Japan is famous for maids (meido), whether through a maid cafe or animes that portray maids from wealthy families. How did this passion and taste for girls dressed in French maid outfits become popular in Japan?
Have you ever wondered how maid cafes originated? Why do the Japanese enjoy seeing girls dressed in Victorian clothing so much? In this article, we will conduct a thorough investigation and discover everything about maids.
The “meido” [メイド] outfits are loosely based on a typical French maid’s attire. These costumes generally consist of a black dress with white trim, an apron, a lace collar, stockings, and high-heeled shoes. Besides the outfit, maids behave in a way that lives up to their title, always respecting the master’s wishes.
Currently, maids are used as fanservice in animes and mangas. These characters follow the “moe” and “kawaii desu” customs and appear to be obedient. They are present in romances, comedies, action, and other genres, whether to represent social classes, dedication, leadership, or simple moe fanservice.
We also recommend reading:
- Moe moe kyun – What is the origin and meaning of moe?
- Meaning of Kawaii – The culture of cuteness in Japan
- Fan Service – What is it? How did it originate? Why is it bad?
Table of Contents
How Did Maids Become Popular in Japan?
It is believed that the popularity of “maido” began due to a hentai OVA called “Kuronekokan,” but at that time, “maido” were portrayed as symbols of subordination. We cannot deny that initially, the interest was simply a fetish for girls in uniforms.
Thanks to a visual novel called Kara no naka kotori, this tradition of slave maids changed to something cute and common. By the late 90s, the media quickly popularized maid uniforms, and soon after, maid cafes emerged throughout Japan. Maid cosplay also became popular in the 2000s.
Over time, various fanart of well-known characters were created by the authors themselves dressed in maid uniforms. Just on the Japanese fanart sites pixiv and danbooru, we can find more than 30,000. Soon, various manga and novel works emerged that popularized the term meido, such as Nekopara and Maid-sama.
Read also:
- The meaning of the acronyms OVA, OAD, ONA, OST, PV, and others
- Do you know what cosplay is?
- The 8 Best Nezuko Cosplays from Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)
The History of Maid Cafés in Japan
Maid Café or “maido kissa” [メイド喫茶] emerged in Japan in 2001, with the popularization of animes and mangas that feature wealthy families with maids wearing Victorian dresses. The first maid café opened in Akihabara under the name Cure Maid Café. It then became popular and spread around the globe.
The Maid Kissa is a place where girls dressed as maids or other themes sell coffee, snacks, mainly omelets, creams, and drinks.
Upon entering a Maid Café, you will be greeted with: Okaeri Goshujin-sama (Welcome, my Master), like a master just arriving at his mansion being welcomed by his servants.
In these places, people are treated like kings, take photos with the maids, and participate in various games while waiting for their meal to arrive. Although it may seem a bit perverted, these places are quite childlike, innocent, and cute.
Another interesting thing is that the Maids will kneel next to the table and stir the cream and sugar in the coffee, always with phrases like: Nyan Nyan, Moe Moe, Pyun… In addition, some Maid Cafés offer massages, games with prizes, and more.
There are also rules! Most Maid Cafés charge to take photos with the maids. They do not allow touching them or asking for personal information like phone numbers or anything that invades their privacy. There is a male version called Butler Café. In these establishments, the attendants are butlers who treat the visitors as if they were true princesses.
Just in Akihabara, there are hundreds of maid cafés from various different franchises like Maidream, Cure Maid, @home, and others. In these places, various activities take place, such as music shows, games, and many moe things.
Some Dishes from the Maid Café
As mentioned, one of the main menu items in these places is the rice omelet “omeraisu” [オムライス], where the maids themselves draw or write with ketchup.
Other dishes like pasta and cookies, all with a moe (cute) appearance. Some drinks, ice creams, and creams with exotic and colorful appearances; some Maid Cafés even sell alcoholic beverages like sake.
My Experience at the Maid Café
I went to “maidreamin” with a friend I met during my trip to Japan. It was quite an experience, only the price was steep, it cost almost 5000 yen; we ordered a complete combo with gifts, photos, dessert, and dance.
I was sad that we paid for the show, as someone else could have paid and we would have watched it the same way. The only thing that changed was choosing the music and the singer, which didn’t change much.
The maid who served us was very sweet and made us wear bunny ears… I slipped up and ended up ordering another dish of kare (curry) instead of the traditional omelet.
Unfortunately, I found the curry very overwhelming, the 2 times I tried it in Japan. As a gift, we received a folder with a poster to hold documents. During the photo, my disappointment was that the maid wrote in English instead of Japanese. I also wanted to take more than one photo…
Are French Maids in Japan Real?
I have no doubt that some wealthy businessmen pay their maids to wear Victorian and French clothing in their mansions. Social classes and uniforms are something cultural and historical in Japan.
In the past, geishas served and entertained masters wearing their kimono and makeup, even without any sexism or abuse of power.
Read also: Geisha – Who are they really? History and Curiosities
Although many perverts are attracted to “meido” due to a fetish for uniforms, those who dedicate themselves to work as maids in cafes or cosplay do not feel uncomfortable representing a French maid. The same happens in various subcultures in Japan such as lolita and gyaru.
We also recommend reading:
- Do you know what lolita, loli, or lolicon means?
- Gyaru – Get to know the style of the Gals
- Kimono – Everything about traditional Japanese clothing
Like geishas, “meido” sell fantasy and friendship. They talk to customers, providing a social connection for those who have difficulty with it.
Both are paid to provide social interaction; the difference is that currently, geishas are for wealthy people, while “meido” can be accessible to anyone. Many women feel that dressing as “meido” makes them sexy and cute.
Some Maid Kissa Websites
Exploring these sites, even if you don’t know Japanese, you will find more information such as menus, games, the maids, and even their personal blogs. Some of these sites even have stores.
- https://maidreamin.com/
- https://www.cafe-athome.com/
- https://heart-of-hearts.jp/
- https://www.curemaid.jp/
- https://pinafore.jp/
Also read some articles about Cafés in Japan:
- Fukuro Cafe – Discover the Owl Café
- Discover the Kawaii Monster Cafe in Harajuku
- Neko Cafe – Shall we play with the cats?
Brazilian Maid Cafés
Unfortunately, Brazil does not have any fixed Maid café. But there is always one at anime events, although it is not like the Japanese Maid Cafés, it is worth mentioning some of them.
- Harunatsu Maido Café
- Maid In Poa Café – Facebook
- Patinhas de Açúcar Maido Café
- Moe no Hana Maido Café/CoffeePlay
Videos about Maid Cafés
Of course, the article cannot end without videos, and there are thousands of them. Even if you don’t know Japanese, to finish, we will leave several videos showing these maid cafés so that you can understand more and see how unique and fun they are.
Some curiosities about Maids
- The Soviet school uniform (and Russian imperial) for girls looks exactly like a stereotypical maid outfit;
- The word “meido” (冥土) can also mean a kind of underworld, Hades, and place of the dead;
- There is a band in Japan called Band-Maid where they sing wearing French maid costumes;
- One of the iconic phrases of the “maids” is “moe moe kyun”.
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