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日本語/Japanese  Sat 05/05 23:43 JST
Akihabara. Otaku heaven full of figures, gundams, electronics, maid cafes, candy girls and of course - ero stuff.
If you dont know by now, "ero" = short form of "erotic" = adult. Eroge is basically adult games - you may know of them as "hentai games".
Doujinshi are self published manga or novels - many of which are of the ero variety.
This was taken in Akiba last week. Otaku generally want to get hold of their eroge on the day of release and what they will do is come to a shop like this to reserve their games. On the day of release, you will see lines of otaku waiting outside the shop early in the morning.
Some of the following photos are NSFW.
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
What I recently discovered is that there are a lot of Doijinshi makers that make eroge too - less than half the price of a commercial eroge and the quality of some of the games (the images I mean) are really nice too.
Many Doijinshi eroge makers dont bother with packaging which is why you can buy a lot of them online at places like Melon Books.
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
Sorry - didnt bother censoring with the Mirai mark today. If you are under 18 just cover your eyes leaving a gap in yer fingers.
With the Doujin world, you get to see your favorite anime character doing things that you have always imagined.
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
I still dont understand the tentacle thing though. Tentacles and Nekomimi are concepts which I still just dont understand.
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
Would you do up your staircase like this?
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
Enlarge this image to see the Haruhi girls get up to...
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
More ero doujinshi.
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
More eroge!
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
More eroge to keep your occupied for many hours locked in your room.

Going to World Hobby Festival and Comitia at Big Sight today - coverage starts tomorrow morning.
Eroge and Doujinshi (click to enlarge)
Polls
Tiny Red Man in Shingapooru..
Hikikomori + Manga-ka + Bejiterian + Tiny Man
Registered on 2007/04/11 16:51
hi..my friend wanted to buy some doujins and h manga that's from itumi sakurawa. do you think its possible to import it into singapore? thx..haf fun in WHF.  
(ID #47425) Posted on 2007/05/05 23:56
Haro030 in California baby!!
wanderer
Registered on 2007/01/11 07:21
I saw a short video with Goku & ChiChi from DBZ, it was so hilarous. But I felt dirty afterwards though! :(
(ID #47427) Posted on 2007/05/06 00:06
Salsashark in Eastern Oregon
Frost Mage
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:30
Nothing like that around here. ;_;
(ID #47428) Posted on 2007/05/06 00:09
thegeek in Northern California, United States
Geek Liaison
Registered on 2007/03/26 06:30
Man that's a lot of ero. What amazes me is that the Japaneses will put ads damn near anywhere. 
(ID #47430) Posted on 2007/05/06 00:38
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
At one time, one could see lots of Kemonomimi in the U.S.  I only see Nikomimi from time to time now.  I guess Kemonomimi and tentacles are out of favor here in the U.S.

Personally I don't know how most make it to the shop, takes me a while to get up the steps! ^o^

Have fun tomorrow!  Looking forward to all the WHF and Comitia goodness!
(ID #47431) Posted on 2007/05/06 00:47
Jeruz in Plant
Web Host technician
Registered on 2007/05/04 04:52
woooooooowwwwww o_o, will wait for the coverage tommorow...
(ID #47433) Posted on 2007/05/06 02:16
Jay Cee in São Paulo, Brazil
Registered on 2007/02/08 02:54
Does anyone read a manga called Ren-ai Junkies??
(ID #47436) Posted on 2007/05/06 03:12
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
wow thats a lot of ero that store has got and I know there are more all over Akihiba.  I like the staircase, very "innovative".  That was the most Haruhi doujin I have ever seen...thanks for showing us lol. Tentacles were never my kind of thing. 
(ID #47437) Posted on 2007/05/06 03:13
bolt in Tampa Fl.
security/student
Registered on 2007/04/17 14:53
I would have to sta at that store for awhile to get my bearings..say like a month.. :D

ero isn't a bad thing in moderation it's when you start ignoring your reall life ( wife/husband/kids) that it gets bad...

The eyes... the eyes.... :D
(ID #47440) Posted on 2007/05/06 04:03
wildarmsheero in Spaaaaace
Lowlife
Registered on 2006/12/25 14:17
Nekomimi are sexy. Maybe deep down we're all perverts who want to have sex with kittens :S

Or maybe cat ears just look sexy on girls :S

I've noticed that you've been slowly working more ero-related content into your posts in recent months. Is there any reason for this?
(ID #47442) Posted on 2007/05/06 04:27
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Wow! Crazy inverted staircase picture!!
Sorry, random moment. *Ahem*

Ero Doujinshi is a dream for anime fans who grow tired of the classical image of anime (prude, neat, straight and all) and looking for its dark side...

Still I don't understand people who are fond of furry, tentacles and lolicons.
Not my taste at all, I reckon.

Anyway, certain doujinshi authors are truly artists. Too bad they put their skills for "evil" purposes. ^-^ 
(ID #47443) Posted on 2007/05/06 04:52
Anjerasu in Malaysia
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/04/13 15:33
Wow, it's really ero-heaven out there. This is why I so wanna come down to visit Akihabara when I have enough cash to travel to Japan.

To put those pics on the floor steps looks kinda a waste but still no matter how you look at it, it's just awesome. Road to Ero-ero :D
(ID #47444) Posted on 2007/05/06 05:26
Arekusu in The Lost Woods
Dai Gurren Dan member
[f] 
Registered on 2006/12/31 18:24
SUGOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ^_^

There is so much there 0_0

I must go to this place when i go to Japan (which is getting nearer!!)...the only problem is, how to explain to my older brother what i would be doing in such a place...i will need to sort that one out...
(ID #47445) Posted on 2007/05/06 06:45
Maelstromm in Singapore
Storm Rider
Registered on 2007/01/07 13:33
Maybe someone should compose a theme song for the shop entitled: Stairway to Ero Heaven...
(ID #47446) Posted on 2007/05/06 06:54
Tragic comedy in Singapore
Animator/ graphic designer
Registered on 2007/04/10 22:55
i like the staircase designs...
very innovative. are they custom made to the shop's requirements? cos i saw many different dimensions when i hwas there...
(ID #47447) Posted on 2007/05/06 07:36
cedrico in Australia
Bus Operator, Part time Zaku Pilot
Registered on 2007/03/18 07:09
I sort of stumbled in a very similar shop like that when I was in Japan almost 10 years ago with my wife. And funny thing is, we were both looking for some manga and was wondering why the heck is every guy looking at my wife, plus I was stacking up the Eva-books and other stuff. But had to return all of them when she found out its all doujinshi :( Moral of this lesson? DON'T take the wife to these shops! Unless she's a freak.
(ID #47449) Posted on 2007/05/06 07:53
X-Gear in his room
College student
Registered on 2007/01/18 17:00
No, but its nice to browse but i wouldnt buy it myself
(ID #47451) Posted on 2007/05/06 09:05
Akiraman in RIDGE RACER City
Designer & Animator
Registered on 2007/01/11 23:52
Nice pics Danny, which shop at Akihabara did you take the photos? I rember visiting Akiba around TGS06 last year. Dun these sections of the store have some 18+ warining sign to them? 

I remember seeing staircases like these (not eroge) at various shops in akihabara with anime or game posters. The shops owners really want to maximise the advertising sapce available there huh? 

I am surpised that there is still a great load of Haruhi doujin manga around. 

Have you seen women in these shops before? Just Curious.

Its too bad some of these ero artists draw very well but I guess  most start with eroge first to make themselves establish huh?
(ID #47452) Posted on 2007/05/06 09:20
Reikai in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
Student
Registered on 2007/02/04 11:33
1.) Question to other Gundam Model Enthusiasts.

I've just went and bought water-transfer decals for my MG Strike Noir.  I'm however, planning on top-coating my model with some Mr.Hobby Matt(no gloss) top coat.  Just want to make sure... but do I put the decals on BEFORE or AFTER the topcoat?

2.) Hey Danny, I went to that shop with the Parts Paradise thing... the shops name is Yellow Submarine, a rather famous/large chain of hobby stores in Japan... was looking for the Grand Slam of the MG Strike+IWSP (gonna work it with my Noir) however... they didn't have it :/
(ID #47453) Posted on 2007/05/06 09:26
Tsubaki in Singapore
Film Student
Registered on 2007/01/07 05:21
To understand the Japanese fetish regarding tentacles, you need to first know about their past. Blame their 17th Century for inventing works like 蛸と海女 (Dream of the Fisherman's Wife). 
(ID #47454) Posted on 2007/05/06 11:03
Tsubaki in Singapore
Film Student
Registered on 2007/01/07 05:21
Gah, the comment box doesn't support html codes? Anyway, check out Wikipedia for 蛸と海女.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_of_the_Fisherman%27s_Wife
(ID #47455) Posted on 2007/05/06 11:05
Cosmo in Chicago, Illinois USA
Retail Manager
Registered on 2007/01/11 06:54
Doesn't it seem "sad" that these men have to resort to animated eroticism, some of which is clearly depicting pedophilia, to get their jollies!
It makes you question the depravity of a culture that supports such questionable taste. I prefer to get my porn in the dirty little bookstore at the end of dark alley! ;p
(ID #47456) Posted on 2007/05/06 11:51
Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium
IT, Programmer, ...
Registered on 2007/04/25 05:14
I was in Akihabara today, and took a look at some of the doujinshi shops that I didn't see last time.
It is unbelievable how much Suzumiya Haruhi-stuff there is. I think the number of different doujinshi ones was around 50-60... I'm a big fan of Haruhi myself (and her seiyuu Hirano Aya ;p), but it was surprising, but not unexpected.
(I'm on holiday in Japan for 2 weeks, today's my second day)
(ID #47459) Posted on 2007/05/06 12:18
Gorgo in Florence, Italy
Games addicted
Registered on 2007/04/16 18:56
OO!! that's quite al lot of stuff! 
I't impossible fo find a place like that here. No way.

Soooo sad.

"Very nice pics Danny!"

.:G:.
(ID #47460) Posted on 2007/05/06 12:38
eldwulf
Just FYI, some of those erogames are sold in download form. I believe Melonbooks has a direct-download online store, and in addition there's DLsite.com, which actually has an English section.

Caveat emptor, though - a lot of the stuff there isn't worth the price they charge. Some of it is excellent though.
(ID #47461) Posted on 2007/05/06 12:45
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Oh, while I am at it, N.H.K. ni Youkoso!/Welcome to the N.H.K.! is an anime that depicts eroge, otaku and NEET/Hikkikomori lifestyles quite well but also that there could be a problem with a part of the new generation in Japan.

Many episodes focus on the creation of a galge (dating simulation with eroge parts to be more precise), and so on...

Personal note: Sadly to say, the show became quite crappy at the two thirds. I might watch the rest one day.

Hope this helps!
(ID #47462) Posted on 2007/05/06 13:46
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
Tsubaki,
I still dont get how its sexy ^^;

Reikai,
Top coat after decals but dont spray too close.

Akiraman,
I think it was Messe Something ^^;
I do see women in the shops from time to time though.

Tragic Comedy,
I guess they are custom made.

Wildarms,
I had a poll recently and you said you wanted more ero ^ what did you vote for?

Jay Cee,
Never heard of it.
(ID #47475) Posted on 2007/05/07 01:41
wildarmsheero in Spaaaaace
Lowlife
Registered on 2006/12/25 14:17
Danny: Oh yeah. Forgot about that :V
(ID #47488) Posted on 2007/05/07 04:55
MrColobus in UK
Analyst
Registered on 2007/01/15 02:27
I remember walking up the stairs in a store in Akihabara to be confronted by a giant poster of a cute, wide-eyed anime girl looking appealingly over her shoulder.... whilst having a turd.
I was a little taken aback, my wife much more so (anyone else ever strolled into the grot section of one of these places with their wifes!?), but you soon get used to seeing all these works displayed with little concern as to who may see them.
I wouldn't buy any myself but it doesn't bother me, even my wife got quite used to seeing the various 'interesting' products available.  We were particuarly impressed by a display of Gundam figures, mainly because next to them was a collection of cute girls wielding lit candles (they weren't using their hands).  A nice balance I thought.
(ID #47494) Posted on 2007/05/07 07:16
Tiny Red Man in Shingapooru..
Hikikomori + Manga-ka + Bejiterian + Tiny Man
Registered on 2007/04/11 16:51
oh ya.thx for not putting mirei-san all over the censored areas...its an eye opener..XD
(ID #47504) Posted on 2007/05/07 16:03
xjaymanx in Vegas, baby!
Technical Writer/Editor, Designer, Collector, Artist, Nice Guy
Registered on 2006/12/29 11:01
Wow, the Jollibee's Filipino cuisine can't compare to this eye candy! :)
(ID #47507) Posted on 2007/05/07 18:34
Gordon Pekeur in south africa -cape town-
we DONT get any ERO goods ... maybe in a 100 yrs time ...
cool pix as usual Danny ...
(ID #47508) Posted on 2007/05/07 18:40
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
I also don't get the tentacles things.  The nekomimi though, for me, they're kawaii with the cat ears.  

If I had stairs like those I wouldn't be able to use them. heheheh! :D
(ID #47533) Posted on 2007/05/08 03:03
5chu3tz in California, baby!
Info Services Technoid
Registered on 2007/03/13 06:01
Danny,
Thank you for NOT including the mirai marks to cover the naughty bits.  I personally wouldn't be sad if they never appeared again, or at the very least didn't appear in the full size gallery version of the photos.  It doesn't matter if the marks are there or not, my boss would still have a fit if he saw the pics, so it doesn't make the pics SFW. And I'm a grown up, I like sites that show me the products I'm interested in without censoring them, helps me decide if it's I want to buy them or not. And I think there are far worse things teens could be looking at (like arch-conservative blogs) than some plastic boobies.
(ID #47553) Posted on 2007/05/08 14:59
Tofu-san in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
ecchi student
Registered on 2007/03/04 06:41
We are totally dry of ero here. Maybe not, but I haven't seen any...
(ID #47584) Posted on 2007/05/09 12:49
Negative in Bronx, NY
Underemployed Office Minion
Registered on 2007/01/07 09:25
I think it's definitely nice to see characters that we watch and see devlop in a "new light".  I live in NYC and remember while in High School, going to Elizabeth St (China Town) and there being a store FULL of Doujinshi.  When I finally decided to buy some a while later, it was gone.  :(
(ID #47593) Posted on 2007/05/09 16:22
zie in Arlington,VA USA
freelance
Registered on 2007/01/09 14:51
It be nice if we got to read some doujinshi from great fans of mainstream manga. Oh well eroge ehh i like the art work!
(ID #47628) Posted on 2007/05/10 11:36
Hangmen13 in Sabah, Malaysia
Aimless Traveler
Registered on 2007/04/21 21:19
Unless I'm wearing a special suit that covers me from head to toe like this one:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f5/HangmenHeaven/Random/Image383.jpg

I wouldn't imagine myself buying these things in public.
(ID #47648) Posted on 2007/05/11 01:29
Leccoc in Cancun, Mexico
Student
Registered on 2007/05/22 13:24
I agree with you Danny.... I can't understand the tentacles thingy. Personally, I found them grosse... @_@ but I guess some people like them, if not, they wouldn't be making images with those included. Poor girls! x_X
(ID #48393) Posted on 2007/05/23 20:30
Proto JAsS in Juarez Mexico
Graphic designer
Registered on 2007/10/12 09:50
I would :-D
i dont mind buying that stuff. I would love to visit japan :-( hope I get to sometime before i die or something :-D
(ID #60801) Posted on 2007/10/24 21:47
~ mikii chan ~ in Philippines
XBOX 360 Tech Support Agent
Registered on 2007/12/05 15:22
Wow, that H-Paradise !!!

Err, still i dont like those tentacles thingy i'd prefer the soft-core :)

Hmm... that would absolutely keep you locked up in your room ....
(ID #66839) Posted on 2007/12/13 05:45
friedchowfun9 in Bay Area, CA
Food Monkey
Registered on 2008/02/08 20:00
Very nice pictures. I bought a couple when I was in Japan but never saw an all-eroge store(or section) where I bought it. 

Got pretty expensive, only bought a couple. The Japanese people didn't stare like Americans do when you walk out of a porn shop. 

(ID #72159) Posted on 2008/02/13 05:21
studmuffin in your memories
だいがくせい
Registered on 2008/03/20 11:46
scrolling down page and was surprised to see Haruhi eroge. her eyes caught my eyes i guess 
(ID #182096) Posted on 2008/05/06 07:56
Lucia in loli land
student
Registered on 2007/09/03 00:11
i wish was store tht sell candy girls but i dont have 1 in me region.
candy grls b good for cosplay pics.
(ID #182156) Posted on 2008/05/06 09:02
Leo~Chan in montreal,quebec,born in hk
study
Registered on 2008/03/26 12:09
I want go to this shop i want see them all 
(ID #182161) Posted on 2008/05/06 09:06
ケヴィン in Sacramento California, USA
High School student
Registered on 2007/11/13 15:04
theres not alot of places that sell eroge in america, but the places you can get eroge... is possibly frys electronics because i know they sell hentai there, maybe theres eroge that they sell that i dont know of.
(ID #182211) Posted on 2008/05/06 10:02
Clyne in Singapore
Human. Living a Alien life.
Registered on 2007/07/13 17:22
Damn it, there's no such places in Singapore.. I wish i was in japan.
(ID #182229) Posted on 2008/05/06 11:05
lin-da-kenobi in Long Beach
college student
Registered on 2007/08/16 02:56
nop nop nothing like that around here
(ID #182243) Posted on 2008/05/06 11:30
The Lyrical Loli in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Asst. Manager at a *******
Registered on 2007/10/14 15:32
Let me tell you, if we had retailers for ero here in L.A., President Bush would do all he can to put a stop to this. Because he's dumb like that.

I don't care for ero, but i wish we had more Dakimakura around here.
(ID #182249) Posted on 2008/05/06 11:38
GiafLop in ラガナ、 フィリピン (Laguna, Philippines)
Student
Registered on 2007/11/25 14:15
There's no store like this here in the Philippines, if so they would close that entirely, if only eroge stuffs would include on promoting Japanese subculture here.
(ID #182258) Posted on 2008/05/06 11:54
OblivionAngel in Minnesota
Bag Boy
Registered on 2008/04/03 11:53
Wow! Even the stairs are awesome!
(ID #182261) Posted on 2008/05/06 11:59
FAT in Costa Rica
Supervisor
Registered on 2008/02/06 11:32
HUGE STORE Danny, i even saw Haruhi's eyes over there...
(ID #182265) Posted on 2008/05/06 12:08
Registered on 2008/04/04 23:40
Is this a repost? or was it an accident / error?

By looking at the comments it was posted in February.

I thought I was going crazy for a minute.
(ID #182285) Posted on 2008/05/06 12:32
Registered on 2008/04/04 23:40
Looking like the original posting date was May 5th of 2007; last year.
Yet it's posted again, and on the front page the dating says, "This time last year."

I feel like I'm out of the loop or something, what's going on?
(ID #182287) Posted on 2008/05/06 12:37
Kazearashi in Indonesia --> Singapore
Animation Student
Registered on 2008/03/10 13:26
No, it's normal, you just missed this post by Danny. :D
http://www.dannychoo.com/detail/mac/eng/image/1707/This+Time+Last+Year.html

It's a widget feature. ^^
(ID #182289) Posted on 2008/05/06 12:47
freelance digital artist
Registered on 2007/12/21 02:48
i love the tiles design of the stairway , that would be cool if you got one leading to your room or an apartment of yours. For me i'm approaching it as an art more than just a design.
(ID #182310) Posted on 2008/05/06 13:41
Fat Cat Lim in Malaysia
Videogame Magazine Editor
Registered on 2008/04/23 13:13
I'll imagine that Nekomimi appeals to people who like to see the same traits of cats on humans - playful and independent, yet sometimes reliant on their masters (especially when catnip or food is concerned). 

As for tentacles, I remember reading an article that they allow for less censorship (i.e. you don't have to censor the clitoris AND penis head - just the clit), and that they also provide more flexibility in angles and positions. Of course there's also the fetish of impregnation, multiple titilation, and ejaculation from several sources when you have tentacles...
(ID #182363) Posted on 2008/05/06 15:40
Chaos 3L337 in California
CSU student
Registered on 2007/09/18 16:57
Back when I had the top 100 channels for satellite, I had G4 tech tv. They had a special on Japan and sex. They interviewed some famous eroge artists. One of them said that one of the reasons they draw tentacles or monsters is because they have more freedoms with what they can do with a girl and a monster. They don't have as many restrictions with monsters or something along those lines. This was a few years ago so I don't remember it all. I still prefer none tentacle hentai.
(ID #182365) Posted on 2008/05/06 16:04
junq man in former superpower
trying to stay relevant
Registered on 2007/08/18 05:03
This is the true Akiba experience! 
(ID #182384) Posted on 2008/05/06 16:56
Uzumaki174 in Poland
Informaticien - Computer Technician
Registered on 2008/01/07 02:35
Sugoii :D I see Haruhi Suzumiya Doujin. I want buy this :D.
Nice shop. There are in my country no many shops of the anime and manga. For it I always order it through the Internet what unavailable at me. And doujin they peculiarly at me won't buy.
(ID #182392) Posted on 2008/05/06 18:02
Katsuyoshi in Poland
Perv
Registered on 2007/11/11 03:20
No, and that's why Danny, with every post like this, you bring me to a meeting with death due to my blood loss xP
(ID #182404) Posted on 2008/05/06 18:37
xcloude in Penang
software developer
Registered on 2008/04/30 00:17
may be the pc game shop here got...
all pirated...about RM 5 per disc
(ID #182498) Posted on 2008/05/06 22:34
「頂の座」 in Singapore
Registered on 2008/01/05 21:36
I can understand nekomimi, some anime girls look cute in them. (e.g. Seto San from Seto no Hanayome) But I don't understand tentacles, its just so... inhumane >.>
(ID #182540) Posted on 2008/05/06 23:47
ibnGTR in neverland
College Student
Registered on 2008/04/18 10:15
GIVE ME THOSE GOODIES! >:OOOOOOOOOOO
(ID #182546) Posted on 2008/05/07 00:05
Jotham in Los Angeles, CA
Student
Registered on 2008/03/08 16:19
o man, thats awesome 
(ID #182612) Posted on 2008/05/07 03:26
ETERNAL in Gensokyo
Amateur novelist
Registered on 2008/03/21 11:33
lol, those stairs are awesome. Japan sure is creative sometimes.
(ID #182635) Posted on 2008/05/07 05:06
cowboy4eva in New York, Osaka, Tokyo
Leisure Consultant, Writer, Webmaster
Registered on 2008/01/29 07:28
There is so much more hardcore ero stuff than this that Danny hasn't shown. The fans are all hardcore. 
(ID #182792) Posted on 2008/05/07 11:14
graeble. in South Texas
lecherous wretch
Registered on 2008/05/23 06:14
wow thats alot of naughty games!
you dont get the tentacle thing?
i like to draw so.
not only is it easier to draw than dozens of guys around a girl, it allows you to see the girl and i'd say it's also a bondage thing...
(ID #195984) Posted on 2008/05/25 00:14