Interest
Two Tōken Ranbu Events Planned in Japan for Summer
posted on by Eric Stimson
Kotobukiya, a Japanese character goods maker, has announced that this year's installment in its female fan-oriented es fest event series will focus on Tōken Ranbu, a popular online game that visualizes swords as attractive men. Goods will go on display at Kotobukiya's Akihabara branch in Tokyo from August 8-14 and go on sale on August 15-16. The festival will move on to Osaka's Nipponbashi district the next weekend. Previous es fest collaborations include Brothers Conflict and Uta no Prince Sama.
In addition, the Animega Cafe chain will be Tōken Ranbu-themed from July 25 to August 31. Animega Cafe has three locations, all in Tokyo: Odaiba Venus Fort, Machida, and Kichijōji Parco.
Finally, the Japan Fundoshi Association — which promotes fundoshi, traditional Japanese loincloths — tweeted to @TOUKEN_STAFF, requesting a collaboration on Tōken Ranbu-themed loincloths. It claimed to have received "demands from die-hard Tōken Ranbu fans" and asked the franchise to "lend its power to the spread of loincloths! Nice loincloths!" The staff has not yet responded, however.
While Tōken Ranbu loincloths may not yet exist, Tōken Ranbu bikinis do. The game has inspired a fervent fan following and a plethora of merchandise.
[Via Nijimen; Image from Tōken Ranbu Online]