Tatara Makes Revolution

Lolita and Maid Fashion Day at Kinokuniya was a success!

Lolita and Maid Fashion Day at Kinokuniya was a success! A huge success! A we-couldn't-fit-any-more-people-in-the-store success! I couldn't believe that there were over 75 people waiting in line, some as early as 6 AM, to get in. And, as the day went on, I couldn't believe we fit well over 300 fans into Kinokuniya Bookstore for a celebration of lolitas, maids, and anime fandom!

My first thank you has to be to John Fuller and Kinokuniya Bookstore. I've got to thank John and Kinokuniya so, so much for letting us take over his store with cosplayers and chopstick fights. Second, thank you to Ali T. Kokmen and the good folks at Del Rey Manga for all the support, swag, and for bringing Maid Machinegun out in the USA. Third, thank you Megumi Sato and Samurai Beat Radio for coming in and joining the party. Megumi interviewed a lot of the attendees as well as me, and we'll all be broadcast on the radio in Japan. Fourth, thanks have to go to Mika and Manami from VIZ Pictures for supporting us with posters and Kamikaze Girls. Fifth, thanks must be given to Amber Rutland for her passionate lolita fashion panel and all the lolitas who came in to support her.

Finally, I have to thank the 300+ fans who came to Lolita and Maid Fashion Day in the 90+ degree weather. You could have spent this time waiting in line for a Wii Fit or watching Saturday morning cartoons, but you trekked over to Kinokuniya to spend the day with me. Thank you! I hope you all enjoyed yourself, and I hope to have more get togethers and meet ups soon.

The New York Anime Festival is in September, but I plan to see you long before that.

Lastly, if you couldn't get a copy of Maid Machinegun or Kamikaze Girls (as both sold out), just stop by Kinokuniya any time and they'll be happy to reserve a copy for you, and you'll be sure to receive it as soon as they're back in stock. And expect to see pictures from Lolita and Maid Fashion Day in the next few days, too!

Lolita and Maid Fashion Day is Tomorrow

What are you up to tomorrow? Trying to find a Wii Fit? Gazing through the Telectroscope? Some humorous third thing? Cancel your plans as the New York Anime Festival and partners Del Rey Manga, Samurai Beat Radio, and VIZ Pictures are proud to present the first Lolita and Maid Fashion Day at the largest Japanese bookstore in North America -- New York City's Kinokuniya Bookstore. Taking place Saturday, June 7 in celebration of International Lolita Day, Kinokuniya Bookstore located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan will present a day-long series of events showcasing the diverse world of cute, cool, elegant, and hip fashion in modern Japan.

Lolita and Maid fashion have quickly become two of the most prolific ambassadors of anime, manga, and Japanese culture in America, and the New York Anime Festival couldn't be happier bringing these fashions to New York City -- the fashion capital of the world.

Kinokuniya's Lolita and Maid Fashion Day will include special all-day activities as well as a series of Lolita and Maid-themed speakers and presentations…

Kinokuniya Lolita And Maid Fashion Day All-Day Events

Anime And Manga Discount: Any customer who comes into Kinokuniya Bookstore at 1073 Avenue of the Americas on Saturday, June 7 wearing a Lolita or Maid dress or anime, manga, or video game cosplay will receive 10% off all anime and manga purchases.

Lolita And Maid Sweets: Café Zaiya on Kinokuniya's second floor presents a special menu of Lolita and Maid-themed desserts made especially for Lolita and Maid Day

Lolita And Maid Fashion Day Giveaway: All customers who come into Kinokuniya Bookstore can enter to win a number of prizes from Del Rey Manga, the New York Anime Festival, and VIZ Pictures. Prizes include a collection of 100 of Del Rey Manga's best-selling and fan-favorite books, free tickets to this September's New York Anime Festival, and select films from the VIZ Pictures catalog. Winners will be drawn at the end of the day, and customers must be present to claim their prizes.

Kinokuniya Lolita And Maid Fashion Day Event Schedule

10 AM: Kinokuniya Bookstore opens. The first 50 customers dressed in Lolita or Maid dresses or anime, manga, or video game cosplay will receive a Lolita and Maid Fashion Day Gift Bag including presents from Del Rey Manga, the New York Anime Festival, and VIZ Pictures.

10 AM to 3 PM: Lolita and Maid Fashion Day Tea Party. All customers who order a cup of tea from Kinokuniya's Café Zaiya between 10 AM and 3 PM will receive a complimentary assortment of Japanese treats along with their drink.

3 PM to 4 PM: An Introduction to Lolita and Maid Fashion. An overview of the diverse world of fashion in modern Japan. Lolitas and Maids are just the beginning.

4 PM to 4:30 PM: Akiba-Kei Music Scene. Maid fashion began in Tokyo's Akihabara. Samurai Beat Radio presents a look into Akihabara's music scene today, how it influenced Maid fashion, and how Maid fashion now influences Akihabara's music.

4:30 PM to 5 PM: A Reading from Maid Machinegun. Maid Machinegun, a new light novel from Del Rey Manga, follows the misadventures of Aaliyah, a recent recruit at one of Akihabara's busiest Maid Cafés. Del Rey Manga presents an overview of the world of Maid Machinegun, including a special greeting from the author written just for today and selected readings from the book.

5 PM to 7 PM: Screening of Kamikaze Girls. Momoko is a super-sweet Lolita. Ichigo is a tough-talking thug. They couldn't have come from more different worlds, but somehow the two become the closest of friends and embark on the most incredible of adventures. Screened with permission from VIZ Pictures.

7 PM: Raffle Drawing. 100 books from Del Rey Manga and free tickets to the New York Anime Festival are just two of the prizes up for grabs in the Lolita and Maid Fashion Day Giveaway. Customers can enter all day long, and to win, they'll have to be present at 7 PM for the giveaway's drawing.

Kinokuniya Bookstore, Del Rey Manga, the New York Anime Festival, Samurai Beat Radio, and VIZ Pictures invite anime fans, Lolita and Maid fashionistas, and New Yorkers up for a unique and unforgettable experience to come out to Kinokuniya's first Lolita and Maid Fashion Day tomorrow! I hope to see you there!

Budo Grape at the Knitting Factory

I’m back in New York after a week in LA, and I’m happy to be home. I’ve missed the city, the people, and the culture, and almost as if throwing a welcome back party just for me, Karaterice and JapanFiles are presenting Budo Grape on Thursday, June 5 at the Knitting Factory.

The Knitting Factory’s at 74 Leonard Street, the show starts at 8 PM, and tickets are $10.

But what’s Budo Grape? A high energy, avant-garde band from Nagoya, Japan. All the members claim “Grape” is their last name and they come from “Neo-Nagoya.” You can listen to them online at http://www.myspace.com/budogrape. You know you want to.

HALICALI Comes To Kinokuniya

While I’m currently away at BookExpo America in LA, my heart is still in NYC, and I wanted to make sure all you New Yorkers knew that my good friends at Kinokuniya Bookstore (1073 Ave of the Americas) will be playing host to J-Pop duo HALICALI on Friday.

HALICALI are coming into Kinokuniya at 6 PM on Friday, May 30 for a radio interview that’ll be broadcast on Samurai Beat Radio throughout Japan – and you’re invited to listen and watch.

So, if you’re free on Friday, stop into Kinokuniya to meet HALICALI and maybe get on the radio in Japan!

Lolita and Maid Fashion Day at Kinokuniya

The New York Anime Festival and partners Del Rey Manga, Samurai Beat Radio, and VIZ Pictures are proud to announce the first Lolita and Maid Fashion Day at the largest Japanese bookstore in North America -- New York City's Kinokuniya Bookstore. Taking place Saturday, June 7 in celebration of International Lolita Day, Kinokuniya Bookstore located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan will present a day-long series of events showcasing the diverse world of cute, cool, elegant, and hip fashion in modern Japan.