The 7 Best Anime Shops in Calgary That Can Help You Grow Your Collection
I may not look like it, but I’m actually a huge fan of anime. Nothing gets me as excited as seeing the fast-paced action on Attack on Titan or following Luffy’s adventures on One Piece. Don’t even get me started on the volleyball teams I’m rooting for in Haikyuu!!.
Unlike most Canadian and American shows, though, it’s not as easy to find merch for these series. And whenever I manage to track down an item on the internet, it always seems to come with a hefty shipping fee.
Fortunately, some of my friends told me that I didn’t have to rely on stores overseas to acquire merchandise. As it turns out, there are quite a few shops in Calgary where I can get my anime fix. I’ve listed them all below to help my fellow fans out.
1. Dragon City Mall
– Media credit: just_a_parasite_
Address: 328 Centre St S
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Dragon City Mall is a lively hub of about 20 shops full of Asian goods. Just as a disclaimer, don’t expect it to be modern and trendy. Instead, treat it like an adventure where you get to explore the different nooks and crannies.
If you’re patient enough, your search is going to be rewarded with a treasure trove of anime-related items. You’ll likely find collectibles, plushies, stationery, and more.
Plenty of cosplayers actually source accessories for their costumes here. You’ll probably even discover merchandise for lesser-known anime shows, as long are you’re patient with scanning rows and rows of products.
Complete the experience by buying snacks from the Asian eateries and cafes inside. Personally, I love picking up bubble tea from Royal Tea House right before I head into the different shops.
| Pro tip: Make Rainbow Bakery your last stop of the day in Dragon City Mall. Their famous egg tarts and mooncakes are great desserts for any meal. |
2. Phoenix Comics NW
– Media credit: phoenixcomicsnw
Address: 1010 16 Ave NW
Contact details: +1 403 220 1399
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
There’s a huge chance that you’ve already heard of Phoenix Comics. As one of the most popular comic book stores in the city, they’re the leading source of Marvel and DC graphic novels.
However, not as many people know that they also carry a wide selection of manga. They even have a dedicated shelf for new volumes per week. So whenever I start a new series, I can count on this shop to keep me up to speed.
And although it’s a smaller section, they also offer a few anime posters, figures, and other collectibles.
For reference, the first floor is mostly for Western comics, while the second floor is for cards and tabletop games. The basement is where they keep all the anime stuff.
You can also just approach their friendly staff. They’ll help you locate whatever you’re looking for, and they’ll even remember your name for the next time you go there.
| Pro tip: If you participate in card games, then you’re in luck. Phoenix Comics frequently hosts tournaments in-store, and everyone is welcome to join. |
3. The Discovery Hut (Chinook Centre)
– Media credit: thediscoveryhut
Address: Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Trail SW #220D
Contact details: +1 403 301 4180
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The Discovery Hut is best known as a huge toy store inside Calgary’s biggest shopping mall. What’s so great about them is that they have items for all ages, from toddlers to adults.
This includes an extensive range of anime figures, toys, board games, and gifts. They’re an especially good source of collectibles from previous decades. In fact, I’ve stumbled upon a couple of nostalgic and rare anime merchandise while browsing their shelves.
It’s really fun going around the store since the different sections and displays are always organized. But if you ever need anything, you can just ask one of the cheerful staff who consistently go above and beyond to assist customers.
| Pro tip: There have been a few cases where a Discovery Hut location runs out of stock for a certain item. If this happens, you can just look for it on their website, and they’ll deliver it right to your doorstep. |
4. Reid’s Stationers
– Media credit: reidson17th
Address: 710 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 229 4400
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Reid’s Stationers is a paradise for creative anime fans. The merch they offer here is much more subtle than usual, but it also tends to be much more functional.
Although the store itself isn’t technically anime-focused, they carry a lot of items that are anime-themed. These are mostly stationery items that were designed in collaboration with the most popular Japanese shows.
This includes fountain pens, posters, notebooks, and journals. They even have the sought-after Hobonichi x One Piece and Spy x Family Collections.
The best thing about the place is the impressive price range. They carry everything, from entry-level instruments to luxury writing tools. Don’t be shy to ask any of their approachable staff for budget-friendly suggestions as well.
| Pro tip: Keep in mind that the store is essentially split into two sections. You’ll see artsy and novelty items in the front, while the more standard stationery items are towards the back. |
5. Comic-Kazi
– Media credit: comickazi.calgary
Address: 6105 Centre Street S
Contact details: +1 403 286 0544
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Most people are mainly familiar with Comic-Kazi for their fantastic range of comics. But their incredible inventory includes manga, anime figures, and other merchandise as well.
Name any franchise, and there’s a huge chance they have it. We’re talking hard-to-find graphic novels, official plushies, and rare collectibles, such as life-size prop replicas.
You’ll definitely love them if you’re looking for figures. They have characters from a wide array of shows, and you can expect them all to be detailed and high-quality, whether it’s Hatsune Miku or the latest Gunpla.
| Pro tip: You should allot more than an hour if you plan on browsing in Comic-Kazi. The store has two floors and columns of items that extend up to the ceiling. |
6. Gundamyyc
– Media credit: gundam.yyc
Address: Dragon City Mall, 328 Centre St S Unit 291
Contact details: +1 403 608 6321
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Gundamyyc is often considered the number one Gunpla store in the city. They have toys, model kits, and all the tools you’ll ever need to assemble these miniatures
They sell exclusive and authentic stuff that you won’t easily see anywhere else. I also consider the store beginner-friendly since they carry different Gunpla kit grades for all levels.
The owners are especially helpful if you’re just starting out. They’ll recommend kits that won’t overwhelm or discourage you from continuing the hobby.
Plus, their prices are unbeatable. They’re even better than most of the deals you’ll find online.
| Pro tip: If you’re worried about wasting a trip, you can message Gundamyyc online to determine if they have the Gunpla kit you’re looking for. |
7. Anime-Shun
– Media credit: animeshunstore
Address: Autocrats, 1405 Edmonton Trail
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
As you can tell from their name, Anime-Shun is a store dedicated to all things anime. They have figures, collectibles, cards, plushies, games, keychains, stickers, and even DVDs.
And I’m not sure how, but they also have stocks of rare, discontinued, and out-of-print manga on their shelves. I actually tried looking for some of their items online and discovered that most of them can only be found overseas.
It’s also a great place to meet other passionate enthusiasts. Their knowledgeable staff are always down to chat, regardless of whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newbie. And if you’re the latter, they’re always happy to suggest some things you should check out.
| Pro tip: Apart from their physical store, there’s also a chance that you’ll see one of their booths at the most popular conventions in the city. You can follow their social media to find out what events they’ll be a part of. |