OPINIONS: COSPLAY CAFE AT DO

By sakuramiyabi. 30/12/09, 07:41 am

ufufu you guys know Eddie Ching. Yeah this was bugging me so much I couldn't sleep until 5 am in the morning and couldnt go to work with dad because I overslept and now I have to finish the work at home. Not that this is a bad thing but >>

Anyways more details will be revealed after I discuss this with Seong.

@Zeb: and lol that's what I thought I'd have to do if I want Bill to actually listen. Sort out all the details myself beforehand (if at all possible) then slap the proposal in front of him, point out the main points and show that it'll work.

@Rolly: we have discussed that before. DO just isnt BIG ENOUGH yet to have an extra room. It's our 4th year in 2010 or is 5th i dont care i cant count

Our market is still too small. Yes admittedly sooner or later DO will have to move to a place with more space and hence Seong will also probably have to start charging entry fees.

And while I can see why it would work at NZAE I don't even know if I'm going. I'm sorry if this sounds rather up myself but my and Tammy's idea. We're not going to let someone else run the show end of story. Especially when its just starting out.

This thing, this idea here has to be thought of as a business proposition because quite frankly. It is one.
I mean what is the end result that I wish to achieve?
Setting up a cosplay cafe as an establishment if at all possible. I mean it can like any other cafe, except you get served in cosplay.

I've probably been spending too much time with my dad but DO, Auckgeddon they're all opportunities for me to see the general response as to whether or not a cosplay cafe would work.

And I'm not going to limit this to just anime events. If I can somehow pull it off ...

but enough rambling the point it got across. I will share more organizational details after I talk to Seong.

@Becky: not saying anything in a sarcastic sense but can you share the problems you forsee please? I need these things as well not jsut positive feedback so that I can rectify it before it occurs thanks

And main issues atm:
1. Food rule in the hotel
2. Space issues
3. Shift of focus issues

while I have potentially solved all of these as long as Seong agrees to something I have in mind ... I don't see how it won't work ...

By Rolly. 30/12/09, 11:13 am

I think, another issue, I'm not sure what the general attitude of NZ is towards these cafe's because there's none yet, but, from what I've heard, sometimes visitors to these cafe's are viewed from a negative viewpoint in Japan. Stereotypically, they think it's all otakus and such that go to Cosplay Cafe's in Japan so it somehow has a bad sort of (what's the word...) ~~name atmosphere~~ association with them.
I don't know if I'm making sense myself but thought that might be an issue somewhat. :/

I assume this year DO is going to get held at the Langham Hotel? That place is small... as a cosplayer community, do you think it would be a good idea to set out some considerate guidelines for socialising around the stalls so we don't block customers that want to purchase art? Just throwing ideas out here, as Zeb pointed out this year it was getting a bit OTT with the cosplayers flooding the place.

I apologise in advance for any thing I missed and if I offended people. orz

By sakuramiyabi. 30/12/09, 11:16 am

=w=;; i didnt want to say it out looud quite so bluntly

but yes
i will be talking to seong about implimenting expected behaviour guidelines for cosplayers

and no its being held at the Hyatt

and quite frankly how much does nz know about japanese culture. I mean how many people actually know the existance of maid/cosplay cafe?

Also otaku culture isnt necessarily viewed as negative anymore
You know why?

Becuase otakus are good for the economy. Why? Because of how mcuh they buy ... srsly

By **Tamoo**. 30/12/09, 11:20 am

I have been to a maid cafe. And quite seriously? Whats all the fuss?
Its like any normal cafe except that its just more decorated and has a theme.
I loved it C: The maids were really really cute and friendly.

Otakus in Japan are becoming the norm, or is already the norm. My host mother is somewhat an otaku. She goes nuts over Nodame Cantabile and One Piece.... And shes a working housewife too XD

By Suixelo. 30/12/09, 11:21 am

But people generally think of otaku as bad still... I do... XDD Otaku is much different than a huge anime fan... ><

I think I fear that the cafe idea will promote cosplay as a negative thing, and I worry about the inappropriateness of it all. I can't help but worry =/ I hope it works out =/

By sakuramiyabi. 30/12/09, 11:32 am

as what tammy said

its really no different from an ordinary cafe
the only difference is it has an attraction in the form of the people who serve there thats it

yes there will be negative imagery of things like
"eww its a fetish cafe" completely ignoring the fact that msot maid cafes have rules of conduct for customers

for example no asking of private information, no sexual harassment, etc.

the largest hurdle will be breaking down the image that people might and will think its a fetish cafe //shrugs

and as me and tammy have said
thinking otaku = bad is no longer the norm.

and being an otaku is being more than a geek/nerd and its more than an obsession ... i think ill get my friend to define it if he can (he's a serious otaku who has publicy stated that he prefers 2D over 3D yeah 8D)

By **Tamoo**. 30/12/09, 11:37 am

From what I learnt when I was in Japan, Otaku are anybody who like anime and manga. But then again, the western view is totally different to Japan's view. To be truthful, I would hate being called an otaku since I dont want to be viewed as a weeaboo... k. >>;;;;

If you cosplay, some people think you're weird regardless.
Does it really matter whether or not the cafe will promote negativity? Im happy that you're worried over us~ It shows you care <333 But will it truly matter if it does get negative attention? Will it really make a difference in the popularity of cosplay in NZ?
I don't know. And we wont know until we try. But I doubt that it would make a huge difference. Of course we will get some negative comments, but there should be a few positive ones in balance.

Am I doing it right? >>

By sakuramiyabi. 30/12/09, 11:48 am

lol //pets tammy XD

i think we have made our point accross
of course we'll get some negativity because our entire market is really quite tiny. Hence the need for a trial somehow.

and lol my friends definition

____otaku = person obsessed with ______

i mean any number of us could be considered cosplay otaku or fabric otaku or costume otaku its a label it matters little

and quite frankly just how many japanese do we have in nz let alone auckland? and most of the japanese who come to nz nowadays are the younger generation who dont particularly care about otaku //shurgs 83

By Suixelo. 30/12/09, 11:51 am

I must say cosplay at DO this year gave us a bad name in general, and plenty of people complained and/or ridiculed us.

I am just scared it will happen again, maybe to someone younger and less experienced in taking criticism/slander. I just worry one of the younger members will get targeted and I don't want anyone to feel the same way that I did this year because they were targeted by 'otaku' aka creepy old guys with no life. (SORRY IF THIS OFFENDS ANYONE XDDD <3)

That being said, this is my personal view because of what happened after this year's DO. I am sure the cosplay cafe will turn out well and no one will have to worry. <3

By sakuramiyabi. 30/12/09, 11:57 am

hmm~ i guess it didnt really sink in just now <3~ thanks becky

but as always there will always be people like them and you cant do anything about it
lol as harsh as it seems sooner or later they will be exposed to slander/insults

just cosplaying in itself because we're dressing differently already its already increasing our chances for people insulting us.

but i rest my case and this topic is getting off topic now XDD~

and while i am very appreciative of the support i receive i also need opinions like these to keep things in perspective so it brings me back to see potential problems i can rectify before it happens 83

ok //problem ended <3~

By Zeb. 31/12/09, 12:02 am

Becky I see your point but I also think you're worrying OVER much. :)
Yes anime & manga isn't that well known here in NZ, but it's a lot more accepted than it was, say, 10 years ago.

re: the maid cafe idea, if its well thought out and planned so it's NOT presented in a gimmicky manner, then it will work. People are going to enjoy the novelty of being served by "maids" but whats going to keep them coming back are the simple tried and true things such as, good coffee, good service, value for money and mature, friendly, smart & easy going staff.
Get that down pat, the whole maid cafe concept will work.

At the end of the day, its all about how you PRESENT yourself.
If you act geeky, silly, immature, people will treat you that way.
BUT, and I say this from personal experience and also seeing certain cosplayers do this (certain hawt photographer chick on this forum being one of them, no names!)... if you're a lady, if you are confident and hold yourself with poise, even your average joe hick whose completely clueless, will respect you.

Anime/manga is just a medium, its the fans who determine what the "public's" reaction is to them.

Ugh rules, I feel kinda bad for "limiting" people who are just out to have some fun, but instead of rules, can we say etiquette/good manners? Cause really, thats wot it is. :)

Respect the artist.
Respect the purpose of the event.
Respect the people wanting to spend their $$$.
Photo ops should be taken outside.
Lounging around, again, outside.

And this should be for EVERYONE, not just cosplayers.

By sakuramiyabi. 31/12/09, 07:49 am

mmm i wasn't too sure about it because we're such a small event

but I was recently at Comic Fiesta in Malaysia

and while I am WELL AWARE of the difference in size (lol I mean a complete change from 2 years ago where it was hot stuffy and cramped with no where to sit in Berjaya Times Square to omg space to move and half a hall to the artists) it may be a good idea to have a sign saying "No Photography around the artist area unless of course they are the official photogaphers etc.

However space is an issue and its difficult because as someone stated before cosplayers are also customers and other customers who are not cosplayers like to take pictures (well mostly >>) and to have to go outside while we are buying stuff is a hassle

but we'll work something out

expected etiquette will definately be discussed though <3~

and as i said when you remove all the loveliness of a cosplay/maid cafe

its nothing more than a business 83 and in order for a business to survive you have to have a good CONSISTENT standard (not necessarily high but having a high standard improves chances of survival) of everything not just the service. end of story. 83

By Basaka. 31/12/09, 08:58 am

Well, there are always the extremes, but if you can get your mindset right, it's no problem. Also, if we can present ourselves well and achieve success, it should serve as a good start.

/me is cosplaying as Wriggle and Wriggle costume is actually a good waiter costume 8D

By sakuramiyabi. 01/01/10, 05:06 pm

Cosplay cafe proposal details have been written up while I was on the plane from Malaysia to Singapore

Other details written up include:
Expected Patron Code of Conduct
Expected Server Code of Conduct (this is basically some pointers so we don't project a negative image ... dnw to let people this is a fetish or otherwise kind of place)
Encouraged Code of Conduct for Cosplayers in General as well (due to some complaints from other people <3~ so our presence won't be quite so overwhelming)

<3~ Will post up the lists later on

By Mischa. 02/01/10, 01:30 am

Quote :: Important to the otaku attraction to maid cafés is the Japanese concept of moe,
which generally describes a fetish or love for anime, manga or video
game characters. More specifically, moe refers to adoration for young
or innocent-looking female characters. People who have moe (especially
a specific subcategory known as maid moe) are therefore attracted to an
establishment in which they can interact with real-life manifestations
(both physically and in demeanor) of the fictional maid characters that
they have fetishized.

It reminds me of the 60's playboy bunny clubs, where the waitresses all wore corseted bunny suits and had huge rule books to follow.

Part of me thinks the idea is cute...the other half I find little creepy. Teenage girls calling drooling neckbeards "master" and acting all fantasy servile.

I think having male and female wait-staff will help de-fetishize it - and I think a bouncer-house mama is a great idea.

By Lythinae. 02/01/10, 05:05 am

It sounds like a very cute idea, but I'm curious ...

How do you plan on getting around the Hyatt's no outside food/drink rule? I know how my old work used to handle the issue when it came up at functions, but I'm not sure that would be an option here ...

How are you planning to deal with storage and production/preparation? What about dishes and clean up? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I got the feeling that the kitchen area wasn't all that close to the DO room area??

By sakuramiyabi. 02/01/10, 05:17 am

Hi Guys I am now back in Auckland now~! YAY 8D

I am on my way up to GNC to broach this idea with Seong and in the sace of a 10 hour plane ride I have pretty much written my proposal.

Yes I am very aware of all the problems you have posted up here I was gone and actually yes I have addressed many of them in the proposal.

I will keep you guys posted on the outcome.

And while I appreciate your input as it helps keep me grounded and points out potential problems which I can rectify before it happens. I actually do think about these things when I work having worked and enjoy working in food handling.
And hope you guys understand why I don't post all points of the proposal
Ciao~ here's to hoping for a favourable reception

**Guest** Guest

Good luck~! I hope that everything goes well and that this'll really happen at DO OwO

By sakuramiyabi. 05/01/10, 10:00 am

great news guys. The Cosplay Cafe has been approved.

Best part, there was no need for convincing he was onto it right away. Will update the first post with details

READ THE FIRST POST BEFORE COMMENTING ON ANYTHING WE MIGHT NEED PLEASE

as I have considered much but however if you have things to add or have solutions to our problems please don't hesitate to post or PM me. Thanks~

By demon-girl. 05/01/10, 10:30 am

YAY! that's so great I so wanna help and gert severed also.

OPINIONS: COSPLAY CAFE AT DO - Page 4 1zq575t

By Cactiberry. 05/01/10, 10:38 am

I'm flattered, honestly, but, uhm, unfortunately I cannot clone myself 8'D
(To clarify - you put my name twice in the list xD)
It's been confirmed, yay! Has anything been said in terms of age limits or is it an all-ages thing?

By PIe. 05/01/10, 10:45 am

Yay, it's been confirmed, awesome

By sakuramiyabi. 05/01/10, 10:46 am

atm im intending to keep it all ages for the serving

i am however aware of the dangers so i will be doing all i can to ensure a safe environment where the volunteers can work peacefully.

more information as i type the proposal up and submit it to seong

@lizzi: ask maddi i have already told her most of what i will be doing in terms of safety 83

**Guest** Guest

>': I wanna come. I wanna help. I wanna live in NZ.

Ok. Convince mum timez.

By sakuramiyabi. 05/01/10, 11:09 am

and if you manage to come to DO youre joining the Touhou group right? RIGHT 8DDDD?

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