Freelancer Emily and I went to Nakano the other day to check out Mandarake, a multi-level otaku shopping center that holds within its core the Best Video Game Store In Japan. With the growing popularity of otaku culture, the building housing Mandarake and the surrounding areas have also become home to a host of other otaku-oriented businesses.
Most recently, a maid cafe called Nagomi Cafe Home Maid opened up around the corner. Maid cafes, where the waitresses dress up in maid, schoolgirl, or cosplay outfits, are becoming more and more popular these days. It's hard at first to understand the appeal, but after we were in there for a few minutes, it became clear: they're like strip clubs. Or Hooters.
As we walked in, the girl addressed us as goshuujin-sama to ojou-sama (Lord and Lady). She then explained to us how much of a huge ripoff the place was. Every drink, from iced tea to Coke, was 500 yen (about $4.50). And you had to buy at least one drink per hour to stay there.
It went on from there. Emily and I were just talking to each other, but the other guys in the cafe were engaged in a lively discussion with the sailor-suited girl behind the counter, who seemed genuinely, deeply interested in all of the video games and anime stuff that they'd just bought in Mandarake. Much like gentleman's clubs or wing restaurants, it's not the outfits (or lack thereof): you're paying for companionship. Through absolutely no effort on your part, you can be assured that a pretty woman will focus her attention exclusively on you for as long as you keep paying money.
It's a universally popular human experience. That Japan's just so happen to be decorated in anime-influenced decor and personality is barely relevant.
