What is a "dakimakura"?

A dakimakura is essentially a large body pillow that originates from Japan, typically adorned with various anime or manga character designs. It is commonly used for cuddling or as a companion during sleep. The dakimakura usually features a long pillowcase that covers the length of the pillow and displays the chosen character's image. Due to its popularity in fandom culture, these body pillows have become a significant aspect of Japanese otaku (geek) subculture.