There are many anime-themed cafes in Akihabara, Japan's famous otaku and Electric Town, but the Kigurumi Cafe have taken dress-up another step further by having waitresses don fake heads.
Most people know about cosplaying, which involves dressing up in a certain favorite character. Kigurumi and animegao are also forms of cosplay, but go one step further with, by definition, 3D animal heads for the former and 3D human heads for the latter. The 3D character heads symbolize the completion of the fantasy for many anime fans.
What's more unique is the cafe's strict rules: touching of any kind is strictly prohibited. Though maids at the Kigurumi Cafe are allowed to play mini games with customers, they will only communicate via body language or writing, so they won't have to break character.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Kigurumi Cosplay Cafes
- There is an opportunity for businesses to create unique cosplay cafes where the employees wear fake heads instead of just costumes.
- Virtual Communication
- With the rise of Kigurumi cafes, there is an opportunity for businesses to innovate on virtual communication methods with customers in unique ways.
- 3D Printing Cosplay Accessories
- With the popularity of Kigurumi cosplay, there is an opportunity for businesses to create and market 3D-printed cosplay accessories and props such as the 3D animal or human heads.
Where This Applies
- Cosplay Entertainment
- There is an opportunity for entertainment companies to create cosplay cafes or businesses that incorporate unique dress-up ideas like the Kigurumi Cafe.
- Virtual Communication Technology
- There is an opportunity for technology companies to develop innovative virtual communication methods for cosplay cafes or other similar businesses.
- 3D Printing Industry
- There is an opportunity for the 3D printing industry to create and market cosplay accessories and props that are customized to meet the specific needs of the Kigurumi cosplay community.
