Things To Do In Los Angeles: Akiba Maid War Café Now Open

By Eric Harris

Welcome to the Pigsty, Master! Opening June 28 and running until July 28, Akiba Maid War Café is Little Tokyo’s newest immersive experience set in the bizarre and absurd world of the popular anime series Akiba Maid War. Gangs of violent gun-toting Yakuza cosplay maids rule the streets of Akihabara where cuteness is justice, and moé (a Japanese concept of feeling strong affection) is not just a calling, but a way of life.

Ton Tokoton!, translating in English to The Oinky Doink Café!, is a pig-themed café where the maids dress with pig-themed accessories (e.g., bows with cute little pig nose accents, pig ears, etc.) and act like cute pigs. When they make pig trotter hand signs don’t make the mistake I did and respond with the Vulcan Salute, aka, Spock’s “Live Long and Prosper” hand gesture. Maids incorporate puns involving pigs whenever possible and deliver the occasional snort here and there for good measure, all in good fun and consistent with the TV series.

Akiba Maid War Cafe - Maids Greeting Guests

Combining an authentic-ish maid café experience with theatrical and musical elements, here, the maid performers not only entertain, but they serve themed food from the anime (complete with ketchup drawing service), re-enact key scenes from the series, and dance during the Oinky Doink Live Porkformance Showings.

All with ridiculous names, the three entrees include Porker’s Omurice (Ham Omurice), Heart Kyun! Curry (Chicken Curry Rice), and Piglet Cutlet Bento (Tonkatsu Bento). Both the Ham Omurice and the Chicken Curry Rice include drawing services where maid performers decorate meals with ketchup. TTDILA strongly recommends the Porker’s Omurice as the omelet provides a good canvas for ketchup art.

Akiba Maid War Cafe - Ketchup Drawing Service

Akiba Maid War Cafe - Porker’s Omurice (Ham Omurice)

Beverages include Oinky Doinky Drink, a soft drink with a “taste enhancing spell included,” Piggy Pearl Iced Coffee, and Oinky Doink Water. Piggy Wiggy Cookie Ice Cream is available for dessert.

Akiba Maid War Cafe - Oinky Doinky Drink

The event ends with goodbyes and a decorated Polaroid from your lovely maid to commemorate the occasion.

Ticket prices range between $25 and $80 and are by reservation only. Each show is limited to 52 guests arranged into 13 tables of 4 chairs. This capacity limit and seating arrangement is important to note because prime time slots will likely sell out — especially in the days immediately before, during, and after Anime Expo.

Akiba Maid War Cafe - Cuteness Is Justice, Oink!

Akiba Maid War is available for streaming on HIDIVE and on Blu-ray from Sentai, and officially licensed, event-exclusive merchandise is available for purchase. Oink it up, baby!