Rapping “otaku” salesman in Tokyo
This is the first in a series of articles I’m going to post, most of which come from the excellent Japan site, Japan Sugoi. If you want to know about everything that is cool and happening in Japanese culture, then this is definately the blog to subscribe to. I’ve been regularly visiting it for the past few months now and it is really interesting and usually funny, even for someone who lives in Japan.
There are many famous subcultures within Japan, and one of the most famous is that of the otaku. Translated to English, it would probably mean something along the line of “geek” or “nerd”, although otaku doesn’t nevessarily have to have the negative conortations associated with those English words. It is usually a person who is an avid fan of manga (Japanese comincs) anime (Japanese animated films) and/or video games. These people will spend huge amounts of money pursuing their hobby and there are big conventions held for all of these people all over Japan.
The Mecca for otaku is Akihabara in central Tokyo. This area is full of comic shops, computer shops, and anime stores, and is a paradise for anyone interested in those things. There are just so many electronics stores that many of them have salesmen stood outside on ladders or platforms, megaphone in hand, calling out the latest offers to the people walking by. If you’re in Japan for any length of time, you’ll realise that noise pollution is crazy in the cities. But this video clip below shows something a little more special - this guy working at a glasses & contact lens store is actually rapping about his store and the offers they have! Don’t know if he prepared this or if he was just freestyling, but it’s quite funny and very impressive. Stay tuned for more, and keep checking up on events at Japan Sugoi for more Japanese fun.
Link to video clip’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPyLY-aEC_U
or Discuss this Article
Funny stuff, sounds to me that he’s freestyling with some stuff in it that he has to mention.
There were some other interesting and funny vdo’s on Akihabara on You Tube.