08.04.2008 · by AKS
Mandarake Complex Opens in Akiba
On April 5, Mandarake (Nakano Ward) opened Mandarake Complex (Chiyoda Ward 3) in Akihabara. The location was formerly PC parts shop Orekon House.
In September of last year, Mandarake purchased the 231.08 square meter plot and accompanying building with total floor space of 1,075.23 square meters for 16.25 billion yen with the goal of expanding business in Akihabara. After tearing down the original structure, a new 8 floor building with black exterior was built in its place.
All eight floors are utilized in catering to widest audience possible, with products aimed at both men and women including character-brand erasers and American toys. Both “manga and toy lovers of all ages with inferiority complexes” and collectors that stress having every last item to form “full complete sets” where considered in the planning of the Complex, according to Mandarake President Masuzo Furukawa. In addition, the former Akihabara Mandarake dealing in men's doujinshi and hobby related products has closed shop, having been integrated into the new building.
Speaking of the new Akihabara store opening, a Mandarake promotional representative said, “Using 'Mandarake's Stongest Shop' as our mission statement, we set our sights on having all eight floors containing maniac level goods. Drawing the line at the traditional 'moe-genre and bishojo-genre only' Akihabara-style shop, Mandarake's integrated-style offers retro, subculture, and vintage-genre - which is our biggest advantage. Not only customers wanting Akiba-genre goods, but women and families can also lose track of time in a fun place.”
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
03.04.2008 · by AKS
Emergency Ration “Magic Rice” Vending Machine and Dining Space
From the middle of March, Satake (Chiyoda Ward Sotokanda 4) set up a vending machine selling the company's emergency ration “Magic Rice” at their store front.
The vending machine was established in order to raise awareness about the company's “Magic Rice” product. In total, the machine vends 21 different products. 14 varieties are single items, while the other seven are 2 or 3 different items sold as sets. The product lineup includes: chirashi zushi (350 yen), soy milk rice porridge (390 yen), and brown rice salad (470 yen) among many others. Inside the company, a space is also being created in which you can actually eat their products. Since the initial setup, business is said to be especially good on Sundays.
Satake primarily makes rice milling machines, but said they started the development of “Magic Rice” 12 years ago with the goal of showing consumers the food products they eat made using that machinery. An advertising representative from Satake says, “Not only can our company's products be used for emergency rations, but they're also light weight, easy to carry foods for outdoors and travel.”
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Every
0 Comments
31.03.2008 · by AKS
Academy Concept Maid Shop Akiba Academy Maid Class - Patrons are Students
On March 20 in Akihabara, Akiba Academy Maid Class Loving Cafeteria and Bar (Chiyoda-ku Sotokanda 3) opened its doors. The cafe is a production of parent company Best of All based in Chiyoda Ward. The shop is a maid cafe and bar with an academy-like image. The shop's interior replicates that of a classroom, filled with school desks.
In order to become maids just a step above the rest, the staff is studying at Akiba Academy, establishing themselves as a Maid Class. Cafe patrons are in turn treated as classmates studying in general curriculum courses.
The menu offers omelet rice, pilaf, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages in addition to set menu items. Set meals include the Academy Set, one drink plus a game with the staff (900 yen), Loving Cafeteria Set, a drink plus food item and game (1,500 yen), and Flower Drink Set, a cocktail or other alcoholic beverage with game and snack (1,200 yen).
Regarding future developments, Akiba Academy owner says, "I want to plan events and such making use of the establishment's academy theme."
At its opening, the shop's hours of operation are 12pm to 10pm.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
24.03.2008 · by AKS
New Mini Four Wheel Drive Product Presentation and Press Cup
On March 21, Tamiya (Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture) presented a Mini Four Wheel Drive New Product Conference and hosted a competitive race amongst the press. The three new products announced at the conference were the Mini 4WD PRO Hot Shot Jr., Mini 4WD PRO Dash 1 Emperor, and the Mini 4WD PRO MS Chassis Evo. 1. The Mini 4WD PRO Hot Shot is a remake of the 1986 Tamiya Racer Mini 4WD Series first release Hot Shot Jr. The body inherits its image from the first generation series, also employing the original series' spike tires. It will go on sale May 31. The Mini 4WD PRO Dash 1 Emperor also makes use of a 1980s body popular with Mini 4WD fans, known as the Emperor, constructed with the new addition of an MS Chassis. The release grants requests of fans in their 20s and 30s, and parent-child generational fans, the numbers of which have all steadily increased in recent years. It is scheduled for release sometime in July. The Mini 4WD PRO MS Chassis Evo.1 is a rehashing of the historical Mini 4WD High Fidelity Chassis Kit, and is scheduled for launch this summer.
In other news, model magazines, web media, and other media types competed in the Press Competitive Race. In the first round, participants had to take their respective machines before the stage and arrange them on the desk provided. Then came the Dress-up Contest, a competition for the best body color and decoration. The judging was conducted by 2 chairmen of the event. The MC Guts Award went to Hayabusa Magazine's machine, covered in sneaker prints; however, the Tamiya Award went to Akiba Keizai Shinbun's rhinestone and strawberry cream decorated Sweets car.
As for the race game, four people from cave and scooter magazine Toransukuta and the ASCII team, composed of weekly publication ASCII and ASCII.jp, advanced to the finals. In the end, Mr. Akaza of ASCII's machine was victorious.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
24.03.2008 · by AKS
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. Cafe with Laughing Man Hotcakes in Akiba
From April 4 to the 20th, Cure Maid Cafe on the 6th floor of GEE! STORE Akiba (Chiyoda Ward Sotokanda 3) will be having a collaboration with anime Ghost in the Shell STAND ALONE COMPLEX (hereafter, GitS SAC).
For this limited time, a special menu including Laughing Man Hotcakes will be featured. In addition, those ordering from the menu will be presented with one of six original coasters made especially for the event. The store interior will become an anime island, decorated with goods related to the series.
GitS SAC is a televised anime drawing elements from both manga artist Masamune Shirow's and director Mamoru Oshii's respective hit Ghost in the Shell creations. The story is set in the year 2030, in which a team of cybernetic law enforcement officers act under the organization of “Section 9” to prevent and investigate acts of crime committed on the vast computer network established by advancing technology. It follows protagonist and Section 9 member Matoko Kusanagi. GitS SAC received an award for “Excellence in Animation” at the 2003 Tokyo International Anime Fair.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
21.03.2008 · by AKS
PSP One-seg Antenna with Better Reception from CYBER Gadget
In the latter part of April, CYBER Gadget (Chiyoda-ku Sotokanda 5) will release its CYBER One-seg Antenna BARI 3. Meant for use with the PSP-2000 One-seg Tuner, it is a device capable of highly sensitive reception. It can be directly connected to a PSP one-seg tuner via an integrated stand-type antenna and cable. A collapsible antenna capable of 360 degree revolution allows for optimal reception adjustment and control, and is also compatible with the DS/DS Lite one-seg tuner DS TV.
With a cable length of 3.5 meters, the suggested retail price is 1,980 yen.
CYBER Gadget was established in July of 2000. With the goal of offering unique gaming related goods in the spirit of keeping gaming life fun, the company has expanded into the importation, planning, release, and sale of gaming and digital related goods.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
18.03.2008 · by AKS
Toranoana's Cat Cafe and Anime Wolf and Spice Collaboration
From April 4 - 6, Cafe with Cat, located on the second floor of Toranoana's Akihabara Main Store (Chiyoda-ku Sotokanda 4), plans to have a collaboration event with the novel and animated series Wolf and Spice. Wolf and Spice originated as a light novel written by Isuna Hasekura, published in Dengeki Bunko magazine. After the publication of volume 7, total sales had exceeded 1.2 million copies. An animated adaption of the work started airing January of this year. The story features Lawrence, a peddler, and Holo, a wolf deity, as pivotal characters in a story that imbues a rich sense of history through a unique world view.
The event is being held in correlation with the Wolf and Spice Volume 1 DVD release. A special limited edition menu will recreate items featured in the series. The menu includes Traveler's Bed and Breakfast Meal (1,000 yen), the inn's meal and topic of discussion between peddlers, Apple Tart and Ice Cream (600 yen), made from Holo's favorite food, and Grape Juice (500 yen), made from grapes specially grown for wine production. For a limited time, customers will receive a special edition monochrome character design sheet, and those customers who purchase the Wolf and Spice DVD from Toranoana's Akihabara Main Store will get a chance to win rare goods in a lottery drawing upon presentation of a receipt. These events will last until April 6.
Cafe with Cat is a cafe in Toranoana's Akihabara Main Store, featuring staff in cat themed costume. In addition to a
point card system that allows for special privileges and services, they also sell original goods.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
14.03.2008 · by AKS
New AMD780 Chipset Release and Akiba Commemorative Cafe Event
On March 16, AMD Japan (Shinjuku Ward) will hold their AMD780 chipset debut event at Cafe Solare Linux Cafe's Akihabara Store (Chiyoda Ward Sotokanda 3).
The event will be the year's first for the AMD780 chipset released on March 4, and will also commemorate AMD's yearly chipset release.
In addition to an assembly of AMD780 equipped motherboards, Sanyo Xacti goods are being prepared as a promotion for the the Sanyo collaboration HD solution AMD HD! Experience, for which they are also planning a working HD solution demo.
Participants will be presented with special favors prepared for the event, such as an AMD strap and small flash memory set and Babytree logo green keyholder.
The event will be held from 12pm to 6pm.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
13.03.2008 · by AKS
Kyosho New RC Car Series – IC Tag Implemented to Track Racing History
On April 18, Kyosho (Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture) plans to release the dNaNo radio controlled car at the opening of KYOSHO AKIHABRA (Chiyoda Ward Kanda-Sakuma 1).
The nNaNo is Kyosho's newest series expanding its current line of indoor radio controlled cars. Instead of employing usual developmental techniques, making one universal chassis for a variety of bodies, each body will have its own custom chassis. In doing so, both the wheel base and tread will have near identical proportions to actual vehicles. The size is 1/43 on the mini-car global standard scale.
The dNaNo's biggest feature is an on board IC tag with unique ID, allowing users not only the ability of calculating lap time when racing on special circuits at the official shop, but also the ability to download their lap times from the site using a PC.
Six cars are scheduled for the release lineup on the 18th, including the Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec2 Nur (R34), Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, and Enzo Ferrari. They will be priced at 1,6800 yen each.
Regarding the dNaNo series, an advertising representative from Kyosho commented, “RC cars up until now have unfortunately had their runs 'reset,' but with the on board IC tag individuals' race history will be recorded and lap times can be compared. We hope this will appeal not only RC fans, but also car and gadget lovers.”
Predating the release of the dNaNo at Kyosho Akihabra, Kyosho Omotesando (Omotesando Hills Building, floor B3) will be having a limited edition pre-sale on March 20.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
13.03.2008 · by AKS
Opening of Business Complex for Women – Chom Chom Akihabara
One April 24, Atrium (Chiyoda Ward) will be opening the business complex Chom Chom Akihabara. The location for the building was formerly occupied by Locket Bookstore.
Chom Chom is a restaurant complex aiming to satisfy women's sensitivity, with women in their 20s and 30s as the main target. The total floor space is approximately 5,000 square meters; construction plans indicate 10 stories and one basement floor. Planned tenants include 16 shops that prominently feature food and beverage.
Chom Chom, intended to become the complex's pet-name, is a derivation of the the English “Chomp Chomp,” intended to convey “the sound of eating something delicious.” Born from this image was female artist Yoshiyasu's “Chom Chom Monster,” a block style character with a pure white body and leggings. Yoshiyasu's intent was to create a cute character that would appeal to women's sensitivity and attract them to the complex. Inside the building's entrance will be a clock monument by Toto Hasegawa, Creative Director of London based design group TOMATO, entitled “O-clock.” In addition, the buildings exterior is to be decorated with 1.200 LEDs, illuminating the building at night.
Regarding Chom Chom, Atruim says, “The investment of our company will add value to real estate in the area, which will in turn benefit activity in all of Akihabara. The opening of Chom Chom Akihabara aims to boost business by bringing in a new 'female' element.”
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
10.03.2008 · by AKS
Akihabara Tour for Foreigners – Most Come from Hong Kong
On March 4, the Tourism Industry Association of Japan (TIJ) released findings based on its “Akihabara Discovery Tour.”
The “Akihabara Discovery Tour,” aimed at guiding foreigners through major spots in Akihabara free of charge, was started in November of 2005 with the cooperation and support of the Akihabara Electric Town Association and the Akihabara Shopping District Promotion Cooperative. Initially given at irregular intervals, as of July 2007 the tour operates every Saturday. Since it launched, an average of 11 people participate per tour.
A recent discovery has become apparent through the analysis of twenty tours conducted between January 20 and February 29 during the “YOKOSO!JAPAN WEEKS” promotional event. Looking at the national composition of participants during this period, most came from Hong Kong. Following were Singapore, America, and Australia. Some participants hailed from Slovenia and Iceland.
Though many tourists from the Chinese mainland come during the spring, not many participated in the tour. It is said that this is because they usually go on group organized tours and rarely travel the area on their own. However, TIJ predicts that “if the ban is lifted on issuing private tourist visas, participants from the Chinese mainland would immediately increase.”
After this April, the tour is planned to be handed over from TIJ to the NPO Akihabara Tourism Promotion Association.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
07.03.2008 · by AKS
Life-sized Haruhi Suzumiya Figure on Pre-release Display in Akihabara
Asobit Characity (Chiyoda Ward Sotokanda 1) is now displaying the “Life-sized Haruhi Suzumiya Figure” scheduled for release by Papermoon (Gifu Prefecture, Gifu City).
The figure is just one in the many offered in Papermoon's Life-sized Figure Series. In addition to figure releases from the Tokimeki Memorial and Neon Genesis Evangelion series, the company also carries figures from the original series Milky Ribbon and Caramel Ribbon.
The character currently on display, “Life-sized Suzumiya Haruhi Figure,” gets its inspiration from the protagonist of the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series. It stands 158 cm tall and has a 23.5 cm shoe size, with points of articulation at the neck, shoulder, elbows, waist, legs, knees, ankles, and even fingers. It will go on sale for a price of 380,000 yen. From March 1, the company has been taking pre-orders for the item.
Concerning reception to the Life-sized Figure Series, a representative said, “I'd like to give my thanks to everyone, who's had such a great response. Even at events and such, those interested have a very favorable reaction. We plan to have even more releases in the future.”
Haruhi Suzumiya is the heroine appearing in Nagaru Tanigawa's Haruhi Suzumiya Series published as a Kadokawa Sneaker Paperback. The creation was later transformed into manga, video games, anime, and other forms of mixed media.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
05.03.2008 · by AKS
All Stations on Tsukuba Express Accepting PASMO E-Money
From March 15, the Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (MIR) will accept PASMO E-Money at all stations on the Tsukuba Express Line (TX), including Akihabara.
Regarding the service, all MIR ticket vending machines, shops in the station vicinity, and adjunct business institutions “TX Avenue,” a total of 170 shops, will use PASMO E-Money.
Along with release of the service, MIR plans to have an advertising campaign to raise PASMO use awareness and also institute an expansion of installation points.
PASMO, like Japan Rail East's Suica, is an IC rail pass that makes use of E-Money. In January of 2008 it was accepted at an estimated 28,610 shops and was used an average of 690,000 times a day. Including the Keihin Electric Express Railway (Minato Ward), seven different railways have implemented the service since March 18, 2007.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Translator: Evelyn Emery
0 Comments
