Danica Davidson
October 18, 2021 
COVID has caused many arcades in Japan to shutter, and in September it appeared that the Sega Ikebukuro GiGO arcade was joining those ranks. The arcade, which had been around for 28 years, closed amid throngs of well-wishers, and the manager said, “From tomorrow, Sega will not have an arcade in Ikebukuro, but we believe that the culture of arcades will not disappear. We will be working hard so that one day we can put up the Sega sign in Ikebukuro again, turn on the lights at a new facility, see you all again, and make new memories together.”
That one day turns out to be later this week, on October 22. And the new arcade is literally across the street from where the old one used to be! Ironically, this is also the building that once housed Project Adores, but that arcade shuttered in 2020. It also sounds like Sega is really gearing up to get their arcades going again, because they’re calling this “volume 1” of the “Ikebukuro Project,” and we’re supposed to hear more about volumes 2 and 3 shortly. Perhaps they’re thinking that as more people get vaccinated and things return to normal, people will begin flocking back to arcades.
This arcade is five stories, whereas the Sega Ikebukuro GiGO arcade was eight stories. In addition to video games, the arcade will offer crane games and a café. The Sega Ikebukuro GiGO arcade had also offered karaoke and photo booths, but so far there’s no mention of that at the new arcade. Sega is already putting its signs up in the new building, as well as messages that say “We came home” and “I ♡ Ikebukuro.” The Sega sign from the old building still hasn’t been taken down, so it gives the appearance that Sega owns the whole area.
Source: ANN, SoraNews24
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
