http://bayanime.com/forums/ San Francisco Bay Area community for fans of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:39:09 +0000 http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/haruhi-movie-in-sf#post-2141 Thu, 20 May 2010 22:23:14 +0000 EdOfNoName 2141@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Some of us from No-Name Anime are going to the 3:50pm showing on Sunday 5/23 of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya at New People in San Francisco. If you recognize us, say hello!</p> <p><a href="http://bayanime.com/us-premiere-movie-the-disappearance-of-haruhi-suzumiya/" rel="nofollow">http://bayanime.com/us-premiere-movie-the-disappearance-of-haruhi-suzumiya/</a> </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/new-people-a-retailers-perspective#post-1601 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:35:07 +0000 Colin 1601@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>This Thursday I was out touring some bookstores in SF for work and popped by the New People building in Japantown. I wanted to share my impressions of it.</p> <p>First off, the space is quite nice. They've gone for a very modern, open, well lit feel. The "flow" of the building works well. As you go up the elevator, its nearly impossible to resit walking into each space. Everything thing feels more "New York" than San Francisco, but that isn't really a bad thing. I am really impressed with the aesthetics of the first two floors. </p> <p>The trouble with the space, as far as I can see, is they really don't have much to offer.</p> <p>The theater seems to only play anime and movies that are 2-3 years old and its not cheap. I think to make it a viable "destination" they would have to show current titles and update the selection weekly. A membership or "frequent viewer" program would be a huge home run with Japanophiles and would probably be enough of a draw to keep bodies moving into the compound.</p> <p>The cafe on the first floor seems to be severely limited. I can't see why anyone would dine there instead of any other of Japantown's offerings. Again, they need to make it a "destination" and I think this could be easily done by creating a "manga cafe" especially with Manga Cafe Mika folding. Offering free, or free for a limited time, access to the manga selection would pull people in and hopefully you could make up some $$$ with food and drink sales. I would take a page from Borders or Barnes and Noble here and accept that the cafe is really going to run at a loss but it provides a very important cornerstone for the building by allowing people to comfortably hang out or meet up inside. Live music here would be a no-brainer here as well and I'd be shocked if its not been discussed...</p> <p>The retail space seems like the biggest strike out. They have an extremely limited selection of products which seem to be aimmed at arty hipsters. One would be better served by popping over to Super 7 where similar, but better, goodies can be found and at more reasonable prices. Who is the customer that this space is intended for? I spotted a small selection of art books and "After the Quake" (presumably to tie-in with the Super Frog gallery upstairs), a humidifier that seemed more like it was for dropping your weed in, so over priced and over sized figurines, and plenty of things that couldn't really be given as gifts and yet aren't the types of things that one would really buy for their self. I can't see this shop ever becoming profitable let alone recouping its build out costs. The staff to shopper ratio was like 3 to 1 in favor of the staff! Ouch.</p> <p>The gothic lolita store, or whatever one calls it, is strange to say the least. I understand there are some out there who love these outfits, but really, are there enough people in the area who can afford to pay $300+ for their offerings? This is niche which is REALLY at the short end of the tail. Consumers who are interested in these sorts of things would probably be better served by an online shop so prices can be kept down and volume made up. Again, I can't see this being profitable.</p> <p>The Super Frog gallery, while I love the obscure Murakamki reference, seemed bare and lacking in any real pizazz. Instead of a space which complimented the works on the walls, the overwhelming whiteness and lack of furniture seemed to detract from the art. There was also a distinct lack of selection. Music here wouldn't hurt, either. As an event space, you would have to pack a lot of bodies in the room to make it feel like something was really "happening."</p> <p>Knowing how retail in SF works, especially when minority "cultural" shops enter into the equation, I can see that New People sort of got hit coming in the door and going out. On one hand, I am sure the city loves have a "cultural center" as they are hugely in love with such things. Whether or not New People really counts as anything beyond Japanophile-hipster culture is debatable, but I think most would agree that French maid outfits and giant, plastic, Legomen-ish statues aren't really accurately representing modern Japan culture. The real pickle that New People are in is that I am sure they cannot overlap with the mall across the street. For all its flaws, many of the shops in mall have sort of "cracked the code" as best as anyone could, for now, when it comes to retailing Japanese themed goods. Obviously, toys are a huge money maker for the shops. You just have to look around the mall to see that all the shops are fighting to get them in. Many have the same selection now even. Antiques still sell to upper-class San Franciscans. Ramen is good. Books, manga, some dvds, etc. But New People can't stock these items except in the very limited selections which are more than likely stipulated. Its the same with the movie theater: if their theater was too big with too new of movies, its going to cut into the Kabuki...erm SUNDANCE across the way.</p> <p>It will be interesting to watch and see how much New People evolves. From a retail manager's perspective, I see lots of red flags and would venture a guess and say that they will need to make some dramatic changes if they are to remain for longer than five years... unless they have some sort of massive grant or private funding. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1504 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:35:14 +0000 Gryph 1504@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Sounds like you guys should meet there again to check out everything you missed. Except this time, when its not so busy. =) </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1503 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:03:33 +0000 Sailor Moon 1503@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>;_; It was super chaotic that day, I was only able to see ann for like 2 minutes because I was at work. after work I was able to snap a couple of videos and movies ^_^ I posted them in my myspace key word :Usagikam. After the picture that ann posted I was interviewed by mtv japan and I froze I did not know what to say ^_^ so that I don't think they use.</p> <p>I was able to take a small interview of the girl who sings the powerpuff girl song in japan and also was able to snap video of the 20th century boys actress and of friend ^_^. I also did some vide of the 6% tokidoki girls who were so sweet.<br /> but I was so exhausted so after seeing the movie, I was again interviewed and then I went home and fell asleep.<br /> but I really wanted to meet everyone ;_; well maybe next time.<br /> usagi<br /> love you all, there I said it . </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1501 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:35:01 +0000 tropicalthought 1501@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>It was not a good weekend. I ended up going on vacation. There were too many other things going on that weekend. I am sure the next event will be more popular. I still have to go down there today and see it. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1496 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:16:35 +0000 Ann 1496@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Unfortunately I had to leave pretty early to make a wedding... sorry if I didn't get to meet up with all of you! Sounds like things picked up later when the bands started playing. Thanks for posting your photos, Ed! Anyone else took pictures? There's a pretty short article on sfgate with a few pics... and I spotted Mari/Sailor Moon in it!</p> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2009/08/16/BA5P19980M.DTL&#38;object=%2Fc%2Fpictures%2F2009%2F08%2F15%2Fba-jpop16_0500485816.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2009/08/16/BA5P19980M.DTL&#38;object=%2Fc%2Fpictures%2F2009%2F08%2F15%2Fba-jpop16_0500485816.jpg</a> </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1495 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:44:19 +0000 EdOfNoName 1495@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>I think "Baby, the Stars Shine Bright" was the part of 2nd floor we didn't get into. There was a line of people in front of the shoes and socks area that didn't seem to be moving. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1494 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:30:28 +0000 lyricaldanichan 1494@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>I wasn't able to meetup with you guys cos they already had people lined up for the store. It was badly run and chaotic, but<br /> at the end a lot people buying especially in BSSB.. you couldn't get into that floor it was so crowded. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1493 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:22:12 +0000 EdOfNoName 1493@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Sorry we missed meeting up with most of you. We arrived closer to 3pm. We lined up to get in the building a little after 4pm when the wait wasn't too long. We didn't get to see the third floor or some of the second floor because it too crowded. We met lyricaldanichan in the Kinokunia downstairs manga section.</p> <p>I took a couple <a href="http://www.nnanime.com/events/0908newpeople/" rel="nofollow">pictures</a>.</p> <p>The Japanese-style street festival that I'm most familiar with is the San Jose Obon Festival. I was surprised this festival didn't have an area with gambling booths and if there was sake sold outside, I didn't notice it. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1491 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:07:20 +0000 suprasaiyajim 1491@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>I met up with the group around 11:45am. Only around 6 members of BayAnime were there. Hopefully I'll get to meet more in the future.</p> <p>Everybody was down to earth and easy to get along with. If I ever meet anyone again in future events, I'll drop by and say hello. :) </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/3#post-1485 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:22:44 +0000 EdOfNoName 1485@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>At least two us from No-Name Anime are going to come from the South Bay. We probably won't arrive until sometime between 1pm and 2pm. We'll probably walk from BART. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1484 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:20:50 +0000 Jan Suzukawa 1484@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Sounds like they're expecting zillions of people... see y'all at the Pagoda... ;) </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1483 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:27:02 +0000 Ann 1483@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Hmm, sounds like they might kick us out of the info booth area... grrr... let's move the meetup to the Pagoda. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1482 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:48:19 +0000 Stythys 1482@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>just to let everyone know- <a href="http://www.newpeopleworld.com/upcoming-events/important-notice-of-traffic-control-for-the-grand-opening-on-815/" rel="nofollow">http://www.newpeopleworld.com/upcoming-events/important-notice-of-traffic-control-for-the-grand-opening-on-815/</a> </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1476 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:00:09 +0000 Jan Suzukawa 1476@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Cool - See you all at the info booth at 11! :) </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1475 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:12:49 +0000 Ann 1475@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Also there's an event page on FB you can RSVP to (if you have a FB account):</p> <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119961442848" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119961442848</a> </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1474 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:40:48 +0000 JuelZ Jonah 1474@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>10:20 Powell Street &#38; 11 @ the info booth...sounds like a plan 2 me!</p> <p>...looking 4ward 2 meeting everybody &#38; introducing myself! :P </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1473 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:37:57 +0000 lyricaldanichan 1473@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>awesome! This will make it easier to meetup, I am gonna be down there early so I can get parking :O.</p> <p>Will be fun to meet everybody! :) </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1472 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:33:34 +0000 Stythys 1472@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>info booth it is! :D</p> <p>@bleached- we're meeting around 10:20, and...not sure if we're going to the movie or not. </p> http://bayanime.com/forums/topic/bayanime-meetup-new-people-grand-opening/page/2#post-1471 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:13:30 +0000 Ann 1471@http://bayanime.com/forums/ <p>Hey everyone, I posted this earlier:</p> <p>"Meet up at 11am in front of New People. If you're coming later, <a href="http://bayanime.com/forums/message.php?user=1" rel="nofollow">PM me</a> for my number."</p> <p>According to the <a href="http://bayanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/map_schedule.png" rel="nofollow">map and schedule</a> that's about where the grand opening ceremony is taking place.</p> <p>I was thinking maybe the information booth (off to the right of the building on the map) would be a good meetup point... </p>