Anime collectables shopping in San Francisco?

October 17, 2006 6:39 PM

Headed to San Francisco in a couple of weeks for a vacation, and would like recommendations for good stores that stock anime collectables and/or Japanese pop culture stuff in general...

I'm going there with this guy, and will be on my own for the times that he's in the training course. Having heard that San Francisco has some great anime shopping, I'm curious as to what are currently some good spots to hit.

For the record, I mainly collect manga, Final Fantasy stuff, bishoujo figures (mostly Pinky:st), video game soundtracks, artbooks, and the odd Evangelion figure. Of course, I'm not averse to picking up anything that catches my eye and looks good, and on top of that, there are several items I'm constantly on the lookout for (like certain garage kits and Region 2 DVDs). Used stuff is okay, provided the items are in good condition and the prices are right. Finally, although I don't mind walking, anything near public transportation is a definate plus.

Coming from the NYC area (and its excellent anime-related shops and Japanese bookstores) and having ordered stuff directly from Japan many a time, my tastes lean more toward imports and less toward domestic releases of anime artbooks/toys. Also, I'd prefer to avoid shops that stock a lot of bootlegs.

Thanks in advance!

posted by May Kasahara to shopping (7 comments total)

Well, your base of operations for all things Japanese, anime, manga, etc. will be nihonmachi, San Francisco's Japantown. Particularly Kinokuniya Bookstore.
posted by trip and a half at 7:31 PM on October 17, 2006

Oh, and since it sounds like you guys will be staying out by the airport, if you take BART to the Powell Street Station you can get right on the Geary Street bus that will take you directly to nihonmachi.

Have fun!
posted by trip and a half at 7:36 PM on October 17, 2006

Kimono My House
1424 62nd St.
Emeryville, CA 94608
Wednesday-Saturday 11-6, Sunday 12-5.

www.kimonomyhousetoys.com

BART to Ashby or Macarthur, then bus, but I don't know which bus.
posted by troyer at 8:19 PM on October 17, 2006

Don't know if you've visited the location in NYC, but kid robot has a location in SF, @ 1512 Haight St.
posted by Asherah at 8:33 PM on October 17, 2006

Giant Robot has what they call a store and gallery there. But the website makes it look like it's primarily a gallery.
posted by dmo at 4:56 AM on October 18, 2006

Super 7 is right by japan town.
posted by atom128 at 8:37 AM on October 18, 2006

Sounds like you may not get out of San Francisco but in San Jose's Japantown I've found a good selection in Nikaku Japanese Arts at 615 N 6th St. You'll probably find more useful information in the Shin Anime Shopper's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area.
posted by Rash at 8:42 AM on October 18, 2006