Former Foreign Minister Taro Aso is the clear underdog in the race to become the next prime minister. But among young fans of pop culture, Aso is king.

An avowed booster of "manga" (comic books) and the animated films known as "anime," Aso has won the support of "otaku" (nerds) for his promise to promote Japanese pop art overseas.

"Aso is a true nerd. He should be prime minister!" said Asami Suzuki, a 20-year-old college student shopping for comics in Akihabara, Tokyo's Mecca of comic book shops and electronic merchandise.

"He understands that manga and anime are so important to Japan's image," Suzuki said.

While foreign minister, Aso — a conservative with hawkish foreign policy views — argued that warm feelings for Japanese pop culture can translate into warm feelings for its foreign policy.

Under his leadership, Japanese water tanks deployed as humanitarian aid to Iraq were emblazoned with the image of a cutesy cartoon soccer player. Aso also oversaw the launch of the International Manga Award, an honor he has likened to "a Nobel Prize" for the genre.

He claims he can never wait to get his hands on the latest issue of Shonen Jump, a phone book-thick weekly featuring the latest comics, and reportedly stocks comics in his official car.

He opened a campaign speech in Akihabara last year with the greeting, "Hello, fellow nerds!"

Markets have taken note.

Manga-related shares jumped in Tokyo on Sept. 12 after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's shock resignation decision generated speculation Aso could become the next leader.

Shares in Broccoli, a publisher and game store operator, skyrocketed 71 percent. The company We've, which produces a Japanese version of "Sesame Street," gained 14 percent.

Share prices have since come down — as have Aso's chances on winning the Liberal Democratic Party presidency in the balloting this Sunday.

An early front-runner, Aso has been usurped by party elder Yasuo Fukuda, 71, a more subdued politician known for more dovish views on foreign policy.

Local media say he has the support of the majority of lawmakers and regional representatives within the LDP, who will cast their votes on Sunday.

Two nationwide polls published Monday also showed Aso trailing Fukuda. Aso himself acknowledged on a weekend talk show that he is unlikely to win.

Even so, the urban young are still gushing praise for the straight-talking Aso.

In Osaka, he won laughs by likening himself to the local team that languished near the bottom of the Central League earlier this year but is now vying for the pennant.

"The Hanshin Tigers were at the bottom of the league, but now they're on top," he told an enthusiastic crowd Monday, who answered with cheers of "Never give up!"

"Mr. Aso is so popular among younger people," an amused-looking Fukuda later told reporters. "It's quite remarkable."