On June 9, 2026, an article titled 'Why is today's Akihabara boring?' was published on the Chinese portal site Sohu.

The article stated, 'If you ask veteran otaku how they felt the first time they visited Akihabara, many would answer with a surprising degree of unanimity that it was an exhilaration akin to making a pilgrimage to a sacred place. Recently, a Japanese netizen posted a comment saying, "When I first came to Tokyo 10 years ago, my heart pounded every time I went to Akihabara. Even though I still live in Tokyo, I haven't been there for years." This single remark struck a chord with many veteran otaku. The comment section quickly turned into a discussion of nostalgia, and people realized a certain truth. Akihabara itself hasn't disappeared. However, the Akihabara they were once so passionate about might have already been lost.'

He then mentioned, 'It might be difficult for the younger generation today to understand, but nowadays, if you open an online shop, flea market app, or e-commerce site, you can get the anime goods you want with just a tap of your finger. However, 20 years ago, many items could only be obtained by physically visiting a store. Limited edition posters, out-of-print figures, doujinshi, bishojo games, voice actor CDs, anime production materials, etc. At that time, Akihabara was like a huge treasure cave, and no one knew what they would find in the next store they entered. People didn't go to the old Akihabara with a clear purpose. They would exit the station, enter one old multi-tenant building after another, and simply wander around tirelessly. The air had a unique smell, a mix of plastic packaging, paper, and electronic devices. Looking back now, it might seem a bit dingy, but for the otaku of that time, it was truly heaven.'

He also explained, 'Many Japanese netizens believe that the biggest factor that changed Akihabara is the internet. In the past, people 'went to Akihabara to search,' but now, if you open your smartphone, you can 'search.' In the past, finding a rare item would excite them for hours, but now, by simply typing in keywords, the inventory status, price, and even the seller's rating are all displayed. Of course, if online shopping were the only cause, it wouldn't be missed to this extent. What is truly difficult to accept is that Akihabara has gradually become less like Akihabara. The old Akihabara was overflowing with anime shops throughout the town. However, many shops have now closed, and instead, maid cafes, trading card shops, and stores catering to tourists have increased. This might be attractive to tourists visiting Japan for the first time. But for veteran otaku, it is no longer the Akihabara of their memories.'

Furthermore, he argued, 'An interesting observation also seen online is that 'the Akihabara of the past can now only be experienced in anime.' Akihabara, as recorded in works like 'Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai' (My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute), 'Steins;Gate', and 'AKIBA'S TRIP', has now become like a documentary reflecting an era. Looking back, they also resemble posthumous portraits of a bygone era. What's even more cruel is that these works are not from ancient times at all. For many people, they still feel like recent anime, yet the real Akihabara has already changed its appearance many times.'

He concluded by saying, 'In fact, this phenomenon is not limited to Japan. In China too, there was a period in recent years when it was hoped that '2D culture would save commercial facilities.' However, once the boom passed, many 'commercial facilities for otaku' rapidly lost their vitality and were forced to close down. Furthermore, for the generation born in China between the 1980s and 90s, alternative memories also exist. Such as small bookstores in a corner of a residential area, game software stores in the basement of shopping centers, pirated anime shops on stair landings, or inconspicuous CD/DVD shops near schools. Under dim lighting, shelves were packed with merchandise, and the store owners were not very friendly. Nevertheless, they could find unexpected treasures in a corner of the shop. That kind of joy was very similar to the fun experienced in the old Akihabara. Time always keeps moving forward. And when you suddenly look back, you realize that those happy times really won't come back.' (Translation/Editing: Iwata)