DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2025.04.02
A subcultural haven where visitors can rediscover the appeal of Japanese manga, anime, and tokusatsu.
Nearest Station
Hakaba no Garou is a specialty subculture shop located in Nakano Broadway. It regularly holds themed exhibitions centered on anime and tokusatsu, with a focus on honoring past masterpieces while also connecting them with more recent works. The store features a permanent selection of merchandise related to renowned creators such as Go Nagai and Junji Ito, covering everything from well-known classics to cult favorites. The apparel collection, in particular, stands out for its high-quality designs and unique aesthetic.
SHARE
Among the many unique shops in Nakano Broadway, Hakaba no Garou stands out for its strong individuality. As its name—literally “Gallery of the Graveyard”—suggests, the space serves not only as a retail store but also as a gallery. At the store entrance, exhibitions focusing on anime, manga, and tokusatsu from the 1960s to the 1980s are regularly held. During our visit, the Great Mechagodzilla Exhibition was on display, featuring an impressive lineup from the first-generation model to Type-3 Kiryu. The exhibition included visual displays of both classic standing poses and flying forms, as well as original merchandise that delighted fans—a truly engaging experience.
Hakaba no Garou is located at the northeast corner of the 3rd floor of Nakano Broadway.
These exhibitions are also popular as photo spots.
Each panel provides detailed explanations of the featured works.
Designed in-house, the merchandise often incorporates kanji elements for added visual impact.
The meaning behind the name Hakaba no Garou is also worth noting. “We make it a point to present these works with love and respect, just like paying tribute to ancestors during Obon or Día de los Muertos. As their ‘gravekeepers,’ we share their background and history, connecting past and present through a broader lens,” says Ayako Tomoda of the Planning and Sales Department at CRAZY BUMP. Today, the store itself has grown into a brand, with logo-branded merchandise enjoying great popularity.
The store features a permanent range of goods themed around iconic manga artists such as Go Nagai, Buichi Terasawa, Junji Ito, and Kentaro Miura. While some products feature newly drawn illustrations, many are based on existing artwork that has been stylishly reimagined by Hakaba no Garou’s in-house designers. Each item remains faithful to the original work while drawing out new layers of appeal through thoughtful design—blending deep respect for the source with creative reinterpretation.
The store has a close connection with Junji Ito, offering a wide range of signed and exclusive items.
Hakaba no Garou draws visitors from overseas—including North America, Europe, China, and Taiwan. Of all the merchandise, the apparel line is especially popular. Fan-favorite items include designs featuring horror manga pioneer Junji Ito, the internationally acclaimed dark fantasy Berserk, the American comic–inspired Cobra by Buichi Terasawa, and Grendizer, a title from Dynamic Productions that enjoys enduring popularity in Europe.
This T-shirt featuring Cobra, a signature work by Buichi Terasawa, is one of the store’s most popular items.
City Hunter by Tsukasa Hojo is hugely popular in France—some fans have even visited the shop in cosplay.
A Cobra T-shirt featuring American comic–style illustrations. 4,950 yen
Record-shaped coasters inspired by City Hunter’s city pop vibe – 1,320yen each; art board – ¥,300yen
A chic T-shirt boldly showcasing Junji Ito’s illustrations. 4,950 yen
A folding umbrella that opens into the eerie world of Junji Ito. 4,400 yen
The information contained this article was correct at the time of publication on 04/02/2025
