
For anyone passionate about anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture, Gamers stands as one of the most recognizable names in retail. Whether you are a collector of character goods, a fan of exclusive pre-order bonuses, or simply someone who enjoys browsing the latest releases from your favorite series, understanding what Gamers offers can greatly enhance your shopping experience. This guide provides an in-depth look at the store, its history, product range, and how international fans can access its treasures through Rakufun proxy shopping platform.
Table of Contents
What Is Gamers?
Gamers (ゲーマーズ) is a Japanese anime merchandise chain that has been serving fans since 1996, when it first opened its doors in Tokyo‘s Ikebukuro district. Founded by Broccoli, a company originally known for organizing fan events and producing original content, Gamers was created to bring together game enthusiasts, anime lovers, and collectors under one roof. Over the years, it has grown into a major retail brand, with approximately 19 stores across Japan today. The flagship location in Akihabara is a massive two-building complex dedicated to anime and gaming goods, making it a must-visit destination for fans exploring the neighborhood.

Today, Gamers operates under the umbrella of Animate, Japan’s largest anime retail group. The two brands complement each other in distinct ways: Gamers stores focus more on male-oriented merchandise, while Animate leans slightly toward the female demographic, yet they frequently collaborate on joint campaigns and events, offering fans the best of both worlds.
What Products Can You Buy at Gamers?
Gamers offers an extensive lineup of goods covering nearly every aspect of anime and gaming culture. Whether you are looking for everyday collectibles or rare limited editions, you are likely to find it here. Here is a breakdown of their main product categories:
Music (CDs, Blu-rays & DVDs)
Gamers is a key retailer for music and video releases tied to anime franchises. This includes theme song CDs, character songs, original soundtracks, drama CDs, and Blu-ray box sets of popular series. Many items come with Gamers-exclusive bonuses—postcards, acrylic stands, or bromide photos—that cannot be found anywhere else, making them highly sought after by collectors. For example, releases from artists like LiSA and ClariS frequently feature such bonus items.
Games
As the name suggests, Gamers has a strong focus on gaming. The stores carry PC games (both mainstream and adult-oriented), console games for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and other platforms, as well as visual novels and import titles. Whether you are looking for the latest RPG or a niche doujin soft title, Gamers covers a broad spectrum.
Manga & Light Novels
From weekly manga magazines to collected tankōbon volumes and light novel series, Gamers offers a comprehensive selection of reading materials. It is also a go-to destination for art books, illustration collections, and setting materials that delve deeper into the worlds of your favorite series.
Character Goods & Accessories
This is perhaps the most diverse category at Gamers. You can find:
- Acrylic stands, keychains, and can badges featuring characters from hit series.
- Plushies and stuffed toys.
- Apparel such as t-shirts, hoodies, and cosplay accessories.
- Stationery including notebooks, clear files, and washi tape.
- Home goods like mugs, tapestries, and posters.
These items range from standard merchandise to limited-run collaborations, often tied to seasonal events, anniversary celebrations, or specific anime releases.
Figures & Collectibles
Gamers carries an impressive assortment of scale figures, prize figures, Nendoroids, and other collectibles from major manufacturers such as Good Smile Company, Bandai, and Kotobukiya. Many figure releases are offered as Gamers limited editions that include bonus parts or alternate color schemes. Whether you collect high-end statues or affordable trading figures, you will find plenty of options.
️ Voice Actor & Idol Goods
For fans of seiyuu (voice actors) and virtual YouTubers, Gamers provides a dedicated section for related merchandise. This includes signed photos, birthday celebration goods, apparel, and event-exclusive items. The store has also collaborated with hololive GAMERS, releasing exclusive keycaps and other merchandise tied to popular VTubers.
Trading Cards
Gamers stocks a variety of trading card game (TCG) products, including booster packs, decks, and accessories for games like Pokémon, Yu‑Gi‑Oh!, Weiß Schwarz, and others.
Why Shop at Gamers: Exclusive Benefits
Two features make Gamers stand out from other anime retailers.
Gamers-Exclusive Bonuses. When you pre-order or purchase certain CDs, Blu-rays, or figures, Gamers offers store-specific bonuses that are not available elsewhere. These can be anything from postcards, acrylic stands, bromide photos, or other small collectibles. For dedicated collectors, these bonuses often become the deciding factor in where to make a purchase. Because these exclusive items are often produced in limited quantities, they can quickly become rare and valuable.

Participation in Pop-Up Events. Gamers regularly collaborates with anime production committees and publishers to host pop-up stores, special exhibitions, and in-store events. These limited-time events are dedicated to specific series and feature exclusive merchandise that cannot be purchased anywhere else. For example, a pop-up store celebrating the 15th anniversary of Sakura Trick runs from June 24 to July 12, 2026, offering newly illustrated goods created specifically for the event.
Rakufun × Gamers Official Partnership
Rakufun has established an official partnership with Gamers, ensuring that international customers can access the full range of products available on the Gamers online store. Through this collaboration, Rakufun integrates directly with Gamers‘ inventory system, providing real-time product information and streamlined order processing.
This official partnership offers several advantages:
- Direct integration ensures that product listings are current and accurately reflect stock availability.
- Exclusive offers and promotions may be available from time to time for Rakufun users shopping through the Gamers platform.
- Authenticity is guaranteed, as purchases are made through legitimate channels directly linked to Gamers’ official systems.
When you shop via Rakufun, you are not using a third-party workaround—you are accessing Gamers through an officially recognized partner.
How to Buy from Gamers Using Rakufun
Rakufun is a proxy shopping platform available as both a website and a mobile app. The platform allows you to search for and purchase products directly from Gamers, as well as from many other Japanese retailers including Mercari, Rakuma, Surugaya, and Yahoo! Japan Auctions.
Step-by-Step Process
- Find Your Item: Use Rakufun’s built-in search to browse Gamers’ online inventory. You can search by series name, product type, or keyword. The app features AI-powered translation that automatically converts Japanese product pages into your preferred language, making it easy to understand product descriptions and specifications.
- Add to Cart and Order: Once you have found the item you want, add it to your cart and proceed to checkout. Pay for the item and any domestic shipping fees.
- Warehouse Arrival: The seller ships your item to Rakufun‘s domestic warehouse in Japan. You will receive a notification when your package arrives.
- Consolidate Multiple Purchases: Rakufun offers up to 90 days of free warehouse storage. If you are buying from multiple sellers or across different platforms, you can wait until everything arrives and then combine them into one shipment. This consolidation feature significantly reduces international shipping costs.
- Choose International Shipping and Receive: Select your preferred shipping method: DHL, EMS, Air Freight, or Sea Freight. Rakufun professionally repacks your items to ensure they are secure for the journey, and you will receive a tracking number to monitor your package all the way to your doorstep.
Why Use Rakufun Instead of Other Proxy Services?
Rakufun distinguishes itself through its official partnerships and transparent pricing. The Gamers integration is a direct, authorized connection, not a workaround. This ensures that your orders are processed correctly and that you receive legitimate, authentic merchandise.
The platform also charges 0% purchasing fees. Unlike many proxy services that add a service charge on top of your item cost, Rakufun only asks you to pay for the items themselves and the domestic and international shipping fees. This makes it a cost-effective choice for regular collectors.
Additionally, Rakufun‘s consolidation feature allows you to buy from multiple retailers—including Gamers, Mercari, Surugaya, Rakuten, and more—and combine all your purchases into a single shipment. This is particularly valuable for collectors who want to source rare items from various stores in one go.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Gamers ship internationally on its own?
A: The Gamers online store does not offer direct international shipping. However, using a proxy service like Rakufun, which has an official partnership with Gamers, provides a reliable way to purchase and receive products overseas.
Q: What is the typical domestic shipping cost from Gamers?
A: Domestic shipping varies depending on the size and weight of your order. For larger orders, free domestic shipping may apply. You can check the specific shipping cost during the checkout process on Rakufun.
Q: Can I pre-order new releases through Rakufun?
A: Yes. Rakufun allows you to place pre-orders for upcoming releases on Gamers. This is particularly useful for securing limited-edition items and exclusive bonuses before they sell out.
Q: How do I find specific items on Gamers using Rakufun?
A: Use the built-in search bar on Rakufun‘s platform. If you know the Japanese name of the series or product, that will yield the most accurate results. The platform’s AI translation feature will automatically convert the page content into your preferred language.
Final Thoughts
Gamers is more than just a store—it is a cultural hub for anime and gaming enthusiasts in Japan. With its extensive product range, exclusive bonuses, and regular event collaborations, it offers something unique for fans of all kinds. For those outside Japan, Rakufun‘s official partnership with Gamers opens the door to this world, providing a seamless and cost-effective way to access authentic merchandise directly from the source.
Whether you are hunting for the latest CD with a limited-edition bonus, a hard-to-find figure, or simply want to browse the newest character goods, starting your search with Gamers through Rakufun is a reliable choice.


























