For anime lovers, searching for the best online stores to buy merchandise, collectibles, and apparel can be just as exhilarating as finding a new series to watch. With numerous choices available, each with its own unique array of anime-related products, knowing where to shop is key. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the best anime online stores that can provide anime lovers with an outstanding shopping experience. Stay tuned!
1. Why Do We Need To Buy Anime Merchandise In Japanese Online Stores?
Many people are reluctant to shop from Japan because many products and supplies on Japanese e-commerce sites are listed only in Japanese. Since English is not widely spoken in Japan, Janbox will help you understand what Anime Merchandise is, why it is worth purchasing, and most importantly, which Japanese anime stores are the best to buy from.
1.1. What is anime merchandise?
Anime merchandise, often known as “goods,” is a product created for a successful anime or manga series. Anime goods include a wide range of things such as stationery, anime figurines, soft toys, and more. Anime merchandise is generally developed after a series has gained popularity owing to increased fan demand.
Anime goods can be created either by the official animation studio or in partnership with another firm. Furthermore, anime goods are occasionally made and sold illegally by persons who do not have permission to do so.
1.2. Reasons to buy Anime products from Japanese stores
If you live outside Japan, your access to anime products is restricted to what’s available at the moment. Buying from a Japanese website for anime gives you the advantage of exploring a vast array of choices and the opportunity to pre-order new items to get them as soon as they launch. Plus, there are reputable retailers that provide gently used second-hand products for those interested in unique or older finds.
2. Top 20+ Best Japanese Anime Online Stores To Buy Anime/ Manga Merchandise
Here lies the most important part of the blog. Janbox has gathered information about the best anime stores online in Japan, so do not miss it.
2.1. Aniplex Plus
Aniplex Plus, often known as Aniplex+, is the Aniplex company’s official Japanese online website. The Aniplex production business, founded in 1995, has planned, produced, and distributed several successful anime programs, including Darling in the FranXX and Banana Fish. They also distribute all of Sony Computer Entertainment’s video game music and soundtracks.
The Aniplex Plus Japanese store provides anime DVD/Blu-ray releases for series that are only available on the website, as well as bonus items that can’t be found anywhere else. They occasionally offer items that were only available at specific events. The Japanese Aniplex Plus online store includes stationery, food, unique figurines, and much more in addition to their vast digital media collection.
While the US branch has its website, Aniplex+, the inventory is far smaller than that of the Japanese shop. Because you are purchasing straight from Aniplex, the pricing on the Japanese website is generally lower.
2.2. Pokémon Center Online
The Pokémon Center Japan is a group of Pokémon-only stores. The Pokémon Center Japan includes physical locations around Japan, including Tokyo and Kyoto, as well as an online Pokémon Center that can be accessed through their website or Janbox.
The Pokémon Center Online Japan is well-known for its extensive collection of Pokémon goods and memorabilia. Every item they offer is 100% authentic, and the stores are managed by The Pokémon Company. Along with Japanese Pokémon Cards, the Pokémon Manga, figurines, Pokémon plush toys, and almost everything else you can think of, Japanese retailers, carry goods you won’t find anywhere else.
For example, do you want a sleeping Pikachu collection for your child? The Pokémon Center Japan released it as a limited edition.
2.3. AmiAmi
AmiAmi is a well-known anime shop online in Japan. Many anime enthusiasts know AmiAmi for its extensive range of figures, plush toys, accessories, and more. What’s great is that the site is refreshed daily, providing excellent daily deals on almost everything!
For anime and manga lovers, AmiAmi provides a cost-effective way to purchase figurines and related items. Their consistent shipping fee of 500 JPY means you can shop freely without the hassle of domestic shipping costs, especially when utilizing Janbox!
>> See more: Top 18 Best Websites To Buy Anime Figures From Japan
2.4. Animate Online Shop
Animate is one of the most popular Japanese anime sites. They provide nearly everything you could wish for, from the best anime figures to keychains featuring your favorite characters! Plus, Animate Stores stock several special items that are unique to their shops.
The Animate’s Japanese anime web offers a convenient auto-translate feature, accessible via an icon in the top right corner, which lets you translate the site into various languages like English, Chinese, and Russian. They also opened an international store in 2017.
The major drawback of their international store is that it doesn’t offer as extensive a selection of anime and manga products as the Japanese anime store, particularly when it comes to the latest releases.
2.5. Surugaya
Suruga-ya is a popular Japan anime shop that specializes in Japanese pop culture merchandise. This covers a variety of Japanese CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, plus manga, anime products, and clothing. Surugaya is noted for its large section dedicated to thousands of pre-owned items.
Surugaya allows you to place pre-orders for items that are not yet available. You will come across many one-of-a-kind items here that you can’t find elsewhere! If there is a rare item you are after, it might appear on Surugaya at some point.
While exploring Surugaya, note that they might list the same item as both new and pre-owned. Google Chrome’s auto-translate function (Right Click -> Translate) can help you with translation, but knowing these two Japanese terms will make things easier.
[新品] Shinpin = New product
[中古] Chūko = Second-hand (second-hand)
2.6. Premium Bandai
Bandai, being one of Japan’s and the world’s leading toymakers, has secured exclusive licensing rights to popular brands that other businesses are unable to get, such as the Sailor Moon licensing rights. Premium Bandai’s online store provides goods from several of these well-known properties, as well as super-limited partnerships with other Japanese firms. Bandai is also renowned for its Gunpla kits, which they frequently offer in limited editions on their website.
Give the Premium Bandai website a look if you’re interested in Gunpla, fashion & accessories, collectibles, and exclusive figures!
2.7. Kotobukiya
Kotobukiya, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of figures and plastic model kits, manufactures a variety of figurines based on anime and manga series. They’re also one of the few Japanese figure manufacturers that have secured rights for western franchises like DC and Marvel, as well as movie properties like Star Wars! They also make keychains, plushies, rubber straps, and other items in addition to figurines. All of these items are available for purchase on the Kotobukiya online store!
Kotobukiya is also renowned for its Zoids model kits and the Frame Arms series, a unique in-house line of plastic model kits. The Frame Arms series includes attractive heroines who act as frames for mecha additions such as armor and other weapon accessories.
Kotobukiya is certainly a shop to check out, especially for figure collectors or model kit lovers, because it has so much variety.
2.8. Amazon Japan
You can purchase nearly anything from Amazon Japan, just like you can from Amazon throughout the world! They sell a lot of items that are only accessible in Japan. Here you may purchase figurines, books, music, and other items. There are a lot of third-party merchants on there, so you might be able to discover that one-of-a-kind item you’ve been hunting for! While some Amazon sites do ship globally, most of them do not due to their tiny size, thus it is advised that you utilize a proxy purchasing service to shop here.
>>> Read more: How to order from Premium Bandai Japan?
2.9. Yahoo! Auctions Japan
Yahoo! Japan Auctions must be included in any list of good online anime stores. Yahoo Auctions stands as Japan’s top auction platform, with millions of items traded daily. Since anyone in Japan can list items for sale, you might find unique, intriguing, or rare products, including anime collectibles!
Before placing a bid on Yahoo Auctions, be sure to read the item descriptions in detail. Bidding can be risky due to buying from individuals, but with careful consideration, it can be worthwhile. The site has been a treasure trove for collectors seeking rare and out-of-print anime items.
2.10. Comic Toranoana
Toranoana is one of the best Japanese anime shops known for its extensive selection, including rare Doujinshi anime items. Its strong support for independent manga artists, alongside popular Japanese comics, ensures you will find some incredible new manga to enjoy.
However, be careful when navigating the website. If you do not translate the content, you could unintentionally end up in the adult section (R-18), which might be uncomfortable to explain to friends or family.
2.11. BOOTH
Are you looking for one-of-a-kind goods made by Doujinshi creators? BOOTH is the website you should visit. BOOTH is an “indie art marketplace,” which means you’ll be able to find a wide range of unique and intriguing items from upcoming mangaka.
The fact that nearly everything is made by hand is one of our favorite aspects of BOOTH goods. This implies that most of the stuff available from BOOTH is not only unique, but also of higher quality than that available from larger corporations. Because our goods are handcrafted, quantities are limited, so if you see anything you like, act immediately before it sells out!
2.12. Mercari Japan
Mercari is a mobile application and a website that allows users to sell to other users. It is highly popular among Japanese users and has a large number of unique goods. Many fans, just like Otamart, offer their surplus anime items for other fans to buy.
Mercari, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to buy from for international customers because you can only establish an account if you have a Japanese address, and the app has barred most proxy accounts from purchasing. White Rabbit Express is one of the few proxies still able to assist international fans in purchasing from Mercari Japan. As a result, we can certainly assist you in obtaining the unique goods you’ve been coveting!
2.13. Janbox
Janbox, one of the premier Japan anime sites, stands out as a successful e-commerce business selling both domestic and international anime. The firm is celebrated for its anime delivery services as well as its diverse inventory, which includes clothing, footwear, game consoles, and other items.
The company prioritizes customer satisfaction in every aspect of its service, including shipping, customer support, and discounts. It delivers products across Japan and internationally. Furthermore, its dedicated customer care team is available for online assistance every day of the week, including weekends.
>>> Read more: How to buy from Yahoo Auctions Japan? – Janbox Proxy Service
2.14. Mandarake
Mandarake was founded in 1987 with its original shop on Nakano Broadway, which still functions today. It is one of Japan’s foremost chains for anime and secondhand games, beloved by both anime aficionados and tourists. The Akihabara store, known as one of the best anime shops in Japan Tokyo, offers a remarkable eight floors filled with everything from cosplay costumes to classic video games!
Their online store features most of the same products as their physical locations, including collectible toys, manga series, idol goods, and more. If you’re looking for unique items, check out the Japanese site instead of the English one, as it offers a broader range.
2.15. Otamart
Otamart is an online flea market devoted solely to the sale of anime-related items. It’s a peer-to-peer marketplace where you may find numerous unique items. Many fans buy entire boxes of merchandise in order to obtain their favorite, then sell the items they don’t want on this site. Frequently, these items are brand new yet are labeled as second-hand!
2.16. Kyoani Shop (Kyoto Animation)
Kyoani is a renowned Japanese animation studio celebrated for its outstanding quality and stunning visuals. Their popular series include Free! Iwatobi Swim Club, Violet Evergarden, and Tsurune. Kyoani’s online store offers exclusive merchandise for their anime series, available only through pre-orders or direct purchases from their shop.
Kyoani’s online store offers exclusive merchandise for their anime series
>>> Read more: Top 10 Japanese Anime of All Time List
2.17. Melon books
Melonbooks is Japan’s leading bookstore chain specializing in doujinshi. It was one of the earliest retailers to introduce doujinshi to a wider female audience. It offers a wide range of new and used products, available for purchase both in-store and online. There is a vast collection of doujinshi from various circles covering hundreds of series. You can find anime CDs, dakimakura, eroge game, magazines, and other items at Melonbooks.
Melonbooks is Japan’s leading bookstore chain specializing in doujinshi
2.18. Pixiv Booth
If you’re into doujinshi, Booth is a popular app for your purchases. Numerous Japanese artists use this platform to sell their products. Besides doujinshi, you’ll find distinctive fan items such as phone cases, tote bags, acrylic keychains, and T-shirts. Since Booth allows artists to run their own stores, many will launch pre-orders or re-releases of their previous works solely on this app.
If you’re into doujinshi, Booth is a popular app for your purchases
2.19. Lashinbang
In Japan, Lashinbang stands out as a popular chain for anime and manga. Its branches are frequently found in Akihabara and Nipponbashi. Initially centered around trading collectible cards, the store now features a diverse array of second-hand anime and manga merchandise in both its physical and online stores.
In comparison to Surugaya and Book Off, Lashinbang, like Mandarake, usually has items in better condition due to its specialized nature. However, Lashinbang tends to concentrate more on modern products and larger niches, unlike Mandarake which specializes in vintage items.
Lashinbang stands out as a popular chain for anime and manga
2.20. Good Smile Company
Good Smile Company is well-known for its cute Nendoroid figures. You should be aware that you can directly reserve and purchase authentic Good Smile items from their store, often at the most competitive prices online.
To purchase many of their products, you need to pre-order them several months before they become available. Furthermore, their website includes products from various other brands.
Good Smile Company is well-known for its cute Nendoroid figures
2.21. Gamers
The Gamers store chain started as a retail outlet for Broccoli, famous for the Uta no Prince-sama series, and is now under the Animate umbrella. It sells a range of products including DVDs, CDs, video games, figures, collectible cards, and other manga and anime goods.
The Gamers store chain started as a retail outlet for Broccoli
>> See more: How To Buy From Mercari Japan with Janbox Proxy Service
3. Buying Online Japan Anime’s Notes
Shopping for anime and manga at these Japanese stores may be aggravating, especially if the website takes a long time to load and, once it does, the translation takes its own time.
A package forwarding service like Janbox is the answer to this problem and more (by which we mean managing and sending your valuable anime). We can assist you in purchasing items from Japan and arranging for them to be handled and sent to your nation. This website intends to assist anyone who wants to purchase something from a Japanese shop, such as anime products but is unable to do so due to limitations such as no international shipping.
Moreover, there are plenty of untrustable companies and stores out there that selling fake products or low-quality products for users. Therefore, with trustful cross-border e-commerce services like Janbox by clients side. They do not have to worried about anything.
4. Buy Your Favorite Anime Merchandise With Janbox
Janbox will now demonstrate a simple method for purchasing Japanese merchandise online, regardless of your location.
– Step 1: Visit the Janbox website and create/log in to your account
To buy items through Janbox, setting up a Janbox account is required. This step is important to ensure you can complete your transactions seamlessly.
– Step 2: Browse for your preferred products
Option 1: Input the item link directly into the Janbox search bar or use the ‘quick order’ option.
Start by visiting a Japanese anime website and finding the items you’re interested in. Copy the URL of each item and paste it into the Janbox search bar.
You can also utilize the “quick order” feature to enter multiple item URLs at the same time. Make sure each URL is separated by a space.
Option 2: Search for the item by category
Janbox offers category lists to help you easily find products. If you cannot find what you’re looking for, check the help center or reach out to us for assistance.
– Step 3: Place an order for the first charge
After reviewing the item’s details and pricing, click “Buy now” or “Add to Cart” to continue buying. Then, by clicking on “Place order,” you complete the payment process for the item’s price. And remember, thousands of vouchers and promotions are releasing every day by Janbox, especially we are giving away 3000 JPY for first-time users. Don’t be hesitate, let create an account to receive all these benefits.
– Step 4: Make a payment
To begin, you must pay for your entire order in full. This is a deposit toward your order. Once your order has been delivered to the operating center, we will notify you. You’ve selected the option for international shipping. Then you pay the domestic and international freight charges, as well as a service fee if you desire one. This marks the beginning of the second period. After making your payment on the Janbox website, you have completed your transaction.
Conclusion
The blog has provided a list of the best anime online stores for fans of anime and manga. With Janbox Proxy Service, you can easily place orders directly from sites like Booth or Yahoo! Auctions. Reach out to us if you need help with ordering your anime merchandise!
Website: https://janbox.com
Email: support@janbox.com
