Miko, or shrine maidens, are a fixture in any Shinto shrine in Japan, and they do a variety of jobs – from cleaning the shrine grounds to even conducting funeral services to the dead. However, one new shrine in the anime holy land of Akihabara is looking for miko who can perform memorial services… for anime figures.

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The Akihabara shrine (which is different from the Kanda shrine, also in Akihabara), is a new shrine that will soon open in April, and it is currently looking for miko. Applicants can pick their preferred work schedule, and must be able to work with a smile, no experience required. However, there is one very peculiar responsibility that these new miko must be able to do, and that is they must be able to perform funeral rites for “deceased anime figures.”

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But what does this “deceased anime figures” mean exactly? Are they figures of an anime character who dies in a manga or anime? Are they figures broken beyond repair? It’s still a mystery as to what this means, but Akihabara Shrine is certainly giving these figures their “final rites.” Several questions have also been raised regarding what happens to these figures after they are given their rites. Will they be buried like a human? Will they be cremated and the ashes given to the owner with an urn? would the memorial service cost more than the figure? Well, that job description certainly raises a few questions and eyebrows.

It’s still a mystery as to what this means, but Akihabara Shrine is certainly giving these figures their “final rites.” Several questions have also been raised regarding what happens to these figures after they are given their rites. Will they be buried like a human? Will they be cremated and the ashes given to the owner with an urn? would the memorial service cost more than the figure? Well, that job description certainly raises a few questions and eyebrows.

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Source: Rocket News 24 via Baitoru, figure collection image from my own personal collection