20.01.2011 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Akihabara gearing up for new Pedestrian Paradise
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Been over two years coming, but Akihabara's Pedestrian Paradise is back this Sunday. It will be held every Sunday from 13:00 to 17:00 until the end of March, and then from 13:00 to 18:00 until the end of June. It is on a trial basis, so expect lots of anxious police and surveillance. Rules explicitly stipulate 1) no selling stuff on the street, 2) no performances, 3) no bicycles and 4) no passing out tissues or fliers. Rule number two might be a little discouraging for some visitors, as it means no cosplay, no idols, no jugglers, etc. Street performances are officially regulated in Chiyoda Ward, where the Electric Town is located, so it can't be helped. And there is the history of performances getting out of hand three years ago...The new rules are all in the name of keeping things "safe." Local businesses and politicians know that Akihabara stands to benefit as a destination (and have said so at events intended to invigorate the area), but tensions are running high. Signs announcing the reopening of the Pedestrian Paradise are posted on every pillar out the Electric Town Exit of JR Akihabara Station, along with pamphlets explaining the new rules.
Not everyone is happy about them, as the defacing of some posters demonstrates. In this example, the "prohibited" (kinshi) before the actions has been crossed out and replaced with "bring it on" (joutou).
Outside the station towards the UDX Building, the familiar sign stating rules such as no street performances (on which the police mascot has been defaced) has been joined by a sign on every lamp post stating new rules and codes of conduct, imploring everyone to cooperate for the good of the area.
Over by the Akihabara Town Management offices, the English slogan "Akiba Smile! Akiba is Beautiful, Peaceful and Happy" is posted above the vending machines, with accompanying Japanese, "Connecting with a smile, city planning."
I have to attend a conference in Oita Prefecture, and so unfortunately won't be able to make it to the reopening. Though I have a conditioned aversion to systems of control and surveillance, I still hope everything turns out all right... Aside from just wanting an area I love to prosper, Akihabara is playing an increasingly major role in the global imagination of Japanese popular culture (not to mention otaku). This point was driven home for me when at the airport in Tokyo the other day I saw a bustling shop selling Japanese toys. The word "Akihabara" was prominently displayed over the checkout counter, a beacon drawing in curious passers-by who parted with their money under the neon glow (in the shadow of the iconic RX-78-2 from "Mobile Suit Gundam"). That pretty much says it all! Click on the first image in the article to see details.
Tags: Akihabara 0 Comments
20.12.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Top of the Christmas wish list
Official Katsuragi Misato pendant from "Neon Genesis Evangelion." It is large, but apparently just hollow aluminum (or so the helpful young man at Kotobukiya in Akihabara told me). Price? A bargain at 21,000 yen. Just in time for the holidays! Is it wrong to still want this, knowing how overpriced it is? But, heaven help me, I do want it! Back in 2004 I actually made my own Misato pendant out of a wooden cross, which I refashioned into the proper shape and painted white with liquid paper. It was every bit as beautiful as it sounds. Nonetheless, I have been wearing it ever since. I thought this year was my chance to trade up, but maybe I should wait for the discount version.
Tags: Akihabara 3 Comments
24.10.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Tokyo International Anime Fair in Akihabara
Well, the Tokyo Anime Fair Tokyo International Anime Fair has come and gone again. This time was the autumn addition, the "sister event" of the larger spring offering, billed as an "animation trade fair." It was held in Akihabara, which the press release notes is "a sacred place for 'anime.'" This was sort of a mixed blessing. On the one hand, the show was right in my backyard! Easy to visit, free and open to the general public. Can't complain about that. But on the other hand, the choice of the Akihabara UDX Building for the venue was a little unsettling. This is not about Akihabara becoming a showcase for "Cool Japan," and in the process putting otaku on display like some cultural zoo, though UDX certainly reminds me of that. (Anyone remember the Akiba Otaku Matsuri of May 2008?)
No, it is more that the choice of venue reflects a general loss of momentum in the anime industry. Yeah, this is the smaller autumn addition, but the contrast to even the last TAF in spring was startling. When TAF first started in 2002, it was billed as the largest trade show for anime. By now we all know the industry is hurting from the rough economic conditions, as well as issues of production and consumption (check out Sato Dai's thoughts on this). We also know that TAF has been shrinking year by year. Fewer studios see the meaning of investing in a costly booth, and more non-Japanese companies did see the meaning of it. This time around just sort of symbolized that general trend. Akiba Square is a much smaller venue with fewer booths (only 20 exhibitors, as compared to 256 in 2006) operating for a shorter time (just two days, October 22 and 23). Honestly, it felt to me more like JAM than TAF, both in the sense of scale and the people with booths (lots of people trying to sell ideas to market anime and extend the value of characters). Few studios, and those that did make an appearance just ran videos at unstaffed displays. There was so much less energy than Comike that it was startling. People visiting Akiba on a Saturday afternoon just walked by - passed up a free event because it looked boring.
That said, maybe this is a good thing. I mean, this season has so many exciting series - "Star Driver," "Bakuman," "Yosuga no Sora," "Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt," "Oreimo," "The World that Only God Knows," "Sora no Otoshimono Forte." Hell, I'd even throw in "Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls" for the interesting art style and "MM!" for adding some character complexity to ero. The point is that the animation is thriving. Maybe it doesn't need veil of "Cool Japan," which TAF has always stood for (beginning pretty much when this whole discourse got started). No doubt studios need better funding, and the job of animator needs to be made more appealing so that the next generation of talents don't all end up at Comike, but maybe we are better off supporting the works rather than the hype. It will be interesting to see what TAF in spring 2011 shapes up to be.
Tags: Anime Event Akihabara Cool Japan 5 Comments
26.05.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
'Eva' continues to reign supreme
Today was the release date for "Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance" on DVD and Blu-ray. I went down to Akihabara to pick up my copy, and found that it was like an Eva festival. All the stores had huge displays up - including Yodobashi Akiba, which is the picture I posted - and the soundtrack was playing on a constant loop. It made me think two things. One, the themesong is kind of lame, and two, "Eva" still has the power to move the world of anime producers and consumers in an almost spiritual way.
I also stopped by Uniqlo to pick up one of their new "Eva" design shirts. I counted about 8 different designs, mostly featuring the Evangelions and Ayanami Rei. One had Kaworu with sparkly red eyes, another way Mari, but I did not see Asuka. It's enough to make you cry... I guess they might have been sold out, but the store clerk told me that Uniqlo is selling 13 different "Eva" design shirts, and each store has a variable number of them. Why Akihabara doesn't have all the designs I don't know, but maybe Asuka is still out there somewhere, alone, waiting for me... I am going to be spending a lot of time going to different Uniqlo stores this weekend.
I am not sure what to make of the Uniqlo anime shirt campaign. They have had good moments and bad ones, but I think the designs and promotion for "Eva" is pretty cool. Thanks to Uniqlo, a giant Unit 01 statue is standing in Ginza (inside the store, but still). This exposes people who do not know the show to it, and makes them curious to know more about it. Maybe they watch and get hooked. That is, Uniqlo is contributing to the spread of the "Eva" disease, often called "otaku-ism," and you gotta love 'em for the effort.
Tags: Anime Akihabara 2 Comments
17.05.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Nippombashi in Akihabara
Just walking on a side street in Akiba and looked up to see a giant billboard featuring Neon-chan from Nippombashi. It's for the ita laptop I have been lusting after for a while now. Anyway, back to Neon. I know I shouldn't complain, because she is damn cute, but this is Akihabara. Seriously, we need our own image character. I would suggest POP, but that's too young for some. There is Nishimata Aoi, but she has already done the character for the Tachikawa Project. Maybe Toromi. I love her Kebabu-tan.
BTW, Neon-chan was featured in an anime at TAF 2010, which was cute. Curses! We lose again.
Tags: Akihabara Nippombashi 0 Comments
28.04.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Evil behind the Akiba Smile!
This advertisement is rich, given the state of Akihabara today. It reads, "Akiba Smile! Akiba is beautiful, peaceful and happy." There's something sinister about making such a statement, like the slogan of NERV in "Evangelion" - "God's in his Heaven. All's right with the world!" Who are they trying to convince? We then notice that this is under the auspices of the "Akihabara Town Management Corporation." Truly Orwellian. I guess Akiba has room for a Big Brother, for all the little sisters scampering about....
Tags: Akihabara 0 Comments
24.04.2010 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Akihabara Gundam Cafe & Bar Opens Tomorrow!
Look out Starbucks the grand opening of the Akihabara Gundam Cafe and Bar starts tomorrow at 8:30am. I've lived here long enough to never expect much from these official type shops, most of the time they end up just being second rate souvenir shops with the same Anime goods found at Animate. I hope this Cafe & Bar is more than just another Otaku tourist trap (cough cough Tokyo Anime Center) and that people can actually hang out while getting their drink on.
Bandai will also be holding a SD Gundam Online event a few blocks away over at the Bellesalle Akihabara building this weekend as well. Have at it Gundam fans; I'll be keeping away from Akiba this weekend and trying the cafe's coffee on Monday.
25.03.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Sexy legs, no faces
Just walking through Akihabara and saw this sign for an independently produced erotic video. It is of the sentai-hentai variety, or mixing together Power Rangers and porn. Girls fight, get beat up, slimed, uniforms get torn off, and so on. This gem is called Akibalion, a combination of Akihabara and "GoLion" (aka "Voltron: Defender of the Universe"). What really caught my eye was the picture at the bottom of the poster: the actresses are wearing helmets, but no trousers. The imbalance of this expression of desire seems profound. The sign indicates that this is the second half of what must be an epic story...
26.02.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Too much time in maid cafes = moe poisoning
This must be a record. I counted, and I now have 15 full membership cards at Cos-Cha. Actually, 14 full and two half full. 20 stamps per membership card, 1000 yen per stamp. Add it up and see: I go to maid cafes too often. My life is over...
記録的な数ではないかと。やはり、私のメイド喫茶中毒は記録的かも。人生ｵﾜﾀ ＼(＾o＾)／
Tags: Maids Akihabara Otaku 2 Comments
21.02.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Kaiju/Musume Event in Akihabara
Kaiju/Musume
In the heartland of anime, manga and games, Akihabara, Schatz Kiste is a maid cafe dedicated to spreading Akihabara's culture to Japan and the world. And now, indie soft vinyl kaiju are invading!
Kaiju and Cute Girls
Shock and Moe
Old-School Japan and Modern Akiba
3D and 2D
What will happen when these elements come together? The only thing guaranteed is that it's definitely something you don't want to miss!
Featured creators will be bringing new original figures for display and sale, and original photography and illustrations featuring a blend of Kaiju and Akiba culture will be on display. Creators will also be stopping in periodically through the week so guests can get a first-hand view of the creative process and inspiration behind their creations.
Featured makers:
Blobpus
Dr. Strange Toys
ILANENA
Monstock!!
Velocitron
Vinyl Junkies
Yamazakura
Opening Party: Feb 26, 19:30
Gallery runs until March 6
Akihabara Culture Cafe Schatz Kiste
「怪獣／娘」
アニメ・漫画・ゲームを始めとした色々な「秋葉原カルチャー」を体験して一日中熱く語れるカフェ「シャッツキステ」にインディーズ怪獣ソフビが集結！！
「怪獣」と「美少女」
「怪奇」と「萌え」
「下町」と「秋葉原」
「3次元」と「2次元」
こんなような絶対混ぜられない物を混ぜてみようとしたらいったいどうなるだろう？ 確かなのはこれだけ：絶対つまらないわけありません。
オリジナルインディーズ怪獣ソフビ、イラスト、写真を展示します。参加メーカーの方が来場したり、ソフビの販売も予定しています。
参加ソフビメーカー
BLObPUS
Dr. Strange Toys
Ilanena
Monstock!!
Velocitron
Vinyl Junkies
山桜
オープニングパーティー 2月26日（金）19：30〜
最終日：3月6日（土）
秋葉原カルチャーカフェ 「シャッツキステ」
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.
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
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
25.12.2009 · by Adrian A. Lozano
皆さんメリークリスマス!!!
Merry Christmas everybody!!!
Tags: Akihabara 0 Comments
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
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
12.11.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Momoi Halko in Akihabara
I met Momoi Halko, idol, seiyuu and self-described Akiba-kei otaku, in Akihabara to discuss moe. She had some fascinating things to say, including a strong opinion that moe can and will travel around the world. Her evidence was a recent world tour where fans responded to Komugi-chan and Seto no Hanayome. I can't think of a better ambassador for Akiba and moe culture than Momoi Halko, who was doing street lives here back in 1996 and was among the first to not use a pseudonymn when singing eroge songs. Thanks to Momoi-san for her time, and signing my copy of her book, and Fritz Schumann for taking some great pics!
