LOOK: Japan's Popular Anime Retailer Animate Is Opening in Manila Soon

(SPOT.ph) Before Japan's leading anime and manga retailer, Animate, went global, access to official, licensed anime merchandise outside of Japan was a bit of a challenge. If going to Japan wasn't possible for Filipino fans, it meant having to go to Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Thailand—the nearby countries who had the store—to get a taste of the ultimate anime experience. But that was then. In 2026, barriers are no more. An Animate board-up has been spotted in Manila, and we're all shaking in excitement.

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The first Animate store was established over 40 years ago, in Ikebukuro, Japan. There are over 140 stores across Japan, with stores dotted in some countries around the world. The Philippines is set to be one of them soon, with an outpost opening in none other than one of the emerging malls in Makati, One Ayala.

For the uninitiated, Animate is a one-stop shop for authentic and licensed anime merchandise and manga-related collectibles. They have physical and digital copies of manga, novels, and magazines, as well as character goods, figures, acrylic stands, pins, keychains, and so much more from A to Z. There's also exclusive bonus store items and limited-edition releases.

Here's the sitch: the one-stop shop for all things anime, manga, and even video games has a board-up located on the third floor of the mall, right beside Timezone. There's no exact date when the store will open, just a vague "coming soon."

This is already a major win for anime fans here in the Philippines, but of course, we also want more access for fellow fans who don't live in the Metro—like more branches in various parts of the Philippines. We're also crossing our fingers that there will be an Animate Cafe, too. Animate Cafe, on the other hand, is a themed cafe where fans can gather and surround themselves with everything they love, plus food and drinks. The cafes even hold special events with limited-edition collectibles and exclusive menus and offerings.

Animate will be located at Level 3, One Ayala, #1 Ayala Avenue corner EDSA, Ayala Center, Makati. For more information and updates, check out Animate Philippines' Facebook page.

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