Animate Ikebukuro

From the outside it looks like heaven on earth for manga and anime lovers, but inside it honestly disappointed me a bit. It’s like the 12-storey Daiso in Myeongdong, there’s everything but also nothing noteworthy. A little of this, a little bit of that. Besides the temporary exhibition space for Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc movie, everything else was just generic and could be found anywhere in Japan. I checked every single floor, but didn’t find any interesting stuff to purchase so it was pretty much just window shopping.

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 is the biggest anime store in the world, and it was really fun to explore. It's seven-plus floors. It's certainly a huge upgrade over the Animate that was recently built around my area in Orange County, which is the equivalent of maybe one floor compared to a Japanese Animate. When I went in February 2026, I'd say some of the normal highlights were how the first floor had that Miku Valentine's Day special merch, and I assume that would change every month or so. I remember each floor had a mix of newer and older anime merch, which is great for someone like me who doesn't watch much newer anime but is able to recognize shows that aired over 15 years ago like Code Geass, Haruhi Suzumiya, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, etc. However, I definitely recognized some of the few newer things I'm aware of, like Nukitashi, lots of Quintessential Quintuplets, and even a lot of gacha stuff like Heaven Burns Red, and of course lots of Hoyoverse. There's even a floor that specializes in video game stuff like soundtracks, physical copies, and other items. They also have a mix of actual physical media but also merch like wall scrolls, plushies, and even some cosplay stuff. The only issue is the top floor is an event-only floor, which means there is less for me and my travel companions to explore. If you're only limited to one anime store—if you were to visit Japan and you didn't have any particular specialty store you wanted to visit—you can't go wrong with Animate in Ikebukuro with its crazy amount of options on its seven floors.

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.