Kotaku: Akihabara

Another Akihabara Stabbing Today

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:00:00 MDT

Just hours ago, a man stabbed a police officer in Akihabara during a random bag check. This comes in the wake of the tragedy earlier this month when Tomohiro Kato (pictured) drove through Akihabara in a truck and proceeded to stab 18 pedestrians with a knifes, killing 7. Today's incident happened at 1:30pm Japan Time, and the individual that attacked the officer is being detained and questioned. The officer sustained a slight injury to the hand as the knife was apparently small.

Tokyo's game/anime/manga haven Akihabara certainly doesn't seem as safe as it once appeared...

秋葉原で男が警察官に切りつける [Yahoo Japan via Canned Dogs]

Akihabara Killing To Cause Japanese Internet Regulation?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:40:00 MDT

It's been several days since tragedy hit Akihabara. While the internet is having its own grinning nerd witch hunt, the Japanese media is having its own. Standard defaults are bandied about (video games, anime). Website Canned Dogs has a handy recap:

• Chugoku Shimbun states the the "Dagger knife" the killer used is an featured in popular games like Dragon Quest.
• Yomiuri Online also says the "Dagger knife" is also in video games and quite popular with teenagers.
• Zakzak points out that the killer was into doujin games like Eternal Fighter Zero and Chantelise, and he apparently loves a cutesy bullet hell shooter for the PC.
• According to Yahoo, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Hiroya Masuda is keen to regulate dangerous information on the internet, since the Akihabara killer posted his plans on a cell phone BBS (not 2ch) about his murderous plans before authorities could stop him.

And like clockwork, the agendas descend like vultures. Lovely.

Akiba Incident [Canned Dogs]

Internet Vigilante Searches For Akihabara Tragedy Grinning Morons

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:00:00 MDT

Previously we brought word of the tragedy that hit Tokyo's gaming/anime/manga district Akihabara. A 25-year-old-man attacked 17, killing 7. Horrible, horrible stuff. When reporters showed up on the scenes, some idiots got very excited to be on TV! Because when people have been mowed down with a truck and stabbed, there's nothing more exciting than getting on TV. Forget that, you know, the streets were literally covered in blood. Huge Japanese forum 2-channel has launched an effort to actually expose the identities of the shameless dummies who grinned and waved at the TV cameras. A "Wanted" YouTube video even popped up recently. Certainly, these people acted disrespectful, but not sure if vigilante internet justice is appropriate either.

Hit the jump for the YouTube video.

More Screens Here [Japan Probe]

Details Surface About Akihabara Killer (Ninja Gaiden 2 Confusion)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:00:00 MDT

As we reported earlier, tragedy struck Tokyo's video game/anime/manga district Akihabara this Sunday. A 25-year-old-man stabbed 17, killing 7. Truly, truly horrible stuff. The killer's name is Tomohiro Kato, and according to blog Japan Probe, details about him include: He had been to Akihabara many times in the past. He worked for a Tokyo-based temp company and had been sent to Shizuoka for work. He played tennis in school. One of his year book sketches includes a character from Namco RPG Tales of Destiny with messages he wrote in English (after the jump). The mass media has already latched onto the game connection, instead of the tennis one to explain this senseless spree. (Because tennis driving people to kill makes no sense — but apparently video games does!)

The chilling part (if trying to kill 17 people wasn't chilling enough!) is how Kato chronicled the events leading up to his mass murders. Truly disturbing. AFP via Yahoo! News incorrectly points out: "On a different site, an anonymous posting on May 27 was entitled 'A disaster in Akihabara' and warned that an incident would take place on June 5." As commenter muu points out, the "disaster" that the thread is referring to? Ninja Gaiden 2 — which went on sale, you guessed it, on June 5th in, that's right, Akihabara. The thread is apparently nothing more than a fanboy flamewar. That Ninja Gaiden 2 Xbox 360/PS3 fanboy fight appeared on television news here as well (above). Yahoo! News Japan has pulled its original story, but at time of posting Yahoo! News was still running that AFP story.

For those interested in how this horrible event might change Akihabara, check out the below post for insights.

AKB Massacre [MetaのTame]

Seven Dead in Rampage in Tokyo Video Game District

Owen Good — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:00:00 MDT

Seven are dead in Tokyo after a 25-year-old man plowed his truck through a crowd of people, then pulled a knife and stabbed 18. The attack happened Sunday afternoon in Tokyo's Akihabara Electric Town, a district well known to video game, comic book and cosplay enthusiasts.

The victims range in age from 19 to 74 and include five men and one woman. Details still are coming in as to the identity and condition of others. Eleven more were wounded in the knife attack, two of them critically.

UPDATE: BBC News, quoting Kyodo News, reports the suspect's name is Tomohiro Kato, 25, and he is in custody. The female victim was 21 years old. An eyewitness account said Kato "jumped on top of a man he had hit with his vehicle and stabbed him with a knife many times. Walking toward Akihabara station, he slashed nearby people at random.'' There are more details and video on the BBC link.

Police said the man drove a rented truck into a crowd, then jumped from the vehicle with a knife to stab those he'd knocked down. "The suspect told police that he came to Akihabara to kill people," Jiro Akaogi, a spokesman for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, told The Associated Press. "He said he was tired of life. He said he was sick of everything."

Akihabara is described by some as an otaku mecca, especially for manga and anime enthusiasts. The district is well known for its Golden Mile, home of numerous video game parlors occupying several floors. Cosplayers can typically find an entire floor catering to them in Akihabara's department stores.

We'll update this story as more rolls in — of course when Brian Ashcraft is available I'll ask if he has any local perspective on the story. It's dominating Japanese media right now, as you can well imagine it would.

At Least Seven Killed in Tokyo Stabbing Spree [CNN.com via AP]
Akihabara — The Electric Heart of of Asia
[Angelfire]

Akihabara Ass Flasher Arrested!

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:00:02 MDT

She came, see saw, she showed her rear. Several times. Last weekend, Ass Flasher Asuka Sawamoto mooned all of nerdom during a "performance" in Akihabara. The 30-year-old Sawamoto's had several run-ins with the law, and earlier this week was was arrested for creating a public nuisance. Yes, this was actually NATIONAL NEWS in Japan! According to police reports, Sawamoto is 30 years old. So! Let this be a lesson to you all: Don't flash your ass in Akihabara. Flashing your ass in Akihabara causes a public nuisance, kids.
Gravia Model Arrested [TBS via Canned Dogs] [NSFW Pic]

English Book To Help Guide Foreign Nerds

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:00:37 MDT

Many moons ago, when foreigners came to Japan, they went to Kyoto to look at old buildings. Now, they want to go to Akihabara and play paper-rock-scissors with maids and stuff. So what are Japanese folks supposed to do? They're supposed to buy this book: Guiding Your Friends Around Akihabara In English. It's the first in a series of "Guiding Your Friends Around" books, and it teaches Japanese folks the ins and outs of explaining various things in English. Wonder if it covers the more discerning elements of Akihabara and otaku culture...
Guiding Your Friends [Amazon via fuckedgaijin]

Butt Flasher Lady Returns For More Butt Flashing!

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:00:55 MDT

Even cops can't stop Ass Flasher. Tush thong lady Asuka Sawamoto hit Akihabara this week and hit it hard — two cheeks at a time. Previously, Sawamoto mooned all of nerdom, causing a mob scene of sweaty dorks with cameras and boners. The act hit Yahoo! News Japan. While the cops have been cracking down on Akihabara street performances to hopes of avoiding such shameful (and potentially dangerous) displays. The "singer" was back for the hat trick this Sunday, putting her arse out for the third time. This time TV crews were on hand to catch the cheeky act and butt in for a quick interview or two.

Hit the jump for a pic of the ass flashery madness! It's somewhat safe for work. But creepy as hell.

Sawamoto Flashing [Akiba Blog]

Erotic PSP Game Smothers Mario Kart Wii In Sales

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:04 MDT

Defeated. Beaten. By boobs. While Mario Kart Wii posted healthy numbers across the country during its first week on sale, in more discerning Akihabara shops, the game was outsold by PSP erotic game title Bokudake no Kajitsu ("Only My Fruit"). The "game" is actually considered an UMD video and hasn't been approved by Sony or even been rated by CERO, Japan's ESRB. But since it uses interactive menus, Bokudake no Kajitsu can be played like a typical point-and-click PC eroge, complete with animated "event scenes." According to shop Messe Sanoh's sales chart, MK Wii was outsold by two PSP titles:

1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G
2. Bokudake no Kajitsu
3. Mario Kart Wii

Clearly Nintendo has underestimated Akihabara shoppers. Needs more monsters, more jubblies, less kart.
Mario Kart Wii Outsold [ASCII]

The Erotic Game Robot

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:20:09 MDT

Robots are awesome. Really, really awesome. Robots made from erotic games? Ditto. The Sofmap in Akihabara made this "erotic game robot" out of 80 copies of PC ero title Slave Commander Clarice. The name of this shameful game 'bot? "GR01-CLARICE ROBO." What does it do? It stands there and radiates NSFW. That's enough! The creativity that Japanese retailers have with ero games never ceases to amaze.
Sexy Game Robot [Akiba Blog]

Foreign People Can Maid Cafe, Too

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:00:12 MDT

Here at Kotaku, we have one rule and one rule only about maids: Post. Above are two maids from Akihabara maid cafe @home. One is Japanese, the other isn't! That's Eva, who became so interested in maid cafes during her visit to Japan, she decided to enlist herself. Besides serving drinks, Eva translates for foreign visitors. Maids don't only entertain nerds with games of rock, paper, scissors, they bridge gaps. International nerd gaps.
American Maid [Sankei via Alafista via Danny Choo]

Ass Flasher Idol Planning More Ass Flashery

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:00:15 MDT

Tush thong lady speaks! "Singer" and swimsuit model Asuka Sawamoto has hiked up her mini skirt to Akihabara nerds many times. No big whoop for her! It is for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, who have been cracking down after her flashing incidents ended up on Yahoo! News Japan. Sure, we've all seen Asuka's hindquarters, but what about the woman behind the behind? What does she thing of the ballyhoo? The 22 year-old self-described "multi-sexy idol" says:

"I've always performed in sets of a live performance and photo shoot... I've been doing this stuff in Akihabara since July last year... I'm the most hated person in Akihabara... I can't help it if some people want to complain... And I'd say the warmer weather probably means I'll be showing even more skin than I have until now.

Yeah, coppers. She's been doing this since last July and always does live sets and photo shoots! Geeeez. Is this what the world has come to, where a multi-sexy idol can't even climb up on street posts and show her fundament to 200 plus Akihabara nerds? Whatever will the police think of next... Sawamoto Speaks [Mainichi]

Akibahara Cracks Down on Crack Showing

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:00:38 MDT

Cops are on the look out. They don't want it to happen again. Last time, it was an embarrassing spectacle. And then the time after that, embarrassing again! That's right, Akihabara police are doing their best to prevent ass flashing. Previously, "singer" Asuka Sawamoto hitched up her skirt, splashing her tush thong all over the internet. The story snowballed and was even picked up by Japan's Yahoo! News. The following Sunday, she showed up again, ready to perform and show NSFW rear-endage again. No wonder last Sunday, when girls in maid outfits (and other costumes) sing, dance and stand in the Akiba streets and sidewalks, police were on handle to prevent any ass hattery. That's right, cops were on patrol. Butt patrol.
Police On Patrol [Akiba Blog]

Chinese Wii Rip-Off Localized For... Japan?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 03:00:00 MDT

Remember the Vii? Surely, it's burned somewhere into the back of your brain. The Chinese Wii rip-off has gotten a Japanese localization called V-Sports. We're pretty sure the Vii isn't text heavy, so localizing it was a cake walk. This release does mean more Japanese people can point and laugh at it, too! The console is retailing for ¥7,980 (US $79). That's not very funny at all. Then again, never is the current dollar-yen exchange rate.

Hit the jump for Vii-chan.

That's probably not even a real maid drawing.
Vii Sports [Akiba Blog]

Virgins Wanted!

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:00:20 MDT

Just because clerks sell sex games doesn't mean that they necessary need to have had sex! An Akihabara erotic game shop has a part-time job listing for salesclerks. High school students aren't allowed, and prospective applicants need to be between 18 and 23 years old for the ¥850 (US$8.46) an hour gig. The poster also points out:

We won't ask about inter-sexual experience!

Golly, that's awfully nice of them!
Virgins Welcomed [Akiba Blog]

Otaku "Singer" Flashes Akihabara

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:00:51 MDT

Every Sunday in Akihabara, it happens. Girls in maid outfits (and other costumes) sing, dance and stand in the Akiba streets and sidewalks. Some of them attract some crowds, some of them attract large crowds. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is starting to crackdown for "safety" reasons in accordance with traffic laws. "I have no real understanding of what standards they're using to drive the maids off the streets. I could understand if they were dressed in schoolgirls' swimsuits or costumes that flash a lot of skin, but maid outfits are nothing like that," says economic analyst and Akiba lover Takuro Morinaga. Thing is, it's not just maids.

Take this past weekend, for example. "Singer" and swimsuit model Asuka Sawamoto (link slightly NSFW) showed up in Akihabara, wearing a very short skirt and a pair of red underpants. Sawamoto proceeded to stand on the sidewalk and flash all of nerdom, which mobbed and took photo after photo. All this so Sawamoto could promote a live concert. Guess she succeeded! She also succeeded in giving the grounds for this police crackdown more weight. Good for her.

Hit the jump for Dead Rising version of this pic that Luke was kind enough to PhotoShop for shits and giggles.

Maid Hunt in Tokyo [Mainichi via Dark Diamond]
Totally NSFW Pics Here [Akiba Blog]

Game, Anime, Manga Company Scramble!

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:00:51 MDT

Want a job working for a Japanese game, anime or manga company? GET IN LINE!! In Akihabara, an event called "Raku-Job" gathered twenty companies in the game, manga and anime world to interview prospective applicants. Approximately two-thousand hopefuls showed up, with would-be job hunters coming from as far away as Kobe. Remember kids, it's good to show up to job interviews in suits, but with blurry faces is a definite no-no.
Job Hunting Event [Akiba Blog]

Two Thousand People Wait For New Erotic Game

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:00:16 MST

Nerds! Two thousand of them, apparently. They came in droves to the Akihabara Sofmap for the midnight release of erotic PC game To Heart 2 Another Days. The game's launch is supposedly one of the biggest for an erotic game, and it would've been bigger if not for the game leaking online before it went on sale. So there ya go.
ToHeart2AD [Akiba Blog via Alafista]

How To Find Your Way In Akihabara

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:00:09 MST

Akihabara is good fun. But let's face it, visiting can be stressful if you don't know the lingo. To help, here's an English map of all the major sites and stores in Akiba. The map makes note of things like "Consumer Games", "PC Games", "Arcades" and "Doujin." While it won't help you deal with store clerks, it will at least get your foot in the door. If you are ever thinking about visiting, bookmark this page. Who knows, it may help.
Printable Akiba Map [Akihabara Channel via Anime News Network]

Haruhi Suzumiya Gets Model Car

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:00:59 MST

Vroom vroom! Just on the heels of the Haruhi Suzumiya PS2 game, comes this: The Haruhi model Mazada RX-7. The car is an itasha (sticker-covered car) covered with Haruhi decals. Just on sale, the 1/24 scale model has already sold out at numerous Akihabara retailers. No surprises there!
Selling Out [Akiba Blog]

Tommy Lee Jones Plays with Maid

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:00:31 MST

In a series of Boss coffee ads, Tommy Lee Jones plays "Alien Jones" as he tromps around Japan, learning about life on Earth. In the latest spot, he's landed in otaku ground zero, Akihabara, and learns the meaning of moe from a spoon-feeding maid.

Paku Mune Ga Kyuun [Canned Dogs]

Bring on the Prinny Hats!

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:00:06 MST

You know, Super Smash Bros. Brawl wasn't the other game released yesterday. There were other games, other games like Devil May Cry 4 and Disgaea 3. Here's how the PS3 title's Akihabara release looked, complete with a plush Prinny toy, Prinny hats and a dude in a Prinny suit. The keyword here: Prinny. And yes, Witzbold sent in this tip.

Disgaea Event [Dengeki Online]

Erotic Game Stamp Rally

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:40:11 MST

Over the weekend, there was an erotic game company stamp rally. Yep! Folks were given a stamp sheet (above) and had to get stamps at 12 different Akihabara locations. Doing so warranted a free tote bag from ero game They Are My Noble Masters And I'm Their Servant as well as a calendar from 15 ero game companies that participated in the campaign. Those companies included: Cotton Soft, THE JOLLY ROGER, Chuable Soft, HighKuo Soft, GIGA, HOOK, FIZZ, LOVERSOUL, Minato Soft, SMEE and August. Sounds like good clean fun!
Ero Game Stamp Rally [Akiba Channel]

Don't Look Up Haruhi's Skirt!

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:00:34 MST

This post is so embarrassing. On January 31st, PS2 game Suzumiya Haruhi no Tomadoi goes on sale. To get everyone excited, Akihabara retailer Messe Sanoh has a life-sized Haruhi Suzumiya figurine in front of the shop. Some might get a little too excited and have the urge to shame poor Haruhi. How the store is combating that, after the jump:

Yep.
Low Underground [Akiba Blog]

Hey Japan, Learn English From Cosplay Foreigners!

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:00:41 MST

Hey, it's not only businessmen who need English. Nerds need it, too! You know, so they can play import Xbox 360 games and crap like that. Enter Cosplish, which claims to be not only Japan's first Cosplay English school, but the world's. (Matt Alt was telling me, though, that they've had otaku-geared English conversation clubs for years. There are even sites like this or books like Moetan, which are directed specifically at otaku learning English.) The school has its schedule up for February — looks like a couple times a week in Akihabara, each class is an hour long. I gotta agree with Matt Alt: The idea of learning English from a guy dressed as Amuro is terrifying.
Cosplish [Official Site]

On Adults Day, Buy Adult Games, Become Adult

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:00:23 MST

Every year, the second Monday of January is "Coming of Age Day." People turning 20 years old that year get together and celebrate. When one reaches the age 20 in Japan, he or she is finally considered an adult. Being an adult means being able to do adult things like voting, drinking, smoking and buying adult PC games.

To celebrate (and initiate), the Akihabara Sofmap is running a special "Adult Time" campaign from January 12nd ~ 14th. Those who purchase new adult video games over ¥5,000 (US$46) will be entered in a raffle which offers prizes like a hug pillow covers, music CD and saucy illustrations. The kicker? This campaign poster says, "Grown-ups, buy an adult game and enter full adulthood."
Adult Hood [Akiba Blog]

Hey Shoppers, Get Help from Japanese Maids!

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:00:53 MST

Don't speak the lingo? First time visitors to Japan might find the experience overwhelming. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone guide you around? Someone in a maid outfit? For the past year or two, information counters like this have popped up in Akihabara. This particular one appeared during the New Year's holidays for the foot traffic crowds. Typically, info counters like this have pamphlets and maps of the area. I know the information counter in Den-Den has English maps, so I'd imagine that this one does as well! Don't count on fluent English directions though. Still, helpful.

Know: From what I remember, there's a maid counter near retailer Gamers in Akihabara. Swing by, pick up a map, but be aware that photography is prohibited.
Maid Guides [Akibamap via Danny Choo]

Take the PS3 College Marketing Class Survey

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:41 MST

If the PS3 has done anything, it's taught us something. Not only us, but also Sony, who seems to have wised up and is pushing forward with its game console. Still, it doesn't yet seem to be the dominating success Sony had hoped for. Interesting, sure. But for pundits and thinkers, it's fascinating. Apparently, a Japanese university student did a marketing survey called "Future of the PS3" in front of Akihabara retailer Gamers that was designed to gauge gamers feelings.

This isn't an industry survey like the Konami one I filled out! Also, keep in mind that surveys like this are not uncommon. I've been questioned for at least two in the last four months — both in Akihabara and both by college students. One was about foreigners in Akiba and the other was about cartoons. Questions for the university PS3 survey include:

Do you own a PS3?
Why did you buy a PS3?

If you don't own a PS3, why didn't you buy a PS3?

Do you think lots of PS3 are going to be sold?

Do you think you'd buy the cheaper 40GB model?

If famous games went on sale this winter, would you buy the PS3?

Feel free to answer away in the comments section.
Winter PS3 Survey [Akiba Blog]

Mini-Skirt Or Not, No More Customers

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 03:00:16 MST

Face it: Japanese Wii owners buy Wii Sports, Wii Fit and maybe Super Mario Galaxy. That's about it, really! So, when a third party company releases something that, well, isn't any of those three, what happens? Not much. That's No More Heroes executive producer and Harvest Moon creator Yasuhiro Wada and No More Heroes and Killer 7 creator Goichi Suda hoping to give out toilet paper and hoping to sign copies of NMH. Thing is, after twenty minutes of Suda and Wada standing in front of Akihabara's Sofmap, nobody bought the game. Keep in mind, that not only two well-known game creators were giving out toilet paper, but there was also a woman in a mini-skirt (that, after the jump). Talk about a tough crowd!

Japanese game press like IT Media, GA Graphic and Famitsu were at the bust of an event and didn't have any customers to photograph at the launch. According to Akiba Blog, a staffer from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain apparently went and bought a copy of No More Heroes for Wada and Suda to sign. Regardless of what you think of No More Heroes, stuff like this isn't just sad for Suda and co., but for Wii owners ultimately. No More Heroes isn't your typical Wii game, and it seems to be getting punished for that. Hope it does better in the States — for the Wii's sake.

Hit the jump for the mini-skirt cosplay girl.

Nobody Buys It, So the Press Does [Akiba Blog, Thanks Torokun!]

Monster Hunter Event for Street Hobos

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:00:24 MST

If you really love a game, you often want to find others who share your love. You know, so you can play together, talk about the game and have good times. That's precisely what two Akihabara gamers did when they set up a make-shift Monster Hunter Portable 2nd in front of a construction site. The name of this event? Monster Hunter Portable 2nd Street Real Meeting Place. That meeting consisted of a vinyl tarp. Akiba Blog happened upon this even at 5pm, but doesn't know when it started. By 6pm, it was finished. Our memory of it will never end!
Monster Hunter Event [Akiba Blog]

Shameful Blu-ray Porn Promoted with PS3

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:00:23 MST

It's not only in format wars that shameful movies matter, but also console sales. In the basement adults-only section of Akihabara retailer AsoBitCity, the in-store display promoted the 40GB model and pointed out that it can play naughty high-def flicks. The sign says:

Blue-ray adult movies, definitely enjoy them on the new PS3.

Because there's nothing like seeing mosaics in HD! Hit the jump for more pics of the display. Mildly safe for work — depending on where you work.

Blue Ray Adult Movies [Akiba Blog]

Shokotan Looks For Akiba's King Nerd

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:00:37 MST

That's admitted cat-head-swallower-turned-mainstream-idol Shoko Nakagawa finding bigger nerds than her! She encounters some dude playing Taiko no Tatsujin blindfolded, nerd group dancers and another dude (with no teeth) cosplaying as anime character Haruhi Suzumiya. She then dresses up as a life-sized Evangelion figurine. None of the passer-byers think that, you know, a real human being would actually do that. A chubby guy finally recognizes her. Good for him! He's even dressed as his own self-created character called A-Hero (Akihabara Hero) and protects the Akiba "holy land" by walking around from store-to-store with other nerds. He's even got his own slogan and poses. Uh-huh yep yep.

Shokotan Searches [Japan Sugoi]

German-Speaking Nerds Arrested for PC Engine [Update]

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 04:00:07 MST

Last month brought an endless flow of game pumpkins and the PC Engine's 20th anniversary. On October 30 twenty years ago, the PC Engine first went on sale in Japan. Three German speakers posted fliers and a birthday message on a Mandarake temporary construction barricade in Akihabara. The sign wished the ill-fated console a happy birthday, thanked NEC and Hudson and listed fan site PCE Daisakusen. The police appeared, asking if he worked for that company. One replied, "No, I'm a big PC Engine fan." The three were put in the patrol car and driven away from the scene. Hardcore. So let that be a lesson: Japan isn't your personal fanboy billboard! Just be happy with wearing gaming t-shirts!!
PC Engine Arrest [Akiba Blog via Insert Credit]

Eds Note: According to reader Marc: "At least the guy on the picture pointing to the poster is Swiss.
The mentioned site PCEDaisakusen was also initiated by Swiss people. Probably the German banner on PCEDaisakusen is confusing because we also speak German in Switzerland (one of the official languages):
Please give the right nerd nation credit and change the title, thanks.

Xbox Japan's 2-for-1 Billboard

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:00:12 MDT

While Microsoft has South Africa covered, it's doubling its efforts in Japan. Literally. Check out this: An Akihabara billboard with both Lost Odyssey AND Ninja Gaiden II ads. That's actually pretty smart — reminding Japanese gamers that both titles are on the Xbox 360. Though, that diagonal banner? Tacky.
New Ad [Siliconera]

Ceramic White PS3 on Display

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:00:47 MDT

Like looking at hardware? Have I got a post for you! At the recent Akihabara Entamatasuri (Entertainment Festival) in, well, Akihabara, Sony kicked off a PlayStation matsuri (festival) that showed off its soon-to-be-on-sale 40GB Ceramic White PS3. Fancy! Love the way the console looks; however, I totally hate the controller. Why didn't they make the buttons clear or white or something? Standard black makes them look like leftovers.

That after the j-u-m-p.

PS3 Ceramic Pics [Akiba Blog]

Otaku Hunters Get Jail Time

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:00:21 MDT

That's right, the slammer! Back in June, we reported that crime was up in Tokyo gaming nerd Mecca Akihabara. Called "otaku hunting," Akiba geeks were getting mugged. A pair of brother and sister bandits arrested for targeted Akihabara dorks will get jail time for their actions. Their ploy: The 20 year-old siblings would bump into unsuspecting nerds and extorted "apology money" with threats. A Tokyo District Court has sentenced them to over a year in prison. The judge said, "The crime was systematically taking money from Akihabara otaku. We cannot ignore the criminal liability of this." The kicker: The younger sister was jobless, but the elder brother was a college student. What was he majoring in? Why, law.
Otaku Hunters Get Jail [Mainichi via Alafista]

Lure Potential Customers with Phoney Jubblies

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:00:50 MDT

With all those erotic PC games released in Japan, how's a company supposed to stand out? Hint: Make the game tangible. On the fifth floor of Akihabara Sofmap, married women title Married Women Harem ~This is the Married Women Paradise Inn~ does just that! Instead of just leaving a stack of fliers and info about pre-ordering, there is a display to entice costumers to pick up the game's literature. We've seen this before: Here, for example. That doesn't mean one still can't marvel at this game promotion wizardy! Embarrassing jubblies safely placed after the jump.

NSFW Hitozuma Game [Akiba Blog]

The Best Beautiful Katamari Display in Akihabara

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:39 MDT

Posters are boring! If you are going to capture savvy Tokyo shoppers' wallets, you must capture their imagination. What better way than to do that through crazy in-store displays. Later this week, Beautiful Katamari will go on sale in Japan. To whip Akihabara shoppers up into a frenzy, Sofmap has a display case with a katamari made from figurines. Besides the ubitiquitus iDOLM@STER toys, there are figurines of girls wearing sailor uniforms and swimsuits. The sign on the display reads something like:

That's mine...!! A katamari of evil corruption!!

AKA a big ball of nerd heroin! Close up after the jump.

Yes, those are pantsu.
Beautiful Katamari [Akiba Blog]

Has the DS Situation Normalized in Japan? (Not Really.)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:00:14 MDT

Earlier this year, Japan was DS crazy. Getting your hands on a DS was hard at best, requiring customers to line-up for the latest shipments. And last year? Last year, Japan was BANANAS for the DS. Things got so bad that retailers began reimporting American DSes and selling them to hungry Japanese customers. The demand seem to have cooled off considerably. When the Crimson/Black DS Lite went on sale last week, there was little fanfare, and it was possible to walk into almost any store and pick one up. Folks didn't line up either! All the other colors are apparently available at most stores in Den-Den Town — though, I did notice the Enamel Navy and the Jet Black DS Lites sold out at couple Akihabara shops on Friday. Does everyone who wants a DS in Japan finally have one? Or is Nintendo finally meeting the demand?
Crimson on Sale [Ota Road Blog]

Halo 3 Still Stopping Some in Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 01:00:41 MDT

Yes, it's not exactly a nerd herd, but still. That's a kiosk in front of an Akihabara import game shop, set up to attract foot traffic. Literally spent all day in Akihabara doing magazine stuff, and I passed by this kiosk five or six times. Every time I did, it was attracting small groups of pedestrians like a bug zapper. Not news by any stretch, but this and Halo 3's Japanese sales do show that The Land of the Rising Sun does have more diverse gaming tastes than Final Fantasy and DS games. Imagine that!