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Akihabara isn't really all that, anymore. It's like post-Giuliani Times Square with fat girls in knee-highs. Nerds have been replaced with tourists, yuppies and couples on *get this* dates. Big business like chain stores have moved in, closing Mom 'n' Pop shops and adding a layer of gloss that didn't exist before. Hit book/movie/TV show Train Man made otaku cool, and Akiba culture mainstream. Journo Patrick Macias tackles in the issue in The Japan Times, writing: More »
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Over the weekend, approximately 400 nerds descended on Akihabara. They weren't there by games and whatnot, but to protest against those who discriminate against otaku culture and reclaim Akiba as the dork "holy land." The 1.5km march was led by three groups: Otakuism Alliance, Japan Revolutionary MOEnist League and Revolutionary Rejects Alliance. Wacky! Note: these kind of protest marches aren't totally uncommon in Japan, and this festival-like march seems like pomp and circumstance than anything else. But still, standing up to otaku discrimination? Otaku culture has been mainstream for a couple of years now — it was even considered "cool" a while back. Shame these folks couldn't spend their time any energy protesting actual real problems in Japan. Then again, perhaps that wasn't the point! More »
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I haven't been to Akihabara's Super Potato in something like 8 months. No, need to! The legendary game store chain is based out of Osaka, and there's one near my house. I can walk to Super Potato. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=242489&view=rss&microfeed=true This promotional video is a pretty good Akihabara introduction for newbies. Though, the lady's wooden line readings might lull you to sleep before you finish watc.... zzz.... zzz.... Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=235729&view=rss&microfeed=true One of my favorite Japan writers Patrick Macias hosts a look at Akihabara's maid cafes for NHK. It's a bit for noobs, but Patrick's screaming "moe" makes it worth a look. Brian Ashcraft More »
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