Akiba Changes

Could be a turning point for Akiba. After the airgun shooting and Mrs Wide Open shenanigans, we now see a bunch of "patrol people" from "Akihabara Town Management" marching around with "no street performances" signs.
We also see performers being lead away by the police - even the non leg-opening type.
Looks like I wont be going back there in armor anytime soon...
Via Akibaos.
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part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
oh no :( that's not fun!
but well danny you can start bringing selected figures to go out for photoshoot? :P
Student
Danny, you cannot imagine how angry and irritated I am by these news, I want to say terrible things and complaints but I want to relax and save my breath. As I'm seeing it, I won't have the chance to see the old Akiba anymore, if I go all I'll see is these guys instead of people in costumes and wacky stuff...
And what made me more sad is the idea of no more Storm Trooper...
This is depressing, in my opinion.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
...on the other hand, those yellow jackets and green hats are approaching costume status themselves.
Student / Software Engineer
you know what, that gives me an idea. Someone should mass a cosplay group of those guys. It'd confuse them so much they'd explode... (wishful thinking)
Student
would love to see that!
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
...I'm hoping this will blow over, but that doesn't seem too likely. People will be watching their step and thinking twice now, if even normal "street performers" are being led away.
That said, the whole idea of "street performance" seems a bit vague. Does a cosplayer count? He/she could be just boldy stating his or her own fashion sense.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Bah, I feel like I'm spamming. Anyway, what I want to say with the last remark is that it seems to leave some intentional room for people to play with. I'm sure those town officials are quite aware of the business otakus bring.
uni student
http://reggie21.wordpress.com
reminded me of akihabara@DEEP
student
Doing things for the sake of doing things...
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
And Akiba became even more popular (in the bad sense)...
*major sigh*
It has become much the unruly place now and otaku will still be seen as oddballs, no thanks to a bunch of mess-makers.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Btw Danny, what will you do now in the current state of things?
No more dancing trooper in Akiba?
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Double sorry:
1) to not have read it fully
2) for triple post.
*Promptly runs away*
purchasing
depressing to read, but also very relieved that Mrs. Wide Open won't be around to torment me.
College Student
Why is the back of there heads blurred?
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Particular brand/logo on their hats?
大学生徒
http://ichinichijuu.blogspot.com/
So you don't see the barcodes.
Visual Communications and Web 2.0
http://www.imagineboris.com
interesting, seems they are out to changes things. i only hope that you will still be able to go out on a torn in a storm trooper and dance, dance like there is no tomorrow. ^_^
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Hopefully it is not about all places in Tokyo, so Danny can dance elsewhere... And this is good for maintaining our hopes high.
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Airgun shooting and Mrs Wide Open: NO!
But street performing is the heart of Akiba, as long as it isn't offensive or harmful to people walking there.
Who these guys think they are? The modern shinsengumi or something?
I say street performers (of the good kind) also form some sort of organized force to defend their right to be there...
Student
http://yellowguy89.blogspot.com/
is that little smoking sign a subsidized campaign or something..
anyway, it brings me down to hear this...I hope this doesn't apply to cosplaying or photo shoots?
I think this will affect other parts of various cities in Japan as well.
Its just a conspiracy!!!
Student
http://www.desangel.blogspot.com
really bad....hope akiba would turn back to what it used to be
Engineering Student
Where will all the village idiotstresses go?
Overpaid Computer Nerd
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rboyett/
We all saw this coming. The smaller shops were slowly disappearing and there have been many people saying that otaku paradise of Akiba was slowly disappearing.
As of right now I'm canceling my plans to visit Akiba on my next trip.
I guess this is now a golden opportunity for another city to step up as Otaku Mecca.
Seeing red!!!
my dream........crashing....
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Same... I feel that idiots truly killed the unique essence of Akiba.
mahou kishi
http://www.animedia.com.mx
hope someone make a march or something because is part of akihabara and shouldnt be banned
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
http://funkyblueame.tumblr.com/
.Don't lose hope gang. Things can change and probably will, just give it a little time.
MI Manager, Blogger and Newswriter
http://cutkillavince.com/
Bad news, indeed. The old Akiba was amazing and unique ;)
Space Pig
http://www.akihabaranews.com
Well I personnaly think this is a bad for a good, Akihabara is a great place that I saw getting down since the past last 6 years, being able to have fun is one thing, but the past event were too much. And we must make sure that Akiba stay a place for Electronics Fan, Anime/Manga Fan, Video Game Fan and so on where everyone from any ages can go without being solicited for porn, illegale software...
I really sad to see how Akihabara went, all good store had to closed
College Student
http://bayonette.multiply.com
Man, this sucks. No cosplay, no dancing on the streets, boring town to visit.
I think Akihabara is becoming the next Shibuya, which is sad.
I really prefer Akiba as an Otaku's paradise. That's a place where we Otaku's can really express ourselves. I don't want it to change!!
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Now that's no fun... No performaces = Torture! Akiba's not going to be the same...
University Student
To me the performances are part of Akiba and shaped it to what it is nowadays, a vivid place for people to have fun and not only a big shopping mal...
Student/Daemonhunter
*Sigh*, Just as I was starthing to think that Akiba is going to be saved so that my visit will be a success, this happens.
Why do stupid people always have to ruin good things? >.>
I guess there will be no chance of him dancing in Akihabara anymore or anytime soon.
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=last0raven
i thought what my jap friend in school said was a lie. . . i guess its not after all T-T
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
That sucks, so few people ruined it for everyone. Whenever I went to Akiba on Sunday, I've seen many decent performers who tried to show their skills and not do something radical or rowdy to grab attention. It sucks that those people(including Danny) won't be able to do what they like because of some inconsiderate people. I hope things can change back to normal soon and some people can mature.
System Administrator and full-time Otaku
I bet all this political correctness is coming from the "new" residents of Akihabara, the invading large corporations and universities who have changed Akiba's skyline and, in my view, started ruining it.
I mean, sure, some people went a little overboard with their exhibitionisms, but it's sad to think that something like the Haruhi dance can not happen any more in Akiba.
Whatever happened after that otaku demonstration last year? Is it time for another one? Akihabara is being changed against our will.
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
this may be an irritating news and a kill joy but we should accept this for our own good. we should blame the people who abused the open street system...
security/3d graphic artist
http://www.kennethleishman.com/
the japanese should issue out permits for street shows.. and if the po po come buy they can just show them the permit and be left alone.. an ida anyways.. don't let free speech die!
Perv
Damn....the otaku culture will gain it's old image back if it goes this way :/
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Guess it did already...
There would have been no witch hunt (in the political sense) in the first place, otherwise.
大学生徒
http://ichinichijuu.blogspot.com/
It's still not doing any harm, imo. Guess they need something to spend their budget on. Hell, Ikea's taken out more eyes than those airgun shooters according to this blog.
Network Architect, Administrator, Vmware Guru
http://www.finetoo.org/
Troubling, to say the least. Akihabara was going to be one of my milestone stop points when I travel Japan in September-October, to hear that Otaku-Mecca is more or less paralysed like this doesn't sit all too well with me. Despite my not being able to do a damn thing about it.
I'm going to hold my breath and hope that things swing a nice 180. I'll probably still end up going to Akiba during the trip it just won't be the same without the performances. Heck I was hoping to Hare Hare Yukai just once...
Attention whores meets Camera Geeks
in The Farce of Akihabara!
Oops! You can't cosplay now! No singing! No dancing! And boys dressing up as girls.
Just give us ya money and piss off! Akihabara is now business only! You give us ya money and we give you ya toys. If you wanna play, go home and play with yourselves.
By the edict of Akihabara Business Managers.
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
I guess I can't drive my Sutherland up there now, eh? I'm sure they'd welcome you, Danny. You ARE one of the top bloogers in Japan and after appearing on Blog TV(I'm not sure about the title :X), there's got to be SOMEONE who wouldn't lump you together with some other people who do @#% and $#^%#&#% and %^$#...
オタク all day long
http://www.nekomagic.com
Oh no, that's not good.
I really hate Ms. wide open. =(
Typographer
http://www.vicfieger.com
Where oh where is the brave and humourous manga-ka who will annihilate these yellow-jacketed, chest-puffing Deputy Dawgs the way Nagai did to the PTA in Harenchi Gakuen?
Watcher
That's pretty lame. They should let people have fun and do what they want. That brings the business there.
Chef, Full fledged Otaku, Full time Observer.....
this is a nightmare...
please someone, tell me this is all a bad dream...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Oh well, they've got their right to express their opinion and we've known that Otaku are quite disliked by many even in Japan and once those haters see an opportunity to deal damage to the Otaku community..
its sad ...sad...n more sad....it wont be the same again.....sighzzz >_< !!!!!!
Radical Dreamer
No more Stormtrooper!?!?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s
Sony Games Tester
Danny I haven't had a chance to visit Japan yet, and Akiba was one of the main places i was excited about when i do visit because of the street performances... do me a favour and rally up a lot of performers/cosplayers etc. and start a protest!
otaku!
http://cafe.daum.net/heavyvehicle
WHAT!!!??????? NO STREET PERFOMANCES AND COSPLAYING, WHAT IS AKIBA GONING TO COME TO?? A BORING PLACE LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE, THE UNIQUENESS AND FUN OF AKIBA WAS THE MAIN REASON I WANT TO GO TO LIVE AND WORK IN JAPAN. DANG!!!!!!!! =__=
otaku!
http://cafe.daum.net/heavyvehicle
Well, IF THE STUPID PEOPLE THAT DONT KNOW WHAT FUN IS SO CALLED "CLEAN UP" AKIBA WHAT AM I GOING TO DO???? IF IT DOSENT RETURN TO NORMAL I WILL BE SO SAD *----*