Akihabara Maids 2006-03-11

Yesterday I said that I don't like Akihabara. It's true. I've never liked the place at all. But recently Akihabara keeps popping up on television and in other places. I started to think maybe I was missing something.

The big trend in Akihabara is "maids." They have had "maid cafes" for years, but I guess they are expanding to "maid this" and "maid that," including "maid hair salons" and "maid foot massages." So I wasn't surprised to be greeted at the Station by "maids" handing out flyers (to a cafe or some other maid boutique).

I was there to take photos and hoping, honestly, that some trace of the new, hip Akihabara would be visible from the sidewalk. I didn't particularly want to go inside the buildings. I know that sounds strange. The short explanation is that Akihabara businesses aren't selling anything I want or need.

I don't need a computer, computer parts, bare wire, any type of wire at all, a colored light bulb, or any electronics at all. That takes care of half the businesses.

I'm not interested in anime, manga, and fantasy figures. All of these products appear to me as toys and media for adultescents (a word I learned yesterday from a review of this movie). No offense intended -- feel free to enlighten me if you can.

Finally, I'm not interested in the "adult" products industry, though from appearances it's more accurate to say products for "Men and Boys." I think this is the industry that keeps the older side of Akihabara afloat. Almost every shop you wander into turns out to have a "Men and Boys" section. In fact, much of the anime and manga falls into the same category.

And out on the street, you start to notice that most of the people walking around are men and boys. When you think about it, it makes you want to wash your hands.

There is a store near the station entrance with cosplay outfits in the upper windows. I've always wanted to go in there, because I thought it was a store devoted to various kinds of youth culture. Yesterday I didn't go into any "maid cafes" (or maid anything). Maybe someday I'll drag my wife into a maid cafe just so I can take a look (and take photos). Anyway, I decided to go on a "research trip" into the "youth culture/cosplay" store. It was educational. It wasn't a treasure trove of "youth culture" but actually a men, boys (and girls) store. There was "merchandise" of the shiny plasic variety, including large, plastic male "parts" protruding from one wall. I really wasn't focusing much on details; but do women buy those?!?! I went up the stairs, glancing at each floor, and stopped just before the top landing. Above me was an entire room full of cute, pastel costumes -- definately a girls' space. I heard giggling voices comparing outfits and decided not to shock them by walking in.

I left the building and left Akihabara with no desire to go back (until the next time I upgrade my computer, I suppose). It's not a fun place to be (unless you're really into the products I mentioned above), the electronics are not especially cheap, and it's not attractive (which is a nice way of saying it's an ugly mess). When I'm in Tokyo, I'd much rather spend my time in Harajuku and places with more character (and/or better food).

Sorry about the rant. Regular readers can tell you it doesn't happen that often.