- ARAB NEWS
- 14 May 2024
Since 1975
Mandarake, a Japanese retail chain for selling used wide range of collectables and otaku-related goods, participated for the first time in the Middle East at World Art Dubai 2023.
Mandarake is known as the world’s largest secondhand comics retailer, with the company’s financial success cited by Philomena Keet in Tokyo’s Fashion City as a testament to the richness of Japan’s material culture.
At the World Art Dubai 2023, Mandarake showcased collectables and otaku-related goods like toys, trading cards, animation cels and posters as well as exclusive figures for the event like Astroganger Dubai version, Battle Mech: Orichi MX1 (4th version) and Kaiju Sensha Aguirus (World Art Dubai 2023 Limited Color).
A representative of Mandarake shared exclusively with Arab News Japan the story and challenges for establishing the otaku-related Japanese retail chain.
“Mandarake was established in April 1980, since then it has been our mission to promote manga and anime, two of Japan’s proud art forms.
“Until the early 2000s, manga and anime were still frowned upon in the Japanese mainstream media. Due to this image embedded into manga and anime, promoting a store that hinges on selling said items was not an easy task. It took a lot of time to even rent a store, hiring employees and buying products from customers was a whole different task,” he added.
About distinguishing Mandarake from other anime and manga collectables shops in Japan, the representative said, “Mandarake was the first company in Japan to open a used manga bookstore, which offered a wide range of related items such as toys and goods, and we were the first company to hire cosplayers as employees”.
“We are also the only company in our industry that can deduce the authenticity of an item, ranging from Genga, celluloid, autograph, and vintage toys,” he added.
About the feedback of Mandarake participation at WAD 2023, the representative said, “When we first came to World Art Dubai 2023, we were intimidated by the gap between other exhibitors, but after a while, many Dubai residents, event staff, and exhibiting artists visited the Mandarake booth, and we shared a lot of information and many great conversations.
“We were able to promote Mandarake in the Middle East and Dubai, and we are happy to say many customers left our booth satisfied. It was a very meaningful four days for us.”
Regarding Mandarake upcoming projects, the representative said: “In Japan, a new store will open in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, in October 2023. I believe that foreigners will be able to enjoy Japanese traditions and Mandarake.
“Additionally, Mandarake plans to participate in anime and toy conventions globally to promote the brand,” he added.
About Mandarake recommendations for those who want to visit your stores in Japan, the representative said: “There are 13 Mandarake branches in Japan, but they all have their unique characteristics, and the products in each store are different. Among them, the Nakano branch has over 30 different stores in one building, so you are sure to have a great time.”
