9 Floors of Manga, Merch, Seiyuu Goods, and Female-Focused Fandom in Tokyo
🌟 What is Animate Ikebukuro HQ?
Animate Ikebukuro is the flagship store of Japan’s largest anime retail chain, located in the heart of Otome Road — a sacred zone for fans of BL (Boys’ Love), otome games, and seiyuu (voice actors).
This 9-story mega-store is a paradise for female anime fans, but offers a massive range for all genres and genders.
Whether you’re a BL collector, seiyuu fan, or general anime lover, this is the place where dreams and doujinshi meet reality.
🔭 Why Visit Animate Ikebukuro HQ?
- 💿 New Releases Weekly: Manga, light novels, drama CDs, anime Blu-rays
- 🧸 Character Merch: Acrylics, keychains, badges, plushies galore
- 💖 BL & Otome Games: Entire floors dedicated to women’s fandom culture
- 🎤 Seiyuu Sections: Goods, live DVDs, and signed posters
- 🎫 Event Floors: Autograph sessions, limited-time exhibits & café collabs
- 📦 Gacha Machines: Dozens of capsule toys with anime themes
📸 Featured Floors (Example Layout)
| Floor | Focus Area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| B2F | Cashier, Tax-Free Counter | International support, passport needed for tax-free |
| B1F | New Manga Releases | Shonen, shojo, BL, light novels |
| 1F | Anime Character Goods | Current hits, trending series, plushies |
| 2F | Otome & BL Merchandise | Idol merch, BL manga, otome games, voice actor goods |
| 3F | CDs, Drama CDs, Seiyuu Goods | Albums, event DVDs, seiyuu specials |
| 4F | Blu-rays, DVDs, Theaters | Latest anime episodes, film merchandise |
| 5F | Figures, Model Kits | Genshin, Fate, Haikyuu, Touken Ranbu & more |
| 6F | Event Space | Pop-up stores, seasonal exhibitions, collab shops |
| 7F | Animate Café (reservation only) | Limited-time character menu collabs |
| 8F | Animate Theater / Live Hall | Screenings, talk shows, mini concerts |
Note: Layout may change slightly depending on events or seasons
🎟️ Admission & Services
- 🎫 Entry: Free
- 🕒 Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- 🧾 Tax-Free Available (with passport, ¥5,000+ purchase)
- 🌐 Wi-Fi, coin lockers, elevator & escalator access
📍 Address
1-20-7 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013, Japan
📞 +81-3-3988-1351
🔗 https://www.animate.co.jp/shop/ikebukuro/
🚨 Visitor Tips
- 🎟️ Animate Café requires advance online reservation
- 💳 Credit cards accepted, but some gacha machines are cash only
- 📷 Photography not allowed on most floors — check for signs
- 🛍️ BL and otome content is clearly labeled and openly displayed
- 📅 Follow their Twitter or website for event & collab updates
🚉 Access
- Ikebukuro Station (East Exit) – 5-minute walk
- Also close to Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Yurakucho Line)
- Right in the heart of Otome Road, next to other anime stores & cafés
🍴 Nearby Otaku-Friendly Café Spots
1. Animate Café Ikebukuro
- 🎀 Collab food & drinks themed to anime characters
- 📅 Reservation only via website
2. Butlers Café (Female-Friendly Concept Café)
- ☕ British-style butler service for female guests
- 📍 2 min walk from Animate HQ
3. Otome Road Street Snacks
- 🧋 Crepes, bubble tea, themed food trucks near Sunshine City
🔁 Sample Plan: “Otome Dream Day”
🕐 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- 📖 Start at B1F manga zone for new releases
- 🎁 Grab keychains, plushies & badges from 2F–3F
- 🎤 Check seiyuu corner & music CDs on 3F
- 🍴 Enjoy lunch at Animate Café (if reserved)
- 🎫 Visit the event floor or theater on 6F–8F
- 🧾 Claim tax-free at B2F before leaving