The Pre-Ramble
The term Otaku means a lot of things to a lot of people, sure it’s a derogatory term for someone who is obsessed with Anime and Japanese culture, a shut-in, a technophile, hell pretty much a geek. There I said it! But we’re not you’re garden variety geek. We’re different. We pride ourselves on the fact that we’d rather watch Ikki Tousen and wear bunny ears than play sport or watch Big Brother. We’re generally pretty smart and a pretty cynical bunch too! So while our idea of an Otaku includes elements of the above it doesn’t quite seem to be the whole picture. As we grow I’m prompted to define what Otaku means for me personally and what Otaku Wear represents as a company. One thing that I’ve always loved about Madman Entertainment is that our DVDs are designed by fans for fans and my hope is that this carries across to everything we do at Otaku Wear. But even more than that we want to encourage the Australian Otaku community to collectively define what being an Otaku means rather that just relying on Wikipedia! So please email me with your idea of what it means to be Otaku, I’ll post them up in the next newsletter so we can all get our head around what it is to be… well… Us! Until next month! |
Off The Hanger
Samurai Champloo Range!
This month we are very excited about our new range of Samurai Champloo Apparel, it’s definitely some of the coolest stuff we’ve done. If you’re not familiar with the Anime you should definitely check it out. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe who was responsible for the breakout series Cowboy Beebop. Champloo is a curious mix of feudal era Samurai action and Hip-Hop references. Sounds Wacky? Well it is, but in the most entertaining way. Champloo has everything you’d want in an Anime and we are celebrating this modern classic with our new range. We hope you enjoy!
Samurai Jacket
This track/skate jacket features the iconic field of samurai swords on the front and the Champloo logo in silver on the back. It comes in black, zips up at the front and is 100% polyester.
MUGEN TEE
Mugen is the star of Samurai Champloo, a brash, smart mouth who’s fighting style is based on breakdancing. This tee is a personal favourite. 190 gm combed cotton.
GROUP TEE
This all over, full colour print is a first for us, the group tee features full colour art of Mugen, Jin & Fuu on 190 gm combed cotton. This tee is highly collectable.
MOMO GIRLS TEE
Just for the ladies, Fuu’s pet flying squirrel and portable deus ex machina. Natural history note: Momo-san is a Japanese Dwarf Flying Squirrel. Native like the Ainu to Japan's northern islands. 50% cotton, 50% polyester so it fits nice and snug!
NARUTO MERCH
Unfortunately our Naruto tee range has been delayed and won’t be here until October, along with the replica jacket and Headband. But in the meantime we thought we’d give you a taste of what’s to come and offer our Naruto Leaf Hoody early! That’s right, just in time for winter you can now purchase this iconic design. All our hoody standards are in place, the concealed music player pocket, 100% cotton quality construction and wicked cut.
And just to tantalise you further here’s what our three Naruto tees will look like when they do arrive!
Announcements In The House
All New Madman Laptop Bags
We went back to the proverbial drawing board to come up with an all-new Madman Laptop Bag. What you’ll love most of all is the price, as we’ve managed to actually improve the design while making it more affordable for all our student customers out there (people who actually need a laptop bag!). The bag features a single strap, courier style, has plenty of pockets, including a space for your music player and headphone hole, is heavily padded and has a reflective Madman on the back. These will be hitting our shores in the next few months so watch this space!
Otaku Wear at Jay Jay’s
In October you’ll be able to buy some exclusive Otaku Wear items from Jay Jay’s stores. We’ve designed some exclusive Transformers, Voltron and Astro Boy tees just for Jay Jay’s and the great news all tees will only be $20. There are some great girls and guys designs, so vote with your feet and hopefully we’ll get to do some more gear at this awesome price point. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the designs.
Otaku Wear Comps
Don’t forget that we love hearing any suggestions or feedback with regard to Otaku Wear, drop us a line at otakuwear@madman.com.au.
Congratulations to Andrew Martyn you have won yourself this awesome Transformers keepsake tin, which looks suspiciously like the Transformers Complete Collection tin that was released this month to coincide with the film. Have you seen the film? What did you think? Call me an old softy but when Prime and the Autobots first appear all together, well I nearly shed a tear!
So anyways our question was “Tell us three things you’d store in your Transformers Keepsake Tin if you knew it would be dug up in 4 million years time!?” Andrew’s response was “(1) A photo of me giving the finger. (2) Street Fighter the movie. (3) An apology note for the other two items in the box.” – This made me laugh and if I laugh you win! What did surprise me is how many of you included food as one of your items, particularly cheese burgers!
No give aways this month, we are saving up to bring you something extra special for August!
Friends of Otaku
Store Profile: World Wide Wear
World Wide Wear have been big supporters of Otaku Wear for years now and one of our favourite places to shop for all things Japaneasy. We recently spoke to Robert, the main man about WWW!
OW: So tell us about WWW?
R: World Wide Wear is an independent retail store. We are eclectic in our mix of products and appeal to a wide age group. Our products range from footwear at one end of the store, alternative clothing verging on the punk, heaps of Otaku Wear (thanks to our buddies at Madman), heaps of band t-shirts, retro t-shirts and hoodies and off beat prints, and a large and growing range of collectable toys some of which are fully imported and difficult to find.
OW: So where can we find you guys?
R: We are located in Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.
OW: So what do you dig about Otaku Wear?
R: It’s cool to be a geek… we have noticed a rapid rise in customers seeking out anime products from films to collectables to items of clothing... not just the hard core swap meet type otaku fan, but guys and girls actively asking about products normally not on their shopping radar.
OW: So what’s the biggest hit?
R: Anything Transformers sells the best. We get asked for Naruto clothing and Transformers clothing in girl fittings.
OW: We so need to start looking after the ladies better!
R: We would like to provide girls with more options particularly Otaku Wear (girls shop for clothing more than boys)
OW: Dang! We better get onto it! Fave Anime of all time?
R: Ghost In The Shell and Evangelion.
OW: Sweet, me too! Righteo, catch ya soon.
R: Thanks soooo much
If you are currently retailing Otaku Wear and would like to be on our list send your details to otakuwear@madman.com.au
Off Ya Tree Southland Off Ya Tree - Adelaide Off Ya Tree - Brisbane Off Ya Tree - Collingwood Off Ya Tree - Elizabeth St Off Ya Tree - Epping Off Ya Tree - Maribyrnong Off Ya Tree - Melbourne |
Off Ya Tree - Perth Off Ya Tree - Ringwood Minotaur Books World Wide Wear Robio University of Queensland Bookshop Shin Tokyo |
- Newsletter Archives
- |
- June 2007 |
- May 2007 |
- April 2007 |
- March 2007 |
- February 2007 |
- January 2007 |
