When you think of Otaku Scents, you probably think, “OH! It must be the smell of those otakus that are always in the conventions. DAT B.O.” If you really thought that, WOW… That’s all I can say… HAHA. Well, jokes aside. In all seriousness, you’re wrong.

Otaku Scents is a candle shop that provides to you all sorts of candles based off of different anime characters. I know it’s kind of random for us to create a blog post on them, but I’ve always been a huge fan of candles. Something about the sweet or herbaceous aroma that just makes me either really happy or serene. I know everytime I go to Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie with my girlfriend, I would go straight to the candles and smell the hell out of them. xD

On the real though, I thought that Otaku Scents is such an unique product that I had to get in touch with them for a blog post. I was given the privilege to interview Ashley, the owner of Otaku Scents and here was how the interview went.

INTERVIEW WITH ASHLEY:

1. What is Otaku Scents?
Otaku Scents is a candle shop for the anime lover! We specialize in high quality scented soy candles that are inspired by your favorite anime characters and anime worlds. Our labels are made of a high quality vinyl that is water resistant, so you can hand-wash your container and display it next to your favorite anime figure.

2. Why did you decide to create Otaku Scents? What inspired the creation behind it?
During college, I was going to school full time and working full time. After I graduated, I felt like I had a little too much free time on my hands. I decided to take up candle making due to the relaxing process of making candles. While surfing Etsy, I discovered that there were multiple shops with themed candles that referenced books, pop culture, fandoms, and more, but there were barely any anime themed candles to choose from! As a lover of anime, I felt that there was a void that needed to be filled. From that thought, Otaku Scents was born.

3. Of all of the candles you created, what is your favorite scent?
Gosh, that’s a hard one! I would have to say my favorite right now is our Kurama scent. It has a warm and rich woodsy fragrance that smells amazing!

4. How did you go about with creating the scents for each of the characters? Can you give an example?
Usually before I start testing new scents for characters, I watch (or in many cases, rewatch) an anime, and focus on what the main character likes, what their personality is like, or the environment and world they reside in. For example, with Usagi, she loves cake, so naturally her scent is a sweet smelling cake scent. For some characters it takes a lot of testing to find that right “scent” that I feel represents the character.

5. For someone who wants to get into candles, what’s a good introductory candle to get?
Either the Kurama candle or Usagi candle, depending on whether you like more of a woodsy scent or a sweet smelling scent.

6. Can someone submit a character (smell) for you to create, as a commission?
At this time, no. I commission the artwork from an artist (and currently commissioning artwork from a second artist), so the cost of creating a new candle is a bit high. However, I do welcome suggestions or ideas! If I hear that people want certain characters or candles from a certain anime over and over, I usually bump the suggestions up on my priority list to become my next candle release.

7. What is your favorite anime? What is your favorite anime character?
My favorite anime is Yona of the Dawn (I’m a sucker for shoujo anime). However, my current favorite anime character right now is Luffy from One Piece. I only finished the first arc recently, but I love his personality!

8. What would be the best combination of candles to light up at the same time? (could be more than 2; harems are allowed xD)
From an aesthetic perspective I would have to say our Yuuri and Usagi candle. They are both sweet smelling and the combination is divine! Plus they are both glitter candles, so they look amazing when lit.

9. When the moment is “right”, what would be the perfect candle to light? xD
For me, the Spike candle. It has a nice masculine (but not too masculine scent) that I love. For my boyfriend, on the other hand, it would have to be the Asuna candle. It drives him crazy, but in a good way *wink wink*.

10. If you had to choose a candle that would ward you away from evil, which one would you light?
Definitely our Goku candle. Who would be better to ward away evil?