Like Yomiko Readman here, if you want to get something, you want to get it the easiest way possible. See, there’s a reason why I used her screenshot. Ok, maybe it’s because I think she’s awesome, but I’m trying to make a point here. Yomiko, if you’ve read the Read or Die manga, likes a dip into Shonen Jump just as much as she likes a philosophical treatise to dig into. What I’m trying to say that in Sydney, anime and manga fans have many tastes which are catered to by different shops. You won’t find everything in one spot, no sir.

Just like how Yomiko speeds through every bookshop she can find to satisfy her lust for literature, Aussie Anime fans may do the same, albeit at a slower pace. There’s a number of shops I’ve been to in Sydney which I go to often, and those of you planning on visiting the city should take note (This means you, Baka-Raptor, in 2010 I’ll be saying “G’day” to you).

First of all, start with the Sydney CBD. It’s the most landmark orientated spot you can locate easily on a map. The main anime fan landmark is the Queen Victoria Galleries. This houses two notable shops, Books Kinokuniya and JB Hi-Fi.

Books Kinokuniya isn’t just for anime and manga fans, it has a number of items available for every bibliophile. You can also order in manga volumes here that aren’t in stock, and I like their ordering system because it allowed me to locate a copy of Read or Die Vol. 2 which was in my hands within three weeks. Compared to Amazon.com shipping which takes ages, that’s a pretty good service.

Aside from that they have a better manga section than Borders and a decent anime DVD collection on sale. Because Kinokuniya is in the CBD it’s a favorite for urban lunchers who want to pick up the latest One Piece or need that extra Fruits Basket hardcover. I kid you not, the manga section is a lot huger than the corner shelves which you tend to spot first suggests. You’ll really need the reaching stools to get to the Genshiken volumes. Another thing to note: if you like Junjou Romantica or Antique Bakery, Kinokuniya sells yaoi. Yes, this article passes no judgement on those who want that stuff, because no article of this kind would be complete without giving fangirls an idea of where they can get yaoi. Well, since there’s money to be made from otaku girls who frequent the manga section, yaoi is sold here. Last time I checked Antique Bakery manga is in stock, as well as Gravitation and independent publishers of the stuff.

Thank you Chris Sims for finding me this image.

Take a walk downstairs from the escalator and you’ll find the food court. Go right and you’ll reach JB Hi-Fi. Now here it gets interesting. JB Hi-Fi are famous for cheap DVDs and gadgets, but they have a stunning array of anime DVDs on sale, some of which are cheaper than they are in Kinokuniya. On the other hand, sometimes DVDs in JB are more expensive than some in Kinokuniya, so there you go.

Don’t worry, it’s not a particularly intimidating place, and you won’t get looked at funny if you’re spotted in the anime DVD section. Unless you’re in the spot where the hentai is on the day they’ve freshly restocked… best not to stick in that spot too long. (Note to foreign vistors: JB sells Region 4 DVDs mostly. You will need a multi-region player to watch them if you live overseas)

Anime DVDs in Australia are easy to come by thanks to JB setting up provinces in every town (there’s even one in bloody Leichardt now) and there are a number of titles available. Naruto fans will be happy to know that there’s complete seasons of the show available, but at the same time single box sets of complete series like Azumanga Daioh are available, and many Aussie anime DVDs have both English dubbing and Japanese audio track with subtitles. I just realised this by looking at the back of a DVD I bought last week. And who says Aussies don’t care about good translation options? What a country I live in…

Last shop I want to mention which is in Sydney is Anime at Abbotsford. Most people I know can’t find Abbotsford even on a map, so look it up in the street directory index which will help. This shop sells a number of anime figures and accessories, not only that but also non-anime goods as well. The owner is friendly and he has an online store if you want him to ship things overseas (local business plug much?). I’ve heard in several places that people want Rei Ayanami Revoltech Fraulein figures, but can’t find them in their local area. Fret not, Brad, who runs this place, has at least two of them on hand at any one time. Death Note merch can be ordered in here too, in a similar way to the way Kinokuniya does it but slightly different. Brad’s shop site is here.

Well, that’s my coverage of Sydney anime and manga hotspots, hope to see you Down Under soon…