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)
Probably the most frequented store I go to. A lot of their employees know me there quite well. So have to say that their customer service is very good. They'll help you as much as they can to find what you're looking for.
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.
Located in Richmond Centre at 6551 No. 3 Road, RichmondEDIT: Unfortunately this location has closed down. They closed at the end of February 2010 due to mall renovations
Sakura Media (Vancouver) - CLOSED
Was located in Oakridge Centre at 650 West 41st Avenue, VancouverEDIT: Unfortunately this location has closed down. I've only found out about this closure in the end of January 2010 Probably because it was in a strange location in the mall.
Soul of Anime (Richmond)
Located in Richmond Centre at 6551 No. 3 Road, RichmondGoogle Map Link
Soul of Anime has been around for awhile but under different names and locations. They are stocked quite well in figures (including Figma and Revoltechs), Transformers, Gundams, costumes and general anime merchandise. Their static figure prices are quite high but then again if you add shipping and taxes then I suppose it's pretty similar to how much you would've bought it from Japan directly. The Figmas and Revoltechs prices aren't too bad though. They do have permanent discounts on all trading figures (or shokugan) when you buy two, you get the third half price. The merchandise consists of keychain, mugs, plushies, cushions and pillows amongst others. Yes, one of those big body pillows (dakimakura). They seem to be catching on a little on this side of the Pacific. Their pillow covers are not quite authentic though... Nothing from Cospa or Ensky or any of the official dakimakura cover makers from Japan. They also make mini ones if you're too shy to get the big ones ^^;
Soul of Anime (Surrey) - CLOSED
Was located in Guildford Mall at 2695 Guildford Town Center, SurreyEDIT: Closed on May 2011
This new branch is pretty similar to the Richmond one except it's bigger and more spacier. I've only been to this location once so I can't say too much about their deals here. When I was there they had a weekly deal, but no idea how frequent that changes. Their store sign is a tad too small to get some attention though unfortunately... but if you come out of Wal Mart into the mall then it would be the first thing you see on the left.
Iwase Books - CLOSED
Located in Yaohan Centre at 3700 No. 3 Road, RichmondEDIT: Unfortunately Iwase Books has closed its doors permanently on March 15, 2011...
An actual Japanese book store, so you will find a lot of Japanese language magazine and manga here. There are many types of books here, so I'm sure you'll find something you like here. Prices can be a bit steep when you buy new stuff that was sent by Air Mail, but if you can wait then it's usually cheaper. The prices also depends on the Yen exchange rate, so something you may want to watch for. Since it's almost the New Year, they also sell calendars. They only have a limited selection of CDs, DVDs, Gundam model kits and figures but you can special order from them. They also rent out videos and DVDs, but if you don't have a Japanese player then you're out of luck.
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.
While you're at Aberdeen Centre, take a look just a few store near this one and you'll find a store that sells miniature items such as food, furniture and clothing.
One of the longest established Japanese figure store in the Vancouver/Lower Mainland area. I've dropped by here once in a while and find quite a lot of classic figures that are out of stock and out of print for a long time! They are quite up to date with the new figures as well. Their prices are similar to the Japanese counterparts. I find their prices quite good actually. Look for their corner of figures that have their prices slashed! Of course you'll also find Gundam model kits here and even some of the older robot kits. Quite a nice collection of old and new things here. Look for their opening times to browse the store since they open a bit late in the afternoon.
Evertoys - CLOSED
Located in Crystal Mall at 4538 Kingsway, BurnabyEDIT: Closed as of April 2011
This store was originally owned by Soul of Anime, so their stock are quite similar to them. Their figure prices are high, but they may have something that other stores may not have. They have a ton of plushies and they have a (permanent) sale on them. They have a lot of merchandise such as wallets, body pillows and keychains... BUT possibly the only one with oppai mousepads! Sure they're not authentic, but they have them! I'm quite surprised by this. These are the ones that you may find on eBay at times. A couple of times that I dropped by here was that the employees or owners were talking to some other people and not paying attention to the customers... I planned on buying something those two times, but since they were busy talking (in Chinese, a language I don't know) amongst each other, I didn't bother. The last time I did come here, one of the employees was quite knowledgeable in the information and prices. So it's all about luck, I guess. Of course if you know their language then it's much easier for you.
Toys Planet
Located in Crystal Mall at 4500 Kingsway, BurnabyA family-run store... or should I say, stores? They actually have two locations in the same mall, on the same floor... I'm not sure how they can afford this much, but definitely good for exposure since they don't even have signs above their stores. The father runs one store and he's quite friendly and knowledgeable. The mother (and sometimes the son) runs the other. 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!
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