A unique phenomenon that takes advantage of the fantasies of otaku (anime, manga and video game fans) and J-Pop fans.
Tokyo’s Akihabara district is home to maid cafes and as the pop-up and competition increase, each one grows crazier and more surreal. The sponsors are usually otaku men (geeks) who are going to be served by waitresses who dress and act as if they were super cute characters from manga comics, anime or video games. In the original maid cafes, the staff dressed as French maids, but as the phenomenon has grown, various themes and outfits have emerged. The maids greet customers with “Welcome home, Master” and decorate the food and drinks with fun designs and messages.
In some cafes, waitresses even offer massages or play cards and computer games with customers. Although they were originally created for male otaku, they are becoming very popular with women and tourists.