A segment of the Akiba Girls is the "Idol" and under that group are two further subsets. One is the usual idol  that you are familiar with, such as AKB48. The other is the "chika idol", literally the underground idol or more aptly, the street idol. The most famous chika idol today is perhaps Asuka Sawamoto but please  do not mix her with the rest of the  chika idols. No idol in Akiba goes around flashing their knickers  on the streets.

The other thing you have to know about idols in Japan is that they are quite different from the notion of an idol elsewhere and the concept of an idol in Japan changes from time to time. The idols in Japan today are cute and pretty singers/talents in fetishized costumes and performances. While idols in the past are glamourized, distant and often put on a pedestral, these days almost anyone can be an idol, giving rise to the term “street idol”. In fact, such "everyday idols" may actually be more popular now; it is exactly the amateurishness of the idol that makes her more approachable and available to fans. What this means is that an idol's private life becomes just as important as her public life. Idols blog and make videos of their personal lives, talking about mundane and trivial things like food, fashion and friends. Idols today have stepped down to earth and become very personal. They communicate with fans, build fan-idol relationships and pay equal attention to every individual. The Japanese idol today is literally your girl-next-door.

The Akiba chika idol may not necessarily be familiar with Akiba nor come here during their free time to play; many come solely for work, i.e. to promote their next live event and to sell their CDs but most gladly conform to the Akiba-kei dress code, sometimes even cosplaying to pander to their mostly Akiba-kei fans. The number one spot that these girls aggregate in Akiba is the "Akiba Ekimae" which is the right side of the Akihabara station from the Electric town exit. Also what we call the "maid crossing" for the number of maids who gather there to give out flyers, the idols hang around that area on weekends giving out flyers and posing for pictures, often gathering small groups of men around them. A good time to have a more intimate session with the chika idols are weekday evenings. By this time, the shops are closing and the maids would have gone back to their cafes. The more hardworking chika idols come here to meet with their mostly salaryman fans who gather at Akiba after work. In Japan, it is not enough to sing or dance; talents in Japan have to be able to talk and this is not surprising given the number of talkshows on Japanese TV. The chika idols found this a good opportunity to talk to passerbys on the street and practise their sales skills by promoting their CDs. One good method is to have a "story".

Take for example, the idol group "Stylish Heart" who come to Akiba almost everyday to promote their new album. Mizuho (23) in a short miniskirt and tie, a cosplayish outfit fitting for the Akiba-kei approached me as I passed by. It was smooth and quick, she immediately striked up a casual conversation,"Where are you guys from? Do you come to Akiba often? What kind of music do you like?" and after locking the three of us in a long conversation that was going no where, her partner Rina (18) took over. The girls have always been performing live in Akiba and finally got scouted by a talent agency. But even so, things will not come so easily. Their boss challenged them to sell 1000 pieces of their first album "S･H Histry1" in two months by their own efforts. They recounted how tough it was for them to come so far and how hard they worked, coming to Akiba everyday after work to promote their album. A couple of male fans came to support the girls; helping them to hold signboards or a mini speaker which plays the tracks from their new album.

After 10 minutes of trying, it is not hard for a man to be touched by their tale and buy a CD to support their endeavors. The after-sales care is equally touching and one is bound to be a fan after such personalised service. The "service" involves: a handshake, a picture of the girls, a signature on the CD leaf on any spot you pick and a personal live performance just for you. For 1000 yen, you get such extravagant care and attention on top of a CD, one might even say it is too cheap for such thoughtful customer care and service. The point about chika idols is that they try so hard that you just have to support them. When they come to Akiba everyday, giving out flyers, talking to strangers on the streets and singing eagerly with nothing but a mini speaker on their hands, playing the barely audible music to which they sing to, your heart has no choice but to melt.

Left: Cover of the CD album. Right: Stylish Heart in maid outfits on their CD leaf.

Perhaps it is most heartwarming when the girls jump with joy and show genuine surprise when one finally decides to buy an album. After so long, their humble efforts are finally appreciated and most importantly, their voices are heard. I wonder how successful they would be if they were to perform at other areas in Tokyo. There is a reason why performers flock to Akiba. It has something that no where else has - a warm Akiba-kei community comprising of the local customers, shops, media and tourists. A strange mix of people and cultures has formed a protected zone for the Akiba-kei making you feel safe and "at home". As for the chika idols, Akiba means more than an electric town, it is a haven for idols where promises can be kept and dreams can be fulfilled. It does pay off if you try hard enough. ^^

Stylish Heart: Mizuho and Rina