Is one of the reasons you are heading to Japan buying anime and manga related goods? Then Jump Shop should be at the top of your list! If you don’t know what Jump Shop is, keep reading to find out more about this anime and manga paradise and where to find it in Tokyo and elsewhere.
Shonen Jump Magazine
Jump Shop is a store that sells all kinds of manga (comic) and anime goods related to Shonen Jump magazine. Shonen Jump is a weekly manga magazine that has been published since 1968 by Shueisha. So it has been lasting for more than half-century. They published twice a month in the beginning, but it became a weekly magazine in 1969.
Its keywords are “friendship, effort, and victory” which are important to attract interest from kids. The magazine’s logo is a pirate called Jump Pirate. There are several comic magazines for kids in Japan, but Shonen Jump has been at the top almost all the time.
At its peak, circulation topped over 6.5 million in 1994. Their main target is are those in their early teens from 10 to 15, but adults enjoy reading the magazine too. For example, the recent manga Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) is loved by people of all ages.
Popular Comics from Shonen Jump
There are a lot of popular comics from Shonen Jump. You may recognize many of them if you are an anime fan.
Kochira Katsushikaku Kamearikoenmae Hashutsujo: This is the story of a funky but lovable policeman Ryotsu Kankichi. The series lasted for 40 years. It is listed in the Guinness World Record.
Hokuto no Ken: This is a fighting story. The hero Kenshiro’s signature line “You are already dead” became popular among children. It became a TV anime.
Dr. Slump: Main character Norimaki Arare is an android made by inventor Senbei. This funny story became a TV anime.
Jojo no Kimyona Boken (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure): The theme of the manga is “a paean to humans”. This is the century-lasting fighting story of the Joestar family and Vampires. It was not made for children.
Shokugeki no Soma: This is the story of Soma, a student of a cooking school. Competing by cooking technique, the expressions of people who eat his delicious food are famously funny.
Famous Abroad
These are the Shonen Jump comics that are also famous abroad:
Dragon Ball: This is one of the most popular anime in foreign countries. Main character Goku is a fighter who trains himself and participates in fighting tournaments.
Yugioh: High school boy Yugi got another personality in himself by solving an ancient Egyptian puzzle. He challenges bad guys to a game in which the loser gets a penalty.
One Piece: Boy Luffy is the main character of One Piece. He wants to be the king of pirates by finding a treasure called One Piece. It is one of the most popular manga and anime now.
Naruto: This is a battle action story about Ninjas who use supernatural powers. The hero Uzumaki Naruto doesn’t always fight, but he persuades the enemy through dialogue.
Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer): This story of Kimetsu no Yaiba is about a boy Kamado Tanjiro who fights with demons to save his sister who was bitten by a demon. The newly released movie topped the record of animation movies in Japan.
The First Jump Shop
The very first Jump Shop opened in Tokyo at Tokyo Dome City in 2004. Tokyo Dome City is the complex of Tokyo Dome baseball stadium, amusement park, a spa, shops, and restaurants. This shop was very successful, so they started to open shops all over Japan.
You can buy character goods from the manga and the anime series that are described above. There are figures, key chains, comic books, games, snacks, T-shirts, posters, stationeries with character design, etc. If you are a fan of Japanese manga or anime, I am sure you will find what you are looking for.
Location of Jump Shop
There are permanent stores and temporary stores for festivals or in the summer season. Here’s a list of locations and the nearest stations of permanent stores.
Tokyo:
Tokyo Dome City (Korakuen, Kasuga or Suidobashi stations), Tokyo Station as one of the shops of Tokyo Character Street (Tokyo station), Tokyo Skytree Town (Tokyo Skytree or Oshiage stations), Shibuya Parco (Shibuya station), Aqua City Odaiba (Daiba station)
Osaka:
Hep Five Umeda (Osaka or Umeda station), Daimaru Department Store (Shinsaibashi station)
Other Cities:
Yokohama Landmark Plaza (Minatomirai and Sakuragicho station), Nagoya Oasis 21 (Sakae, Sakaemachi and Hisayaodori station), Ario Kurashiki (Kurashiki station), Hiroshima Kishodo (Hacchobori and Tachimachi station), Sendai Parco (Sendai station), Hakata Canal City (Fukuoka, Gion and Nakasukawabata station)
Please note that there used to be a theme park of anime called J-World that was unfortunately closed in 2019. They had the same concept as Jump Shop, the park of the manga and anime characters from Shonen Jump magazine.
Your Japan Tour
As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including guides who can tell you all about manga and anime. The guide can take you to one of the Jump Shop or any anime-related places if you wish. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!