| The unique appeal of Akihabara, which is affectionately known
as "Akiba" - based on its name since the Meiji era (1868-1912) - lies
in the fact that its stores sell not just a wide variety of finished products
but also carry parts. As it has the reputation for being an area where all parts
can be found, Akihabara has dozens of stores on both sides of the road selling
electric and electronic components from all over the world, from those used in
computers to others for audio equipment and even crime prevention. The parts on
sale are not limited to new products; some of them might appear to be junk. To
electronic aficionados, however, this is an exciting place that holds the possibility
of a dramatic find. Many customers (usually male) who are obsessed with hard-to-find
originals have great interest in things like video games, anime,
and doujinshi (fan comics). These shops often contain
rare and valuable collectibles that cannot be found elsewhere, a fact that explains
much of the appeal of Akihabara these days.
In the latter half of the 1990s, large-scale electronic stores became commonplace in Japan, meaning that consumers can now purchase all the latest models of computers and other products at a low price, so Akihabara lost the unique appeal it had in this respect. Looking at the sales of personal computers in Tokyo in 2000, Akihabara accounted for 39%, while 20% were sold in Shinjuku. Two years later, though, Akihabara's share had fallen to 30%, while the figure for Shinjuku was 21%. Some home-appliance and computer stores in Akihabara closed their doors, while others scaled back. The popularization of home computers actually worked to the disadvantage of Akihabara. Stepping in to fill this gap, though, were stores specializing in anime, video games, doujinshi, and toys. These highly specialized collectibles have led to the emergence of a new breed of collector, and the area has regained its vigor, blossoming into a hub of subculture. Shops in Akihabara feature used game software and model kits, anime figures, and game characters like Gundam. The promise that Akihabara offers to the most avid collectors, though, is the chance of making a very rare find. There are some shops at which men in their twenties and thirties can be seen purchasing figures and anime animation cells that can cost tens of thousands of yen (hundreds of dollars), and the staff in these stores may also be dressed in the costumes of popular comic characters. Though the phenomenon may be temporary, what is underway at present is being referred to by some as the "new Akiba" boom. While it may be difficult for people with different taste to understand, the Akihabara of today, with its selection of anime and games ranging from the mainstream to the obscure, presents a cross-section of the unique popular culture of present-day Japan. |
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