Shopping Guide
The “Good Smile x Animate Cafe” opened in Akihabara, Tokyo on April 25. The cafe is a collaboration between Good Smile Company, which creates and sells goods and figures, and Animate Cafe, which is managed by Animate, a specialty store for anime, comics, and games.
The “Good Smile x Animate Cafe” holds collaboration projects with popular anime and games during which the cafe’s interior is changed to express the world of the work, and food and services related to the characters and other aspects of the work are offered. On the same floor as the cafe is the Animate costume store ACOS which sells cosplay outfits and accessories, so after enjoying the cafe, customers can stop into ACOS and buy a cosplay outfit. This joint set up is sure to make fans happy.
As Part 1 of its collaboration project, the cafe is currently themed after Love Live! until July 30. We are reporting on this cafe at which you can gaze at pictures of the nine idols while enjoying food and drinks themed after them.
Love Live! tells the story of nine high school girls who form a school idol group called μ's (pronounced “Muse”) to save their school from shutting down and who compete to win the school idol competition Love Live. The second season to the popular anime is currently broadcasting.
The three monitors on the cafe’s stage constantly stream live performances by μ's and everywhere you look is decorated with scenes from the TV anime and tapestries of the idols.
The tables are each set with different luncheon mats, and it’s exciting that you won’t know which character you’ll get until you’re seated.
The collaborative menu offers six food items and five desserts. There are also nine drinks, one for each of the nine members of μ's. Also, those who present proof of pre-ordering the Volume 1 Blu-ray for Season 2 of the TV anime will be able to order off of a secret menu.
The food menu also seems to be popular and includes plates that are fully satisfying. Those who order from this menu will receive one random coaster per item. There are nine coasters in total to collect.
Photography isn’t allowed inside the cafe, but there is an area of figures on display where photography is permitted.
There was also a polling campaign being held in the cafe. Using ballot cards and a comment board set up in a special area, customers could vote for which member of μ's they’d most like to have a picnic with. The voting period ended on May 12, and the character with the most votes will be made into an original item.
Next to the voting corner, conversation notes have been arranged on which are illustrations and messages to characters. Being able to converse with other fans who love the series is another attractive charm of the cafe.
On sale in the merchandise area are two-fold stand mirrors that are limited to the cafe.
In addition to this are goods that are being sold in advance at the cafe including glasses of the characters.
Furthermore, there is a full selection of outfits, makeup, wigs, and other cosplay-related items available at ACOS, which is located just outside the cafe.
Collaborations with a variety of popular works will take place at “Good Smile x Animate Cafe” from here on. Because of its popularity, customers are given up to 90 minutes in the cafe and are let into the cafe by a reservation raffle. Make sure to check out the official site for “Good Smile x Animate Cafe” before visiting.
[Information]
Address: Akiba Cultures Zone 5F Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo 1-7-6, 〒101-0021
Hours: 11:00 - 21:30 (last order: 21:00)
© 2013 Project Love Live!
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article written by Megumi Higashiashidani and translated by Jarrett Meuser.
