Dropping by Vancouver for a visit? Looking for anime related stores? Then let me help you. This is an ongoing project to inform the public (specifically the anime fans or people looking to get gifts for anime fans since it's almost Christmas now) about the anime stores around Vancouver. Now to be clear about this, the stores I show don't always sell anime, but anime-related goods and merchandise. And not all the stores are in Vancouver, but in surrounding cities and areas around Vancouver as well. This is but a fraction of what's out there, so I'll continue this project in another post in 2010. EDIT: Scratch 2010... The next one should be posted within the week. The second part is now posted.Picture above is shopping related. I would love to play Mega Man Legends (as it's called here) and Tron Bonne games again. Perhaps Capcom can put them out there as a downloadable games... But I digress... now let's focus on the stores!
Before I start: These are my general impression of the stores and I haven't been paid by any of them to advertise their store on this blog. I do tend to visit some of them a lot and may have some bias, but I try to be as neutral as possible and be informative as possible about the product that each store sell. You may have to judge to your standards accordingly. I only wish to inform anyone looking for anime products around Vancouver and I hope you find what you're looking for.
Sakura Media (Burnaby)
All Sakura Media stores will have manga, DVDs, artbooks, Gundam model kits, figures (including Revoltechs and recently more Figmas as well), t-shirts, soundtrack CDs, merchandise and many more! The CDs are the SonMay kind... So they're not quite authentic. Other products and merchandise are authentic. Prices are pretty much retail, but sales and special deals are quite frequent.
Soul of Anime (Richmond)
CLOSED FOR GOOD :(
This store is mostly focused on their capsule figure (gashapon) and trading figures, but they also stock up on Figma, Revoltechs, Nendoroids, Sega Prize figures and some of the big names. The prices are quite average, but the prices for the Sega Prize figures are quite high unfortunately. They have a stamp card where you can get something after you've spent quite a bit, but I have no idea what this "something" is. Their employees are quite friendly and knowledgeable.
CLOSED :(Toys Planet
Located in Crystal Mall at 4500 Kingsway, BurnabyA family-run store. The father runs one store and he's quite friendly and knowledgeable. They have a lot of Gundam model kits and a lot of cute merchandise and plushies. In fact, I bought the Totoro slippers from here. Their 1/144 Gundam kits are generally cheaper, but shop around for the Master Grade kits first. The prices for the MG kits fluctuates quite a lot in different stores. Do avoid the Nendoroids since they're fakes. Unless you want to modify and customize your own Nendoroid, that is.
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| Old picture is old... Will update one day. |
Google Map Link
This store is a mix of American and Japanese pop culture, so the focus isn't really on anime. They do have Gundam model kits, from First Grade to Perfect Grade, lots of paint for those kits and even their tools as well. They also have limited selection of anime figures, mostly stuff from Diamond Distributors. Then again if you're a fan of both American super heroes and anime like me, then this place is pretty good for you. Oh they also have Transformers and a lot of comic book t-shirts as well. A well-rounded store. Their prices are average, maybe a little bit above average for some things. The employees can be friendly at times, but not attentive at other times.
So that's it for the first round. I've only picked the ones that are quite obvious and easy to get to for now. I have a few to go through next time but I will take suggestions if anyone knows a store that I may not know. Happy hunting!
Whoever has that many merchandise shops nearby is lucky ^^; The only I know of in this (not quite small) town is not bigger than a closet >_>
ReplyDeleteSo back to internet shopping *sighs*
Richmond is a state for Rich People :p
ReplyDeleteI LOled at Family Anime shop , The Father owns the store while the mother owns another sotre , Its quite good ^_^ .
Personally Gacha Hobbies is good anime store because if you spend more you'll get stamps which is quite an addictive thing ^^;;
Metropolis Comics and Toys looks big and amazing with the combo of Japan and American Toys . I would really like to go there .
So many... >___> Here... there's a store focusing on just comics in general, but with hardly any anime stuff, and another store with isn't only anime, but is a lot better. I wish to see an only anime store here though.
ReplyDeleteWow, this has been REALLY helpful to me. I'm gonna visit Vancouver and Richmond around the end of December, and its really nice you had so much information on all the shops. This may be a bit selfish, but is it possible for you to get part II up before the end of the year? I want to get as much info as I can before I go there. ^_^;
ReplyDeletewow nice coverage! no intention of going vancouver... but who knows! =P
ReplyDelete*LS hints people in vancouver to get gifts for him!
wow, excellent coverage, you gave us all the locations as well. Not that I'll be journeying to vancouver anytime soon methinks, it already takes a space shuttle ride just to get to mcdonalds >.>
ReplyDeleteI wish toronto had even two or three of these... And not greater toronto, that's inaccessible to me as well >.<
Yes, all i have is the internet shopping... Still, you should submit this to a tour guide or something, it's rare coverage that touches on a cultural aspect :D
Okay, this isn't fair. How come you got all those stores!!! I think to my count, in Toronto there is around 5 to 7 stores. They sell items for a pretty high price. Some figures are so expensive...
ReplyDeleteI have to make a note, if I go to Vancouver, I'm going to those stores...
Vancouver isn't that far from Toronto. Maybe a 4 hour flight or something near that...
@Eefi: I guess I've been taking this for granted ^^; I didn't realize that there are actually a lot of anime stores around here.
ReplyDelete@Densha Otoko: Haha you're not too far off from the truth about Richmond. The family store is quite interesting. I wouldn't mind running a shop with my brother or something. Not sure exactly what you'll get with the stamp card though... So I'm reluctant, especially with some of their high prices. Metropolis Comics and Toys is just ONE of the many comic store around these parts ;)
@marshmallow: I remember that a company from back east actually traveled to the Vancouver convention. It would be nice if they open up a store on the east coast of Canada.
@Mr.CupNoodle: Well my next batch of stores would be the ones in downtown. Parking in downtown ain't cheap, so I expect compensations :P Just kidding! I'll try to get them up as fast as I can, but it is the busy season ^^;
@YuKi-To: Yep, so now everyone knows where to get gifts for me, ok? Now get to it! And come over here so you can buy something for me too, lol!
@Ningyo: Yikes is it that far away from civilization where you live or what? XD Haha that's an interesting notion/idea for tourism.
@Rin: I'm surprised there aren't a lot more in Toronto. It's a MUCH bigger city than Vancouver 0.o Some of these stores do take at least an hour to get to though. And prices aren't too cheap either here. Oh ya, I've been to Toronto and not a long flight for sure. Oh and I'm not kidding that there are more stores that I have to cover here ^^;;
haha! very nice information, you did your homework quite well! ^^ I recognise a few, but not all ^^;
ReplyDeleteI just discovered about Evertoys before you made the post, They have Dancouga and that mecha musumne line(I forgot the name).
ReplyDeleteI got the Big Bang Punch Plamo from the Dad side of the family store, I dint know there both run by a whole family...The plastic bags a hint.
Sorry to burst you bubble bout Burnaby SM mall, but they RARELy have any Figmas, and they nvr updated the revoltech list.
And Surrey has soul of anime, :D my new place isnt boring after all!
@chun: Thank you ma'am! I try to be as thorough as possible ^^ There're quite a few popping up and out without me knowing.
ReplyDelete@GunStray: That would be Busou Shinki, I take it? I go to Crystal Mall often, so I see that family-run store every time when they were just ONE store back then. I dunno if you've been to SM lately, but they've picked up a couple of Figma lines including Golgo 13, that girl from Muv Luv and lots of summer uniform Lucky Star girls. They also got the Queen's Blade Revoltech in some locations. So they're somewhat catching up.
Sweet! I recognize all the shops! I can't wait to see which of the less obvious ones are!
ReplyDeleteLOL! We only have 1 shop here that offers relatively current anime goods, and it's a small chinese mall kiosk so you know how small they can be. We have lots of comic shops that have scant offerings, but nothing dedicated to anime like you've shown.
ReplyDeleteCool! now need to find some money to go there XD
ReplyDeleteThat's a helpful guide. I doubt I will be in Vancouver anytime soon, but if I'm ever there, I'll know where to get my fix of anime merchandise. ^ ^
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the Vancouver anime scene seems to be much more vibrant than around here.
Ahh so lucky to have such stores!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't there like a Kinokuniya in Vancouver? That was the only one I managed to find. xD
>.<
@radiantdreamer: Hey, if you know more, let me know. I don't know everything that's out there ^^;
ReplyDelete@FatB: Ouch... and I just listed 12 here! My next list will be mostly the comic shops that sells other comic books...
@Yamada: LoL good luck with that!
@Yi: Well I gotta say the shops may be everywhere, but the anime fan population is probably less than where you are.
@Mimi: That's the one store that seems to be everywhere, except Vancouver or Canada... I'd love to have a Kinokuniya around here. Look around town and maybe someone has a guide for where you are, lol.
F-ck I take back what i said earlier of SM,I just came yesterday and they have f-cking Golgo , now I want Aegis
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Aberdeen in a while, but is 'beans' still around?
ReplyDelete@GunStray: LoL yea, they're trying to keep up with the demands, so gotta give'em some time :D I may consider getting Golgo later on.
ReplyDelete@Toxyn: I would've given Beans a good review... But unfortunately they've closed up shop when I got there. =/
That is a very nice listing of shops around Vancouver - definitely a project of some kind, which is impressive I must say. Didn't know they have that many shops in Vancouver too, so accessibility is not so bad when you don't want to do online shopping.
ReplyDeleteI had requests on doing this for Hong Kong too, since not many people know the shops around there. Time is not something I have a lot at the moment, so I may have to postpone it to the summer -_- Funny enough I just had a meet-up with robostrike last Wednesday, and we managed to visit as many places as possible from early afternoon to nighttime! If you want a quick map that I've compiled then I can send one to you later :o
@Q: It's a small side project. I'm a bit shy about asking for pictures of the inside of the store though ^^; If they let me I would make a spotlight post on each store. It's pretty good for non-online shopping, but the prices can be a bit iffy, so you'd have to shop around.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda assuming there would be a TON of stores in Hong Kong for these types of product 0.o So yeah, I can bet there's a lot you gotta do. Pretty awesome of you to do a tour around HK ^_^ I wouldn't mind a copy of that map, but I'm very doubtful I'll ever visit Hong Kong at this rate =/
The ones in Toronto looks so shitty compared to those. I really hope they'll open something nice here, with reasonable prices, so I don't have to buy online all the time.
ReplyDelete@Tommy: Well I dunno what the ones in Toronto look like, but the inside can be a bit worse than what it looks like from the outside. I kinda wish these stores would carry more too because sometimes I hate to check which ones would have it and how much it'll be. Sometimes online can seem a bit cheaper.
ReplyDeleteexcellent blog!
ReplyDeleteCrystal Mall has like 4 anime stores. XD They all have mostly the same... but I forgot which one a friend got a fake L Nenodroid. >_>
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to plan a visit to Gacha Hobbies. :V
Sakura Media is school but their employees are TOO nice. XD They're all over you..
@Misha: Two of the one in Crystal Mall is the same owner ^^; But yes, those two does have bootleg nendoroids... Just be careful of them. I usually can tell by how shabby those boxes are. Careful with Gacha Hobbies too... I noticed they have fake Nendoroids as well now. Beware of their cheaper nendos.
ReplyDeleteHaha Sakuramedia's employees can be disturbingly nice, but I get some good discussions with them in-store sometimes. Just don't get sucked in by their recommendations if you don't know the series, lol.
Evertoys closed down April 30th 2011, oh and one of those ppl talks in mandarin might be me haha.
ReplyDeleteSoul of Anime Surrey closed down May 2010.
Thanks for the update. I guess Surrey is just out of the way... Seems like Soul of Anime in Richmond might be closing soon too, but I could be wrong...
ReplyDeletethe one in crystall mall isnt really 2 stores in one mall.. apparently during that time, they were moving from one store to the other and they have to set up 2 shops to do that..
ReplyDeleteright now the other shop has closed which means they have moved successfully..
imo the business is alive because of me.. lol!
everytime i go there my bill totals to around $300-500 which mostly consists of tamiya paints, primers and thinners and mg kits..
theres also an anime store in East Pender chinatown.. it has shitloads of anime and mecha stuff but its sign is in chinese so idk its name but i know the address.. its basically beside new town bakery which is located at
ReplyDelete158 East Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3
@gundam fan: Yeah, I think that's what I thought too, but I didn't get around to change this post, haha. But yes, now they're down to just one again. You've practically kept them in business then :D I don't buy too often nowadays, but before I bought lots of kits and other figures back then.
ReplyDeleteI don't go around Chinatown often, so I don't know it, but if I ever do, I'll make a new post like this :) Thanks for the head's up!
This page is very useful since I'm about to visit Vancouver again soon! Thanks! I've found most of the stores by accident but I didn't know about a couple of them. Bummer that some of them have closed since I last visited.
ReplyDeleteIs Soul of Anime still there though? I looked at the Richmond Centre website and I can't find it in the directory.
@Wunko: I haven't been to Richmond Centre since May, so I cannot confirm this yet. I know they've moved from one location to another INSIDE the mall, but they were still there. Their Facebook page and Twitter is still around, so I imagine they're there, just not listed on the site. I'll check one of these days...
ReplyDeleteSoul of Anime still in Richmond centre (facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/Soul.Of.Anime). I checked nearly all the stores you have on your blog and pretty much the ones that aren't closed....are still open (as of today). I've only been in Vancouver for like ~year so this was extremely helpful. Thanks a bunch! And I was also at AnimeExpo at LA last year (2011) xD~
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update! I realize I haven't been able to go out much these days so I haven't seen these stores or any new store lately. You're welcome. I'm glad it was useful ^^ Nice! I wonder if I'll be able to get to LA for AX this year ^^;;;
DeleteHaha i love the gachapon store in richmond:) that the closest in experience and selection I can get in comparison to the gachapon halls in tokyo aka akiba:)
ReplyDeleteGachapons aren't my thing anymore, but I do like looking at them and get tempted to buy some anyway XD
Deletewhere would u go for the best selection of Studio Ghibli stuff?
ReplyDeletei would be travelling in from langley...
There's a couple of places. I haven't visited the one in Crystall Mall for a while, but last I checked they had quite a lot of plushies and other Ghibli things. Other ones worth checking out would be Soul of Anime at Richmond Centre and/or Gacha Hobbies at Aberdeen Centre, both in Richmond.
Deletethanks for the reply!
Deletemuch appreciated!
will check them out!
Would you be able to help me and my friends?
ReplyDelete(￣O￣)A
We're looking for the best locations for Nendoroids (Haruhi figures specifically). We have been to Gacha Hobbies, which offered some Nendoroids as you said, but we will have to look elsewhere for what we want.
I would like to thank you for revealing just how many stores we have around us locally~! We would have never visited some of these without your expertise~
Thank you for your help~ (シ_ _)シ
Hello, sorry for the late reply.
DeleteWell... That's a hard find now. Haruhi Nendoroids were one of the first to be released. You can try checking out J-Hobby in Richmond if they have any, but your best bet is online. Try Mandarake.co.jp. They sell second-hand items, but usually in good condition. I wish you luck!
Thank you for visiting and reading ^_^ I'm glad it helped you out :)
What do you think is the best place for Evangelion? Particularly I'm looking for older figures of Rei or Kaworu. I've been to sakura media and gatcha hobbies but I found both to be a bit pricey and lacking evangelion-wise. Halfmoon had a decently priced older Rei (not to mention it was one I had never seen online or in another store) but that was pretty much it aside from some keychains and trading figures. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
Ah... That's becoming hard to look for. The best bet would be J-Hobby in Richmond. They have some older figures, but may not be Evangelion specifically. I know Gacha Hobbies have some Evangelion figures too, but most of the time they are newer. Those are the best choices for local sadly. Online may be the best choice if you're able.
DeleteDo you know if any of these stores might perhaps sell some Dengeki G magazines? They usually come bundled with figures and other collectibles.
ReplyDeleteThanks (-^〇^-)
Hmm... The only one I know who would do it would be SakuraMedia, but you may have to request from them to actually have it in stock.
DeleteI'm really appreciating your awesome post here, cuz i always fail to notice these kind of stores even if they're right next to me... XD
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm going to check out JHobby probably this weekend cuz they sound really cool... :P
Can you give me a general idea on how much their figmas are? XD sorry for the bother.
Or maybe more specifically if they happen to have Madoka, fate, SAO or BRS figures or nendoroids...? how much are those usually around?
DeleteSo sorry for giving you trouble! >.<
I haven't been there in a while, but I recall the prices were around $50ish for figmas last time I was there. I'm pretty sure they're up to date with the current series unless they sell out. I remember Gacha Hobbies had some figmas too since that's kinda close to JHobby as well. Good luck :)
DeleteGacha did have a lot of figmas but i thought they were very expensive comparing their price to the original price... But i guess they also had shipping and all that... -.- Have you seen nendoroids in JHobby? how much were those around. Sorry i'm asking a lot of questions...
DeleteArr... Sorry to disappoint you. The prices at Gacha and JHobby are about the same. Wellll... Maybe Gacha do overcharge a few just because they're rarer, but they pretty much have to cover the cost of shipping, exchange and import fees, I guess. But all in all still not bad. Sometimes JHobby have special sales too. So maybe they might have an Easter 20% off sale XD
DeleteAlright! Thank you so much! :D I really do hope they have a sale XD cuz that would be awesome!
DeleteLast question I had was that I went to richmond centre some time ago but I can't seem to find Soul Of Anime Anywhere... D: Is it still around?
Ah, I should update this... Unfortunately Soul of Anime seem to have closed down for good... :( It was pretty much dying anyway when I saw it last. Barely any new things. So yeah, you can scratch that off the list and so should I ^^;
DeleteAwwww... I was hoping there could be more... XD
DeleteBut thank you so much for your time! I really appreciate it! >:D
I just went on my usual trip to Canada. It appears JHobby in Richmond has closed up. The windows were covered up and I peeked inside through the glass door; there was nothing inside except a table and two chairs. Later, I visited their website jhobby.com and the front page says the store is now closed. :^(
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling me. That is unfortunate that it closed down as well :( I really need to add new stores if any show up because all of these older ones are just disappearing left and right.
DeleteYou're welcome, Lightning Sabre. The only new store I found was in Crystal Mall in Burnaby, BC called Yimono Toys. It is a small store on the first floor. They only sell Anime figurines and can take orders on figures that they don't have in stock. They appear to be the latest and authentic figures. I talked to the guy on Sunday and he literally opened about one week ago. This is one you could look into if you get a chance. :^)
ReplyDeleteOoh! Thank you for the head's up. Maybe if I collect enough new stores I'll make a new post. :D
DeleteSounds good!
DeleteHey man.
ReplyDeleteDo you know which one of these sells Shonen Jump magazines?
I just want to get hold of one issue.
Hello,
DeleteThat depends on which one too. English or Japanese? If it's Japanese, you would have a hard time finding one that sells it here around Vancouver.
For the English ones you can probably find it at Sakura Media or usually normal comic book stores that sell manga might have it too. Golden Age used to carry it. If they don't, you can actually ask them to special order it for you (at no extra charge, I believe).
Hope that works out for you! Good luck :)
Hi - hopefully this didn't double post.
ReplyDeleteWill in Vancouver in mid October, and am looking to scratch that Sentai/Masterpiece Transformer itch.
What stores do you recommend?
Hi Paul,
DeleteNo double post here. I have one place I know that sells a lot of Transformers. I hope they have what you're looking for.
Ages Three and Up at Lougheed Town Centre (Mall) on 226-9855 Austin Rd in Burnaby. They closed once before and they opened up a new store and I haven't updated my list in a long while ^^;
Another store that might be of interest, also not on my list since they're kinda new is Toytards on 2159 W. 41st Ave in Vancouver. They had quite a nice selection that they brought over to the Vancouver anime convention.
Also check out Sakura Media. They have random selection of Sentai figures. Hope that helps! Good luck!
I must say thanks for this really an amazing and nice blog,.
ReplyDeletealien action figures
You're welcome! If only some of these stores would stay open..
Delete