There are a lot of lessons that American comic book companies have learned in recent years by watching their overseas brethren, and there’s plenty more still to adapt to their own benefit. However, I can’t honestly say that I think this business model would really catch on in the states like it seems to have in Japan.

Now fans can get their manga fix while they wait to get their hair cut at a new chain of manga barbershops in Chiba Prefecture.

For 2,000 yen, customers get a haircut, a shampoo and a shave while they read as many comics as they like.

The idea seems to be catching on.

“The price is cheap,” said a 24-year-old customer. “It’s good because I can kill waiting times.”

Comics