Ai My Maid Fro-Yo Party

What makes Ai My Maid different is their traditional Japanese take on this concept. Of course the original concept is from Japan but the outfits and activities differ greatly. They also had pop up cafes at London Anime Con and London Film and Comic Con this year, but this is their first official event.

From the decor the team had transformed the busy and modern Tutti Fruitti venue to a Japanese Pokemon centre, there were Pokemon cards stuck to the walls amongst the talismans of the shrine maidens to ward away evil spirits. A Shide is a zigzag-shaped paper streamer, used in Shinto rituals.

Upon entering you were greeted by maids to come to the basement where Butler Kazuma explained the loyalty cards and the task of winning Pokemon badges from each Butler or maid to win prizes and to give you your raffle ticket and free Pokemon starter pack. A really nice addition for all customers who have purchased a ticket.

We were then escorted to our table and explained the ordering procedure with prices and if you wanted fro-yo then you were to help yourself upstairs. You could challenge a Butler or Maid for a game at 50p per fight and if you win collect your badge. Any games between customers were free. This way a lot of the customers could interact with other customer as a few came by themselves for the sake of trying out something new, or you could indulge in speaking and playing with one of the maids.

The maids had no real given character, there was more emphasis on talents than character they were themselves, for example, Maid Emi was the idol of the group she would go to tables and belt out a J-pop song to her customers. Maid Mei with the surreal white hair and cute moving neko ears was offering tarrot card reading with Cardcaptor Sakura clow cards, this was really skilful and entertaining. All of them liked to play games but each specific maid donned the consoles, Maid Ruri was happy to play Jenga or Smash bros. But Maid Mayumi would much rather play connect 4 but all would play any game requested. The Butlers also participated, sadly Butler Kohei bested me in a a couple of matches at Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

Also in honour of The Pokemon X &Y release that day they raffled the games at all three slots so all attendees could win it at random. If you also filled your Pokemon card you would receive a free chekkie (Japanese Polaroid photo with all the Maids and Butlers with customisation). If you are a competitive gamer this was not a hard challenge for you.

The audience ratio was an even mix of male to female attendees and everyone came for different reasons. Also the game selection really appealed to the crowd. The addition of talents meant people could leave with keepsakes such as a personalised drawing by the Maids.

Find more photos on Animepicks facebook:

 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.624538290931895.1073741833.127643487288047&type=3

To get the full experience, view our video here:

Psy doll gig

PSY Doll art for sale

 You should never judge a book by it’s cover, looking at the flyer art for this event it looked cute and I walked into another world. It was in a compound hidden away. The interior was beautiful with steampunk and luchidor decorations. The venue, the resistance gallery, also hosted a wide variety of events and meets. On this particular occassion I was here to see the Japanese cyber punk band psy doll perform XD

audience dressed up

in the maid cafe

Wrestling, the art of Kimbaku (rope art)and music events too. There was a projector showing Ghost in a Shell: Stand Alone Complex above the stage with the beautiful dark art of PSY Doll, which added to the haunting atmosphere.

You also had a chill out area upstairs with a mini maid cafe with classic and alternative maids catering to your needs.

The types of performances varied from dance (ballet) to performing arts and some Kimbaku. I’ve never seen Kimbaku before and was interesting to watch, three top students of Kimbaku showed their skills and one was even female. They all told a story and it’s not as seedy as one would assume.

Lastly PSY Doll performed some great electro sounds with the beautiful and Visual Kei lead singer controlling the energy in the room. A truly entertaining night at a bargain price.

For more alternative Maid events like their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oh-My-Lord

To find out about more intresting events go to animepicks.co.uk

http://animepicks.co.uk/author/aisha-ahmed/

Pop up Maid Cafe in Camden

When:
15th July

Where?

HELLENIC Restaurant

9a Delancey Street,

Camden Town,

London  NW1 7NL

Show me the money!

Entry is £25 online in advance which includes a 3-course meal and entry to the event (secure payment via  Paypal).

Otherwise it’s £35 on the door.

 £5 optional Polaroid photo with maids (souvenir of your time).

When to om nom:

Seating Times (choose online or turn up at allotted time if paying at door)

13:00 to 15:00

15:30 to 17:30

18:00 to 20:00

Four menus to choose from: Yaki-Soba, Beef Curry, Japanese Mushroom Spaghetti and Omu-Rice. Each meal also comes with a Japanese dessert of Green Tea, Wasabe and Sesame ice cream.

Now I Listed all the vital details at the top for those of you who know what I’m on about; for the rest of you who chose to read on let me explain  what a Maid café is:

Simply being served food by a Maid (female) or Butler (male).

They not only dress up as maids but you also have anime visuals from a range of popular anime series and films as a colourful backdrop for your meal. However the maids at this café do offer extra services such as our playing games with customers and dancing.  Apparently if you win get a tasty Japanese treat which is hand-decorated by the Maids. But if you lose you will have to apologise to the Maids. (games such as:  Pop-Up Pirate, Jyan-Ken (Rock-Paper-Scissors), Jenga, Connect4 - each game £2 per person. 

This includes routines to “Kyary Pamyu Pamyu” songs & Dance, plus “Romantic Ukare Mode” and “Seikan Hikou” dance routines. These Japanese Maids are actually professionally trained performers who sing, dance and play piano and can be hired for performing at events.

 So come for food, atmosphere and the cute cosplay - clean family fun only guys!