Japan can be considered a paradise for subculture enthusiasts, as you can easily find stores selling products related to subcultures throughout the country. “Animate” is one such specialty store dealing with various products related to manga and animation. Operated as a franchise, Animate has numerous stores across Japan, surpassing the number of outlets of major bookstores like Kyobo in South Korea.
“Japan’s Largest Number of Outlets for Animate”
Animate is known to have the largest number of outlets among animation and manga-related specialty stores in Japan. Its store count is reportedly twice as many as South Korea’s Kyobo Bookstore. The main branch of Animate is located in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
“Animate Store in Akihabara”
I had the opportunity to visit an Animate store during this trip, having previously visited one in Shibuya. In the same building’s basement, there was also a store named “Mandarake.” Animate had an overall bright atmosphere, and the Akihabara store I visited had a similar ambiance. However, compared to the Animate store in Shibuya, the Akihabara branch felt slightly smaller in scale.
Moreover, while the Animate store in Shibuya had a more mainstream feel, the Animate store in Akihabara exuded a more niche and enthusiast atmosphere. It was impressive to see how the same “Animate” brand could create slightly different atmospheres depending on the location.
“Store Offering Bilingual Manga Books”
At the Animate store in Akihabara, I found unique manga books labeled as “Bilingual Books,” featuring content in both English and Japanese. Although the selection was not extensive, it was noteworthy that the store provided manga books that English users could enjoy.
“Japan, Tokyo, Akihabara, Animate”
- Address: 4 Chome-3-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
- Phone: +81 3-5209-3330
- Website: Animate Akihabara
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 21:00