Kanji Sasahara is an introverted college freshman simply seeking a place where he belongs. One day, he happens upon the club known as the Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture—otherwise known as Genshiken—which aims to unite the full spectrum of otaku culture. His initial visit to the club, however, ends poorly when his senior, Harunobu Madarame, crushes Sasahara's pride, causing him to leave the meeting in complete denial of his otaku nature. However, after befriending club member Makoto Kousaka, who turns out to be a hardcore otaku despite his appearance, Sasahara becomes more involved in club activities. These include obsessing over their favorite anime, reading doujinshi, and attending conventions. There, he meets other interesting people, such as Kousaka's vehemently non-otaku girlfriend Saki Kasukabe, who strives to turn her boyfriend into a "normal guy." While Saki struggles to understand otaku culture and her boyfriend's love for it, Sasahara finds himself enjoying his time at Genshiken, gradually shedding any denial he once had about being an otaku and immersing himself in an otaku lifestyle.