IKEA goes otaku

IKEA may be renowned for turning student rooms across the world into replicas of each other, but a recent trip to Japan's Saitama store showed that the Swedish furniture giant is also now offering something a little more niche.

Blogger Patrick Macias discovered that the designs of Åsa Ekström, launched in February this year under the theme of 'Scandanaivia meets Japan', are now being used to create otaku and gothic rooms. The collection is called Charlotta and includes godzilla destroying famous Scandanavian buildings.

Displays in the Saitama store include pictures of boys-love manga and images of famous manga GANTZ on fabric and shelves. Another room offering is even more niche, seemingly designed for gothic lolita fans, using garish red and black patterns, a mock chandelier and a gothic picture frame.

As Macias puts it, it could be just a matter of time before other niche markets such as 'hosts and pachinko addicts' are catered for.