Located in the most bustling street in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, this place offers all the trendiest products of the moment. The latest electronics, the hottest electronic gadgets, as well as various novel maid cafes, entertainment venues, and other stores, are all situated on this street.
This is also known as Akihabara, the holy land of otaku culture in later generations.
Today, a decently positioned store here is undergoing renovation. From the outside, it appears to be a restaurant, which is quite common on this street. However, what catches people's attention is the sign of a giant yellow lightning mouse.
This image is already very familiar among girls.
Many of them own a Pikachu in their Pokédex because the cute image is very popular among girls.
Every passing girl would pause slightly, curious about what this store is all about.
"Excuse me, sir, is this going to be a restaurant?" Finally, a girl gathered the courage to walk over and ask.
The worker, who was busy working, turned around and smiled, saying, "Yes, it's going to be a restaurant related to games. We're working hard on the renovation. Maybe in five or six days, you'll be able to see the complete storefront."
After speaking, he casually took out a folded promotional paper from his briefcase and handed it to the girl.
"Take a look at this, it should clarify things for you."
Related to games?
The girl took the promotional paper and politely said thank you. Soon, several of her friends joined her, curious to see the paper.
On the promotional paper was a large Pikachu.
"Pokémon Restaurant Grand Opening, Welcome Everyone!"
So it's really a restaurant, and it's related to these little animals. This immediately sparked discussions among the girls.
"What does Pokémon mean? What does it have to do with Pikachu?"
"I heard from my male classmates in junior high that Pokémon seems to be a video game they're playing."
"Huh? Do boys also have an interest in these little animals like Pikachu? Are they also playing Tamagochi?"
"No, it seems different, but anyway, let's come over and see in a few days. What do you think?"
"Okay, let's do it. Hey, these dishes look delicious."
A girl pointed to a yellow cake dessert in the front promotional image, which looked very tempting.
At this moment, the girl turned the promotional image over, and on the back were various Pokémon-related desserts, drinks, etc., all colorful and appealing, and many girls' eyes sparkled upon seeing them.
Especially when they noticed that these desserts and drinks were all reasonably priced.
A drink called "Thunderbolt Pikachu Juice" was only 300 yen per cup.
A yellow sparkling cake was only 500 yen. In a high-consumption environment like Japan, this price was quite cheap.
"Wow, such cheap prices, we must come!"
"Wait, look at the instructions below."
At this point, a girl noticed a small inconspicuous text below.
"The above prices require customers to have a GB game console and a Pokémon cartridge to enjoy. Each customer who enjoys the discount can bring one companion."
"Ah? We need to buy that GB thing to enjoy these discounted prices, but that's something only boys have."
"Um... actually, I have a GB and Pokémon game."
At this moment, a girl in the center raised her hand.
"Huh huh? You have a GB? Why do you have a GB? Isn't that something only boys play with?"
The girl who raised her hand looked puzzled. "Why would you say that? I think it's fun."
"Whatever, dear, let's meet in five days and have a feast together, okay?"
A group of girls immediately turned flattering and flattering towards the girl who owned a GB, and then quickly they laughed and disappeared at the end of the street.
"Ah, it's so good to be young." The worker sighed and continued to supervise the progress of the renovation.
In addition to the Pokémon restaurant preparing to open here in Akihabara, two more similar restaurants have been opened in other areas of Tokyo where young people are more concentrated.
The promotion of the restaurants is almost the same, as long as you have a GB game console and a Pokémon cartridge, you can enjoy discounted consumption, and you can also bring one person.
Moreover, the promotional images also detailed occasional Pokémon-related activities in the restaurant. If completed, you will receive some additional rewards.
This kind of reward promotion for players quickly showed good results.
After selling more than 200,000 units in the first week, the sales plummeted to less than 50,000 units in the second week, but quickly returned to 100,000 units in the third week.
After all, as long as you buy a Pokémon game, you can eat cheap food in a designated restaurant. Not many people would refuse such a temptation.
In addition to this, there are also prize collection activities related to Pokémon.
If you capture a certain Pokémon within a limited time, you can go to a designated place to receive an exclusive gift.
Finally, there is a super grand prize.
A gift from the dream world.
As long as you capture a Pokémon from the dream world within the specified time, players can receive a one-year free game reward from the first-party Star Electronic Entertainment of GameStar, and it will be mailed to the winning players every month.
And this promotional effect seemed to be immediate.
Recently, Xiaotian found that his friends who own a GB have started playing Pokémon.
Obviously, they weren't interested before.
And this kind of game actually requires some patience. Pokémon games have never been very attractive at the beginning.
But after the brief boring period passed, the fun slowly emerged.
"Tiānchōng, do you have a Dratini? I'll trade with you!"
"No! I want to exchange it for a gift!"
"Oh, Tiānchōng, you're the best! There's a girl I really like who wants a Dratini doll, but it's not for sale. Only with a Dratini Pokémon can you exchange for a gift. Please help me this time! I'll give you ten Pokémon in return!"
Tiānchōng's face was full of disdain. "Last time you said you'd trade ten Pokémon with me for the Eevee I trained hard, and then what did you give me? Ten pieces of junk. I won't trade with you again!"