Japan subculture guru Patrick Macias published an article in the Thursday, September 27th issue of the Japan Times newspaper dubbed Akihabara’s Awful Truths in which he discusses the increased commodification of the otaku experience in the district. He cites a trend toward commercial gentrification following the Densha Otoko boom, spurred on by increased traffic flow from the newly opened Tsukuba Express line, the opening of the Yodobashi Akiba megastore, and NTT’s increased corporate presence all as factors working to drive otaku from their dark corners and replace them with yuppies, tourists, and maids. We’ve covered various aspects of this phenomenon over the past few years, but Macias’s article is a great read that summarizes many of them. Highly recommended. (no more)
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Interesting. I observed somewhat the same thing in the whole year that I was there in Japan. Slowly the rather adult stuff is being pushed more and more in hidden areas in favor of bigger buildings selling generic tech stuff.
And I find myself going to Yokohama more than Akihabara, because I see almost the same goods there.
The whole change was very noticeable when I was still in Tokyo last year. Nakano Broadway is but a poor substitute for Akihabara, there really isn’t anything there to see. And nowadays, with almost every available online, I find myself with less reason to make the trek there.
No matter how many people see anime and manga as the face of Akihabara, I still maintain that the very core of it is, simply, porn. I doubt that the government can promote it though. Take away Tora no Ana’s 18+ doujin section and they wouldn’t be occupying a second building now.
I actually hope that a new Akiba would pop up somewhere, but as long as otaku are associated with Akihabara, I doubt that it would happen anytime soon. If it does though, I’m one who’s hoping it’s a little further north.
Macias is a good writer, generaly I agree with him here. I think to understand the whole business you have to be there, go into those awkwardly placed dojin and hobby stores and sense that maniac atmosphere that makes Akiba more than just another shopping district. However, maybe the reign of the Otaku can’t last forever and eventually they will be squeezed out by the yuppies – to reappear somewhere else, I sincerely hope!
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Moving to Japan in 2005, I’ve been in a position to see the Akihabara that captivated me so much be turned into a generic electronics store. Because I only make it to Tokyo 4-5 times a year, everytime I go some major change has taken place.
All the stores you remember are shut, bulldozed and replaced by another high rise building to be headlined with a Sofmap, Yodobashi or other chain giant.
By contrast, Nakano has always remained it’s pokey, nook-and-cranny awesomeness.