Level Up Your Otaku Life: Manhattan's Anime Hotspots! 🤩

ConnectLive 2025 Post Series. This post is a part of my series before, during, and after ConnectLive 2025 New York City, showcasing unique attractions, activities, and facts about the city

Hey anime fans! :waving_hand: Ever find yourself wandering the streets of Manhattan, dreaming of stumbling upon a stockpile of manga, figures, and all things anime? Well, you’re in luck! New York City has some fantastic spots to fuel your fandom. Let’s take a peek:

Kinokuniya: A Japanese Culture Haven :books:

Okay, so Kinokuniya isn’t just an anime store, it’s an absolute goldmine for manga lovers! Located in Midtown, this bookstore boasts an impressive selection of manga in both English and Japanese. You can easily spend hours browsing their shelves, discovering new series, and picking up your favorites. They also have a great selection of art books, magazines, and some figures and merchandise tucked away. It’s an immersive experience for anyone interested in Japanese culture. Plus, they often host events and signings!

Midtown Comics: A Comic Book Kingdom with Anime Flair :woman_superhero:

While primarily a comic book store, Midtown Comics, with Manhattan locations, definitely caters to anime and manga fans. You’ll find a solid selection of graphic novels, including a wide range of manga titles. They also stock anime-related merchandise, like figures, collectibles, and apparel. It’s a great place to browse if you’re into both Western comics and Japanese animation. The staff are knowledgeable and can help you track down what you’re looking for.

Bookoff: The Ultimate Treasure Hunt for Anime Goodies! :gem_stone:


Located in Midtown, Bookoff is a Japanese chain that buys and sells used books, manga, CDs, DVDs, video games, and anime figures and merchandise! Walking into Bookoff is like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what gems you might find, and often at reasonable prices. I’ve personally found some amazing manga sets and even a few rare figures here for a fraction of their original cost.

Their manga section is also quite extensive, covering a wide variety of genres. They also have a decent selection of used anime DVDs and Blu-rays. The turnover of items can be pretty quick, so it’s always worth popping in regularly to see what’s new. You might just stumble upon your next prized possession! :wink:

Forbidden Planet: A Sci-Fi and Fantasy Mecca with Anime Love :heart::alien_monster:

Located near Union Square, Forbidden Planet is a great store that caters to all things sci-fi, fantasy, and anime! While their focus isn’t exclusively anime, they have a dedicated section with a good selection of manga, graphic novels, and anime-related figures and merchandise. The atmosphere is buzzing with excitement, and you’re bound to find something that catches your eye. Plus, they often have new releases and popular items in stock.

So now you know a few awesome spots in Manhattan to get your anime fix! Happy hunting, fellow otaku! :partying_face:

Have any favorite anime stores in Manhattan or in your hometown? Share :backhand_index_pointing_down: below

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What an awesome guide for anime fans :clap:
From shops to cafés, you’ve covered it all
I would love to collect Pikachu and few Pokémon and Naruto comics and some action figures too :smiley:
What did you collect? @JordanBurleson

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Thanks @SaylliWalve1 I picked up a blind box, a Saitama figure and a Luffy figurine!

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Thank you for sharing these places from NYC. I am a huge anime fan :nerd_face:. One Piece is my all time favorite! Have to represent the 90’s :raising_hands:. I will try to check them out on my next trip to the Big Apple! :red_apple::cityscape:

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Aw dang! I wish I found out while we were there, @Twyla. I didn’t start watching anime or reading manga until 3 years ago and have already watched about 40 movies, 2,300 episodes, and read a few series all the way through. Planning an anime tattoo soon!

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Hey that’s okay @JordanBurleson. Simply looking at me, you would not have known I am an anime person. I have never configured the stats but I grew up watching movies like KiKi’s Delivery Service or Howl’s Moving Castle. I’ve kept up with a pleothra of shows as well. I’ve only read a few manga books-- no completed series. Honestly, Webtoons is my favorite online go to app! Whenever given the chance to attend a ComicCon for an opportunity to Cosplay, I am there!

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That’s so cool :heart_eyes:
Saitama and Luffy are such iconic choices, great pick.

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