The 1993 action film Hard Target is notable for three reasons. First, it was Hong Kong action director John Woo’s American debut. Second, it starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as perhaps cinema’s most physically fit and combat-ready homeless man. And third, its story was one of the finest examples of the rich film genre known as “jaded and wealthy individuals hunting men for sport.”
One man from Saitama Prefecture apparently wasn’t quite up to the task of stalking the kickboxing Muscles from Brussels, though, and aimed his sights a little lower: hunting the otaku nerds of Akihabara.
Police recently arrested three individuals in connection with a crime committed on December 31, 2013. The only suspect whose name has been released is 20-year-old Masa Tanaka, a resident of Saitama City. As 20 marks the beginning of legal adulthood in Japan, it’s likely the other two arrested are minors, and thus their names are being withheld.
According to a report by TBS News, Tanaka made his way down to Tokyo on New Year’s Eve, specifically to the anime and electronics mecca of Akihabara. While there, he accosted a 28-year-old man who passed by him on the street, shouting “Wait!” and “Look at me when I’m talking to you!”
Tanaka then began punching and kicking the man, threatening him with the creatively badass yet genuinely disturbing line, “I could probably get a lot of money by selling your organs.” In order to placate his assailant’s rage, the battered and understandably frightened victim agreed to go with Tanaka to a nearby ATM, where he withdrew and handed over 250,000 yen (US$2,450).
After being taken into custody, Tanaka is said to have admitted to the charges. In explaining his actions, he told police that he chose the areas specifically since he thought the men there would be easy targets, saying: “Since Akihabara is filled with otaku, I didn’t think there’d be anyone who could really handle himself in a fight.”
We’re sure it must feel nice being a big, tough fish in a small, geeky pond. If convicted, Tanaka should be looking at some jail time, though, and somehow we doubt his cellmates will be the same sort of pushovers he went searching for in Akihabara.

Akihabara’s first rental nerd looking to cash in on his jobless status
Host King Roland goes to Akihabara disguised as a foreign otaku 【Video】
Akiba Stealth: Assassin’s Creed brought to Akihabara in “real-life” prior to game release【Video】
Otaku gather in the Akihabara night as Toranoana dojinshi shop permanently closes【Photos】
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Studio Ghibli adds new Ponyo glassware to its anime lineup for summer
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon’s cozy city builder game inspires Cozy (Corner) cakes in Japan! [Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Universal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults-only horror attraction
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Super-ultra-rare anime condoms to be handed out for free in Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood
Mass murder plot stopped by friend of Akihabara mass murderer
Mr. Sato hunts for New Year’s lucky tablets in the wilderness of Akihabara
Foreign traveler’s heart broken as he learns his image of Akihabara is too good to be true
Otaku crime: Kyoto police arrest man for selling counterfeit ultra-rare Yu-Gi-Oh! card
Japanese concertgoer sues idol group because dancing otaku ruined the show for him
We hunt for a PS5 in a high-stakes capsule toy machine in Akihabara
Ramen shop manager arrested for punching self in the face and pretending he was robbed
Man Arrested For Modifying, Reselling Pokémon Games
Man arrested for peeing in beer cans and leaving them on side of road in Japan
Otaku lie down in the streets of Tokyo to be comforted by beautiful anime mom【Photos】
Japanese woman arrested for cyberstalking elderly man twice her age
There’s a serial crapper stinking up Tokyo’s Akihabara by pooping on the street
Man arrested for pretending to be blind so he could grope woman’s chest in Tokyo