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MINOTAUR

121 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

Labelled ‘the pop-culture specialists’, this large store’s main body is underground (the shopfront is clearly visible, but the bulk of the store is down a set of escalators). They sell merchandise from many US series and other countries apart from Japan. This store sells only fully licensed products so you can expect to pay the high prices.

In terms of manga and anime, they sell videos (PAL and NTSC), DVD’s, English release models, single-issue comics and graphic novels. Minotaur has the largest range of graphic novels that I’ve found in Melbourne, but new release stock is in high demand so make sure you get in quick for the newest issue of whatever you’re trying to get. The graphic novel usually cost between $35-$43 each, depending on size.

Minotaur has a handy Frequent Buyers Card, which you can present upon purchase to earn points. For every $100 you spend, you will receive a $10 gift voucher. However, when redeeming your vouchers you may only redeem one voucher per $30 purchase.

Po Hong Co

108-110 Little Bourke Street (Chinatown) Melbourne

A typical Chinatown newsagency, making it a great little place to stop at. In terms of anime and manga needs, they sell Japanese manga, Japanese magazines, mini-wallscrolls, stationary, stickers, prism cards, keyrings, mobile phone hangers, fans and small toys. This is more your typical knick-knack shop; don’t be looking for major buys, but stopping by frequently will be rewarded as you will often find unique items from particular animes. Prices are very reasonable, as most items will not be originals. However, their quality is still pleasing.

Haha Newsagency

208-210 Little Bourke Street (Chinatown) Melbourne

Another Chinatown newsagency, that’s really half music store (sadly, you will not find anime cd’s here. The music is mostly Chinese but you will find a small selection of J-pop). Again, this is more of a knick-knack shop, but on occasion they do sell larger anime products. They sell Japanese manga, prism cards, stationary, stickers, small posters, mini-wallscrolls, keyrings and small toys. Again, the stock does change on a regular basis, so it’s worth your while to stop in to see what’s new. The prices on non-original products are decent, but some of the imported original products are well overpriced.

Classic Comics

4/50 Bourke Street, Melbourne

This comic shop specialises more in American comics, but does stock popular Japanese comics (mostly in the single issue format, but they will order in graphic novels if required) at reasonable prices. They stock many models and action figurines, from US comics as well as Japanese manga, and so far this is cheapest place I’ve seen in Melbourne to purchase these English release models.

Classic also takes orders from ‘Previews’ magazine (you can get copies of this magazine from the store; they offer interesting merchandise) but you will be asked to leave a 50% deposit on anything you order. Anything ordered from Previews will take at least a few months to arrive, however, and products have been known to be cancelled at short notice. If you should choose to order from Previews through this store, I would advise that you keep your receipts and a clear record of the dates and deposits of what you ordered, as the store’s bookkeeping is entirely manual and it is possible for confusion to take place with orders.

Japanese Bookshop

Port Phillip Arcade, Flinders Street (just down from Flinders Street Station)

This small shop site is really designed to meet the needs of Asians in Melbourne. It sells Japanese manga and magazines, but also small models, keyrings, collector cards (in packets, not single) postcards, animation cells (unofficial), small toys and figurines. Most products are original Japanese imports, so prices are quite high (expect to pay $4.50 for your postcards), but items that are not original are also usually highly priced. This store stocks some very unique items and is well worth having a look at. Just do not expect to have much room to move around due to its miniscule size.

Japanese Manga Shop

The Paramount Arcade, Bourke Street (a block down from Classic Comics) Melbourne

Located at the far back on the ground level of this small arcade, this shop is entirely Japanese, so most people would have trouble (as yet I have not seen a single sign of English dialect in this store). It’s a large shop with shelves upon shelves stacked top to bottom with Japanese manga of all genres. It also sells some magazines and posters, as well as cushions and occasionally unique collectors items such as dolls and life-size or miniature-scale models of swords from particular games and animes. I have not investigated the prices so much to say of this store, as I could not find any signs of English text to indicate so and was getting nasty looks from the Asian shopkeeper.

Starwall Gallery

Shop 6, Midcity Arcade (just up from Hobby Japan) 200 Bourke Street, Melbourne

This shop is typically aimed at teenage girls, and so stocks Sanrio characters and the like, but does have some small anime knick-knacks such as keyrings, mobile phone hangers, postcards and small toys. Females will have a blast, but guys, enter only if you can stand it.

Robinsons Bookshop (Frankston)

Shop 3, 11 Station Street, Frankston (up from Toys ‘R’ Us)

I have found this to be a wonderful way to obtain English release graphic novels. One of the staff is a big Rumiko Takahashi fan, so there are several of her series in stock, as well as others. However, if they don’t have what you’re after, they’ll take the name and author and can usually order it in within a week or two. I’ve found this to be the cheapest and easiest way to purchase manga. Their good service is a bonus, and the prices for graphic novels are much lower than what you’ll pay at Minotaur in the city (Robinsons charges $29-34 per novel). Also, I’ve found it saves me from travelling all the way to Melbourne. If you live near Frankston, give this shop a try before making the big trek to the city.

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