Yello Everybody,
Today I thought I'd cover the best places to visit in terms of shops for otaku related items in the Kumamoto area.
The number one alround store for anime music, manga, anime dvd's and general merchandise is AniMate which is in the first half of Shimatori up the last side street on the left hand side just after the new Keitai(mobile phone) store, it's on the 3rd floor and there's a decent amount of signage(heading into Shimatori from Toricho)[Shimatori is 1 of the 2 major arcades in Kumamoto and Toricho is a major bus stop]. The staff are all very friendly, the store is nice clean and their stock is regularily updated plus as part of a major chain of stores it has cheaper prices and special items that you might not find elsewhere.
The bookshop in the Daiei store on the 6th level(also in shimatori first half, towards the start and on the right) has a large selection of anime dvds, anime cds, manga and illustration books as well as a very small english language manga section(less than 30 books total from several different series and only covering the initial books of a series not the most current). The staff are nice and the prices are okay.
The Tsuraya bookshop(also in shimatori first half, practically half way down and up a side street on the left(well before AniMate)). Has a large manga section, decent anime dvd and anime cd selection, solid video games selection and a smallish selection of anime merchandise(mainly small figures). The store also has an english language section including manga in greater quantities than the Daiei bookshop. The staff are all nice and it's a major bookshop chain in Japan.
Zap imports shop in Kamitori(the other major arcade in Kumamoto, smaller and in the opposite direction from Toricho) is on the right hand side in a in-building mini arcade(it has signage). Not all that much in the way of anime as they specialise in imported toys and oddities mainly from america(star wars toys, simpsons and so on as well as lava lamps and many other retro items), but they do sell a large range of Kubrick collectables many of which are anime related. The staff are very friendly, remember you and can speak a small amount of english(well one does anyway).
The Hobby Shop in Hikarinomori YouMe shopping Center(Either of the JR Hohi line at Hikarinomori station or by bus to Hikarinomori from the Kumamoto Bus Center). It's right in the middle on the 2nd floor of the same building as the cinema's. This is the best place for anime related models with a much larger variety than anywhere else i've found, it has Plastic Figures as well as model build kits(for Gundam and the like), they also have a range of smaller figurines from boxes and gachapon(ball toys) which are open and you can see what they are(making it easier if you are collecting a set), and cards both trading card game cards and collector cards. The staff are very nice.
Not in Kumamoto but within reasonable travelling distance is the best place in Kyushu for Otaku items- Mandarake in the Tenjin area of Fukuoka. 3 large levels with everything imaginable, both family friendly and not so family friendly. I've only been there once but the staff were nice and the selection is fantastic including such things as original animation cells(from famous animes no less, evangelion and Hayao Miyazaki films were represented).
The picture today is the banner for AniMate mail ordering.
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