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Anime Shopping Guide to the UK
©1998-2005 J. Duncan Law-Green: Please do not reproduce without permission

Know the law:
Legal issues for video imports

Spot the fakes:
The Pirate Anime FAQ
by Joe Curzon

Now grab those discs!

Anime DVDs: A UK Buyer's Guide
by Tom Ford & Ian Roberts

I've been a fan of anime and manga for many years, and I know only too well how difficult it can be to find somewhere which sells a reasonable range of merchandise. To that end, I've compiled a list of shops and mail order outlets which may be worth a look. Most high-street HMV and Virgin branches will stock a few Manga Video releases, and most comic shops will stock a few Viz and Dark Horse translated manga. This list is for those retailers who offer something more, such as artbooks/mooks, original Japanese manga, posters, laminates, small press manga and pseudomanga.

The list is far from comprehensive, being strongly biassed towards those retailers I use. If you know somewhere of interest to the discerning otaku, then email me with the details and your comments, and I'll add them to the list. Also, if you think a particular shop's service stinks, let me know.




UK BY REGIONS: [ Scotland | N. England | Midlands & Wales | South | London | Mail Order ]

Scotland

A-1 Comics
31-35 Parnie St
Glasgow, G1 5RJ
Tel:
0141 552 6692
Web: http://www.a1comics.com/
Sells a huge amount of manga, anime and related figures (kits, PVCs and action figs [IM]


Forbidden Planet

168 Buchanan St
Glasgow G1 2LW
Tel: 0141 331 1215
Web: http://www.fpglasgow.force9.co.uk/
Email: fp@fpglasgow.force9.net
Good range of PAL anime and translated graphic novels [AT]

Plan 9
9 Rosemount Viaduct
Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 624467
Many translated manga, subscriptions for Animerica, Animerica Extra, small quantity of additional merchandise (notebooks, Gundam models) [JE]


N. England

Animez
48 Low Friar Street,
Newcastle Upon Tyne,
NE1 5UE
Tel: (0191) 2619908
Web: www.animez.co.uk


Forbidden Planet
65 Oldham Street
Piccadilly
Manchester M1 1JR
Tel: (0161) 839 4777
Good selection of PAL videos and US translated manga. Robotech mecha and figure kits. A handful of original Japanese manga and US import T-shirts. [DLG]

Sheffield Space Centre
33 The Wicker
Sheffield S3 8HS
Tel: (0114) 275 8905
Email: <orders@spacecentre.demon.co.uk>
Web: http://www.space-centre.co.uk/
Everyone knows about the Space Centre already, don't they? Small, but very well-stocked shop. Excellent range of artbooks and mooks, good range of anime soundtrack CDs, original manga, laminates, posters/prints and figure kits. A reliable mail order service which I can personally recommend. Staffed by otaku. Ask for their regular catalogue updates. [DLG]

Tokyo 15
Affleck's Palace
Church St
Manchester M4 1PW
Web: http://www.tokyo15.co.uk/
Gachapon figures, action figures, plushies, manga, traditional Japanese goods, merchandise. [DLG]

Travelling Man

LEEDS BRANCH
Unit 8/9, 1st Floor
The Corn Exchange
Call Lane
Leeds LS1 7BR
Tel: (0113) 242 7227
 
YORK BRANCH 
54 Goodramgate
YORK
YO1 7LF
Tel. (01904) 628787  
MANCHESTER BRANCH
4-4a Dale Street (off Piccadilly Gardens)
MANCHESTER M1 1JW
Tel: (0161) 2371877

Web: http://www.travellingman.com/


Wide range of translated manga, plus a small, but well-chosen selection of original Japanese manga, cel comics, artbooks and model kits. [DLG]


Midlands & Wales

The Astral Gypsy
Art Bookshop and Illustration Studio
Workshop 7
St Nicholas Street
Canal Basin
Coventry CV1 4LY
Phone: 02476 551912, 02476 551911
Mail: astralgypsy@btconnect.com
Web: www.astralgypsy.com
Artbooks, also a well chosen selection of english translated and japanese
imported manga and magazines. £6.90 for a Japanese Newtype. Very friendly
service. Art classes every Wednesday 19:00-21:00. [BEN]

The Comic Guru Presents
20-22 Wyndham Arcade
Cardiff, CF10 1FJ
Web:
http://www.thecomicguru.co.uk/
Good website for translated manga [HW]

Kulture Shock

10-12 St Benedict's Street
Norwich NR2 4AG
Tel: 01603 625557
Email: info@kultureshock.co.uk
Web: http://www.kultureshock.co.uk/
Anime videos, DVDs and merchandise [CH]

Magic Labyrinth
2-4 Charles St
Leicester LE1
Tel: 0116 251 8178
Email: magiclabyrinth@ntlworld.com
Hunt through their extensive back issues boxes, and you may find a few gems (including much sought-after A-UK's). Discounts of at least 25% on back issues. An impressive range of Robotech toys, and a small number of mooks, magazines (e.g. Newtype USA, Hobby Japan), figure and mecha kits. [DLG]

Nostalgia & Comics
14-16 Smallbrook
Queensway
Birmingham
Tel: 0121 643 0143
Wide range of translated manga, art books, Totoro plushies etc. [YF][DLG]

Page 45
9 Market Street (next door to Another World)
Nottingham NG1 6HY
Tel: (0115) 950 8045
Email: page45@page45.com
Web: http://www.page45.com/
Quite a classy shop stocking graphic novels, small press comics, prints and original artwork; more like Waterstones than a typical comic shop. They have a separate section dedicated to mooks and original manga. Can be rather overpriced compared to SSC, but they seem to be improving (they now quote £6.95 for Newtype, which is the cheapest price I know of outside London). Small range of other merchandise (including CDs) which sells quickly. The staff are friendly and helpful. [DLG]


Travelling Man

NOTTINGHAM BRANCH
(upstairs at GameStation)
16 Angel Row
Nottingham
NG1 6HL
tel. 0115 950 9231

Web: http://www.travellingman.com/

Wide range of translated manga [DLG]



South (outside London)

Ace Comics

63-64 High St
Colchester, CO1 1DN
01206 561912
Web: http://www.acecomics.co.uk/
Large collection of translated manga [SM]


Krackers Comics & Games

1-5 The Fore Street Centre
Fore Street
Exeter
Devon EX4 3AN
Tel: (01823) 335057
Magazines (Newtype, Hobby Japan), some untranslated manga. Expensive. [NT]


London

Adanami Ltd
25a Maddox St
London W1S 2QN
Tel: 020 7409 1040

30 Brewer St.
London W1F OSS
Tel: 020 7437 5238
"We stock 300 mannga poster& 20000manngabooks" [DLG]

Adanami Shobo
387 Edgware Road
Colindale
London NW9 6NL
Tel: (020) 8201 3499
Second hand Japanese book shop. Prices to bring even the stingiest otaku to their knees (most takubon are £1.80 each). Both shops also sell Japanese CDs [JW]
Be on the lookout for excellent bargains in bagged collections of manga [DLG][LD]

Comet Miniatures

44-48 Lavender Hill
Battersea
London SW11 5RH
Tel: (020) 7228 3702
Model kit specialist. Very good selection of Japanese kits. They import via Singapore so prices are often quite steep [JW]
They offer a comprehensive mail order service. Send an A5 SAE with 2 pounds in stamps or postal order for their 72-page catalogue [DLG]

Comic Showcase
63 Charing Cross Rd
London WC2H 0NE
Very extensive range of translated manga, reasonable prices [SF]

Forbidden Planet
179 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
WC2H 8JR
Tel: 020 7420 3666
Web: http://www.forbiddenplanet.com/
New large superstore, opened late 2003. Anime section is downstairs, very well stocked with UK DVDs and translated manga, some japanese artbooks and magazines.[DLG]

Heisei Mart
15-16 Monkville Parade
Temple Fortune, Finchley Road
London NW11 OAL
Tel: 020 8455 6500
Fax: 020 8455 6562
Mostly Oriental foods, but also has a fair sized second-hand book, video rental and Hello Kitty and Pokemon goods area. The manga are cheap, no idea what they charge for video rental [LJ]

Japan Centre
212 Picadilly
London W1V 9LD
Tel: (020) 7439 8035
Web: http://www.japancentrebookshop.co.uk/ANIME.htm
Expensive Japanese book shop, travel agent and resturant. Currently the only shop stocking Beppin magazine (not that you wished to know that of course ;-) ) [JW]
A reasonable range of magazines, tankoubons, artbooks and anime-related toys, but wallet-murderingly expensive.[DLG]

Mega-City Comics
18 Inverness Street
Camden Town
London NW1 7HJ
Tel: 020 7485 9320
Web: http://www.megacitycomics.co.uk
"Huge range of graphic novels on offer including good range of manga. Easy to use web site for fast and reliable mail order.", it says here. [DLG]

Oriental City Shopping Centre
399 Edgware Road
Colindale
London NW9 0JJ
Web: http://www.oriental-city.com/
Formerly known as Yaohan Plaza. Oriental shopping mall with Japanese bookshops, supermarket, furniture shops (and more) and a food court with bento stalls. Also a SegaWorld arcade. [DLG]

Sound of China Ltd.
6 Gerrard St
Soho
London W1V 7LJ
Reportedly selling anime CD's at £15 each, though these may well be Son May Taiwanese pirate copies [KY][DLG]

TCR Computer Exchange
32 Rathbone Place
London
Computer game specialist. New and second hand Japanese imports. They even stock PC-Engine titles. Highly recommended. [JW]

Tower Records

1 Picadilly Circus
London
A few anime and game soundtrack imports. [JW]
All of the anime and game soundtracks are now on the first floor (go to the top of the stairs, go through the door on your left, turn right and go to the end of the row). [RA]


Mail Order Only

A.D. Vision UK
P.O. Box 9
Bangor
Gwynedd LL57 1ZA
Tel: (01248) 353593
Web: http://www.advfilms.co.uk/
Email: sales@advfilms.co.uk
A.D. Vision's mail order department. Their service appears to be reliable. [DLG]

Angelic Anime Ltd
45 Chiltern View
Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire
SG6 3RJ
Tel: 020 8133 1617
Web: http://www.angelicanime.co.uk/
Email: sales@angelicanime.co.uk
Internet retailer, sales of DVDs, manga and assorted merchandise [DLG].

Anime-Shop
Internet Retailer
Web: http://www.anime-shop.co.uk/
Sales of Region 1 DVDs, manga, exclusive anime-styled merchandise, t-shirts, mugs etc. Under construction.
Disclosure: I currently maintain this site [DLG]


AnimeToshi

Internet Retailer
Web: http://www.animetoshi.co.uk/
Trading figures and gashapon from a variety of series [DLG]

Anytoys

PO Box 367
Harrow
HA3 3AB
Web: http://www.anytoys.co.uk/
Beyblade, Yu-Gi-Oh, cult Japanese toys. Also trading as Gizmo-Guru (see below). [DLG]

Artsmagic Ltd

Unit 11 Rassau Industrial Estate
Ebbw Vale
Gwent NP23 5SD
United Kingdom
Fax: 01495 307343
Tel: 01495 307341
Web:http://www.artsmagic.co.uk
Not anime but... a range of samurai videos and DVDs, including the classic series Lone Wolf and Cub. [DLG]

Gocreate Workshops
Unit 2 Block B
Flightway
Dunkeswell Business Park
Dunkeswell
Honition
Devon
Tel: 01404 892 700
Fax : 01404 892 700
Web: http://www.gocreateworkshops.co.uk/
E-mail: customercare@gocreateworkshops.co.uk
Copic markers and accessories, art reference books. [DLG]

Darkstar
155 Cove Road
Farnborough
Hants
GU14 OHQ
Tel: 01252 655481
E-mail: <jdance@compuserve.com> OR <Dave@darkstar-sifi.co.uk>
Web:http://www.darkstar-sifi.co.uk
They stock a variety of Anime models, comics, figures and cards, they do sell via mail order and they will take orders over the net....it says here. No information on their service. [DLG]

DC-DVD
Dave Castledine
P.O.Box 5212
Northampton NN2 8ZF
Tel: 07050 603283
Email: <dave@dc-dvd.co.uk>
Web: http://www.dc-dvd.co.uk/
A UK supplier of DVDs with a well-designed E-commerce site and an excellent range of R1 anime titles. Dedicated anime section. Satisfactory service (typical turnaround less than 10 days) [DLG]

Dinkybox
PO Box 7697
Leicestershire
Web: http://www.dinkybox.co.uk/
Kubricks, gatchapon and candy toys, manga art supplies and more [DLG]


Epic Heroes

Web: http://www.epicheroes.com/
Mainly action figures, but also some posters, US comics, PAL videos etc. [DLG]

First4Figures
Web: http://www.first4figures.com/
Action figures and gachapon toys [DLG]

Funkyzilla
Web: http://www.funkyzilla.com/
Hello Kitty, Ultraman, Godzilla. all manner of Japanese cult TV merchandise [DLG]

Gizmo-Guru
Web: http://www.gizmo-guru.com/
Email: sales@gizmo-guru.com
Beyblade, Yu-Gi-Oh, cult Japanese toys [DLG]

Gremlynz Imports
5 Wellwood Street
Amble
Northumberland
NE65 0EP
Tel: 0845 1259306
Email: gremlynz@gremlynz.com
Web: http://www.gremlynz.com/
Wide range of anime-themed resin and vinyl kits. Well-designed website [DLG]

Ground Zero Games
P.O. Box 337
Needham Market
SUFFOLK IP6 8LN
Tel: 01449 722322
Web: http://www.gtns.net/gzgstore/
Email: jon@gzg.com
Range of anime-themed metal miniatures. Send £1.50 for their A4 catalogue.[DLG]

Gundam Mad
Internet retailer
Fax: 01535 606608
Email: sales@gundammad.co.uk
Web: http://www.gundammad.co.uk/
Sells Gundam model kits of all shapes and sizes, with books and DVDs to follow soon [DLG]

In-Manganimetion
Unit 5, Old Blacksmith's Yard
Salder Gate
Derby DE1 3PD
Tel: (01332) 203717
Stocks prints, graphic novels, trading cards, phone cards, T-shirts and vinyl kits. No information on their service [DLG].

Japanese Anime Creations

72 Hawthorne Ave
Long Eaton
Nottingham NG10 3NF
Tel: (0115) 9726757
Specialist stockist of original Japanese figure kits (vinyl and resin). Their service is apparently reliable [DLG].

Japan Style
Internet Retailer
Email:nhyujm6@hotmail.com
Phone: 01334 870 894
Web: http://www.japan-style.co.uk/
T-shirts, handmade cards, custom designed wall-hangings, dolls and more [DLG]


Kamika-Z

85 Regent St.
Stotfold
Hi
tchin
Herts SG54DZ
Web: http://www.kamikaz.co.uk/
Figures and assorted merchandising [DLG]


Kitchen Sink Trading

PO Box 4111
Worthing
West Sussex
BN14 7WJ
Web: http://www.kitchensinktrading.com/
Email: kitchensinktrading@yahoo.co.uk
Phone: 07957 871 376
Anime action figures and Medicom Kubricks and Be@rbricks. [DLG]

Movietyme
Web: http://www.movietyme.com/
E-commerce website selling Region 1 DVDs. Dedicated anime section, also stocks soundtracks, wallscrolls etc. Good selection of titles and the prices are typically very competitive indeed. Satisfactory service, recommended [DLG].

MVM
1st Floor
St Mary's Arcade
Chepstow
Monmouthshire NP6 5EU
Web: http://www.anime-on-line.com/
Email: orders@anime-on-line.com
Well-designed e-commerce website, with a fairly good range of artbooks, figure and mecha kits and general merchandising. Also stocks manga art supplies including screentones and Copic markers. As complete a range of PAL anime as you're likely to find. Prices are good, some bargains with 25% off list on latest anime DVD releases. Definitely worth a look. [DLG]

Munkeygames.com
P. Driver
473 Blackmoorfoot Road
Huddersfield
HD4 5NR
Web: http://www.munkeygames.com/
Email: info@munkeygames.com
Anime character figures and assorted merchandise [DLG]

Nastynip
36 North Road
Brighton
BN1 1YB
Tel: 01273 601184
Web: http://www.nastynip.com/
Email: info@nastynip.com
Astroboy merchandise, Blyth dolls, other Japanese trends and bizarre stuff. [DLG]


Natsuki Anime
Web: http://www.natsukianime.com/
New and second-hand import anime and associated merchandise, including doujinshi, pencil boards and stationery. Deputy service for placing bids on Yahoo Japan. [DLG]

Neon Martian
3 Dinmore Road
Abbey Meads
Swindon
SN25 4TX
Wiltshire
Tel:
01793 320382
Email: sales@neonmartian.com
Web: http://www.neonmartian.com
Japanese import toys, including Kubricks, Pinky St, Cool Girl and anime figures [DLG]

Otaku.co.uk
93 Endwell Road
London SE4 2NF
Tel: (020) 732 2296
Fax:(020) 252 8109
Email: <info@otaku.co.uk>
Web: http://www.otaku.co.uk/
Mail order service for the widest range of anime and related merchandise in the UK, including import anime and console games. Their catalogue is among the largest of any western anime retailer, with over 10 thousand items listed! Accepts PayPal and credit card. [DLG].

Play.Com

PO Box 192
Jersey
JE4 8RP
Tel: 01534 877 595
Fax: 01534 631 580
Web: http://www.play.com/
Established internet DVD retailer. Dedicated anime section. Very competitive prices. [BU]

Sendit.Com
42 The Cutts
Dunmurry
Belfast
Northern Ireland, UK
BT17 9HN
Tel: +44 28 90430 430
Fax: +44 28 90430 460
Web:http://www.sendit.com/
A well laid-out e-commerce site for R2 video. Used to have a good affiliate programme, until they changed the T&C's... [DLG]

Terratag

23 Liddell Rd
London NW6 2EW
Tel: 020 7624 3278
Web: http://www.terratag.com/
Customised T-shirts, including hentai anime designs. [DLG]

TokyoToys

Internet retailer [London]
Web: http://www.tokyotoys.com/
Anime figures, merchandise and cult Japanese toys, including Kubricks and Bearbricks. Good selection of PVC figures - Worth a look. [DLG]

ThisIsAnime
18 Oak Glade
York - YO31 9JW GB
Web http://www.thisisanime.co.uk
Mail: info@thisisanime.co.uk
Prebuilt anime resin figures, posters, other merchandise.[DLG]

United Publications
85 Croydon Road
Keston
Kent BR2 8HU
Tel: (020) 8325 9507
Email: <UP@up1.co.uk>
Web: http://www.up1.co.uk/
Mail order service for import anime, Antarctic Press/Venus Comics and other small press manga, pseudomanga and furry (anthropomorphic) comics, including adult titles. Email orders accepted. A fast, reliable and cheap mail order service which I can thoroughly recommend. [DLG]


The Anime Shopping Guide to the UK can only improve with your input. If you have any comments or suggestions for additions to this Guide, please email me!

Credits: [DLG] Duncan Law-Green [JW] Jonathan Weeks [NT] Nyk Tarr [LD] Lachlan Dowds [KY] Kit Yeung [SM] Sinead MacDonald
[NA] Nacrisa [CH] Chipster [TJ] Tom Jordaan [AT] A. Thorn [SH] Sarah How [RA] Robert Anastasi [BEN] Ben [IM] Iain McClumpha
[AT2] Alasdair Taylor [WE] Wendi [JE] Jenn [YF] Yoav Felderbaum [LJ] Lisa Jade [CH] Clive Hawkins [BU] BrokenUnity
[HW] Holly Wynn, [BT] Ben Taylor


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