London manga shopping guide

This is the feature of LOL issue 4. It's only a small introduction of London manga shops.

Are you just fan of American comics or Japanese manga that is living in London now and having no idea where to buy the latest volume of your favorite books?

Otherwise, have you seen the digitally-projected movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, which was the first ever to include a genuine 8-channel Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS) soundtrack?

Or that includes six episodes going along with our grown up the big movie series Star Wars?

Don’t you want to learn more about these adaptations of comics or manga? Just simply follow guide below to find out your interest.

As being not so popular as in Japan or America, there are not many big stores selling comics or manga in London, however, which are enough to satisfy a craving for it.

Japan Center

Located presently at the busy meeting point and tourist attraction - Piccadilly Circus, Japan Center was established in 1976 by a young Japanese man who just for the reason that couldn’t find a Japanese book when he wanted one.

Besides food shop, restaurant, travel service and supermarket, a book shop underground is also part of Japan Center.

All the books sold there are in Katakana and Hiragana. Though there are not many manga volumes being sold, some most popular and recent ones are involved, such as Luck Star, Detective Conan, Doraemon, Bleach, One Piece etc.

The well-known Japan manga and anime journals are provided as well.

For example, monthly released serial manga magazine LALA, Weekly Young Jump for young male readers, boys love (BL) magazines aiming primarily at girls Monthly Asuka and monthly Be Boy, and some of the most famous amine information giving ones Newtype, Animedia, and Hobby.

In a word, if you would like to see most of the current manga and anime journals as soon as possible, Japan Center is no doubt your first choice.

But the prices are high, however, there is usually some unsold stock being cleared out cheaply. Online shopping is available, but the book lists are not updated on time.

Address: 212-213 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9HX

Forbidden Planet

As the largest specialist science fiction (SF) and comic shop in the UK, including an excellent range of anime goods by default, Forbidden Planet is really a fantastic place.

Not only Japanese manga, but American comics as many as you need are offered. All the Japanese ones are put in alphabetical order and English translated.

Manga, magazines and videos are in the basement. T-shirts, merchandise, models, postcards and badges are mixed in with the relevant sections everywhere. Price is good and cheaper for online shopping.

Just go to Forbidden Planet and have a look around by yourself. You will always have fun more than expected.

Address: 179 Shaftesbury Ave, London, WC2H 8JR

Adanami Shobo

Moved from 387 Edgeware Road to 30 Brewer ST, Adanami Shobo is a very small and crowd store being full of second-hand Japanese books.

There are many classic and finished serial manga, and not so up-to-date. Nevertheless, the most exciting thing is that prices at Adanami Shobo are to bring even the stingiest otaku to their knees.

Even if this is a second-hand book shop, quality of books themselves is still satisfactory.

Address: 30 Brewer ST, London, W1F 0SS