K-On Fuels Guitar Boom
The newest anime sensation from Kyoto Animation, K-On, has made guitars extremely popular among otaku in Japan. Those who already owned guitars before the show's premiere have gone through the trouble of adding artwork of the moe girls onto their instruments, creating a sort of "ita-guitar."
But things get more interesting for those otaku who never played before. It seems that guitars have been selling like crazy on the Japanese version of Amazon. When looking at the buying pages, one will find the "people who bought this also bought" section filled with K-On merchandise. In particular the Fender-Japan JB62/LH/3TS, which is the same guitar used by the most popular character Mio, has been selling like crazy despite costing 72,000 yen (~$750) & the fact that it's a left-handed guitar. While Mio may be a lefty, it's pretty doubtful that the many people purchasing this guitar are. One customer has gone on to say the following:
“This is the same model that the bassist Mio-chan uses in K-on. I’m right handed, but I bought the left handed version as it probably wouldn’t make a difference since I’m a complete beginner. I’m now trying to learn how to play the opening song. It’s probably not a waste of money to buy this if you’re a fan!”
The purchasing has become so big that even instrument maker Fender is noticing what's going on. One staff member wrote the following on Fender's official Japanese blog:
"Wow K-on is amazing
Sakurakou keionbu looks really exciting
And the bassist Mio is using a vintage jazz bass (the 62 JAZZ BASS), and she’s a lefty too... it’s so moe.
I have a feeling that this anime will have a really big break."
Adios!
It's weird. Mio is usually the kind of girl I fall for, but I can't help but feel that I like Yui more. She's just too cute.
Sources: http://www.sankakucomplex.com/tag/guitars
http://zepy.momotato.com/2009/04/19/umehara-gaaaaaaaaaaaaaa