News

Pop-Up Animate Store Will Open at London Waterloo Station From Friday

Animate Ltd,, which operates anime retail stores in Japan and other countries selling anime products, will open a pop-up store in London from Friday October 31, under Waterloo Station. The store is located beneath platforms 20-24, in the area called The Sidings. It will be open until January 7 2026, with opening times of 12 noon to 7 p.m. from Sunday to Friday, and 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays.

This will be the first time that an Animate store has appeared in the UK. According to the Sidings website:

"Known for offering an incredible range of officially licensed merchandise, Animate brings fans closer to the worlds they love. Explore character goods, CDs, Blu-rays, books, and exclusive limited editions that you won't find anywhere else.

"With stores across Japan, the United States, China, and other parts of Asia, Animate connects fans worldwide through a shared passion for anime and pop culture. Iconic flagship stores like Animate Ikebukuro in Tokyo and Animate Umeda in Osaka aren't just shopping destinations – they're immersive experiences where fans can discover new titles, attend special events, and dive headfirst into the excitement of anime culture.

"Through our growing global network and online platforms, Animate continues to bring authentic experiences to fans everywhere, celebrating the creativity that drives the entertainment world. Don't miss this chance to experience the magic of Animate – right here at The Sidings!"

Animate Ltd's Japanese stores include one in the Tokyo district of Ikebukuro, which was certified by Guinness World Record in March 2024 as the world's largest anime shop/store.

The Sidings website claims that the shop is opening on October 27, but the Animate X/Twitter feed gives the opening date as October 31.