Kotaku: akiba

How Akihabara Lost Its True Otakuness

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:00:25 MDT

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:

...what you can't find is what it was that made Akihabara buzz in the first place. It wasn't just anime, manga, and video games that built it, or continue to sustain it even today. Instead, Akihabara was the side effect of collective fantasy and private desire desperate to find expression through technology, through commerce, molded plastic, pixel, and drawing paper. Now, those dreams are threatened by a dull and dreary reality.

Bummer. At least Osaka's Den Den Town still has its nerd cred.
Otakool [The Japan Times]

Akihabara Protest Against...? Liberated From...?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 02:00:24 MDT

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!

Hit the jump for a clip of the liberation.

Akiba Liberation [Japan Sugoi]
Akiba March [Japan Probe]

Akiba's Super Potato All Tarted Up

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 05:00:34 MST

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.

Yesterday, went to the Akiba branch with Patrick Macias and Matt Alt. Perhaps my memory is crap, but it's really, really changed. The controllers hanging from the ceiling are gone. There are new lamenated signs. And the top floor is a mini-arcade. You can smoke there, too. Good if you smoke, I guess!

I dunno, I kinda missed the old Akiba Super Potato. You know, with the grime, like we have here in Osaka. Perhaps that just doesn't fly in Akihabara anymore. Brian Ashcraft

Clip: Akihabara For Noobs

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:00:17 MST

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

Learn About Akiba [Japan Sugoi]

The Meaning of Maids

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 12:22:35 MDT

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

Maid Forever [Patrick Macias via Dark Diamond]