Quadrobers (or quadrobists) are a youth subculture that combines cosplay (dressing up as animals) with a physical activity called quadrobics (imitation of animal movements, like running around on all four limbs).[6] The subculture is popular mainly among children and adolescents aged 8 to 14.[7]
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The word "quadrobics" is a portmanteau of the words "quattuor" (Latin for "four") and "aerobics". Quadrobics began as a sports hobby and over time turned into a trend that started to take over social networks.[8] It is said to have been invented by Japanese sprinter Kenichi Ito, who in 2008 set the world record for running the 100-m track on all four limbs. Four years later, he beat his own record and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records.[1][3][8][5][9]
Quadrobers wear animal costumes and also imitate animal movements and behavior: walk on all fours, growl, bark and meow, climb trees and interact with fellow quadrobers as if they all were animals.[2][10][5]
Quadrobers are often confused with furries, but there are differences. Quadrobers focus on imitating real animals, while furries role-play anthropomorphic animal characters (thus creating so-called fursonas, a portmanteau of "fur" and "persona").[8][5]
In Russia, the subculture drew public attention in the spring of 2024. On 16 April, the head of the League for Safe Internet, Ekaterina Mizulina, drew attention to Internet hate messages that called for beating up people named "quadrobers". A week later, the commissioner for children's rights of the Republic of Tatarstan, Irina Volynets, spoke alarmedly about children in animal costumes and the necessity to define the line between play and deviation.[11] In September, a viral video featuring singer Mia Boyka who, in front of a concert audience, ridicules an 8-year-old female fan wearing cat ears and a tail caused a scandal[14] and led to a discussion of the new quadrober phenomenon on the Russian 1st Channel talk show Let Them Talk, spanning several episodes.[15][16]
References
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