Anime lovers and connoisseurs of Japanese pop culture and collectables will be extremely excited to learn that a band new BANDAI NAMCO Cross store has just opened in the already super cool Camden Market.
We were lucky enough to be invited along to the VIP Opening to get a sneak peek of the store - actually a collection of shops over two storeys with products to admire and buy, arcade games to play, more GASHAPON machines than you can shake a スティック at, and the first ever UK Ichibankuji official shop. There's a cafe and an event space too.
My offspring were quite interested in the One Piece Card Game official shop as fans of the manga and we were impressed to see that the BANDAI NAMCO Cross store is offering tutorials for all ages to learn the game. You can book online in advance or just turn up. There will be weekly events too where you can acquire limited edition cards not available elsewhere.
The GASHAPON machines were my fave - buy tokens and spend £2 or £4 generally on the little machines where you turn the wheel and get a prize every time. My son spent his tokens on one machine containing various mountains. I preferred the one with rings decorate with birds. My 22 year old was very pleased with their tiny bearded dragon and I also got a bizarre but cute "donkey in a sauna". Yep. I. tiny donkey sitting with a towel across his lap.
We very much enjoyed the arcade experience too. I love Mario Kart and playing with a steering wheel and foot pedals on a big screen was a big glow up from my usual "squint at my Switch Lite screen" gaming.
There was dancing and basketball throwing, air hockey and more and I think this will prove extremely popular with families who I frequently see online asking for stuff to do with kids in that area.
There are lots of figurines and cute products to admire and buy but by far the most popular attraction at the launch event was the Ichibankuji which translates to "number one Japanese prize/lottery".
Ichibankuji features posters with spaces for stickers in rows categorised by letters, "A" being the best earning you the most valuable prize although every sticker wins something. Players (aged 16+) buy however many tickets they desire (currently £12 each in the BANDAI NAMCO Cross store) and tear them open to reveal a sticker with a letter on. A bell rings for the highest scorers mid much excitement all round! Then the winner gets to see what they have won. If you fill the last space on the chart you win an extra prize.
With rare toys, figurines and collectables to be won this is a fabulous opportunity for fans to win something from their favourite genre. My two opted for Spy X Family and both came away with cool collectables. They gave the BANDAI NAMCO Cross store their seal of approval, especially as part of a day out at Camdem Market.
The BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store opens daily from 10am to 7pm. More details HERE.
DISCLAIMER: We were invited to a Press preview event and received a goody bag free as a thank you for sharing information about the new store. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.