On September 9th, Akihabara was host to a new DJ party concept event for anime and anisong fans called "Character T-Shirt Party in Akihabara Entas" and we were there to report on all the fun.

Before we do, here's a brief introduction to anime song DJ events, in case you're unfamiliar with the genre:

Anikura: Anime Song DJ Events

Over the past decade, a genre of DJ event called anikura (from the words anisong and club) has matured in Japan and even made significant inroads abroad. In its purest form, anikura events feature DJs only playing original or remixes of anime songs, but the genre has also come to encompass music from games, Vocaloid, idols, sometimes even dempa and chiptunes, either in original format or remixes with house, drum & bass, and any number of other club music genres while a VJ displays clips from anime, games, or original graphic designs.

Anikura fans in Japan have a growing number of venues to choose from, both indoors like the famous club MOGRA in Akihabara which just celebrated its 9th birthday last weekend, and outdoors such as the large-scale anisong and dance music DJ event Re:animation, where our readers may remember Japan's cutest anisong DJ Touko Nakamura performed last month. There are even anime song DJ parties specifically for foreigners to enjoy, such as AniSphere in MOGRA.

Anime Print T-Shirts

While not a requirement, many anikura party-goers like to show their love of their favorite anime characters or series by proudly wearing anime print T-shirts. If you're an anime fan, you probably have at least one anime print T-shirt too. But you may be a bit shy to wear it, even if you're in Akihabara.

If so, the Character T-Shirt Party in Akihabara Entas is the perfect opportunity to dust off that T-shirt AND have a blast at an anikura party with some of the best DJs in the genre.

Character T-Shirt Party in Akihabara Entas

Akihabara Entas is a new event space on the 5th Floor of the Onoden Electric Appliance Store, just a stone's throw away from JR's Akihabara Station and literally one of the first things you'll see when you head for the main avenue Chuo Dori after making a left turn from the Electric Town exit.

If you show up with an anime print T-shirt, parka or sweatshirt and you'll get in for 2,500 JPY, which includes a free drink for the whole evening. Even if you don't have anything, you can get in for 3,500 JPY. Even better, you can buy a T-shirt on the spot, thanks to anime goods brand COSPA which will have a selection of T-shirts for sale printed with the most popular series. If you buy at least 3,000 JPY in merchandise at the door, you'll get in to the party for only 500 JPY more, whether you wear it or not. (The staff at the entrance will judge whether or not your T-shirt qualifies)

Event Report

We put on our favorite anime character T-shirts and headed to Akihabara to report on the party.

No good anikura event can succeed without a team of great DJs, and there was talent in abundance that night:

DJ Wan

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Uinyan

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DJ Shawty

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With classic anime songs from the 80s and 90s as well favorites from recent anime seasons booming at full volume from the excellent sound system at Entas, the anime fans who attended were really psyched!

One of the highlights occurred when Uinyan played the opening song from the 2000 anime Hamtaro Tottoko, "Hamtaro Tottoko Uta," which has turned into something of a phenomenon in recent years at anikura events. Following the convention, everyone started running around like happy hamsters on an exercise wheel.

Of course, this being an event with a focus on anime character T-shirts, there was a special time for showing off your T-shirt. Here, guests are showing off the T-shirts displaying the mascot character of the Onoden electric appliance shop where Entas is located, Onoden Bouya.

DJ Shawty proudly showing off her Uzume Uno from Fantasista Doll T-shirt

Following another common practice in anikura events, the DJs had toasts with guests, so it's a good thing that Entas has a fully stocked bar.

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By - Ben K.