Animate Ikebukuro

I didn't expect that I came across to main store of Animate. I actually came here because I want to attend Mairuma Exhibition only, but didn't expect this is the main store. I didn't remember all of the floor, but as long as I can remember there 8 floor for all animate building. 1st floor for gacha 2nd floor for manga in general 3rd floor for manga BL or BL stuff if I'm not mistaken 4th-7th floor for merchandise, yume, cosplay, idol, anime, etc. 8th floor for exhibition. For each floor there're gacha as well. They displayed the merch that will available asap, like next week or next month even. There're also floor that display for pop up store. Last time I can see pop up for Gintama, in front of the building of Animate also have cafe event for Gintama as well. I like this place so much, it feels like heaven for otaku like me. The staff also nice, even though they can't speak English, they will use app to communicate with you. This place also accept automatic payment for cash and also card. For the gacha, they ofc had cash machine that turned into 100 yen coins. They also had stamp here!

Animate Ikebukuro Main Store is a must-visit destination for any anime and manga enthusiast in Tokyo. Spanning multiple floors, this colossal store offers an unparalleled selection of merchandise, making it a true paradise for fans. Upon entering, you're immediately immersed in a vibrant world of colorful displays and enthusiastic shoppers. Each floor is dedicated to different categories, from manga and light novels to figures, plushies, and character goods. The sheer variety is astounding, covering a vast array of popular series and niche titles alike. Whether you're searching for the latest releases or rare collectibles, you're likely to find it here. The store's layout is well-organized, though it can be a bit overwhelming due to the sheer volume of items. However, helpful staff are usually on hand to assist if you get lost or need help locating a specific item. Beyond just shopping, Animate Ikebukuro often hosts events, collaborations, and limited-time pop-up shops, adding to the excitement and making each visit a unique experience. While prices are standard for anime merchandise in Japan, the extensive selection and the lively atmosphere make it a worthwhile trip. Be prepared to spend a good amount of time exploring, as there's something new to discover around every corner. It's more than just a store; it's a cultural hub for the anime community.

Absolutely huge store (understatement of the year!) which is very well laid-out and tons of stuff for anime and manga fans (especially BL fans). Store gets very busy in the evening though, so might be better visiting earlier in the day if you’re not a fan of crowds.

Such a great place! Felt like a museum to me who's a fan of manga/anime and cosplay. I found merch of lots of anime like MHA and Jujutsu Kaisen that had collabs. But also lesser known anime like SK8. The manga and BL selection is great though I can't read Japanese well so quite useless to me. The cosplay section was well furnished and promoted some products through showing them used in My Dress Up Darling (great promo that makes you want to try cosplay if you never tried it before).

This store markets itself as an anime shop aimed at teens, yet the way staff treat young customers is absolutely disgraceful. We came in excited to buy anime merchandise for my daughter, and the experience ended in complete frustration because of the outright rude and disrespectful behavior of the cashier toward my teenage daughter — for no valid reason. This was not about rules or procedures. It was pure attitude: dismissive, condescending, and hostile. While I was waiting outside, my daughter was subjected to this behavior alone. When I returned and demanded an apology, two staff members claiming to be “in charge” defended the cashier, insisted nothing was wrong, and brushed it off with an insincere apology instead of taking responsibility. Let that sink in: a store that primarily targets teenagers is perfectly comfortable treating a teen customer this way. That says everything about their customer service culture and management. What should have been a fun experience for a young anime fan was completely ruined. I was so appalled by how this was handled that I returned every single item and walked out. I will never shop here again, and I strongly caution parents and teens alike to think twice before supporting a business that tolerates this level of disrespect.