The Genshin Impact game developer, Shanghai-based miHoYo, seems to be preparing to create a “Shanghai-version Akihabara” area, in addition to the new headquarters building under construction, according to photos posted by Chinese social platform Weibo photographer @龍宮輝夜. 

Akihabara is a district in Tokyo, Japan, renowned for its vibrant electronics shops, anime and manga (comic) stores, and gaming culture. Iconic series like “Dragon Ball,” “Naruto,” and “One Piece,” have gained international popularity, contributing to the global spread of ACG (anime, comic, game) culture.

Why it matters: This move could bolster Shanghai’s role as a global hub for ACG, while strengthening miHoYo’s connection with fans and its own gaming culture.

Details: The Shanghai Akihabara area is expected to be one kilometer long and feature 2,000 square meters of trendy ACG-related facilities, starting from the new Mihoyo headquarters building in Shanghai’s Caohejing district, @龍宮輝夜 Weibo photos showed.

• Based on the details from the Weibo photos, the Shanghai Akihabara area may include gaming-IP sculptures, comic merchandise stores, VR experience store, a performance stage, a multifunctional theater, an anime museum, and an AI digital human virtual experience store, among other commercial facilities.
• MiHoYo purchased a new Shanghai headquarters building for RMB 1.077 billion ($150 million) last year, while the company will spend RMB 99 million ($13.67 million) to renovate two Inventec (an electronics manufacturer specializing in computing solutions) business buildings across the street, according to tender documents, as reported by local media outlet GameLook. 
• The new bought building occupies an area of 148,000 square meters, while the other covers 80,000 square meters. The miHoYo’s domestic workforce could potentially reach up to 10,000 employees in the future, the GameLook report suggested.

Context: Recently, netizens discovered that miHoYo is registering trademarks for its next new title ASTAWEAVE HAVEN, as the simulation management game secured an approval license from the National Press and Publication Administration of China on July 22. Similar to miHoYo’s previous games, the icon for ASTAWEAVE HAVEN appears to be a small panda or raccoon with one eye winking.

• On July 4, miHoYo released Zenless Zone Zero, a AAA third-person shooting game that blends elements of role-playing, action, adventure, and roguelike elements. In the first 10 days, the global revenue from both mobile and PC platforms reached RMB 673.8 million ($93.05 million), according to market analysis firm DataEye.