of anime, there is acculturation between Japanese culture (home culture) with the culture of a different country, as anime fans in the community do their routines and habits differently from the anime home country (Japan) in the host country (outside Japan). This study found that the weeaboo subculture of Indonesian Generation Z and Y is shaped by acculturation in intercultural communication such as in language, expressions, fashion, accessories, make-up, hairstyle, cuisine, group attitudes, values, and natural and cultural preferences of Japanese destinations. Based on the findings, further research can continue to analyze other aspects that are affected by the weeaboo community, such as international relations, economic aspects, and the Japanese tourism industry.

This article addresses ways in which members of Generation Z construct identity as techno-entrepreneurs by using livestreaming applications. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative assessments of surveys, interviews, documents, and observations, the authors show how visual and verbal conduct based on expressions, interaction, communication, and transactions was used for informal educational purposes by techno-entrepreneurs in their daily lives. On the micro level, members of Gen Z construct self-images as entertainers and businesspeople who need self-recognition and build relationships with viewers. On the meso level, identity emerges via community cohesiveness and a community of talent, and by streaming pop culture. On the macro level, Gen Z follows social and cultural issues and engages in global citizenship while responding to streaming business opportunities. Livestreaming fosters Gen Z’s identity construction and shapes the role of influencers in the development of techno-entrepreneurship.

Although various studies have addressed environmental concerns, few studies use the cohort perspective to address them, mainly Gen Z online communities. The future of the earth is reflected in the awareness, thoughts, and actions of young people towards the environment. This article analyzes interaction, online community formation and examines knowledge sharing and social movement on Instagram among Gen Z in various countries. The online survey results revealed that Gen Z Instagram users (n = 258) interacted online to discuss environmental sustainability, SDGs, and the 'save the earth' campaign as a form of knowledge sharing and social movement. The research sample was taken from social media-based environmental care communities on Instagram with an age range between 19 to 29 years in various countries. The analysis was conducted empirically with descriptive statistics that describe Gen Z's attitudes, actions, and engagement in social movements. Research also shows the environmental sense among Gen Z regarding SDGs issues such as good health and well-being, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and plastic litter oceans. Gen Z shows a relatively deep concern for the earth's future because they associate it with themselves and humans' future. Most of Gen Z show deep concern about the negative implications of a development that exploits nature, unbalanced ecosystems, and the human ignorance of environmental sustainability. The implication of this research is to provide recommendations for future research in a multidisciplinary manner, examining the need for Gen Z leadership in building sustainability development from one generation to the next.

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The Zero Waste Indonesia community carried out a social media campaign with the hashtag #TukarBaju out of concern for textile waste. This study aims to analyse the social movement and environmental communication of the Zero Waste community through Instagram. Qualitative descriptive research was conducted with semiotic analysis to interpret the interactions, communications and transactions of sustainable values and knowledge sharing within and outside the community. The data were gathered from the community activities in two years (April 2019–March 2021), with a sample of 24 posted texts and visuals. Content analysis was carried out through coding according to the construct of the concepts covered in environmental communication. The results showed that the @tukarbaju community built eco-friendly awareness and has become its social movement awareness agent. The community digitally conducted women empowerment for environmental care and invited viewers to join the social movement to reduce textile waste and care for environmental sustainability. Knowledge sharing was done persuasively through digital visual and verbal campaigns. The campaigns with actionable hashtags are examples of collaborations. In addition, some of the content categories in the @tukarbaju Instagram account have been educational to build awareness for half a decade.