You know, sometimes its hard making friends of the same interest. If you live in a suburban area with a small population of people but want to meet other people that also like anime then you will have to do some traveling. If you live in the wrong city that does not to geeks such as yourself the maybe its time to move (just kidding). But seriously, isn’t it better when you are surrounded with people of the same interest. It makes life seem much more joyful.
That is why we have gathered the top ten best cities for anime fans. The best cities where you can indulge in anime conventions, cosplay, shopping and meeting people. Every state and city in America is good and bad depending on the person.
Unfortunately, suburban areas are usually not good geeks unless you still hang out with the same geeky friends from high school. It is always better to have a bigger network of friends. So here are our top ten cities.
Seattle Washington
culture
One of the biggest anime conventions in Seattle is Sakura Con. The city is also filled with tons of shops for those interested in anime, comic books, geek culture and Japanese culture.
List of the best shops in Seattle
Kinokuniya Seattle
International Model Toys
Golden Age Collectables
Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique
Dreamstrands Comic & Such
Sweet Kitty
Unique Imports
Pink Gorilla International District
Shiga’s Import Shop
Las Vegas
There is so much to do in Las Vegas. Gambling, partying, strip clubs and such. It has a little bit of everything for everyone, including anime. The image you see above is the Anime Ramen and Teriyaki restaurant in Last Vegas. Although the sign might have changed, the restaurant is very real and you can check it out if you are in the area.
The Two biggest anime conventions here are Unicon and SNAFU Con.
Here are some cool shops to check out in Las Vegas
Anime Ramen and Teriyaki
Tokyo Discount
Great Wall Bookstore
Alternate Reality Comics
Kappa Toys
Rogue Toys
Toy Shack
Dynasty Arts and Crafts
Wii Play Games West
The Pop Shack
Miami Florida
The party capital of America. The Sun shine state of America. Its nice to go to an anime convention in a nice warm area when you can go for a Swim and cosplay. Tons of celebrities and adult stars hang out at Miami. You can never get bored in Miami. It is known for its latino population and many rappers like to come down to Miami to party and settle there. There is a space of geeks and nerds in Miami because we like to party too. So here are some cool things for you.
The biggest anime convention in Miami is Mizucon. It takes place in the Hilton Blue Lagoon Miami Airport Hotel. You can go for a swim with your friends at the convention center.
Anime shops and Geeky Stores in Miami
Blackjack Anime Store
Super Anime Store
A&M Comics and Books
Kawaii Universe
Korka Comics
The Anime Village
Portland Oregon
Portland really is a nerd city. There are so many things to do for geeks and nerds. There is a special geek bar here. I talked about on the 14 bars and clubs for geeks and nerds.
This is one of the coolest places to live if you are a nerd. I can make an entirely separate article as to the geeky things you can do in Portland Oregon, however there are many online resources for that. Here some cool things in Portland that you probably did not hear about.
Four major conventions in Portland
Fandom PDXWasabiConRose City Comic Con
Kumoricon
Anime stores and cool shops
Kinokuniya Portland
Amazing Japan anime household & Gift Shop
Excalibur Comics
Cosmic Monkey Comics
Gambits Cards and Hobbies
Piccolo Mondo Toys Bethany Village Centre
Things From Another World
Bridge City Comics
Think Geek
Suncoast Motion Picture Company
Washington DC
I once visited Washington DC on my way to KatsuCon. For an area that was suppose to be presidential, I was surprise to see that it had some really good anime conventions. Not only is the KatsuCon convention in this area but Otakon also takes place in Washington DC, which is one of the biggest anime conventions next to Anime Expo in California.
Anime shops and geeky stores
Big Planet ComicsAnime PavillionFantom Comics
Senpai’s Corner Anime and Gifts Shop
Chicago
Joy Yee Ramen Restaurant Anime Mural
The biggest anime convention in Chicago is Anime Midwest which takes place in the O’Hare Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Chicago is one of the biggest cities in America and there are lots to do for anime fans and geeks alike. Also there is an entire neighborhood for the LGBT community if you are interested in that. I have been to Chicago and absolutely love the China town in their area. The Chicago China town has some cool shops for people into anime as well as restaurants. If you love Bubble tea and Crepes then make sure to check out the Chicago China town.
Anime stores and geeky shops
Kinokuniya Chicago
Asian Image
Nakama Toys
G-Mart Comics
Graham Crackers Comics Loop
Rotofugi
Chicago Comics
Anime Hero Shop
Houston
There is so much to do in Houston Texas apart from the geeky things. Everything is bigger in Texas and this statement is 100% true. Houston has a many Anime conventions. As a matter of fact, the popular Youtube Anime group called RDCWorld hosted one of their conventions in Houston called Dream Con. Houston has a population of about 2 Million people so can get over crowded despite of its massive amount of land.
Here are a number of Anime and Comic book conventions
Anime MatsuriComicpaloozaA-KonDelta H Con
Anime Houston
Anime shops and Geeky Stores
Paradise Anime Inc
Think Geek
Japan House
Third Planet Sci-Fi SuperStore
Weeb Stop
Bedrock City Comic
Moshi Moshi Gifts
Nan’s Games & Comics Toys
Misfits Toys
Kinokuniya Bookstore
Boston
Boston is one of the geekiest cities in America. Two of the main anime conventions here is Anime Boston and Fan Expo. Anime Boston is one of the most crowded conventions next Anime Expo. Boston is also a technology hub for those tech geeks out there.
Anime shops and geeky store
Anime Zakka BostonComicopiaOtaku Gifts Shop
Comicazi
Los Angeles
The great thing about nerds in Los Angeles is that they know how to party. If you go to Heavenly Youtube channel, this guy lives in California and life is always an anime party. Los Angeles is where the party is at and if you go to Anime Expo many rock bands come to play in that convention. There is also Ronin Expo.
Living in California as an anime geek is great (despite the cost of living). Many J-rock bands come to California to play as well as J-pop stars because there is a HUGE Asian population there (I love Asians).
If you make anime friends here you will probably get invited to cosplay parties. Also it is very common to run into cosplay models, Instagram models and so on.
Anime stores and Geeky Shops
Super Anime
Entertainment Hobby Shop Jungle
Anime Station
Casa Manga
Kinokuniya Los Angeles
JapanLA
Otaku Vision Studios
LA Video Games & Anime
Giant Robot Store
Pop Little Tokyo
Santio Japanese Village
Funko Hollywood
New York City
It is easy to find cosplay parties in NYC. Another party city next to Los Angeles. The things that you can do in New York for fun are absolutely endless. Also if you are into Japanese culture then you will find so many stores where you can find Japan related items.
The Asian community celebrates Sakura Matsuri in Brooklyn as well. Is not just NYC but you can find so much more do to and more anime and geek related events in the other Burroughs.
There are also book conventions in NYC as well as other events that geeks might be interested in.
Comic Con and other anime conventions
Anime NYCAniBashLiberty City Anime Con
Kisetsucon
Comic Con (Every year at Javitz Center)
Anime shops and Geeky stores
Anime Castle
Image Anime
Forbidden Planet
Kinokuniya New York
Toy Tokyo
Lunar Toy Store
PIQ SoHo
Midtown Comics Times Square
Think Geek
Nintendo Store
Do you have any suggestions for any other city. Please comment below and share this blog post.
