Kuala Lumpur, 3 May 2024 – iFREE GROUP proudly presents another outstanding project that adds to its impressive portfolio: Anima Tokyo. Anima Tokyo is a highly anticipated anime wonderland and the first of its kind in the world, offering a unique shop-dine-exhibition Anime Experience Centre. Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui on Canton Road, Hong Kong, this impressive showcase of anime and Japanese collectibles spans three floors, totaling nearly 80,000 square feet. Anima Tokyo offers a wide range of Japanese anime merchandise, entertainment options, and authentic Japanese dining experiences. Its aim is to create a must-visit destination, comparable to Japan’s renowned “Akihabara,” but with a Hong Kong twist.
Anima Tokyo features a number of pop-up shops and anime merchandise stores with over 4,000 items, ranging from exclusive must-haves to collaborative creations and brand-new products. Anima Tokyo will also serve as a promotional space for movie releases, new games and other special product releases, as well as special exhibitions which include many beloved classic anime series, such as the iconic Japanese animation “Mobile Suit Gundam (known as 機動戰士高達)”, “Chibi Maruko-chan (known as 櫻桃小丸子)” and “Astro Boy (known as 小飛俠阿童木)” evoking childhood memories for many fans. Additionally, located on the 2nd floor of Anima Tokyo is the meticulously crafted “Showaki Food Town,” curated by a Michelin-starred team. This culinary destination showcases the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine, allowing visitors to indulge in classic Japanese culinary delights.
Hong Kong has long been a favored travel destination for Malaysians. With a short 4-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, the newly opened Anima Tokyo, a Japanese anime experience center, is now in its trial phase on Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. This immersive venue allows visitors to indulge in the world of Japanese anime and savor genuine Japanese cuisine, all without the need to travel to Japan. Anime enthusiasts from Malaysia and around the globe are sure to be thrilled by this exciting offering.
A One-stop Anime Wonderland which curates Classic and Popular Japanese Anime
Anima Tokyo features multiple exhibition zones designed based on manga concepts, with every corner a must-visit photo spot for anime fans. Upon entering the ground floor, visitors can’t miss the towering 2-storey giant display screen showcasing the brand story, major IPs and exhibition trailers. The product shelves on the wall are decorated with comic book-like designs, seamlessly integrating manga and animation, and showcasing the charm of contemporary Japanese anime culture. After passing the large screen at the main entrance, visitors immediately enter the stylish Rainbow Tunnel, inspired by the speed lines in manga, where rare “Pokémon (known as 精靈寶可夢)” game cards are displayed, allowing visitors to witness these rare items up close, as well as taking photos in the Rainbow Tunnel as a memento. Furthermore, the ceiling and display cabinets also incorporate elements of manga panel layouts, with a black-and-white palette and polka dot decorations, highlighting the unique characteristics of each IP.
During the soft launch period, the ground floor of Anima Tokyo will showcase precious collectibles from classic Japanese animations such as “Mobile Suit Gundam (known as 機動戰士高達)”, “Chibi Maruko-chan (known as 櫻桃小丸子)” and “Astro Boy (known as 小飛俠阿童木)”, which will be changed regularly. In addition, over 4,000 merchandise items are available for sale, including exclusive original products, crossover products, top-selling anime manga and toys, covering a wide range of popular anime series such as “Pokémon (known as 精靈寶可夢)”, “One Piece (Known as 海 賊王)”, “Jujutsu Kaisen (known as 咒術迴戰)”, “Mother and Children (known as 我推的孩子)” and “Attack on Titan (known as 進擊的巨人)”, ensuring fans can find their most coveted items, so get ready for the shopping frenzy, and be prepared to take photos with the interactive exhibits! Furthermore, the venue also features a game experience zone, providing the latest games from the three gaming giants – PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox, so genre fans and gamers more widely can exchange tips and hone their gaming skills. As the premier Japanese anime hub, Anima Tokyo will also partner with Gashapon to open a Pop-up Store in late-May, introducing over 30 Gashapon (capsule toy) machines, so Hong Kong’s Gashapon enthusiasts can immerse themselves in a variety of limited-edition Gashapon.
Inaugural Time-limited “Fullmetal Alchemist Exhibition” Presents Over 300 Carefully Selected
Exhibits and Collections
To celebrate the soft opening, Anima Tokyo is bringing the classic masterpiece anime “Fullmetal Alchemist (known as 鋼之鍊金術師) exhibition” to anime fans, which can be found on the 1/F Anima Tokyo | Incubase Arena entertainment hub. The exhibition area spans around 10,000 sq ft, showcasing over 300 exhibits and collections, including scarce collectibles such as costumes and props used in the “Fullmetal Alchemist 2022” live-action film! The exhibition is divided into seven zones, including 1:1 scale models, 3D costume displays, and multimedia animation installations, creating an awe-inspiring “Fullmetal Alchemist” presentation for the whole world to view. The exhibition has also prepared exclusive photo spots for fans, including the “Alchemist Research Lab”, “Chimera”, “Retrieve the Right Arm” and the classic “Gate of Truth” scenes, so become a part of “Fullmetal Alchemist” and take photos to capture this special occasion! Finally, fans shouldn’t miss the exclusive opportunity to appreciate in detail the manga manuscripts and color illustrations by Hiromu Arakawa, revealing the inspirations behind the author’s adventures alongside protagonist Edward Elric.
In addition to supplying high-energy visual enjoyment for fans, Anima Tokyo | Incubase Arena entertainment hub has set up a themed cafe area offering 9 time-limited F&B items inspired by the characters. These include: “Fullmetal Alchemist” skewers & shrimp pancakes, spicy meat sauce hot dogs, crispy apple pie, crispy fried chicken bites, dreamlike ice cream tower, “Fullmetal Alchemist” rose honey water, jade green tea, Alishan oolong tea and iron-goddess (Tieguanyin) milk tea. Each dish cleverly incorporates Fullmetal Alchemist elements, so visitors can savor the delicious food and also take commemorative photos sure to evoke unforgettable memories. Additionally, the exhibition features a dedicated merchandise area selling “Fullmetal Alchemist” peripherals and Hong Kong exclusive first-release limited products, combining innovative designs and unique styles, a must-see for all fans.
Michelin-starred Team meticulously recreates “Showaki Food Town” with 10 Japanese Eateries
presenting Authentic Washoku Flavors
In addition to the captivating anime exhibition and exclusive merchandise, Anima Tokyo’s Michelin starred team has created the large-scale retro Showa-era dining arcade, “Showaki Food Town” on the 2nd floor, spanning over 30,000 sq ft with decor and a design recreating the classic features of the 1940s to 1980s Showa era, from rustic wooden walls to nostalgic lighting fixtures, everything embodying the aesthetic essence of that time.
“Showaki Food Town” brings together 10 distinctive Japanese eateries, each with a menu carefully designed and managed by the Michelin-starred team. The concept shows off authentic classic Japanese cuisine, including the live seafood specialty “Kaihōsuisan”, the artisanal sushi “Sushiai”, traditional Japanese dining “Tendori Izakaya”, authentic ramen “i Ramen”, and a pastry shop helmed by a former Hong Kong 5-star hotel bakery chef at “Momoko Bakery Studio”.
Each culinary creation, from concept to production, has been crafted in extraordinary detail by the team, allowing customers to savor the exquisite flavors of the Showa era. Additionally, “Showaki Food Town” also features a kimono experience zone and regularly hosts various cultural events, including tuna filleting demonstrations and different Japanese festival activities, so now everyone can experience the uniqueness of eternally popular Japanese culture while enjoying the delectable cuisine.
Soft Launch Exclusive Offers – Immersion in Authentic Japanese Ambience and Anime Culture
During the soft launch period, to show appreciation to the vast armies of anime enthusiasts in Hong Kong, Anima Tokyo is launching a series of exciting opening limited promotional activities and offers.
Anima Tokyo Information
