Art and culture are inseparable in the modern setup. Oozing complicated visual creativity and gripping storylines, Japanese anime and manga art has become a global phenomenon. It has become one of Japan’s main tourist attractions in recent times. Here is a look at how one can explore this art form in Japan’s capital city.

Anime and Manga - Photo by Susann Schuster on Unsplash

Simply put anime refers to one of your favourite childhood indulgences – cartoons. Classic cartoons often take a 2D approach with hand-drawn characters and settings. However, more techniques like photorealistic 3D and stylized 2D designs are involved in making modern animations. Dubbed one of the most ultramodern and traditional destinations in the world, Tokyo is globally renowned for its advanced infrastructure and cutting-edge research facilities. Japanese anime and manga (Japanese comic books) are another jewel in Japan’s crown. The two art forms often go hand in hand as the stories for the film and television series spring from manga creations. Originating from the early 20th century, anime has become a borderless form of entertainment today. Compared to Western animations, Japanese anime characters encompass more details from facial expressions to clothing. They are more relatable too since these figures seem to embody more lifelike human reactions. The icing on the cake is probably the real-life incidents and human sentiments which come to the fore in the themes used in anime. These features have managed to captivate film buffs more than storylines based on fiction.

Today anime and manga are simply not related to the screen. They have integrated into popular culture worldwide. Characters like Doraemon, Astro Boy, Speed Racer, Rimuru Tempest, Levi Ackerman, Gintoki Sakata and Sailor Moon have become as ubiquitous as Mickey Mouse, My Little Pony and Elsa from ‘Frozen’, adorning accessories, backpacks, t-shirts, toys, and lunchboxes across the globe. Anime culture has expanded its wings further and has even instilled some outlets catering to members of the whole family based on the characters and settings found in these well-loved stories. These are also trendy hangouts for some friendly rendezvous with your buddies. The good news is that many such attractions may be just a hop, skip and jump away from your lodgings. Therefore, rather than booking your Tokyo serviced apartments for a short stay, determine how long it will take for you all to experience this culture to satisfaction and lengthen your stay. Travelling by train is one of the quickest, easiest and most pocket-friendly modes of transportation to these places. You can reach the station on foot in around two minutes if you reside at a property like Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo.

Discover a plethora of locations for an enriching anime and manga adventure: Akihabara, a bustling shopping district renowned for its array of electronic gadgets and gaming paraphernalia inspired by anime and manga culture, where you can explore stores, cafes, and stalls, and even indulge in video gaming. Nakano Broadway beckons those eager to immerse themselves in anime culture with its diverse array of stores offering anime-themed products. Seek out Pokémon outlets like those found in the Sunshine City complex and Lalaport Tokyo-Bay Mall to procure merchandise ranging from card games to toys. For the ultimate anime experience, stroll down Asagaya Anime Street, a trendy avenue dedicated entirely to anime and manga art, boasting themed stores, captivating galleries, and cafes adorned with murals of beloved characters and scenes. Just steps away from the station, this street is a haven for anime enthusiasts. Finally, unleash your inner creator at the Suginami Animation Museum, where you can delve into the history of anime, participate in workshops to refine your skills, and peruse a vast collection of beloved anime titles.