I must say I agree with the thought that otaku like Pocky because they like Japan. It's not an amazing snack. Yan Yan is a little better than Pocky IMO, but you never see it in anime, so otaku don't eat it. It's 95% because of anime at LEAST.

I've eaten Japanese candy that's a lot better than Pocky (Kokutou Caramels FTW!!), so why don't we see it? I can't think of any other reason than it not being on anime and etc. all the time.

Otaku could just buy those Teddy Grahams with chocolate dip if they want something like Pocky (but BETTER!), but they get Pocky because it's KAWAII OISHII (nai) DESU.