Shocking! Kotobukiya Akihabara - A Shop for Otaku [1/2] | Featured News | Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) Shop: Figures & Merch From Japan

We recently brought to you a three-part article introducing Japan’s leading figure maker: Kotobukiya. We were given the full scoop on the thought process behind creating figures. This time, we’re focusing directly on Kotobukiya’s official shop, Kotobukiya Akihabara, which houses many of these elaborate figures! Read on for a full report by Japanese talent Kyoka-chan who became a TOM reporter and scoured the store to find out what kind of otaku goods they offer and what kind of customers they attract!

Akihabara, Tokyo. The front of the station was teeming with students welcoming in spring break and tourists from within Japan and abroad. Kotobukiya Akihabara is close to this station, about three minutes by foot. The shop building is five stories tall and stands out with its green painted exterior. The shop offers an array of anime-, manga-, and game-related otaku goods intended for everyone within Japan and abroad who possess a longing for Akihabara, with a focus on more core products as you go up in floors.

JR Akihabara Station, Electric Town exit. I’m Kyoka-chan and I’m reporting for the first time! I’m excited to get started!

The shop is within walking distance of the station, across Chuo-Dori. From Chuo-Dori, you can catch site of otaku shops and billboards advertising the latest anime. This is the best spot for soaking in the Akihabara atmosphere!

This is Kotobukiya Akihabara! I was suddenly greeted by many handsome men! *This photo is from March. The advertisement has since been changed.

Check this out! What’s that stuck on the shop’s window? Why it’s a Tokyo Otaku Mode sticker! This sticker signifies that the shop is a TOM-recommended otaku shop that sells high-quality, official otaku goods!

If you see this sticker on shops around Akihabara, stop in! There are certainly items awaiting you that will rev your otaku heart!

I was shown around the shop by Ms. Takahashi, a member of the shop’s staff.

Let’s take a quick look at Floor 1! Floor 1 is stocked with many goods from big titles. When I visited, there was a focus on Yotsuba&! and Monster Hunter. Kotobukiya Akihabara is recognized by the creators of Monster Hunter as an official “Hunters Shop.” There are various special products and limited time products available, and there are many fans who stop by after getting information from the website. There are also other official shops within Kotobukiya Akihabara that are worth checking out.

The currently popular *Yotsuba&!*. Danboard’s expression is as cute as it is famous.

The *Monster Hunter* area. I’m pointing at an announcement about an original campaign. Many fans stop by in search of special and limited time products.

The souvenir corner was also fully stocked. The best-selling products in this area include “Survey Corps Extermination Manjuu” created by Production I.G, the studio behind the popular Attack on Titan anime, and the “Puella Magi Madoka Magica x Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten” candy series, which is a collaboration between Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (Kyomaf) and Madoka Magica. Each one is a souvenir that can only be purchased in Japan.

The focus of Floor 2 is on anime titles intended for females and goods related to Studio Ghibli. Here, products of the handsome men from the Tales of series and Code Geass abound.

I was in heaven with this pillow of Lelouch, the protagonist of *Code Geass*.

In the next article, I’ll check out the upper floors that sell core products! Don’t miss it!

[Reporter Profile]
Name: Kyoka
Age: 16
Birthplace: Los Angeles (U.S.)
Hobbies/Specialties: enjoying anime, cosplaying
Kyoka was a finalist in the 36th Horipro Talent Scout Caravan - Seiyū Artist Audition (2011).

Kotobukiya Akihabara

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.