Radio Kaikan
If you haven't done so already, the Radio Kaikan in Akiba is a place that I recommend you stop by on your next visit.
Apart from K Books (doujin, eroge related goods) and spare Gundam parts, its worth making the trip just to check out the Kotobukiya store on the first and second floors.
This is the view from Akihabara station entrance - its the Denkigai or "electric town" entrance. The Radio Kaikan is the building that you see with the yellow sign.
Radio Kaikan up close. Also has a load of Gachapon, figures, audio and surveillance equipment too.
Opposite Radio Kaikan is the Gamers store.
The Kotobukiya store on the first floor usually have some sort of event on the weekends.
This week they had some sort of card game promo. One of these girls is a popular cosplayer but I forgot her name.
And as with all the events they hold, there is usually a bunch of people gathering outside to take photos.
It seems that Kotobukiya have changed their strategy on what they sell on the first floor. Before it used to be full of figures but now its full of stuff that gajin are most familiar with - a lot of Totoro, Majo no Takkyubin, Final Fantasy etc.
If you walk in you will notice that their strategy is working as the place is usually full of gaijin.
Up on the second floor is another Kotobukiya store filled to the brim with figures.
Getting acquainted with some of the top folks at Kotobukiya now means that I don't have to sneak around in their store to take photos ^^;
This is the recently released Louise. Shame that the cast off is disabled.
Kino from Good Smile. I thought this was a boy at first.
Michiru from the ToHeart series by Kotobukiya.
Konomi and half pantsu by Kotobukiya.
Lei Fang - more of her in this previous article.
Tsuruya-san and Kyon's sister set - "It's NEW."
Suppadaka Sonsaku.
Some revoltech goodies.
More Revoltech goodies.
DC mousepads with oppai.
Haruhi Keyring - only 504 yen.
Shelf O figures.
I must be getting old. I know this character so well but cant remember her name.
Power loader.
More shelf O figures.
Milfa with replaceable heads.
Shilfa in a box.
The prices of the Kotobukiya figures at the store are all retail price. But if you are looking for rare Kotobukiya figures then its worth paying retail rather then trekking all over Akiba looking for rarity.
Case full of stuff.
The lovely Good Smile petit series next to the worst Haruhi figures.
More from Akiba this week - will also be posting Akiba stuff in the News Items which you can read or subscribe to.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
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-Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
Writer/Academic/Code Monkey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iheartassassinmaids/
Am I bored of Akihabara news? NEVER!
Why ask such a blasphemous question!?
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
I;ve never followed their news so I cannot answer yes or no.
and OH MY GOD. I am totally raiding Akihabara when I come to Japan in 2009.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
iheartassassinmaids,
Because you will in for a load of Akiba news this week ^o^
McMaster Mechanical Engineering & Management II
http://www.virtualinfusion.net/
McMaster Mechanical Engineering & Management II
http://www.virtualinfusion.net/
That's three cut offs in 5 days danny ;), Except this time, there's no message at all! Why me :(
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
laughingman,
Looks like the anti-html gizmos ate your comment ^^;
Wibbling+Writing+Teaching
http://www.kakebuke.net
Looks pretty impressive...
That figure seems to be Manaka Komaki (aka Magic Hairclip Girl...that thing somewhat defies gravity) of To Heart 2, which I'm currently watching. :)
Gunpla Enthusiast
@Danny
the figure that you can't identify is Manaka Komaki from ToHeart2
nice pictures, and i see a few figures that i want to add to my collection
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Knowing about Japan is one of the main reasons why I joined and stayed here since the beginning.
I don't think I'd ever get bored of learning of different cultures (This is also why I decided to study in social work and assimilated).
More is never enough. ^^
Thank you for everything so far, Danny.
Being human/Student
I like the "Suppadaka Sonsaku"'s face and hair. She looks nice, except for the fact that she's naked and her hands are crossed over looking very fake. Thanks for the review! ^-^
Technical Writer/Editor, Designer, Collector, Artist, Nice Guy
http://www.xjaymanx.com/toyboxx
Hey, nice Kino shot!
But you're right, in the "Kino no Tabi" anime, she chooses to adopt the name and live the life of the man who saves her. Great haunting series, which is why I ordered her in the first place, haha. Thanx again. ^_^
web head
oh yes.. stop telling me about the reason I saved up for a year to live in Japan, and when I had to move back, it felt like someone took all my socks..
C. Engineering Student
http://otaku.baywords.com
I admit, I'm a bit jealous you can walk into these places anytime and see figures all over and look at them in person. I can only rely on pictures on a website selling them. :/
24/7 Otaku / 100% Haruhiist
http://www.zeroaquaduct.com
No way, I'll never be bored of news from Akihabara! This is basically the next best alternative to actually visiting Akihabara. :)
フレイム ヘイズ
http://selfimprovementrevolution.com/
Any store with loads of figure and otaku stuff is like a paradise for me, so I'll make sure I visit this place if I went to Akiba. And it's only across the street from Gamers!
I'll never get bored with your Akiba posts Danny, besides your business revolves in these otaku related stuff so it's only natural if you post this kinda news. And we love it!
Student
http://www.myspace.com/iroppoi_productions
OMFG!! O.O if i ever go to this place in my life, i better make sure i lock my bank accnt and my credit card so i dont die >.< wish there was a store like this in cali, dont care were it is, ill drive there every month ( monthly trips because i will have money by then >.
Visual Communications and Web 2.0
http://www.imagineboris.com
oh i love this, it looks amazing, I agree with BandAiD, I'm jealous as well. heheheh some day we shall all see it in person.
Motion Graphics Designer
damn... i'm so in love and hate with this building, lol. japan's gonna make me broke. guess i need to save up a few more months just to cover the extra expenditures, lol *pushes trip to 2009*
MI Manager, Blogger and Newswriter
http://cutkillavince.com/
Excellent, feel free to post more news on Akihabara, we love it^^
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
http://koiaichaku.com/
DAMN!!!!! I got to wait for 6 more months till I get to go to Japan. The anime type stores here over in Toronto is way smaller. Why can't stores here be like the ones in Japan. I hope when I go (just in time for summer Comiket), I get to see it for myself. It'll be good to have somwsort of map or guild so I don't get lost looking for some store.
I WANT THOSE FIGURES!!!!!!!!!!
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
that's one hell of a shop!
goodies galore~
University Student.
http://www.hirito.blogspot.com/
Bored of Akiba news? No way!! In fact, can't wait to get back to Akihabara!! Maybe end of this year if I manage to save up enough money again.
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
i wonder if that power loader figure comes with an Alien Queen...
Administrative Assistant
http://bob-san.animeblogger.net
Given that I may never get to Akihabara, keep the news coming. Vicarious living FTW (and the poor).
That makes two of us!
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Oh yes, I remember this place well as it is quite overwhelming for the 1st time visitor. It is one of the stops I choose to go buy myself, so I could take my time looking around. Had a list of WANTS, and swore to stick to it with only enough Yen for it, and one extra purchase (but it was a BIG list). Had to, as I only had one extra suitcase to carry everything I bought from Japan. That didn't stop me from looking for hours though. Only item I regret buying in Akiba was my sony minidisc player. Remember those??
Nendoroid Hunter
from what manga/series is the Power Loader from?
thanks in advance!
The power Loader is from the Alien series. Specifically the 1986 sequel Aliens.
Injured
I was surprised to see it. Best scenes Ripley was in her underwear with the Loader.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
I hope I'll be able to go back there again! Wooohooo!
Aspiring Trap
http://www.atalude.net/
I remember being there the first time, as the counter for the New Akihabara Discovery Tours was right in front.
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
Danny, thanks for your comments about Kotobukiya. During my four visits to Japan, I always stopped or passed by 1st flood of Kotobukiya and was wondering 'where the heck is all the figures and stuffs Kotobukiya is famous for?' and now I know they don't display those stuffs on first floor, blast!!!
I guess Kotobukiya also wants to venture out to USA because I've been their booths at recent anime conventions down here.
I always visit Radio Kaikan since I have to go there in order to get to K-Books ^^; I'm surprised to see they even have a trading card speciality store in there.
College Student
http://nategreene.wordpress.com/
I wish we had stores that sold figures here. I am a little tired of hearing about Akiba, i'd like to know more about Japanese culture, like the education system, how are elementary, middle schools, highschools differ. Whats the grading scale like, etc. Or anything else culturally in general.
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
this is amazing. they way they sell figures and anime-related stuff is completely different from singapore; even shops dedicated to selling figurines sometimes have their figures strewn all over in the glass display, not to mention the truly bad ones have dust on them *shivers*
Composer-DJ-Sound Design.作曲家
http://www.MarcusTyr.net
Looks like a place my wallet would get alot lighter at.
Student
heh, akiba stores are still amazing, no matter how many times I've seen it over the year. I remembered visiting Singapore when I was a kid and seeing those Gundam figures neatly displayed on the shelf, still, it couldn't be compared to akiba shop which display thousands of them.
On a side note, the news seems lacking of OddJapan stuff, I'll have an honor to display Horse Mushroom fetish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffDPTKn7HiY
Network Technician
http://www.myyaruki.com
I think I'd have to take out a loan if i ever visited there :D
Student
http://animestuff.wordpress.com/
Somehow I'm not very pleased with this strategy of Kotobukiya, I mean they don't know how much anime is spread through out the world right now, almost every new figure is related to character based on an anime series and most people that go to Akiba want to buy them.
There ideia is very good though to attract foreigners that are not so familiar with new animes.
So Danny for a guy like me which floor of Kotobukiya should I go to get a hold of some nice figure goodies?
FIGURES GALORE~~ I'd like to Japan just to dish out on figures/gunpla. DX
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
hanyaan~! *heart*
so many Kotobukiya figues~ ^___^
gaijin tourists = big spenders
and having some mainstream anime stuff that gaijins know would rake in more money for the store
and btw, i don't get bored of Akiba news ^^
Akiba always has something new for the otaku community ^____^
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Mouse pad with oppai!! WANT!
Afro-ed Student
http://Mizunaga.blogspot.com/
Oppai mousepad! Haruhi Keyring! DO WANT! ε=(´A`;;)
Student
http://zeroblade.dasaku.net
Honestly, I'd rather have figures on the first floor than FF crap.
Service desk support
http://lookingglass.kokidokom.net
hmm, I wonder if the Kotobukiya shop has some of the much older stuff available...
One of my bigger purchasing regrets is that I was unable to buy a 1/100 posable resin kit of the WildWurger, Made by kotobukiya. Apparently been discontinued now so chances of finding one are slim at best...
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
Akihabara is so cool. it's like a holy land to otakus. i never get tired hearing enws about it. ^^,
in fact when i died, i want my ashes to be spread over there. well kinda. ('~')
Student
http://www.janken.de
The only problem I would have if I would go to Japan is how to ship the tons of anime stuff back to Germany... My Trunk could get lost and I don't know how I could convince the customs officer that I don't trade with that stuff... ^^
IT engineer
http://secretzone81.wordpress.com/
Radio kaikan is a place I sure visit every time i drop by akiba :)
Overpaid Computer Nerd
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rboyett/
Tired of Akiba? Is that even possible?
My only suggestion is that you offer more articles similar to this one show casing the shops in Akiba. Of course the main focus should be anime/manga related but I'd like you to show us the other offerings a shop has.
Also, Akiba has gotten away from its reputation of being a good place to get great deals on electronics. Last year I was shopping for an Olympus EVolt 500 DSLR with the dual lens kit. I couldn't find any shops that had this for less than 800000 yen but I found it in Hadano for only 640000 yen.
My understanding is that there are still several smaller shops on the side streets that offer great deals but I have no idea how to find them.
My next trip to Japan is scheduled for April this year. I hope to spend an entire day in Akiba (my wife is going to kill me) I'd like to have a good idea where I'm going to go before I head over.
All that said, this is still my favorite website for info on figures, anime, manga, Akiba, Dancing Storm Troopers, etc, etc..
Animation
http://clockworkmachina.com
ugh...that kino figure! i want it so badly! cant find it online anywhere. all of them are sold out!
IT-Architect, SysAdmin, WebDesign and Coding, Virtualization (VMware + NetApp)
http://www.milkdrop.de/
*drool* I wanna go shooopppinnngg there.
Shouldn't have bought that new laptop and went to Japan instead. *shakes fist at herself* :/
I love keychain stuffs, the Haruhi one is nice.
Camera Operator. PV director/producer.
http://www.digitalinterference.net/
How do you get permission to shoot inside stores? I had the toughest time shooting in Akiba.
I was hired to document a 2 week PR tour across Japan. One of the lead vocalists is a huge Gundam otaku (his stage name is Mecha 1), so he scheduled a day trip to Akihabara.
Unfortunately every time I looked through my eye piece, some employee would materialize and tell me to stop. In the rest of the country, as a gaijin slinging around a big HD camera, I pretty much had free reign. The police even let me run up to a burning building in Osaka because I blurted out: "I'm with the BBC!"
Apparently filming in a store where people are buying scantily clad, under age looking figures is where they draw the line.
Watcher
I think I passed by Akibahara a couple of times, but I never spent more than a few minutes there. I guess I was too busy looking at all the hot Japanese chicks! Next time I will take some time off and really explore the area. I'm not into eroge, but I might as well try something new!
Sales Engineer
http://ericreplied.com
This is definately the sort of place I'd love to visit if I ever get the chance to travel to Japan...
I think I'd have trouble picking what to purchase ...
Dunno, really....
http://www.goufyshumi.com
Radio Kaikan is definitely recommended. Of course, I have to say that, my friends at Volks occupy two floors there. The lower floor is their regular retail stuff. The upper floor is pretty cool, too. It's where the Otaku closets are. Where they take Gashapons and model kits, and mod/paint them. Some very creative stuff. I pretty much spent all my vacation cash there ^^;;
medicine student & otaku
"Are you bored of news on Akihabara?" HELL NO!! i love to read and see pix of Akiha i think it's the best place i've ever known
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
@10116222: The answer is... Aliens
@Birusama: Not only Danny is Great Chief Akibah Stormtroopah, but also a Master Ninja in disguise... "More than meet the eye!"
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
*meets
Say qingy, your new avatar is a bit... scary. ^^;
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Bored of news on Akihabara?! I say... NEVAA!!!
Gunpla Enthusiast
@D_blade
the new avatar is full of GAR
PM
http://thepoopsies.blogspot.com
"Are you bored of news on Akihabara?"
Not at all ^^ I'm kinda using your entries as a reference whenever I'll get the chance to go to Akiba.
That is...if my work permits me to take a long vacation T_T
Graduate student
http://neosamurai.blogspot.com
I went to K-books once. Probably the most exhaustive Tankoubon selection in Akihabara. For the time being I stick to Book Off though...
Otaku
http://imperiomoe.wordpress.com
OMG I spy in one of your pics Melissa Seraphy I'm looking for that figure everywhere and it's sold out, me want T_T
Zetsubishita!!