Sora Tanka
Lifelong otaku and pop culture writer who hunts down rare retro VHS tapes and underground anime gems between blog posts.
Published: August 25, 2026 | 9 min read | Last updated: August 25, 2026
New York City has more official anime merch packed into five boroughs than most fans can shop through in a single weekend. Fresh off Anime NYC 2026, the East Coast's largest anime convention, the city's brick-and-mortar shops are restocked and busier than ever. Whether you want a Bryant Park manga run or a deep dive into imported Kaiju figures, these are the five best anime stores in NYC for official figures and manga right now — with real addresses, hours, and what each one actually specializes in.
⚡ Quick Answer
The best anime stores in NYC for official figures and manga are Kinokuniya (Midtown) for manga and imports, Toy Tokyo (East Village) for rare designer and Kaiju figures, Image Anime (Chelsea) for Gundam kits, Midtown Comics (Times Square) for accessible manga and action figures, and Anime Castle (Flushing) for plushies and community events.
How We Picked These 5 Anime Stores
Every store on this list is a real, currently operating brick-and-mortar shop in NYC — no online-only listings, no permanently closed locations (yes, we double-checked; a few well-known names on other lists have already shut their doors). We prioritized stores with official licensed merchandise, a track record of at least a decade in business, and a distinct enough specialty that this list actually covers different needs instead of five versions of the same shop.
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📊 Key Stat: Anime NYC brought together roughly 150,000 fans over four days at the Javits Center in August 2026, making it the East Coast's largest anime convention and a major driver of foot traffic to the city's anime retailers (Anime NYC).
I made the Kinokuniya-to-Toy-Tokyo crawl myself the week after this year's convention, still lugging a half-empty tote bag from the dealer's hall. What struck me wasn't the size of any single store — it's how differently each one is stocked. Kinokuniya felt like a library that happened to sell figures; Toy Tokyo felt like walking into someone's personal Kaiju collection that you're allowed to buy from. That contrast is the whole reason a ranked list like this is useful instead of just "go to the biggest one."
1. Kinokuniya — Best for Manga & Japanese Imports
1073 Avenue of the Americas, Midtown (near Bryant Park)
Kinokuniya is the only East Coast location of Japan's Kinokuniya chain, and it's the largest Japanese bookstore in the country. The second floor is dedicated almost entirely to manga in both English and Japanese, alongside anime goods, toys, and a small but well-curated figure section. The building itself is a bit of a fan pilgrimage site: it features an original mural by Vagabond creator Takehiko Inoue, and the store regularly hosts author signings and anime meetups. Time Out New York notes it's known for its selection of Japanese books, manga, and English-translated titles.
- Hours: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Sunday
- Phone: (212) 869-1700
- Nearest subway: B/D/F/M to 42nd St–Bryant Park
"Kinokuniya has a place in my heart as I've been coming since I was a student."
2. Toy Tokyo — Best for Rare & Designer Figures
91 2nd Avenue, East Village
Toy Tokyo has operated near St. Marks Place since 2000, and it's the go-to shop for collectors chasing hand-painted, import-only figures rather than mass-market ones. The store imports heavily from Hong Kong and Japan, and it's especially known for Kaiju (Godzilla, Ultraman, and similar) figures alongside designer vinyl toys and KAWS collectibles. It's smaller and more curated than Kinokuniya, which is exactly the point — this is a browse-slowly, ask-the-owner kind of shop.
- Hours: 12:30 p.m.–7 p.m. daily
- Phone: (212) 673-5424
- Nearest subway: F to 2nd Ave, or 6 to Astor Place
💡 Pro Tip: Toy Tokyo's inventory turns over fast on rare pieces. Follow the shop on Instagram before making a special trip — a figure you saw last week may already be sold.
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3. Image Anime — Best for Gundam & Model Kits
242 West 30th Street, Chelsea (near Penn Station)
Open since 1992, Image Anime is one of NYC's longest-running anime specialty shops. It leans hardest into model kits and action figures — Gundam, Robotech, Super Sentai, and Pokemon are all well represented — and it runs an active pre-order program for limited-edition Chogokin figures, which matters if you collect anything that sells out fast internationally. It's a few blocks from Penn Station, so it's an easy add-on if you're already near Madison Square Garden.
- Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
- Phone: (212) 631-0966
- Nearest subway: A/C/E or 1/2/3 to 34th St–Penn Station
⚠️ Important: Pricing on imported items here can run noticeably higher than ordering direct from Japan. It's worth comparing before buying anything you're not in a rush for.
4. Midtown Comics — Best for Accessible Manga & Action Figures
200 W 40th Street, Times Square (plus Grand Central & Downtown locations)
Midtown Comics has been operating since 1997 and is the largest comic book retailer in the United States. While its bread and butter is Western comics, the Times Square flagship carries a substantial manga section alongside Gundam kits, action figures, and statues — making it a solid one-stop shop if you want manga and Western pop culture merch in the same trip. With three Manhattan locations (Times Square, Grand Central, Downtown), it's also the most convenient option if you're bouncing between neighborhoods.
- Hours: Roughly 11 a.m.–7 p.m. daily, varies slightly by location
- Phone: (212) 302-8192
- Nearest subway: Any train to 42nd St–Times Square/Port Authority
5. Anime Castle — Best for Plushies & Community Events
35-32 Union Street, Flushing, Queens
Anime Castle sits outside the usual Manhattan tourist track, and that's part of its appeal. It stocks manga, figures, wall scrolls, keychains, and a genuinely large plush selection — reviewers specifically call out oversized character plushies you won't easily find at the Manhattan shops. Beyond retail, Anime Castle regularly hosts screenings and gaming tournaments, giving it more of a hangout-and-shop feel than a purely transactional one.
- Hours: 12 p.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Saturday, 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday
- Phone: (347) 438-1296
- Nearest subway: 7 train to Flushing–Main Street
NYC Anime Stores at a Glance
| Store | Best For | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|
| Kinokuniya | Manga & Japanese imports | Midtown |
| Toy Tokyo | Rare & designer figures | East Village |
| Image Anime | Gundam & model kits | Chelsea |
| Midtown Comics | Accessible manga & action figures | Times Square |
| Anime Castle | Plushies & community events | Flushing, Queens |
Final Thoughts
None of these five stores fully overlap, which is really the takeaway here: if you only have one afternoon, pick based on what you're actually hunting for rather than trying to hit all five. Manga collectors should start at Kinokuniya, figure collectors should beeline for Toy Tokyo, and anyone who wants a plush the size of a toddler should make the trip out to Flushing. Between the five, you'll cover manga, figures, model kits, and plushies without ever leaving the five boroughs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy official anime figures in NYC?
Toy Tokyo in the East Village and Image Anime in Chelsea both specialize in imported, officially licensed figures, from hand-painted collectibles to Gundam model kits. Kinokuniya near Bryant Park also stocks a smaller curated figure section alongside its manga floor.
Is Kinokuniya the best manga store in New York?
Kinokuniya is the largest and most comprehensive manga retailer in NYC, with an entire floor of English and Japanese titles plus a cafe. Midtown Comics is a strong alternative if you also want Western comics in the same trip.
Are there good anime stores outside Manhattan?
Yes. Anime Castle in Flushing, Queens, stocks manga, plushies, wall scrolls, and figures, and regularly hosts screenings and gaming tournaments. It's a worthwhile trip for a less touristy, more community-driven shopping experience.
Do NYC anime stores sell Gundam model kits?
Image Anime in Chelsea is the strongest option for Gundam and other model kits, with an established pre-order program for limited releases. Midtown Comics and Kinokuniya carry smaller Gundam selections too.
What's the difference between Toy Tokyo and Kinokuniya?
Toy Tokyo focuses on collectible, higher-end designer toys and Kaiju figures imported from Japan and Hong Kong. Kinokuniya is primarily a Japanese bookstore with a large manga floor and a lighter figure and toy selection.
When is the best time to visit NYC anime stores?
Right after Anime NYC, held every August at the Javits Center, stores often restock exclusive and convention-tied merchandise. Weekday afternoons are also quieter than weekends, especially at Kinokuniya near Bryant Park.
