Anime and manga in Japan

Anime and manga are perhaps Japan's biggest pop cultural exports to the world. Anime refers to Japan's hand-drawn and computer animation industry while manga refers to Japanese comics and graphic novels. Anime and manga are popular around the world, and are a major drawcard for many travellers visiting Japan.

Terminology
In Japanese, the words anime (アニメ) and manga (Kanji: 漫画; Hiragana: まんが; Katakana: マンガ) are generic terms for all animated works and comics respectively. However, when used in English, they are used to refer specifically to works produced for the Japanese market. Also, in Japanese, the term otaku (オタク) is a derogatory term referring to someone who is obsessed with something to the point of eschewing social interaction, even though English speakers usually use it as a neutral term to refer to fans of anime and manga.

Destinations

 * Tokyo/Shibuya has shops that specialize in anime and manga.
 * Tokyo/Nakano. Upper floors of Nakano Broadway building are packed with anime/manga related shops.
 * Tokyo/Shibuya has shops that specialize in anime and manga.
 * Tokyo/Nakano. Upper floors of Nakano Broadway building are packed with anime/manga related shops.

Museum
Tōhoku Kanto Chubu Kinki Chūgoku Shikoku Kyūshū

Figure museum

Other

Anime pilgrimages
Anime pilgrimages (聖地巡礼, Seichi-junrei) are trips to locations that became the models for manga and anime. Some smaller cities consider anime pilgrimages as an effective way to boost tourism.

On the other hand, visiting general residential areas or places not intended for tourists might be a nuisance. Please be considerate of the neighbors when visiting.

A Certain Magical Index/A Certain Scientific Railgun (とある魔術の禁書目録/とある科学の超電磁砲 Written by Kazuma Kamachi)

Attack on Titan (進撃の巨人 Written by Hajime Isayama)

Gundam (Universal Century) (機動戦士ガンダム Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino)

Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し Directed by Hayao Miyazaki)

Touhou Project (東方Project, Created by Jun'ya Ota/ZUN)

Despite neither an anime nor a manga but rather a bullet-hell video game, the game has widespread influence among Japanese pop culture through doujin works, and there is a few animated works and countless doujin comics about the series.

'''Your Name. (君の名は. Directed by Makoto Shinkai)'''

Yuki Yuna is a Hero (結城友奈は勇者である, Directed by Seiji Kishi)

Cosplay
Cosplay (コスプレ, Cosupure) is hobbies and performances that you can enjoy by changing into anime or manga costumes. There are also shops you can change into a anime or manga costume and shoot.

Buy
Tokyo
 * Akihabara (秋葉原) is the center of Japanese manga and anime culture. There are various shops from major shops to maniac shops.
 * Ikebukuro (池袋) is there are women's comics and anime character goods stores.

Osaka
 * Nipponbashi (日本橋) is the center of Kansai manga and anime culture.

Eat
There are restaurants with the theme of anime and manga. Please note that there are many stores for a limited time.

Respect
Many destinations (especially film and literature settings, and current and former celebrity homes) are private property. Some are off limits to the public and intrusion may lead to criminal responsibility. Even in public places that can be legally approached, excessive photography and other anime pilgrimage-related activities might disturb locals. This is especially true in Japan where people are expected to avoid causing troubles to others.

By Japanese copyright law, works of fiction enter public domain 70 years after the author's death, or 50 years after publication in case the work is created by an organization, which is the case for most anime works funded and produced by production committees (製作委員会). As a result most modern animes are proprietary. Businesses (including guided tours and merchandisers) might need a license to make profit from those franchises. While some franchises are more liberal towards fan works, you should still follow the guidelines given by the original creators and Japanese copyright law.

While widely circulated in neighbouring countries, unauthorized fansub is illegal in Japan, even if fansub participants have no intention to make money. While some anime producers condone such acts in order to raise popularity, Japanese police take frequent actions to clamp down unauthorized fansub. Note that claiming fair use is NOT a get-out-of-jail-free card, as the right to translate and redistribute is not included in the right of fair use.