Conveniently located Akihabara salon offers wide range of anime-style colorings, keeps otaku looking good while shopping for merch.
Back in the spring, a group of innovative hair stylists launched a crowdfunding campaign with the goal of opening a hair salon in Akihabara, Tokyo’s anime and electronics district. The project was a success, raising more than double the 300,000 yen (US$2,910) it was seeking, and so on October 1, OFF-KAi!! opened its doors.
In addition to being the name of the salon, “off kai” is a recently coined Japanese phrase that refers to a real-life get-together between friends who primarily interact online. It’s a fitting name for the salon, which boasts that all of its employees are anime fans, helping to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for otaku in need of a trim.
That said, this is still a legitimate hair salon, not some skeevy dude offering to cut your hair for five bucks in his hotel room during an anime convention. The interior of OFF-KAi!! is as clean and orderly as you’d expect from a team of professionals. It’s just that since they’re professionals who love animation, you’ll find shelves full of manga to read while you wait, and framed anime artwork hanging on the walls.
If the package you’ve selected includes a shampoo, you’ll still be entertained, as the hair-washing stations are positioned next to a projection screen so you can watch anime while you’re stretched out.
Speaking of extra services, OFF-KAi!! also does colorings, and in the rainbow-range of shades necessary to cater to anime fans’ needs.
And just like talented professionals are prepared to style a customer’s hair like his or her favorite celebrity, the OFF-KAi!! staff is ready to do the same for fans of 2-D fashion icons, like this young man who came in and said “Make me look like the main character in Persona 5.”
▼ We’re guessing this guy has plans to eat at the Persona Cafe.
Prices start at 5,400 yen, which is in line with other service-oriented fashionable salons in downtown Tokyo. Reservations can be made by telephone, or by using the OFF-KAi!! reservation app for iOS or Android devices.
Salon information
OFF-KAi!!
Address: Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Soto Kanda 3-6-6, Hattori Building 1st floor
東京都千代田区外神田3-6-6服部ビル1Ｆ
Open noon-10 p.m.
Telephone: 03-6206-0297
Website
Source: Nijipoi (NSFW) via Anime News Netowork/Eric Stimson
Images: OFF-KAi!!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s still got a week or two to go until he’ll need a trim.