Gundam Cafe

‘Mobile Suit Gundam’, perhaps the most internationally recognised series of Japan’s renowned anime culture, occupies a special place in not only in Japanese society, but its fan’s hearts. On April 24, 2010 the world’s first official Gundam Cafe, opened in the centre of the Gundam fan world, Akihabara.

This miniature Gundam theme park-like café isn’t just for hard-core Gundam fans looking to discuss the latest Gundam news – there’s also plenty here for both those who have only just started cultivating an interest in all things Gundam, as well as tourists from overseas who might be looking for more insight into the Japanese world of anime. Visitors will find at least one of the female staff members dressed in a uniform styled after one of the female Gundam characters, and there is even a corner of the shop dedicated to selling themed products ranging from ningyo-yaki (sweets filled with bean jam baked in the shape of a Gundam) right down to special Gundam coasters.

Throughout the year, the café plans to both run various themed promotional campaigns and to make alterations to its overall theme to evolve just like the Gundam robots did in the original animated series. The café’s current version, dubbed Gundam Cafe Ver 1 is styled with a theme that celebrates what they call the ‘Gunpla 30th Anniversary’, and starting with the original Gunpla (plastic model Gundam kit) that was first released in 1980, exhibits approximately fifteen select types of Gunpla models.