Take a Trip to Umeda to See the New Animate at Nu Chayamachi!

Maido! Clara here. 
I want to tell you all about Animate in Umeda. The store is full of Japan’s subculture goodness that is famous all throughout the world.



There are actually 10 different Animate locations in Osaka in places like Nipponbashi, Kyobashi, and Tennoji. This Umeda location has just moved locations and has reopened looking shiny and new.



So what’s inside? I was dying to find out because I absolutely love subculture. Let me show you what I found!!!


Animate is Japan’s Forefront Store on Everything Anime, Comic, and Game Related

In case you’ve never been to an Animate store before, let me give you a quick introduction. Animate stores are located all across Japan with 124 locations in all 47 prefectures. They specialize in anime, comics, and games. They’ve got so much merch for comics and their characters, games on Blu-ray/DVD/CD and more, plus they’ve got such a great selection of anime it will impress any serious fans.


The shop selection is so impressive, they have tons of overseas customers too. So they even have locations in major cities in Asia like Shanghai, Seoul, Bangkok and Taipei. All in all they run 13 locations outside of Japan including the store in Los Angeles. It’s no exaggeration to say this shop has played a major role in giving fans all around the world direct access to Japanese subculture. And helping it grow. (At least that’s what I think!)

The Umeda, Osaka Animate location originally opened in 2011. And it became a sort of sacred ground for anime, manga, and game-lovers. And in the fall of 2024 it moved, opening partially, in a new location in the shopping complex NU Chayamachi known for the newest fashions, foods and accessories. And in April of 2025, they held the grand-opening for this bigger better store!


“NEW animate” is the Theme Here, Breathing New Life to the Animate Umeda Store

When Animate moved, they did more than just change locations. “NEW Animate” is a new concept and a new store where you can enjoy the things that you like to the fullest. Needless to say, I was so excited to get inside and see what it’s all about.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped inside, was that the ceiling is painted bright blue—Animate’s signature color—giving the store a strong identity. The whole store is very stylish and exciting to walk into.

And on all the walls, thought-bubbles and speech-bubbles seem to be floating in the air along with all the speech-bubble signage, giving the store atmosphere the feeling of being in a manga. What a perfect design concept for Animate!
The Animate Umeda location includes lots of little surprises that are completely new for an Animate store. Let’s take a look in more detail. 


Tree-shaped Displays Form a Mini-stage

The hottest products are easy to see on these tree-shaped display tables.



Displays change up with seasonal items and trending products. This is a great space for fans to get up close and personal with their favorite series. When I visited this round display was featuring “BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!” clothing, panels, and CDs. 
*The “BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!” display period is over, so look forward to something new when you visit.

Here’s another one to make your heart go thump!
The feature displays are something fun to look forward to when you visit Animate Umeda. These special features are something special about this specific shop. Be sure to check them out when you visit!


Sharing Information Through Speech Bubbles

This is a first at Animate!
These very symbolic speech bubbles say “I love anime!” in various languages from all over the world.

It’s so nice to see all the foreign languages! Can you find yours?
They will be changing the signs to match new collaborations and trending anime. Plus, with all the customers coming from overseas, we can expect to see a lot of new signs in different languages too.

Huge Wall Signs

Look for the latest info on anime, manga, and games right here on the walls!

Bam! The walls look just like the pages out of a comic book!
The giant wall signs are at the back of the store. Be sure to check them out for the most up-to-date news.

LP Corner

And there’s a whole corner dedicated to vinyl. This is another new feature at Animate. Nostalgic records from my grandparents era are coming back for a resurgence. How exciting!

For someone who is used to music subscriptions, it’s actually exciting to see an analog form of music that requires a needle to play. And the cool record jackets make nice decorations too.
Of course Animate is onto this trend early. 


Tweaks to Make the Store Nicer for Customers

The store is filled with thoughtful touches that will delight customers from Japan and overseas.
At the previous Umeda store, the checkout area was often crowded, but they’ve increased the number of registers to cut down on congestion. Now it’s so easy to check out!


The information area also uses lots of pictograms, so it’s easy to understand the information, just by looking at it. 
This is a great way to help communicate with customers from overseas too!

Another nice touch is that the merchandise is displayed in separate areas by series!
Inside the store, there are card capsule machines and crane games☆

Outside, there were lots of capsule toy gatcha machines too!
For some reason, gatcha and crane games are so addictive.
Oh! And don’t worry if you don’t have coins—
They’ve thoughtfully installed a change machine so you can play to your hearts content!

So this is the general overview of the store. There’s so much entertainment in this one place. 
And since Animate has paid so much heartfelt attention to the details, it’s that kindness and care that will have you coming back again and again.

Tons of Exciting Merch!

Animate Umeda stocks an amazing variety of goods in a small space. They are definitely living up to their reputation as one of Japan’s leading anime shops. 


▲Manga and magazines

It’s so exciting to find merch from an anime or game that you like. And when you’re here, you might even find a new manga or anime that you like. Animate is definitely a place that brings fans closer subcultures that they love.

Come Back More than Once—4 Sections With Shops Totally New to Kansai

When Animate held their Grand Opening, they opened 4 completely new areas in the shop.

Space A la mode (April 13, 2025 Grand Opening )

From clothing to miscellaneous goods, they’ve got a little bit of everything. Animate also has lots of limited items like anime and game collaborations. 
This new Space A la mode is one of only 4 locations, including the stores in Ikebukuro, Akihabara, and Shibuya. It’s the first of its kind in Kansai. 
You can find all sorts of trendy items to brighten up your day.

Umeda PACKS (April 13, 2025 Grand Opening)

This shop is an official store for limited time Pop Ups. Umeda PACKS specializes in official exhibitions, limited merch, and early sales of special merchandise. 
This is the second Umeda PACKS location in Japan, following the Ikebukuro location, and the first one in Kansai!

Animate Cafe Gratte (April 24, 2025 Grand Opening)

The latte art at this store is printed directly on the creamy tops of the drinks. And they sell cookies with the same art printed on the icing. There’s another location in Osaka’s Nipponbashi area too.

animate ONLY SHOP (April 24, 2025 Grand Opening)

The animate ONLY SHOP is a retail space featuring anime, manga, games and artists. But it goes beyond your traditional store. The space also displays photos and panels, making it an irresistible place for fans. 
It feels so great to be surrounded with art that you love.



So that’s it! That’s my introduction to Animate Umeda.


Seriously, the old Animate already had an amazing selection. But the new one has limited items and early-purchase products. And a cafe for fans! You’ll want to come back again and again. Take your fan-live to the next level!