Kotaku: akihabara

Underwear To Shoot 'Em Up In

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:30:00 MST

Another Cave matsuri (festival), more Cave underpants. The event this past August brought sexy gothic lolita drawers. The recent December event?

Dodonpachi final boss underoos. Danger, indeed. Yours for ¥4,800 — large size is already sold out! Other Cave goods were available as well, including keychains, cell phone straps and the like.

Garage kit of Ketsui aircraft.

Saucy covers of MUSHIHIME-SAMA's Reco to boot!

The matsuri was held at the Taito Hey! arcade in Akihabara.

Cave Matsuri 2009 - Modellismo e videogiochi giapponesi [Hobby Media]

Michael Moore Not So Impressed With Akihabara

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:30:00 MST

It's Tokyo's geek mecca — Akihabara. Games shops, arcades, manga, anime, figurines and maid cafes. You name it, they just might have it. A Japanese TV program gave filmmaker Michael Moore a tour.

The above image has a Japanese subtitle of the director offering this insight: "Lots of unnecessary things are being sold here."

He also noted, "Shopping may brighten the spirits, but they're just fooling themselves." Yes, fooling themselves by buying plastic models of giant robots.

When Moore visited a maid cafe and got the standard "Welcome master" greeting from the maids, Moore replied, "I'm not your master! Everybody's equal." Not in a maid cafe, Michael Moore!

Good thing nobody told Moore that maids charge otaku 500 yen ($5.50) to play paper-rock-scissors, right?

マイケル・ムーア監督秋葉原へようこそ [灯里のブログ via Sankaku Complex]

Nothing Says Christmas Like A Gundam Christmas Tree

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:00:00 MST

Deck the halls with boughs of holly and plastic robot toys. On December, a Gundam Christmas 16-foot tree with over 60 Gundam models will go up in Tokyo's Akihabara.

Strung with red, white and blue lights, the tree is promoting upcoming PSP protbale title Gundam vs Gundam Next Plus. Voice actor Toru Furuya, who voices Gundam character Amuro Ray, will flip the switch to light up the lights on December 3. The first hundred who purchase Gundam vs. Gundam Next Plus get to have their photo taken with Furuya.

機動戦士ガンダム：ツリーにガンプラ６０体、アキバに立つ！　"アムロ"が点灯(まんたんウェブ) - 毎日ｊｐ(毎日新聞) [Mainichi via ANN]

Akihabara Killer Says He Deserves Death

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 MST

In June 2008, tragedy struck Tokyo's video game/anime/manga district Akihabara. Tomohiro Kato stabbed over 15 individuals, killing 7. He now says he deserves death.

According to sources, Kato sent a letter of apology to one of the victims, writing, ''My crime deserves death."

The Japanese legal system does have the death penalty.

Defendant in Akihabara rampage sends letter of apology [Kyodo]

Let's Take An Audio Walk Through Akihabara

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:00:00 MDT

Ah yes, Akihabara. All your gaming, manga, anime and maid needs concentrated in one place. Some of you might have been there, some not. Some of you might even be there right now.

Either way, you can let your ears take a stroll through the geek district.

Patrick W. Galbraith, author of The Otaku Encyclopedia and University of Tokyo PhD candidate, is your guide. Geek luminaries like Otaku USA Magazine editor Patrick Macias and Tokyo Stormtropper Danny Choo are interviewed as well.

Each tour is bundled with a CD with MP3 audio, an area map and a photography booklet. Yours for US$12.

TOKYO REALTIME - Audio Guided Walking Tours [Official Site]

Would You Prefer To Be Slapped Or Game With A Girl?

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:00:00 MDT

It's your money — spent it the way you like. Newly opened Akihabara business "Cute Room" is offering otaku a bevy of girlfriend-like services that include playing video games, watching DVDs and playing board games with young female (paid) friends.

The girls available are pictured above.

Cute Room does not appear to be offering sexual services. Below is a list of activities that are offered with the girls, along with prices:

Play video games (Wii PS3 PSP XBOX DS) (30 minutes 1,000 yen)
Watch a DVD with the girl (30 minutes 1,000 yen)
Play board games or card games (20 minutes 800 yen)
Massage your hand (20 mins 1,200 yen)
Lie on her lap while she cleans your ear (20 mins 1,500 yen, 40 mins 3,000 yen)
Tsundere, dere dere slap (slapped both ways 1,000 yen)
Read a bedtime story (20 mins 1,000 yen)
Take a photo together (1,500 yen)
Handmade candy (2,000 yen)
Get a love letter (1,000 yen)
Get cellphone email from her (photo + message 500 yen for one, 1,200 yen for three)
Looking at you (with email movie 1 time 1000 yen, 2,500 yen for 3 times)
Bromide (300 yen each)
Exchange presents (need to call in advance, 1,500 yen)

One thousand yen is rough US$11.

Patrons select a room to spend with their paid girlfriend. Rooms include a big sister room, a maid's room, a classroom, a Japanese room or a Monster Hunter-style room. After selecting a room, customers pick out a costume for the girl. The price breakdown is ¥4,000 for 40 minutes, ¥5,500 for 60 minutes, ¥7,500 for 80 minutes and ¥2,000 for every 20 minutes after that.

秋葉原　CuteRoom 脳内エステ&リラクゼーション [Official Site via Digi Maga via Canned Dogs]

Let's Check Out Gothic Lolita Shooter For Xbox 360

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 MDT

DeathSmiles, the Gothic Lolita shooting game from Cave, is getting an Xbox 360 port. Check out this weekend event in Akihabara to promote the game.

The game will be out April 23 in The Land of the Rising Sun. As we previously posted, there's also a limited edition of the game (priced at ¥9,240 - US$103) besides the regular edition. The limited edition version also includes a soundtrack CD as well.

【360】「ドリームクラブ」、動画ではなく連続写真が公開される [はちま起稿]

The Cruelest April Fool's Joke In Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MDT

This is going to be hard to top. Japanese website Akiba Blog has run a post saying that Dragon Quest IX went on sale last night.

According to Akiba Blog, over two-thousand people lined up at midnight today for DQIX. Midnight. Today. Today is April 1, and Dragon Quest IX is slated for release this July. This is according to the website. Note: people did not actually line up for it last night! The website merely has faked the launch.

Still, very cruel for those who woke up today and checked Akiba Blog website and thought they'd missed the game's launch — especially considering the number of times Dragon Quest IX has been delayed and how many Japanese gamers are impatiently waiting for it.

Still, don't be surprised if frazzled individuals are running around Akihabara, frantically looking for DQIX after reading this Akiba Blog post. If you happen to see any, be sure to let them know the game is sold out and new shipments are expected shortly.

This is just one of many April Fools jokes circulating on the Japanese internet. Website Canned Dogs has a great round-up of today's pranks. Stand outs include a Queen's Blade live action flick, SNK announcing Star Radish and a retro version iDOLM@STER.

Wii Height is pretty great, too.

ドラゴンクエスト９本日発売！秋葉原で2000人以上の行列が [Akiba Blog]

Erotic Game Promoted With A Sword

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:00:00 MST

Erotic game makers have it tough. In a market saturated by skin, they need more than simple T&A to grab players attention. They need... LIFE-SIZED SWORDS.

In the discerning games floor (the 5th floor!) of Akihabara retailer Sofmap, there's a display for Seiken no Fairies (The Heavenly Sword of Fairies). The display even features an engraved plaque. A game with swords promoted with a sword? Makes sense.

While other ero game makers use obvious trappings like perennial favorite boobs, the game developer's attention grabber is both brilliant and classy: The last thing you'd expect to see on the 5th floor of this store is a life-sized sword. (Granted, there are other things you wouldn't expect to see as well.)

The game is an 18-and-up adult game for PCs — check out the game's NSFW site right here and its NSFW opening movie right here.

「聖剣のフェアリース」小花川ゆりの聖剣"GEORGIUS" 他各店特典 [AkibaOS]

Xbox Game Promoted With Colorful Fizzy Soda

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:00:00 MST

This month visual novel Chaos;Head is getting an Xbox 360 port caled Chaos;Head Noah. Slated for a February 26 release, the sci-fi thriller is getting a special Akibahara promotion, complete with soda pop.

Maid cafe Curemaid Cafe is offering Chaos;Head themed drinks and food. Above are two drinks named after the game's characters. Left is "Sena Aoi," which is made of blue hawaii and berry soda. In the center is "Rimi Sakihata," which is made of pomegranate syrup and Calpis soda. The drink on the right? Cola.

It's not named after any Chaos;Head character, but will be free of charge to those who bring a copy of the game to Curemaid Cafe.

The story follows a high schooler who discovers a brutal murder while heading home. The murders continue and the student tries to contend with the reality that unravels around him.

The Choas;Head promotion at Curemaid Cafe in Akihabara ends on March 8. The memories live on forever.

カオスヘッドカフェ＠キュアメイドカフェ　2/25〜3/8 [Akihabara Map via Alafista]

Japanese People Swarm Star Ocean 4 Kiosks, Kiosks Show New Faceplate

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:30:00 MST

This past Sunday from noon to 5pm, eight Xbox 360 demo kiosks playing Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope were rolled out at the Akihabara Yodobashi Camera.

Before the event began, numbered tickets were passed out to those lining up, and only 100 posters were handed out. Players experienced a 15 minute demo session. According to Famitsu, the event was a success — though, Famitsu.com does not provide any headcount estimates.

The faceplate included in the upcoming "Arcade Star Ocean 4 Premium Bundle" pack was on display as well.

整理券が配布されるほどの盛況ぶり！ Yodobashi-Akibaで『スターオーシャン4』先行体験会 [Famitsu]

Sigh, Someone Chickens Out Of Spending US$7,000 On Famicom "Complete" Set

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:00:00 MST

Oh, the drama! First a "complete set" of Famicom cartridges went on sale, then someone was going to buy then. But that was then, this is now.

Now, they're apparently back on the market. It seems after arranging to purchase the set, the buyer backed out. So if you've got lotsa money and a Famicom (but no cartridges), does Akihabara retailer Mandarake have a deal for you.

Imagine, someone getting cold feet about buying US$7,000 worth of old Famicom cartridges. Inconceivable!

「ファミコンカセット１０５１本フルコンプ　６５万円」　キャンセル？→販売再開→瞬殺 [Akiba Blog]

Yes, Someone Has Purchased $7,000 Worth Of Famicom Cartridges

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:00:00 MST

Remember that "complete set" of retro Famicom cartridges that we posted earlier today? Sure you do!

Akihabara retailer Mandarake had a "complete set" of 1,051 Famicom cartridges for a mere ¥650,000 (US$7,300). Had because someone is buying the set.

May he or she enjoy all 1,051 Famicom cartridges — but only one at a time.

ファミコンカセット１０５１本フルコンプ　６５万円」　もう売れた [Akiba Blog]

One Thousand Plus Famicom Cartridges For You To Buy

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:00:00 MST

Open your wallets, retro gaming collectors! Has Akihabara retailer Mandarake have a deal for you — a "complete" set of Famicom cartridges. And yes, this comes at a cost.

The "complete set" of 1051 Famicom cartridges is yours for a mere ¥650,000 (US$7,300). Mandrake's prices tend to be on the high side — especially for a complete set. And "complete set" here refers to all the retail Famicom games sold from 1983 to 1994 and not the crazy rare (and pricey) cartridges like The Gentle Physics and Science of Hazardous Materials

ファミコンカセット　６５万円　１０５１本フルコンプリートセット [Akiba Blog]

Game Promotion Done Right... Until The Cops Show Up

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:00:00 MST

Wanna know how to promote your game? With a bus. A giant bus. A giant bus with images of your game plastered all over it. And not just any bus, a Mercedes bus.

A Mercedes bus with TV monitors looping your game's trailer over and over and over again. Upcoming Xbox 360 title Chaos;Head Noah did just that and rolled through Akihabara, where, according to website Akiba Blog the police even said "something" to the bus driver, causing the bus to drive off.

Probably was about stopping so people could congregate and take pictures. With terrible incident earlier this year, Tokyo police are increasingly skiddish about large groups congregating in Akihabara. Understandable.

Chaos;HEAd NoAHの痛バス　「なんてバカな車なんだ」 [Akiba Blog]

Pay Maids To Role Play, Cosplay With You

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:00:00 MST

Shopping in Akihabara? Fun. Shopping in Akihabara with a role-playing maid? Funner. Maid establishment Ecri offers discerning Japanese otaku the chance to hire a maid to "role play" video game or anime characters while hanging out, grabbing lunch or shopping with your maid companion. The Akihabara-only service is ¥6,000 (US$60), and there are three options for your companion's outfit: maid, cosplay and civilian clothes.

This is not prostitution. Though for some, having a woman pretend she's Gundam's Sayla Mass and you Amuro Ray might very well be better than sex.

Ecri [Official Site via Danny Choo]

This Might Help Your Akihabara Shopping

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 MST

What seems like every week or so, I get emails from readers asking where they should go in Akihabara. While I don't mind answering emails, here's a book I can point them to: The Best Shops of Akihabara. It's forty pages of an English-language manga-style guidebook. As a nice bonus, the book even points out which retailers are capable of helping customers in English — a major plus for non-Japanese speaking tourists. It goes for US$10 and is in PDF format. So yeah.

Akiba Guide [Official Site via alafista]

Microsoft, This Is How You Blow Your PS3 Lead In Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:00:00 MDT

So Microsoft is doing pretty good in Japan. Not great, but good. Good enough to beat the PS3 last month. This is the Xbox 360 display at Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara. The banner in the front is an advertisement for an entertainment festival in Akihabara — it's a red herring, disregard. Back in August, the Xbox 360 sold out in this very store. If you've been to Akihabara, you know that this is a very large retailer. Lots of shoppers! So for Microsoft to sell out right here is a good sign, and it's great for the Xbox 360's reputation in Japan. This demo set-up is not. Well, no, the set-up is fine, it's the upkeep. But just as Microsoft starts to gain ground in Japan, an old friend rears its ugly head...

Hrm. Let's get a closer look. Over there, right about that price cut poster.
Hello, you. Out of all the demo kiosk consoles Microsoft needs working in Japan... Doubt this will catastrophically affect Xbox 360 sales in Japan. Microsoft will most likely sell lots of consoles this holiday season. (So will will Nintendo and Sony. Everyone wins!)

AkibaヨドバシのXbox360売り場が散々な状態になっているぞ [はちま起稿]

Backwards Compatible PS3s Are Pricey

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:20:00 MDT

Now that the Tokyo Game Show is over, Game|Life's Chris Kohler is wandering the streets of Tokyo, looking at stuff. Stuff like Shibuya's Cafe Danmark, which he passed by Monday morning. During one of his Akihabara crawls, he spotted higher prices for used backwards compatible PLAYSTATION 3s. The 20GB and 60GB launch consoles were backwards compatible, but the feature has since been removed from the machines. At used game shop Trader, a second-hand 60GB with a "big scratch" is going for ¥56,800 (US$566). Quite happy to own a PS3 with backwards compatibility, and while Sony's business decision to remove b.c. is understandable, it's also a damn shame.

Want a Back-Compat PS3 in Tokyo? Pay Up [Game|Life]

Akihabara DSi Pre-Orders TBA

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:00:00 MDT

Just yesterday Nintendo announced its latest DS iteration, the DSi. And today, the DSi pre-order fliers are popping up at the Sofmap in Akihabara. Says the flier:

Pressing announcement! On November 11th, the new model is finally arriving!
New DS Nintendo DSi Price ¥18,900
At last, the new model has finally been arrived!! The screen is lighter and a little bigger, and there's even an embedded camera! A SD card slot! These modifications seem fun!

Oh goody! Thing is, the Sofmap flier goes on to put the pre-order date as TBA.

「緊急発表！ニンテンドーDSi」　予約は未定 [Akiba Blog]