The current boom for “konkatsu” – structured matchmaking events for men and women unable to find mates any other way – has given rise to an otaku-friendly version: the organisers of “Ota-konkatsu” promise lonely otaku the chance to meet a real life female on a tour of Washinomiya Shrine, famed as a holy ground to Lucky Star fans – for a substantial fee of course.
The event’s itinerary includes a tour of the shrine, a meal and “confession time.”
Male participants must be 18-40, and “something of an otaku.” Participation costs ¥8,000.
Women must be 18-35, and either otaku themselves or “with an understanding for or not objecting to otaku.” Women are promised a free souvenir as well as free participation.
40 people are sought for the event, depending on circumstances, with the event to be cancelled if participants are fewer than 20 in number.
The event itself is being run by the local Washimiya chamber of commerce (which could perhaps be more accurately described as the Lucky Star chamber of commerce).
2ch is less than impressed:
“Harsh!”
“The Washinomiya chamber of commerce should apologise to all men!”
“Women are free (2D only)”
“Chamber: ‘Pay up creepy otaku!'”
“Now you guys can be exploited even by 3D girls…”
“For 8,000 you could buy two Pokémon and still visit a maid cafe three times!”
“Weren’t we the worst in male-female equality amongst developed countries? I can see why.”
“With men having to pay and women getting in free, the only women they’ll get are gold-diggers.”
“Women get in free, again? Please give it a break, especially because you’ll get women coming just to take a look at the creepy otaku.”
“The women’ll just come up for the free meal and souvenir and then go home…”
“No matter how badly otaku squander their money, this is not happening.”
“If there was limited edition Nendoroid Puchi or something I think most otaku would actually go…”
“More misandry… at least make the women pay something.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing how many they net.”
“Read carefully! Nowhere do they specify the sex ratio. They could hold it with 20 guys and no girls, or you could end up in an event with 39 guys and 1 girl!”
Men must pay, women for free? I raise the Sexism Flag.
I’d pay but I’d expect that the woman would also have to pay an entry fee of some sort. This is really setting bad example. Where the hell is the equality of sexes in this? Besides this just encourages women in Japan to be less active and just demand more from a man. Now I admit the women shouldn’t do everything either, but there is a fucking balance. The balance between effort in the same areas will make a happy couple. Do you wonder why Japan’s birth rates or so low? Do you wonder why there are less enthusiastic couples out there in Japan? It’s because they aren’t happy. They are making inconsiderate demands to their partner or possibly thinking they are pulling equal weight in the relationship when they are only putting the same amount of energy as the man or woman, but not on the same area but one that fits more their liking. Put The same amount of energy into the same things. Paying for dinner, taking care of kids, work, cleaning house/dishes, cooking, shopping, sex, dates, vacation planning, whatever! Don’t let one side take of some things and the other take care of the others. If Japanese couples put each put equal effort into the same thing, relationships will better and they will find themselves happier. Being on a truly equal footing as your partner makes the relationship better. Even attempts are OKAY! Long rant.
“Participation costs ¥8,000.”
hmm how much are the pink salons in japan again?
I’d totally go if I lived in Japan. I really want to meet a guy who shares the same interests as me, rather then waste my time with someone who doesn’t care for/doesn’t understand my hobbies. I don’t mind an otaku boyfriend, in fact I want one. I don’t care if they also like 2d or what they fap to, because I’m doing the the same thing. (Well probably not fapping to the same thing, lol.)If I met a nice guy who I liked and hit it off with I’d probably even reimburse him the $50 to make it even.
Oh and protip for the guys attending: As a litmus test for the girls if they’re an otaku, “Who’s your favorite Lucky Star character(s)?”
I’d probably say Konata, Miyuki, and Hiyori. ;D
Meeting guys (or girls) through this doesn’t seem like a good idea. Attending an event like this shows desperation, lack of financial skills and lack of social skills – since getting an otaku partner is as easy as attending Comiket (or something) and talking to attendees of the preferred sex.
Comiket and these sort of things are more crowded than a Japanese train. Out of school it actually requires some brain to find where to meet fellow otakus without being a bother to them.
Well, in Japan. In the US and my country, Comiket-like events are actually great.
It is a little ridiculous.
Though considering how apparently rare it is that women in Japan accept otaku guys…