May 4th, 2008 probably marks a day in otaku history for it is the last hokoten to be held in Akiba. Today, Chuo-dori gave way to cars instead and pedestrians were literally squeezed to the paths on both sides of the road. Although not as many as before, some cosplayers still come to Akiba and gather in front of the electronic town exit of JR Akihabara station.

The Itasha boom is getting the media's attention these days as otaku's pride gradually rises in Japan, and that seemed to have an influence on how people are treating their cars or bikes. Itashas are cars, motorbikes or bicycles decorated with decals, paint jobs and accessories inspired by anime, manga or game characters.

Along Chuo-dori, towards the Suehirocho station, a clustor of shops related to animals and foods is slowly developing. The animal territory, nicknamed the "Animal Kingdom" consists of an ice-cream and Tuna moffles shop called Dragon Ice, a rare animal meat Takoyaki stall and a cat cafe where real cats roam the place.

On May 11th, 2008 a group of fans gathered to do some volunteer work at the Holy Land. They were picking up litter on the streets before heading to an idol event at Don Quixote. When interviewed, a staff said, "It was out of nothing other than the desire to make the world a better place that the idols appealed to fans to pick up litter on the streets."

In the future, DJs will be pressing puchipuchis instead of spinning on the deck. Yamaha has come up with a new music instrument that was ranked the top 25 most innovative products of the year by PC World. The hand-held digital instrument is a 16 by 16 grid of LED-illuminated buttons that were designed to resemble that of bubble wraps.

As of May 10th at the Tokyo Anime Center, you can try your throat at the voices of characters from the extremely popular TV anime Yatterman (Yomiuri TV, Nippon TV, Monday 7pm Japan time).  Customers will be able to choose from 3 scenes from the series.  Four to five characters appear in each one to two-minute scene.  Including practice, wanna-be seiyuus can spend a total of 60 minutes in the studio prepari

Akihabara, Internet and Anime. What do these three have in common with Pico Moe!? An album of anime songs remixed by internet musicians and sold mainly in Akihabara is what the CD "Pico Moe! Future 8-bit series 1 ~ real idol anime songs~" is about.

Novelty and gadget maker Thanko, Inc, (Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku) has figured out a way for you spend more time on your computer!  Whether you're relaxing in the bath or madly typing outdoors in a drizzle, with the Ame-ni-mo-makezu Water-resistand PC cover, there is now no need to fear for the health and safety of your fragile, aquaphobic laptop friend.

Want to be praised by a maid?

After joining the baseball competition and making a movie for the school festival, Haruhi is hungry for the next adventure. This time she has decided to join a dance competition and she wants you to join in the dance and exercise. "Dance or you'll be executed!" says the SOS brigade leader.