The Deviant Art’s Otaku Spot (THE DAOS!)
Issue Nine: Stuff From Japan, Which We Would Love in Our Hometowns!

This week, the DAOS, will not only be talking about items and places that we wish we could have that are found only in Japan, we will be updating you all with some awesome contests and some projects that we at the DAOS are working on!

Many people have asked about why we do what we do every week, here is our answer:

Our Mission for the DAOS Project: To educate and enlighten anime/manga fans and non-fans alike about the underground world that is the otaku community. We also wish to build and strengthen positive relations amongst anime artists here on DA and other artists on DA by working to widen those minds who do not quite understand why we do what we do.

The Deviant Art’s Otaku Spot’s Special Announcements!

WE ARE CHANGING RELEASE DATES!

Starting this week, and from now until further notice, we will be releasing on Monday Nights instead of Sunday Nights. This is mainly in part to do with James and me not having enough time to get the issue done, and so we end up having to shorten or not cover items, as we would plan to. Now, if we are ahead of schedule, we will have it up Early Monday morning, but count on for sure to be here Monday afternoon. Hopefully, when we get more columnists, we can return to Sundays, but since James and I are the only two right now, and we work on Sundays and have school on Mondays, we just have to do what we can in order to keep writing for you guys!

That said, this next announcement should be a great tie in…

NOW HIRING COLUMNISTS!

Many fans have liked what we are writing, but in an effort to keep up with the constant changes that are taking place in Otaku Community, and in our own personal lives, it has gotten too hard for just two people to do! Therefore,, writers, who would love to make a decent break here in the DA anime community, this is the spot for you! Moreover, we will be continuing on an open rotation until we are full! Oh, did I mention that DAOS writers, get FREE DA subscriptions as thank you gifts and other awesome benefits from us for their support?

We are currently hiring for any of the following: Anime Reviewers, Manga Reviewers, DA Admin Relations, Editors, and any other odd writing jobs we may discover in this hiring process.

Our beloved gift giver/part time columnist for the DAOS-James Kyoya-Sama will handle all this! All the information on what you would need to become a beloved member of the DAOS project, please see James’ DA Account here: ~PrintedOtakus

LOGO AND STAMP CONTEST EXTENDED!

Many of our artists have asked, and have will now receive! We are extending the Deviant Logo and Stamp Contest to Nov 1! All entries will win a one-month DA subscription as a thank you for entering! The grand prizewinner in either category, will win a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO DEVIANT ART! Plus a special feature issue in the DAOS!

All Rules are here: [link]

Remember, the Deadline is NOVEMBER 1! As soon as I get enough time to update those rules, I will be sure to add that change in there as well. GET DRAWING ARTISTS!

NAME YOUR TOPIC CONTEST!
Want to know something about the Otaku world, but too afraid to ask? Well, the DAOS, is now accepting all suggestions and ideas for topics in the otaku world. Since there already is a news column about Anime/Manga art in DA, please try to limit your suggestions to ideas outside of DA and to the outside anime/manga world. If the DAOS, not only finds your topic interesting, but also can properly address your suggestion, then you personally will receive a 1 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION. And you can enter up to 12 times too! So you can win a WHOLE YEAR OF DA SUBSCRIPTIONS, just for telling us what you want to read about!

was the first Winner of the “Name Your Topic Contest”! He had two ideas, and we used one as the basis of Issue 8 on the DAOS-“The Anime Artist’s Retort to the Non-Anime Artist.” His other idea will not be used until November, but he still got two months OF FREE PAID DA TIME! Want some too just for reading and putting your two cents in? Well then, get on it!

All suggestions are welcome to yours truly, just head to my DA =MissRedRose and leave a note saying “suggestions” and let us know!

THE SERIES THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT CONTEST!!!

We here at the DAOS, always try to review the hottest and newest anime/manga series that are coming out. However, we are very limited in time and effort to research series that are worthy of a look here on the DAOS. And at the same time, we’re planning a tribute to series that NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT in Early November!

So, if you have a series, that NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT, let us know about it. We here at the DAOS, LOVE TO GIVE AWAY FREE STUFF TO THOSE WHO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE! If you talk about a series, that actually requires James and I, have to actually research and do detail work in order to review it and tell all our fans about it, you may win some awesome subscriptions, or some other awesome free items that James and I have been secretly designing for our online otaku store.

All notes in this contest, also go to my DA account, leave a note saying “series tribute”, and tell us what you think! =MissRedRose--is the spot!

Issue Nine: Stuff From Japan, Which We Would Love in Our Hometowns!

So, this issue starts out actually with an argument that sparked this week’s issue. Friend and co-owner of the DAOS James and I were working out the kinks for the next two months. And this topic came up. (Side Note: Venus, is actually my name. There’s no otaku inside joke for that.)

James: Venus, we’ve never been out of the USA.. How can we talk about Japan and its culture?
Me: Well, we don’t have to talk about every single aspect of Japan. We should talk about the things they have that we don’t, but should have. Like Manga Cafés and Ultimate Karaoke Bars!
James: And Maid Cosplay Café’s? Where all the women are beautiful, smart, cosplaying and serving just me?
Me: *sighs* YOU ARE SUCH A GUY!
James: Yeah duh, Venus.
Me: Fine, then we’ll split it up and talk about the things we like that aren’t here.
James : ^_^
Me: Oh and James, remember that we are a family-friendly column okay?
James: Of course my dear. I wouldn’t want you to not get me my subscription now..
Me: Just get started on the dang column! *whips into work*

And so, we therefore give you all a light taste of some of the things that we wish could be our hometown, but can only be found in Japan.

--James’ Picks



Maid Café’s are every guy’s fantasy. Why do you ask? Well that’s simple: Cute, smart, funny girls, with great personalities in maid outfits serving you! These are growing rather popular in Japan, and many anime conventions here in the USA, have some form of a café style event whether they are guys or girls. In Japan, they take personal service to the next level. Some café’s have the ability to provide a spoon-feeding service to those who are willing to pay an extra few bucks. I may just be a guy, but I don’t care what you think. I demand that there be a maid café in every major city in the USA. Especially one in Fresno, where I live.

(Bonus points to those who can find the FMA reference in the above paragraph ^_^)



Could you imagine, being able to walk into a store, which has four stories of Japanese manga and doujinshi’s inside of it? Furthermore, could you be able to deal with two more four-story buildings that are a lot like that along with used mangas that you can buy for way dirt-cheap? Sounds like the perfect manga paradise right? Well, you are in luck, in Japan, they have stores all over the place that are solely dedicated to manga and all the loving that goes with it. Many pieces from some of the original manga-ka masters themselves, are now worth a good fortune in Japan.



This place, is known to the Japanese world as the countries’ biggest arcade! And it makes sense, with an arcade compiling everything from Mobile Suit Gundam to Gigolo 13 works, it is the place to be when you are stuck waiting for a train to your next destination.



Anyone, want to go and see a 20 foot tall Gundam model? I DO!! Here at the Bandai Museum, you cannot only see the history of Bandai, the king of the Japanese Video Game world, but also the home of the original Gundam series! And of course, there is the 20-foot tall Gundam model, if Venus and I ever go to Japan, we are so totally taking photos of us next to this.



I WANNA GO TO COMIKET!!! For those who don’t know what that is, Comiket, is Japan’s very own Doujinshi/Manga and Anime Festival. Held twice a year, it is the biggest anime convention in all of the ENTIRE WORLD. Last year’s numbers totaled almost 700,000 people for the entire weekend, man that’s many people in one building! Greats from all over the world also come and sell their own new original works and wares of classics. And otakus from all over the world are more than happy to oblige them with yen beyond their wildest dreams.

--My Picks



While Maid Cosplay Café’s are my partner James’ dream, the Manga Café’s of Japan, are just an otakus greatest-dream-come-true period. Here, for a few bucks, you can read thousands of manga volumes, use the high-speed internet, study in the privacy of your own little cubicle, or just crash in general! Many of these places are open 24 hours, and for a flat rate, can crash there overnight! You would never be bored with the thousands of manga volumes there. I would add an anime DVD rental rooms and watch all my favorites! But that would be kinda a bad thing, knowing many otakus, would NEVER LEAVE those rooms.



Yeah so, 7-11 stores are nothing new at all. But the Japanese one definitely has a twist on theirs. With everything from teriyaki bowls to anime and manga rentals available at anytime, it’s definitely worth going to. I would also most definitely would adore trying all the flavors of Ramune that Japan has. ^_^



So a mall is not a new concept. They are pretty much in every modern country in the world. But what happens, when you head to a mall, that not only sells normal items, but otaku related gear as well? Well Mandrake in the Nakano Broadway Mall in Tokyo, is the king of Otakudom in Tokyo. With almost 10 small stores that equal one big franchise that covers the four stories of this mall, it makes your local Hot Topic and Sun Coast stores look like child’s play! And to make it even better, it is tourist friendly, with English maps of the mall and many stores having an English translator on hand to help the sales. Be ready however to do some paperwork, according to our readings, we have heard, that as an international customer, you have to take care of some light paperwork to buy certain items for customs reasons in Japan. Don’t know why however. That’s just how it is.



No matter how many smaller aspects of Otakudom that James and I can both talk about, there is one city in the entire world, that all true otakus must go to at least once in their entire life before they die. And that’s the city of Akihabara-The Electric City. To sum up what’s so great about it, Akihabara, is the capitol of international Otakudom. Every type of otaku, can find something they love here. Be sure however to take a book guide with you. The city has so many stores and adventures, that it may end up quite easy to get lost.

(Author’s note: We recommend “Cruising The Anime City-An otaku guide to Neo Tokyo” by Patrick Macias and Tomohiro Machiyama. Has lots of great trip details and a deep inside look of Japan.)

So that’s our picks! Anyone else got a place or something that should be also checked out while in Japan, please let us know by commenting below! Tune in next week, when we will talking about something awesome. So you’re just going to have to watch for us next week and find out what we are going to talk about next!

See you next week!
~Miss Red Rose~

Missed an issue? James Kyoya-Sama, friend and part-time columnist of the DAOS, has graciously allowed us to use his DA as the place where all of our past issues will now be held. He also will be the one where all of our latest news and updates about the DAOS will now be! So go and watch him for all the latest DAOS Project news!

--Is The Magical Portal Key! Tell him Miss Red Rose Sent Ya!

Upcoming Releases: Remember that all release dates and actual prices vary from seller to seller, so remember to look around okay? Good Otakus..

Upcoming DVD Releases for 10/09/2007
Fate/stay night - The Holy Grail
Galaxy Angel Rune
Hakkenden: Legend of the Dog Warriors
Kurau: Phantom Memory - Mirror Image
Kyo Kara Maoh! - Season 1 DVD Set
Samurai 7 - Battle for Kanna (DVD 4)
Samurai 7 - From Farm to Fortress
Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE
When They Cry (DVD 3)

Upcoming Manga Releases for 10/09/2007
Ai Yori Aoshi (G.novel 17 of 17)
Aqua (G.novel 1)
Archlord (G.novel 3 of 4)
Baku (G.novel)
Boys Over Flowers (G.novel 26)
Brave Story (G.novel 2 of 6)
Cheeky Angel (G.novel 19)
Elemental Gelade (G.novel 5 of 10)
Fruits Basket - Box Set 1 (G.novel 1-4 of 17)
Fruits Basket - Ultimate Edition (G.novel 1)
GTO: The Early Years (G.novel 5 of 15)
Gyo (G.novel 1)
Inuyasha (G.novel 31)
Kami Kaze (G.novel 6)
King of Thorn (G.novel 2)
Kingdom Hearts - Chain of Memories Graphic Novel Box Set (G.novel)
MBQ (G.novel 3)
Metamo Kiss (G.novel 3 of 3)
O-Parts Hunter (G.novel 6)
Princess Ai - Ultimate Edition (G.novel)
Red River (G.novel 19)
Rozen Maiden (G.novel 6)
Tarot Cafe (G.novel 6)
The Law of Ueki (G.novel 8)
Uzumaki (G.novel 1)
Warcraft - Ultimate Edition (G.novel)
Zatch Bell (G.novel 15)
E'S (G.novel 4)
Ghost in the Shell - Human-Error Processor (G.novel 1.5)
Oh My Goddess! (2nd Ed) (G.novel 7)
Old Boy (G.novel 8)