Otaku2 Interview: Anna Perales

24.04.2009 by Patrick W. Galbraith

Popopure, the animation studio slash maid cafe, has moved from its small alcove on the backstreets of Akihabara to a spacious new location on the second floor next to Asobit City Character. One girl stands out among the new maids hanging off the balcony shouting in customers and flooding the streets passing out fliers. She is quiet, opinionated and white. Meet Anna Perales, 22, or "Mitsuki," among the first foreigners to work as a maid in Akihabara (Otaku2's own Eva beat her to it). Looks like the future seen in "Moe USA" wasn't so far fetched. Maid cafes are beginning to open up, and here is the word from the inside.

When and why did you come to Japan?

I came to Japan six months ago to study the language and grow up as a person. I had to live alone and do things for myself. I come from a family of five, and then I was alone in a different culture not even understanding the language.


How did you end up in a maid café?

Since I was a kid I liked old clothes, like from the 18th century. When I was nine years old I watched the anime which inspired my love for Lolita fashion. My friends told me that I had two options as a Lolita in Japan. Work for the international fan club of one of my favorite J-rock bands, which is impossible, or work in a maid café. Maid cafes are getting more foreign customers and need staff who speak both Japanese and English.















Was it tough to become a maid?

At first I couldn’t communicate with the customers and maids, but they were all very nice and taught me. For me, it was embarrassing to act like a maid. I couldn’t sing songs, dub animation [a game in the café] or draw on the omellete rice the way maids do. In Barcelona, acting like a maid wouldn’t be allowed! You would be laughed at for even wearing these clothes at all. I sometimes wore Lolita fashion in Barcelona, but people look at you like you are crazy. Japan is awesome because you can wear what you want. People will look at you, but not in a bad way.


Is it still tough?

The work isn’t hard, though it can be stressing when there are lots of people. Carrying the glasses is hard for me, because I don’t have experience in the service industry, and the boss will get really mad if we drop them. The customers think it’s cute and say it’s OK, but not the boss…


What do customers want from maids?

I think they want to enjoy an experience and have fun, whether they are a man or a woman. Even if the customers come in couples or groups, they don’t talk and just watch us maids as we work. It’s like they are expecting us to do something to make them happy. The guys are really shy, like giggling when they talk to maids. It’s opposite of the confident big man image in Spain. Sometimes they ask for pictures with the maids [which cost money], or they come back again and again like they are in love. But I don’t want to know!


Women come in, too?

Yes, about 30 percent of all customers. I thought they would all be men, but even families with children will visit. That surprised me.


Are maids make-believe friends?

For me, no. A friend is something stronger, someone you can share your deepest and darkest thoughts with, not just the happiness of the maids. The customers and maids don’t want to really know one another deeply. There is an invisible barrier there. When you leave the café, it is over.


What is the best part about being a maid?

The other maids. They are younger than me and very cute.


Would you recommend others become maids as you did?

It depends on the person. It is fun with the other maids and the work is easy. The wage is the same as any other café [around 850 yen an hour]. If you like Lolita fashion or manga, than this might be a good job. Anyone can learn to be a maid if they aren’t too serious. They tell you, “Just be yourself.”


Be yourself in what way?

Like a Japanese Lolita – shy and like a doll. You are not allowed to be outgoing or have a personality. They just want someone cute, young and innocent. Look at the maid poses and listen to their voices. But that
isn’t me!


What is your favorite thing about Akihabara?

DVD and second-hand DVD shops. Mandarake. If you buy second hand in Barcelona it is crap. We have a few manga shops, but nothing compared to Mandarake. And the prices are so high back home.


What is something everyone should do once in Japan?

Go to Ueno Park or Tokyo Tower. A maid café is not on the top of the list. It is fun, so come if you have time, but Tokyo has so many other exciting things to do. You can be here a week and still have so many amazing things left to see before a maid café.