Maid cafés were originally designed primarily to cater to the fantasies of male otaku – fans of anime, manga and video games. They have been analogized as the otaku's equivalent of hostess bars.
Maid cafés were initially conceived as a place for male fans of anime, manga, and video games to indulge in their interests.  They are often seen as a unique form of entertainment that caters to the specific desires of this particular group.