Shopping Guide
When you hear of a city deeply connected to anime, what city do you think of? Whether it be Akihabara - the otaku paradise, or Ikebukuro which has been flourishing with female otaku lately, or Nagano where one can find rare anime goods, there are many cities in Tokyo that are deeply connected to anime.
Asagaya, which we will introduce herein, is yet another one of these cities. Asagaya is the home of the animation studio Satelight that has created Macross Frontier and Bodacious Space Pirates, and there are many anime production companies in the surrounding area. On March 29 under an overpass in this anime city, a space themed around anime called the Asagaya Anime Street opened. As the name suggests, the area is reminiscent of a shopping district, with 16 businesses lining both sides of the street. Let’s take a look at a portion of the businesses along this Anime Street!
GoFa Labo
This shop is located just inside Asagaya Anime Street, which is located just outside Asagaya Station. Those who visit can take their time and enjoy the artwork made by illustrators and original drawings from anime and manga that fill the exhibit space set up inside a cafe. We when visited, the exhibit was focused on Hakuouki the Movie and it was packed with female fans.
Cosmenia
From wigs to costumes, shoes to accessories, and even having a makeup area, those who visit this store can enjoy cosplay even if they come empty-handed! This is a shop packed with the love of cosplay and wanting to enjoy it in a carefree environment, even if you’re someone who’s interested in cosplay, but can’t bring themselves to step foot into such a store. Even when we visited, there were many cosplay fans from the area having immersive cosplay discussions with the staff.
Asagaya Madhouse
This is a shop and exhibit space managed by the animation studio Madhouse. In addition to original drawings used in anime, visitors can see videos that can’t be seen anywhere else, and there are also secret exhibits that will make you go “Whoa!” In the shop area are goods and hand-drawn illustrations by famous creators that you can’t get anywhere else. An impressive lineup is offered that will surely lighten fans’ wallets.
Micro Museum Cafe
Using the latest digital technology, visitors can enjoy anime in virtual reality at this cafe using the hugely buzzworthy Oculus Rift, projection mapping, and more. When we visited, there was no end to those trying out all the new technology.
Asagaya Camp
This space is jostling with gatcha toys and anime goods that can be played with. It also has a 3D scanner and 3D printer which can be used to make a figure of yourself!
During our visit, what was considerably impressive was how everyone from the neighboring areas who visited where enjoying this new otaku spot in their own way. There were older men strolling through with a camera in-hand taking pictures of the young cosplayers, parents and their children returning home from shopping and gazing at the displays of each store as they passed by––anime has melded into a living space at the Asagaya Anime Street. We wonder what the result of the Asagaya Anime Street melding into the area will be and what kind of impact it will have years from now. We will be expectantly waiting to see.
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
