15.02.2010 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Akihabara Yamato Expo 2010 Valentine's Day Event & Giveaway!
The Yamato Expo 2010 Valentine Special Event was held over this past weekend at Bellesalle Akihabara building. The event's primary goal was to promote the Yamato 3 Pachinko game but they did manage to sneak in a few interesting elements for a non-Pachinko enthusiast like my self. Fuji also brought back the 2009 Tokyo Anime Fair Yuki Mori booth babes which were going around passing out Valentine's Day chocolates in front of the 1/3 scale bow replica of the Space Battleship with canon firing lights and sound effect. Sugoi!!
There was also a hands on Pachinko section and Yamato 3D theater. Showing was a 3D version of one of the Yamato Pachinko promos which I had seen before on months back, but seeing it projected in 3D was incredible!
FREE STUFF COME AND GET IT!!!
So do we have any readers out there who are die hard Yamato fans and would like to get some free Yamato Expo schwag? Well we have two promo packs to give out to the first two Yamato fans (not located in Japan) who send us a picture of their Yamato collection or links to their fan site or blog. Email me at o2info[at]otaku2.com subject Yamato Expo Goodies.
Tags: Events Akihabara 0 Comments
08.02.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Miku cosplay, kigurumer and balloons
All three of these were one the first floor of Don Quixote in Akihabara while I was doing the tour on Sunday. I have no idea why there was so much Hatsune Miku goodness to be found there that day, but I at least one of the people came from out of town. The balloon Miku was done by Jonny, a Japanese man from Shikoku. Apparently he is also a stilt performer. Maybe promoting goods from a rural prefecture? At any rate, it was most certainly a festival of Miku befitting of Akiba.
05.02.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Idol Bombaie, whatever that means
So Adrian and I were invited to Idol Bombaie (アイドルボンパイエ) in Shinjuku in January by the folks who do the signage for Yodobashi Akiba. The idols who appear on the time announcement on Yodobi (the big TV out the central exit of Akihabara station) come from this event, I guess, so that is the connection. It was a little weird to be sitting with the Yodobashi guys at the VIP table to begin with, but then the new character, Yodobi-chan, was projected on stage and started talking. The seiyuu who does her voice was at our table. They were playing the Yodobashi theme as filler music before the event, and even sometimes when idols were on stage, which was also strange.
It'd been a while since I attended one of these things, and I was looking forward to busting out some otagei. The venue was the Big Pink Pig, providing generous floor space. Unfortunately, everyone sat down and crowded up to the stage, which eliminated all chance of movement. Worse, they had otagei dancers on stage to back up the idols, so everyone just watched them instead of joining in. I was seriously bummed... On the bright side, some of the "otagei dancers" (trying to make this sound official cracks me up) were familiar faces from the now defunct Akihabara street culture. Roberta, one of the men who enjoyed wearing maid and goth-loli costumes, was among them.
Anyway, so we ended up just standing there and watching the show, but the MC was none other than Inagaki Saki, the female comedian who dresses up like Asuka from "Eva." My love for Asuka is known, and this girl is just damn cute to begin with, so I was happy. The other MC was Space Pirate Gorgeous, who was a colorful character to say the least. Inagaki and Gorgeous weren't the only comedians around. R Fujimoto (I think that was his name) did a freaking hilarious interpretation of Yamcha from "Dragon Ball Z."
The basic premise of the show was that idols in groups or solo would perform a song, then would be judged as true or fake idols. The true ones got an otagei dance in their honor. The fake ones got roughed up by a guy who appeared to be Raoh from "Fist of the North Star." The first time he appeared, he ripped a manga magazine - as thick as a phonebook - in half. Every time his theme, "Tough Boy," played, the girls knew they were in trouble. He basically just picked them up, flashed their underwear to the audience and dragged them off stage. Yeah, these events can get a little weird... Of course this was all staged; everyone knew who was going to lose and those girls wore swimsuits or bloomers under their skirts.
The losers actually were some of the best idols, I think. They were also mostly talents pretending to be idols as a joke, and playing the part of ugly, mean-spirited girls. Metropoli-chan V and Yamashita Wakana fit into this category. Number one idol of the night had to be Hikita Saya, who sang "Cruel Angel's Thesis," or tried to! The wrong version came up, she didn't know the intro and ended up doing it over. Holy cuteness. Juri Juri was a close second, and Adrian's first, because she is a "tokusatsu idol" and wore a retro costume that resembled Minmay's. Overall sexiness, though, had to be Hisanaga Ayana. She wore an Ayanami Rei schoolgirl uniform in ways I didn't think possible.
Overall the event is fun and worth checking out. The official blog is here. The girls apparently also appear on this site.
Tags: Idols 0 Comments
30.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Akibaland Tours?
I just thought this was a funny sign. "Akibaland" Tours? And with a castle in the background?! Seems like someone is taking the analogy that Akihabara is an otaku themepark very seriously indeed. It's easy to do - a survey by the government says more foreigners want to visit Akihabara than Tokyo Disneyland. And then there is the "Moe USA" representation of otaku paradise... Ultimately I think it's a good thing that Akiba is opening up and spreading a positive image, though there is a lot of misunderstanding wrapped up in it's somewhat misappropriated position as the face of all otaku in Japan. I hope this tour puts the area in perspective. It runs for 2.5 hours, just like ours. Might be worth checking out!
Tags: Akihabara Cool Japan 0 Comments
25.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
John Hathway in collection of great illustrators!
The man behind the art of Otaku2, John Hathway (JH Kagaku), has appeared in two published collections of great character illustrators. One is where he stands shoulder to shoulder with Ito Noizi (Haruhi), Kei (Hatsune Miku) and Nishimata ("Shuffle")!
The second book is
Way to go, man!
Tags: Otaku 0 Comments
22.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Intriguing transformable interior object
I am super impressed with this design, which I just received from Yamaji Tomo. He is an independent creator, and this is all made in Japan, an increasingly rare combination that I'd like to support. It is called the HENGE h010101, and it sells for around US$1,100, but it has been discounted to US$577. Check out the .
18.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
In pursuit of Cowboy Bebop, or drunken rambling
I have done many a strange thing in my day, but as far as dining goes I think last night surely ranks up there. I was watching "Cowboy Bebop" for the one millionth time, and came across the scene where Spike and Jet drink some vile booze with a lizard in it. I decided that I wanted to drink that, too. A quick Internet search turned up a place called Asadachi (朝起) in Shinjuku, so I went down there. They did, in fact, have a bottle of booze with a lizard stewing in the bottom, a concoction they called Tokage-zake. What's more, they were grilling whole salamanders! After a couple salamander skewers and shots of lizard booze, which tasted something like Aomori nihonshu, I also ordered some kintama, which turned out to be pig nuts. By this point I had a pretty good buzz going and everything tasted like chicken anyway, so I ordered some whale. Yes, I regret it now, but I did it. Turned out to be blubber, which was chewy for a few bites then melted for an all together unpleasant taste sensation. I hear they also have raw frog meat, served with the head, and "beating frog heart," but apparently they were out (maybe I should be happy). That is the last time I drink before I order, or get lonely watching anime and go out looking for trouble! It would have been a lot more fun if Spike had been there...
Tags: Weird Dining 0 Comments
15.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Tsutaya is renting manga
This really is going to be a happy new year! Tsutaya, Japan's largest chain of rental video stores, is now carrying manga. Lots of it. They already have tons of anime titles, seiyuu and J-pop CDs, and now manga! It's like the happiest place on Earth... I like the kind of retro feel of rental comics (the kashihonya), and it's great for a low budget. Guess now we won't have to spend all those lonely nights in the manga kissa. Unless in pursuit of free drinks and privacy. Or because we missed the last train. OK, manga kissa still have plenty of uses!
Tags: Manga 0 Comments
13.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Miku and Kenketsu-chan
The Electric Town Entrance of JR Akihabara Station has been undergoing some vast renovations these past few months. The downside is really bad pedestrian traffic flow, but the good news is nifty electronic sign boards on the pillars where all the maid CMs used to hang. I was waiting for Jamie Lano when I happened to notice this advert for Miku x Kenketsu-chan, another in a long campaign to hook otaku on donating blood and building connections to the donation centers. Hey, it works! I count down the days until my next donation: 25 days. ... Wow. I think I an actually feel the burn of shame right now...
Tags: Akihabara CM 0 Comments
22.12.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Pikachu girl
Just saw this over at Temple University Japan, where I sometimes do guest lectures. Maybe I might join the Manga Club, too! Any thoughts on the quality of this Pikachu girl? I want to know up front if I am out of my league drawing wise...
Tags: Weird 0 Comments
18.12.2009 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Patrick heads to AniFusion NYC
While sifting through a few piles of "Droppings" over at one of our
fellow comrade's online portholes; I was pointed to some free PR for AniFusion NYC. Thanks for the laugh by the way. So if you happen to be in New York the event will be taking place this Sunday December 20th over at Forbidden Planet New York City. As always Patrick is happy to talk about his research and personal opinion about the pros and cons of the Otaku status in and outside of Japan.
“AniFusion NYC: A One-Day Celebration of American/Japanese-Pop Fusion” on Sunday, December 20, 2009 from 2:00 PM ~ 5:00 PM at Forbidden City (212 Avenue A, New York, NY 1009, between 13th and 14th).
Tags: Otaku International Academic 0 Comments
15.12.2009 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Hello Kitty Loves Nerds?
Here's a new bag to go with a geek's fashionable ensemble while roaming around Akihabara. Is this a case of "Hello Kitty Loves Nerds", or perhaps it's another case of Engrish and should actually read "I'm a Nerd"? So what do you think Patrick; is this just more Hello Kitty is moe merchandise?
Tags: Otaku Fujoshi 2 Comments
07.12.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Otaku academic conference in Ottawa
I will be presenting on the potential, and limits, of moe and talking about my . Thomas LaMarre, who recently published a on anime, will also be in attendance. I believe in addition to our presentations we will dialogue about otaku. Looking forward to seeing how the event turns out! BTW, the name of the conference is in fact "Oniichan, what does moe mean?" This was not my idea, and yes, this is a real event. Just in case there are any doubts.
2010年1月にカナダのオタワ大学で「おたく」というテーマで学術発表会が開かれます。私は「萌え」について発表する予定で、トマス・ラマール先生はアニメについて発表するようです。それから、私と先生はおたくの社会的生態について対話します。因に、発表会のタイトルは「お兄ちゃん、萌えって何?」になってしまいました。本当に。これはネタではありません!
06.12.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Hatune Miku at the blood bank
I reported a while back that the blood bank in Akihabara is targeting otaku men (story here). Since then, the humble little Red Cross room has opened a new location on the other side of the station. To commemorate the event, they are giving away a limited number of exclusive, official Hatsune Miku goods. If there was any doubt that they are courting the otaku crowd, this puts it to rest.
Tags: Akihabara Otaku 3 Comments
04.12.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Catholic school does maid cafe, and it's sexy
A friend sent me this from her school festival at Sophia University, a Jesuit school in central Tokyo. These girls picked up on the maid concept, but my goodness how they drew out the sexual undertones! I wonder what their spiritual advisors said about this? Seriously, it's like body parts - a body so sexed up it is broken down into parts. Is this how people see maid cafes? I hope not...
Tags: Maids 3 Comments
01.12.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Girly Gundam
Terrifying. Absolutely no excuse for this. I mean, mecha meets moe, I can see that in mecha shojo. But this? It's pink. Just wait - Macross is next in line.
Tags: Anime Otaku Weird 3 Comments
28.11.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Yodabashi Camera Akihabara stats
I was talking to the people who do the signage for Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara, and I heard some very interesting things:
1) Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara is the No. 2 largest electronics store in the world in terms of revenue (No. 1 is the Yodobashi store in Umeda)
2) The store stocks 850,000 distinct items
3) On average, 100,000 people come to the Yodobashi Camera Akihabara everyday. In comparison, Tokyo Disney Resort draws 40,000 to 50,000
4) Yodobashi Camera is the third largest electronics chain in Japan, but it only has 20 stores. Yamada Denki, the largest electronics franchise, has about 200 stores
5) The longest LED sign in Japan is on the top of the Yodobashi Camera store in Akihabara
Damn. Even if this is only partially true, that is one massive store…
Thanks to Max Hodges for the picture!
Tags: Akihabara 0 Comments
23.11.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Gigantor - Japan's pride
I was walking through Akihabara today, my birthday, and happened to notice this ad from Docomo. Gigantor is flying across the skies with Mt. Fuji in the background. It has been up for a while, but I guess I just didn't really notice it. Docomo has been pushing the nostalgia button a lot in ads of late, but in my mind the inclusion of Fuji here adds a distinct layer of national pride to this one. But honestly, who wouldn't be proud to have a son like Gigantor? I want to go see the statue in Kobe, but I'm broke... Happy birthday to me, and congrats on still being a bum.
Tags: CM Anime Akihabara 3 Comments