Akihabara

1869

One of Tokyo's frequent fires destroyed the area in 1869, and the people decided to replace the buildings of the area with a shrine called Chinkasha (now known as ), meaning fire extinguisher shrine, in an attempt to prevent the spread of future fires.

1888

After Akihabara Station was built in 1888, the shrine was moved to the Taitō ward where it still resides today. Since its opening in 1890, Akihabara Station became a major freight transit point, which allowed a vegetable and fruit market to spring up in the district.

1890

After Akihabara Station was built in 1888, the shrine was moved to the Taitō ward where it still resides today. Since its opening in 1890, Akihabara Station became a major freight transit point, which allowed a vegetable and fruit market to spring up in the district.

1920

Then, in the 1920s, the station saw a large volume of passengers after opening for public transport, and after World War II, the black market thrived in the absence of a strong government.

1930

In the 1930s, this climate turned Akihabara into a future-oriented market region specializing in household electronics, such as washing machines, refrigerators, televisions, and stereos, earning Akihabara the nickname "Electric Town". As household electronics began to lose their futuristic appeal in the 1980s, the shops of Akihabara shifted their focus to home computers at a time when they were only used by specialists and hobbyists.

1970

Doujinshi (amateur or fanmade manga based on an anime/manga/game) has been growing in Akihabara since the 1970s when publishers began to drop manga that were not ready for large markets.

1980

In the 1930s, this climate turned Akihabara into a future-oriented market region specializing in household electronics, such as washing machines, refrigerators, televisions, and stereos, earning Akihabara the nickname "Electric Town". As household electronics began to lose their futuristic appeal in the 1980s, the shops of Akihabara shifted their focus to home computers at a time when they were only used by specialists and hobbyists.

1990

It is said that the activities of Akiba-kei idols were started by women who were influenced by the style of underground idols created by Aoi Mizuno. In the 1990s, Akihabara was developing into a neighborhood centered on male otaku interests.

1996

Since the cosplay of anime characters and activities as underground idols are characteristics that are widely seen in later Akiba-kei idols, Haruko Momoi is considered the prototype of Akiba-kei idols. Haruko Momoi, today's famous Anison musician, is the first known Akiba-kei idol, and she began her activities in 1996.

2001

And Shoko Nakagawa, today's famous tarento, is the most famous Akiba-kei idol in Japan, her activities began in 2001.

2005

The idol group AKB48, one of Japan's highest selling contemporary musical acts, having begun activities in 2005, runs its own theater in Akihabara, from which the group's name is derived.

2009

Formed in 2009, Dempagumi.inc has all members claiming to be otaku of some genre.




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Page generated on 2021-08-05