More from the Hello Kitty product range. This time from Japanese retailer Mouse Computer, in Akihabara which has it’s new “demee” brand. One of the new products is a small 16gm clip on Hello Kitty Music Player which started selling on September 19.
You can replace Hello Kitty’s trademark red ribbon with a flower that comes with the product, and her yellow nose lights up whenever you use the controls. You can also change Hello Kitty into a pink “Bear Ears Kitty” or a black “Devil Ears Kitty” by putting on a silicone case (sold separately). Read more...
We’ve previously featured Candy Fruits, a well known Japanese maid costume and cosplay brand. Capitalizing on their popularity, the company has opened up its first maid themed establishment in Akihabara last August called “Refresh Club キャンディフルーツ リフレッシュクラブ where stressed out salarymen or otaku can relax enjoying the company of a maid.
The stores concept is that of providing the customer with a chance to relax the body and mind, something known as “Iyashikei” in Japan. Customers can do a variety of activities including watching DVDs, doing yoga, reflexology, having their ears cleaned or even playing Wii Fit – all with their specially trained maids of choice. Read more...
Earlier this month, Japan held its first ever awards ceremony Seiyuu (voice actors used in anime and other media). The Seiyuu Awards were held at the Tokyo Anime Center and winners appeared on the red carpet after the show to offer thanks to their loyal otaku fans who were gathered outside the Center.
In addition to awards categories for acting roles, there were also awards for the “Special Achievement” category and a “Synergy” award, which is awarded to the best movie or series that voters felt made a strong use of voice talent.
Akihabara has a lot of things to see and buy. Now, while it’s not uncommon in Japan to see salesmen outside shops trying to entice customers to come in and browse, it is rare to see Akihabara salesmen rapping (or trying to rap) to entice customers to go visit their shops. This brave contact lens shop salesman raps about getting contact lens done in half an hour.
Otakucosplay kickboxer Yuichiro Jienotsu Nagashima, 長島☆自演乙☆雄一郎 has appeared in a cosplay special featuring cute fashion model and actress Nozomi Sasaki and popular TBS announcer Yuko Aoki 青木裕子. Yuichiro brought the two to dress up in Akihabara at Cosmate Plus where Nozimi dressed as an akihbara maid.
This was part of a pre-match special featuring Yuchiro in the K1 World Max 2009 where he lost to Albert Kraus.
Attention all otaku, there is huge otakucosplay party to be held in Roppongi (not Akihabara) on October 25th. The Charapa キャラパッ event includes performances, anime , Jpop music, live talk show and appearances from Team Jyunjo, all maid group atGumi from Akihabara’s biggest Maid Cafe “@homecafe”, idol celebrity Ami Tokito, Motsu (瀬川素公 Segawa Mototaka) rapper for the 3 member Japanese group M.O.V.E, and comedy duo Harikenzu (Noboru Maeda and Yoshiyuki Ara).
