When it comes to Japanese culture, few things are as globally iconic — or as personal to me — as anime and manga…
Ever since I was a kid, Dragon Ball Z completely captured my imagination. I’d wake up early before school, glued to the screen as Goku powered up for what felt like half the episode — and honestly, I loved every minute of it.
Later on, I found myself diving into other worlds too, like Pokémon, battling it out on my Game Boy Advance with Pokémon Emerald, and living that trainer dream.
Interestingly, my journey into anime wasn’t just through TV shows — it was also heavily influenced by my love for gaming.
Series like the Tales of series (those stunning anime intros!) and the Persona games — each with their own anime adaptations — introduced me to this vibrant world even deeper.
Admittedly, I wouldn’t call myself a “hardcore anime encyclopedia,” but anime has definitely always been woven into my life, and my watchlist only keeps growing.
In this guide, I’m diving into everything that makes anime and manga in Japan such a huge cultural phenomenon — and why, whether you’re a seasoned otaku or a casual fan like me, there’s something magical waiting for you here.
🎥 The Anime Boom: A Global Phenomenon
Anime isn’t some underground niche anymore — it’s a world-dominating cultural powerhouse.
Shows like Attack on Titan, SPY×FAMILY, and Demon Slayer have crossed language barriers and captured audiences across the globe — and Japan is right at the heart of it all.
In Japan, anime is literally everywhere!
Billboards in Shibuya feature the latest anime collabs. Special edition themed cafés pop up for every major release. Even convenience stores have limited-edition anime snacks and drinks.
And let’s be honest — walking down the street and seeing Goku or Luffy smiling back at you on giant posters feels pretty surreal when you grew up idolizing these characters.
⭐ Fun fact: In Japan, it’s completely normal for businesses, banks, and even city government offices to use anime characters for official promotions. You might even pay your electric bill and get a Pikachu sticker for your trouble.
Peak Japan.
📚 Manga Mania: More Than Just Comics
In Japan, manga is a way of life.
While anime lit the fire for many fans (myself included), manga is where the true storytelling roots lie.
Manga isn’t just a side project for anime adaptations — in Japan, manga is a massive cultural pillar on its own.
When I visited manga stores and saw endless rows of manga titles — from Shonen Jump legends to the most niche slice-of-life series — it really hit me just how big this world is.
Even iconic anime like Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon started as humble manga before becoming global sensations.
For me, growing up, it was always fun to spot the manga origins of the games and anime I loved — Dragon Ball especially, which had even more story depth in its manga version than in the anime!
In Japan, manga isn’t just for kids either — it’s for everyone.
From serious dramas like Monster and 20th Century Boys, to heartwarming slice-of-life like March Comes In Like a Lion, manga reflects every part of life here.
On the trains, in the cafés, even in professional settings — you’ll see people casually reading manga like it’s the most normal thing in the world (because it is).
And with manga cafés (manga kissa) everywhere — cozy little spots where you can grab a booth, drink unlimited coffee, and read manga for hours — it’s basically heaven if you’re a fan.
You’ll find businesspeople in suits reading the latest manga volume on the train, students thumbing through a manga magazine between classes, and entire floors of bookstores devoted to manga collections.
It’s not “childish” here — it’s respected as serious storytelling, art, and entertainment.
Genres range from high-octane adventures to heart-wrenching romances to mind-bending sci-fi epics.
Some must-read manga series:
- One Piece (adventure)
- Slam Dunk (sports)
- Death Note (thriller)
- Tokyo Revengers (action/drama)
- Yotsuba&! (slice of life)
And yes — the manga is even available at convenience stores like 7-Eleven! (It really is everywhere.)
🎯 Must-Visit Spots for Anime & Manga Fans
If you’re planning to visit Japan and you’re even remotely into anime or manga, these spots are basically a pilgrimage:
📍 Akihabara (Tokyo)
Welcome to the holy land for anime fans!
Akihabara is overflowing with manga shops, anime figurine stores, maid cafés, arcades, and huge multi-floor retailers like Animate and Mandarake.
It’s like walking into an anime itself — neon lights, catchy J-pop music, giant character billboards, and the electric buzz of excitement everywhere you turn.
✅ Don’t miss:
- Secondhand shops (incredible deals!)
- Anime cafés (themed to your favorite shows)
- Limited edition goods you won’t find anywhere else
📍 Ikebukuro’s Otome Road (Tokyo)
Often called “Akihabara for girls,” Otome Road is packed with shops selling manga, merch, and doujinshi (fan-made comics), particularly targeted toward female fans.
Even if you’re not into boys’ love (BL) or shoujo series, it’s a super unique slice of anime culture worth checking out!
✅ Top Spots:
- Animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store
- K-Books (huge selection!)
📍 Kyoto International Manga Museum
If you want a deep dive into manga history, this is the place.
Thousands of manga volumes line the walls, and you can even sit down and read as many as you like.
It’s part museum, part massive manga library — heaven for true fans.
✅ Bonus: They often have exhibitions showcasing original manga artwork!
📍 Pokémon Centers (Nationwide)
As someone who played Pokémon Emerald religiously as a kid, stepping into an official Pokémon Center feels like childhood dreams coming true.
From exclusive plushies to limited-edition games and accessories, it’s Pokémon paradise — and yes, you’ll probably spend way too much money (but no regrets).
📍 Shibuya Parco (Tokyo)
One of the coolest modern hubs for gaming and anime fans!
Inside you’ll find the Nintendo Tokyo Store, the Capcom Store, and even Jump Shop featuring all the Shonen Jump legends.
Whether you’re shopping or just soaking in the vibe, it’s a must-visit!
🛍️ Shopping for Anime & Manga Merchandise
If you’re even slightly a collector at heart, Japan is heaven — and dangerous for your wallet (believe me, I’ve already mentally prepared myself for this).
In places like Akihabara, Ikebukuro, and Osaka’s Den Den Town, you can find just about every type of anime and manga merch imaginable:
- Figures and Statues: From jaw-droppingly detailed Final Fantasy & Dragon Ball figures to cute Pokémon plushies, it’s impossible not to fall in love with at least something.
- Blu-rays and DVDs: Special collector editions often come with extra manga, artbooks, and soundtracks.
- Artbooks and Official Guides: I’ve always been obsessed with the gorgeous artwork from games like Chrono Trigger & Dragon Quest (Akira Toriyama), so flipping through these is like an art gallery experience.
- T-Shirts and Apparel: Want a minimalist Attack on Titan jacket? Or a loud One Piece hoodie? You’ll find both.
- Posters and Wall Scrolls: Perfect for bringing that Japanese anime flair into your own room.
And it’s not just big chains — even small back-alley shops can have hidden treasures like retro Dragon Ball, Gundam, or even obscure 90s JRPG merchandise that’s impossible to find overseas.
Honestly, it’s a test of willpower not to walk out with bags full of stuff every time you step into one of these stores! 😂
🖌️ Anime and Manga in Everyday Life
One of the coolest things about Japan is how anime and manga blend seamlessly into everyday life.
It’s not just for the hardcore fans — anime and manga are literally everywhere:
- Train Stations: It’s totally normal to see giant ads featuring the latest Demon Slayer movie or a new Pokémon game splashed across the walls.
- Convenience Stores: Limited edition drinks, snacks, and even merch collabs happen constantly with anime series.
- Shops and Restaurants: Some cafés and restaurants are fully themed around shows like SPY×FAMILY or One Piece.
(Imagine eating a burger shaped like Pikachu — and yes, it actually exists.)
Even growing up with things like game anime cutscenes/FMV’s or the anime adaptations, I could already sense that Japan really treats anime like a mainstream celebration, not a niche hobby.
In fact, anime and manga often play a huge role in promoting serious stuff too — like voting campaigns, public health announcements, and even bank ads.
It’s part of daily life here — and that’s what makes it so refreshing.
🌸 Anime Tourism
One of the coolest parts about being an anime fan in Japan is the real-world connection to your favorite series.
Anime tourism is a huge thing — and honestly, it sounds like a dream come true for me. Imagine visiting:
- Real-life towns and landmarks featured in anime like Your Name (Kimi no Na wa), where you can stand on the exact staircase where Taki and Mitsuha meet.
- Rural villages that inspired Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry) — where the sleepy atmosphere is almost identical to the show.
- Enoshima and Kamakura, seaside towns featured heavily in classics like Slam Dunk and Tari Tari.
Some anime even boost local economies just by featuring specific locations — towns that once struggled with tourism suddenly see massive visitor numbers after a hit anime showcases their streets or shrines.
And don’t even get me started on Akihabara pilgrimages — wandering through the real-life mecca of otaku culture, packed with stores, cafés, arcades, and exhibitions all dedicated to anime, manga, and gaming.
Whether you’re chasing down iconic stairs, shrines, or shopping streets — Japan makes it easy to feel like you’re stepping straight into an anime world. 🌸
📈 Anime’s Impact on Global Pop Culture
It’s honestly insane how much anime has exploded globally over the past few decades.
Growing up, anime like Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon felt like a special little club only a few of us were into.
Now? It’s everywhere.
- Netflix, Crunchyroll, Disney+, and even Amazon Prime are all battling for anime licensing rights now.
- Anime-inspired fashion is a legit thing, with brands like Uniqlo doing regular anime collabs (I definitely plan to grab a few tees when I’m in Japan).
- Video games like Persona 5, Tales of Arise, and even Final Fantasy are infused with anime influences, blurring the lines between gaming and anime storytelling.
Japan’s cultural exports used to be mainly about tech — now it’s storytelling, emotion, and imagination through anime and manga.
And honestly, the more global love anime gets, the better — because it just means even more amazing shows, movies, and games for us to enjoy!
🎯 Final Thoughts
Anime and manga have gone from niche passions to powerful cultural forces that shape art, entertainment, and even fashion around the world.
And Japan is still the beating heart of it all…
Whether you’re diving into classics like Dragon Ball Z, losing yourself in Studio Ghibli’s magical worlds, or chasing the latest seasonal hits — anime and manga are more than just hobbies.
They’re entire universes, packed with stories, emotions, and memories that stick with you for life.
Japan offers a truly unparalleled experience for fans:
authentic locations, specialty stores, themed cafés, and a living culture where anime and manga are celebrated at every corner.
For me personally, anime and gaming have been a huge part of my journey — shaping my love for Japan and inspiring me to explore this amazing country even further.
And the best part?
No matter when you start your anime adventure — there’s always something new to discover!
📚 Related Blogs
If you enjoyed this dive into anime and manga culture, you might also love: