Animate Ikebukuro

Opened in 1983 as the first store of Animate, Ikebukuro’s Animate has expanded to become a notable destination for fans from around the globe, with a comprehensive collection of anime-related goods. The brand boasts 118 stores across Japan and has branches in Asia, with an online presence through the animate Online Shop and animate International. Animate’s influence is also seen in subsidiary companies like Libre Publishing.

Animate Ikebukuro serves as a meeting place for fans, hosting events and exhibitions with voice actors and anime song artists. The store’s mascot, Meito Anisawa, or Anime Tenchō, is the face of the brand.

Visitors can discover a variety of products, including manga, DVDs, Blu-rays, character goods, and cosplay costumes. Animate Ikebukuro also offers exclusive items from group companies, often not found elsewhere.

Animate supports the anime industry beyond retail, with subsidiaries involved in a range of services from media production to event planning. For Tokyo visitors, Animate Ikebukuro provides an immersive experience into anime culture.