Best Anime & Manga Stores in New York City Every Fan Must Visit

A Collector's Dream: Where to Shop Anime & Manga in New York

Whether you’re a die-hard otaku, a casual anime fan, or someone who just needs that rare JoJo figure—you’re in the right place. New York City is lowkey one of the best cities in the U.S. to dive into anime and manga shopping. And trust me, once you step foot into these shops… your wallet will cry, but your soul will sing.

Over one weekend, I hit up BookOff Manhattan, Kinokuniya, and BookOff Brooklyn inside Japan Village. Each one had its own vibe, treasures, and quirks, but together they made for the ultimate anime shopping spree.

Let’s get into it.

📚 First Stop: BookOff Manhattan

📍 Location: 49 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036

If you’ve never been to a BookOff before, imagine a second-hand treasure trove of nerdy goodness. This location might look unassuming, but inside, it's packed with gems. The out-of-box figure section is my personal fave—bagged and tagged anime figures at affordable prices (though sometimes they be taxing 😅).

You’ll also find:

• Out-of-print manga (TokyoPop, older Viz titles, etc.)
• $1 & $3 manga bins
• Japanese-language manga (including full Nana sets for like $3 a volume)
• Random JoJo's Bizarre Adventure merch – always a win
• Funko Pops, keychains, plushies, and more

This spot is perfect for budget collectors and those hunting down rare or nostalgic titles. Pro tip: Always check the bagged wall and out-of-box bins—you never know what you'll find (I spotted a Black Butler figure that had me this close to swiping my card).

🏯 Second Stop: Kinokuniya NYC

📍 Location: 1073 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018 (right across from Bryant Park)

This store is basically otaku heaven in three levels. It's clean, well-organized, and stacked with Japanese imports you usually only see online.

Downstairs is where it gets interesting. You'll find:

• Imported Japanese magazines (like Weekly Shonen Jump straight from Japan)
• Studio Ghibli section (wallet warning 🚨)
• Romance and indie magazines that are almost too pretty to read

Upstairs, however, is where the real magic happens:

• Full shelves of newly released manga (in English and Japanese)
• Anime figures galore – JoJo’s, Blue Lock, Death Note, My Hero Academia, and more
• Acrylic stands, plushies, blind boxes
• Shikishi boards and exclusive merch for niche fandoms
• Trading cards – I snagged JoJo and Bleach cards here!

Kino is definitely more premium in terms of pricing, but if you’ve got the membership ($25/year), you get random 20% off sales and exclusive perks—definitely worth it if you’re in NYC often.

🏙️ Day Two: BookOff Brooklyn (Japan Village)

📍 Location: 934 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232 (inside Japan Village)

BookOff Brooklyn is the hidden gem of this list. It’s tucked inside Japan Village, and in my opinion—it beats the Manhattan location in terms of manga finds.

Here’s why:

• Rows and rows of $1 manga bins (I spent hours here, no joke)
• Tons of old shoujo manga like Mars and From Far Away
• Exclusive Japanese merch you won’t find anywhere else
• JoJo figures, Evangelion kits, and $3 shikishi boards
• Rare series like Flagrant Flower merch just randomly sitting on shelves

I found so much stuff here I had to start turning things away—like, there’s only so much my shelf (and wallet) can handle! Oh, and shoutout to the Naruto Infinite Tsukuyomi postcard I definitely didn’t need but bought anyway.

Also, for any Whatnot sellers or collectors, this is the place to stock up on $1 gems for resell or trades. I dropped $313 and I’m not even mad about it.

More NYC Anime & Manga Shops to Explore

Already hit the big three? Don’t worry—NYC is packed with more hidden anime gems. Whether you're hunting figures, stocking up on manga, or digging into niche merch, here are 5 more shops to add to your otaku itinerary:

1. Anime Castle

📍 35-32 Union St, Flushing, NY (Queens)
Why go:
This one's for the real anime heads. Anime Castle is a full-service anime store with shelves packed with imported DVDs, model kits, wall scrolls, and older manga you won't see in chain stores. It's been around since the 90s, and the retro vibes are strong.

💡 Bonus: Their figure selection leans more toward the vintage and obscure side. Great spot if you’re into classics like Rurouni Kenshin, Slayers, or Gundam.

2. Forbidden Planet NYC

📍 832 Broadway, Manhattan (near Union Square)
Why go:
A legendary spot for geeks of all kinds. While not anime-exclusive, Forbidden Planet carries tons of manga, anime DVDs, Gunpla kits, and anime-themed figures and accessories. It’s also a comic book heaven, so it’s a perfect stop if you love both Western and Eastern media.

💡 Pro Tip: They often have good sales or clearance manga—definitely dig around.

3. Image Anime

📍 242 W 30th St, Manhattan
Why go:
Tucked away but mighty. Image Anime specializes in figures, Gunpla, imported merchandise, and high-end collectibles. Think S.H. Figuarts, Figma, and statues from Japan. This is where you go when you're ready to drop some cash on a premium piece.

💡 Heads up: Hours can be inconsistent—check online before going.

4. Midtown Comics (Multiple Locations)

📍 459 Lexington Ave | 64 Fulton St | 200 W 40th St
Why go:
Manga and comic fans rejoice! Midtown Comics has a surprisingly solid manga selection (especially the Times Square location). They stock new releases, popular series, and anime-adjacent collectibles like Funko Pops, blind boxes, and apparel.

💡 Bonus: They also do online pre-orders for manga, figures, and special editions.

5. Anime Jungle (Pop-up/Con Vendor – Check Events)

📍 Various con locations & pop-ups (Follow them on social)
Why go:
This one’s for the con-goers. Anime Jungle isn’t a brick-and-mortar in NYC yet, but they frequently pop up at anime conventions like Anime NYC and smaller pop-ups around the city. They sell imported art books, CDs, keychains, and exclusive Japan-only merch.

💡 Pro Tip: Follow their IG to catch when they’re in town—it’s always worth checking out.

🧭 Quick Tips Before You Go

• Always check behind displays and bottom bins – hidden treasure lives there.
• BookOffs restock frequently, especially on weekends. Try going in the morning!
• Kino has limited figure restocks, so if you see something you want, grab it.
• Ask about member discounts or punch cards—some stores offer loyalty perks.
• Bring a tote. You will not leave empty-handed.

Whether you're a manga collector on a mission, a figure hunter, or just looking to vibe with your favorite series, New York City delivers. These three stores alone offer a full anime shopping experience—from rare grails to budget bangers. Just make sure you bring a budget and a plan… or not. Half the fun is finding the stuff you weren’t looking for.

Stay geeked up and keep collecting with more anime deep dives right here at Land of Geek Magazine!

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