A visit to Akihabara!
One place you have to visit is the AKIBA Culture Zone’s 5th Floor: The Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Café!!
I heard some rumors that there were some lovely collaborations going on! The café actually opens at 11AM, but I asked if they’d let me in a little early to get some pictures for the blog… (`･ω･´)
In front of the register is a sales corner!
Ooh! It looks so much more impressive since the last time I was here!! There are all sorts of goodies, from bigger things like T-shirts and tapestries down to much smaller items such as rubber straps! Obviously there are a load of figures on sale as well!!
There are also some exclusive goodies!
They all comes from Puella Magi Madoka Magica – the pink one on the left is a tea caddy, the black one on the right is an accessory case.
The store display cases!
These display cases obviously have GSC related figures on display, but you can also find some figures from other companies on display as well! There are so many figures to enjoy!
In this photo we have a history of the Nendoroid Petite IDOLM@STER figures! Otanaka was in charge of them, and you can really see just how much he must love the series!!
Nendoroid Petite: Cinderella Girls!
I put these up on the blog the other day and we got a load of feedback from them! I really can’t wait to see the colored versions of them! I also really hope we’ll see Kirarin in the line-up as well!!
The popular customer comment books!
There were a tradition that have been passed down from the Matsudo Good Smile Café! Seeing so many books filled with customer comments makes me feel all happy inside! If you visit the café, be sure to add your own comments or illustrations to the book!
The store is filled with cute goodies!
There are huge tapestries hanging from the ceiling – just by looking up you may very well see your favorite character looking down on you! There really are decorations throughout the café, so be sure to have a look around in every corner if you come visit!
The two collaboration projects currently on are:
The IDOLM@STER Shiny Festa Café &
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Café!
When you visit, you’ll be allowed to pick a table based around either series! (There might be times when the store is too busy and you might have to be placed at the other series – you can always order from either menu though!)
Today I’ll be sitting at an IDOLM@STER Groovy Tune seat!
IDOLM@STER Shiny Festa comes in three different versions, and the menu also matches up with each of the different versions!
They all look so delicious though, it’s really hard to pick! I can’t order everything, so I’m going to take whichever is recommended by the very man who comes up with the menu! You can see the complete menu for yourself over at the revamped GSC & Tetsu Café website!
GSC & Tetsu Menu
http://www.gstjcafé.jp/themecafé/
From Shiny Festa: Honey Sound:
“Vault That Borderline!”
| A drink based on image of ‘Honey Sound’, a delicious cranberry drink accompanied with a slice of apple. Includes a coaster or badge. |
A bright red drink that gives off a really nice tropical feel! Σ(ﾟ∀ﾟ )
It has a very refreshing taste that I think would be perfect after a day of walking around Akihabara! In particular, I think the flavor will go down very well with the girls!
From ‘Shiny Festa: Funky Note’:
Ami, Mami & Hibiki’s Funky Carbonara
| Carbona was Hibiki’s standard food in her hometown of Okinawa, and this carbonara has been specially made with the image of Ami & Mami in mind! A thick carbonara with a touch of ham. A place mat and badge are also included. |
Ooh! I was expecting standard carbonara, but this is more pike a soup pasta! It’s going to start getting chilly over the Winter now, and I think soupy foods like this will be great for those cold days! And I have to say, after giving it a little taste, all I can say is that…
It’s delicious!!
I thought it was a little bland at first, but the sauce and ham blend together for a truly magnificent flavour! Just the soup alone is really delicious!!
From Shining Festa: Groovy Tune:
Miki & Takane’s Honeymoon Dorayaki!
| Two dorayaki desserts, one with a uguisu-green bean paste to represent Miki and the other with an adzuki-red bean paste to represent Takane. Both also have an IDOLM@STER symbol on the cake area! Includes a coaster or a badge. |
Producer-san!! An IDOLM@STER symbol on the dessert!
I want to put that symbol on all sorts of other things as well!! As far as the actual dorayaki go, the ice-cream and paste are so lovely and sweet! They taste amazing! They’re also quite big, so if you’re hungry I’d definitely recommend considering them!
A place mat and badge is included with all these meals!
Azusa and Ritsuko’s Tropical Loco Moco
Ami, Mami & Hibiki’s Funky Carbonara (This photo!)
Yukiho & Makoto’s Curry
Ordering any of the above will get you a place mat and badge! If you pay another ¥100 you can also get your place mat laminated to keep it as good as new – just ask any of the staff!
Plus, drinks and desserts come with a badge or coaster! (`･ω･´)
You’ll have to pick which one you want, I decided to go with the coaster myself… mainly because that gives me more of a chance to get into the IDOLM@STER Shining Festa Release Screening!
Before the day of the event, you need to get your hands on either the place mat or coaster from each of ‘Honey Sound’, ‘Funky Note’ and ‘Groovy Tune’
In other words, you need to get the red, yellow and green variations of either the place mats or coaster! That means you can have for example, a red place mat, a yellow coaster and a green coaster! For more information, be sure to check out the GSC & Tetsujin Café website!
GSC & Tetsu Screening Notice
http://www.gstjcafé.jp/topics/#post-870
The badges are given out randomly!
You’ll get to put your hand into the IDOLM@STER box and pull out any one random badge! I hope you’re lucky enough to pull out the character of your choice!! Note that the badges don’t count toward getting into the screening!
From Puella Magi Madoka Magica:
Kyubey Curry ~You Have the Power to Change Fate~
(Puella Magi ver.)
The famous Kyubey curry that left queues outside the Matsudo café has finally returned! It has a slight difference to it though, it’s the ‘Puella Magi’ version, which has a pink curry instead! It certainly looks very cute, but how will it taste…?
Yep, delicious!!
I was told it was a relatively hot curry, but has a lovely strong flavor so it didn’t bother me at all! I actually think it would be the perfect curry for a cold Winter day! There is also a ‘Witch ver.’ of the Kyubey curry which also comes in an extra large portion and a mega portion for those who are hungry!
All the meals also come with a place mat and badge!
I actually forgot to get my badge so it’s not in the photo, sorry! The Madoka badges will be given out in the same draw-from-a-box style as the IDOLM@STER ones!
Design Cappuccino!
You can pick from four different designs each featuring a different character! It’s so cute that I almost don’t want to drink it!! A lovely coaster is also included!
You can now also find small tables for one!
On the side of the stage you’ll now find these small tables! Of course it’s great to come with friends, but there are some times that you just feel like visiting alone! (quite a lot of times in my case :P)
Now that I’ve filled my tummy it’s time to head home, but on the way…
You’ll find some capsule machines near the register!
Capsule toys from IDOLM@STER, and they are only ¥200 for a spin! You can also use them before or after paying, so feel free to make use of them!
I got a Mami Futami & Komami badge!
They’re so adorable! Such a small price for a little something to remember your visit to the café with!
While I was taking photos, the café opened!
A big thank you to all the cafés customers! We’ll be bringing lots more wonderful themed cafés soon, so I hope you’ll stop by for them too!
The IDOLM@STER Shining Festa Café runs till the 9th December!
The Puella Magi Madoka Magica Café runs until the 2nd December!
Anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!! (・∀・)ノ゛