Voice Actress Kana Hanazawa's Exclusive Visit to animate's Ikebukuro Flagship Store: A Special YouTube Feature to Celebrate Two Decades in the Industry!

Kana Hanazawa: A Longtime animate Shopper Herself!

After the tour, we had the chance to have a quick chat with Hanazawa herself. Hanazawa opened up about her teenage years, reminiscing about her times spent browsing the aisles of animate, making this an incredibly heartfelt and enlightening conversation.

――How did you like today's shoot at animate?

Hanazawa: It was an absolute thrill to roam freely around the store after hours—what a unique opportunity! The local animate I used to visit was much smaller and jam-packed with merchandise. So, walking into this spacious, multi-leveled store was a pleasant surprise. It's a testament to how incredible animate is to have such a large venue in Ikebukuro!

I haven't been to animate in quite some time, but my experience today brought back a wave of nostalgia. It took me right back to my middle school and high school days when I used to get excited over anime merchandise.

――During filming, you mentioned your old shopping sprees at animate. What sort of items caught your attention back then?

Hanazawa:Back then, many of the anime series I followed aired in the evenings. I recall buying a lot of merchandise from shonen anime series like Prince of Tennis, Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist, Shaman King, and Hikaru no Go when I went shopping with my friends.

In particular, I was super into Fullmetal Alchemist. I remember splurging on Colonel Mustang’s gloves, a pretty steep purchase for a middle schooler! I used to play around with them at my friends' houses.

I was also a big fan of Kunimitsu Tezuka from Prince of Tennis and I had this voice-activated card of him that I'd keep in my student ID holder. Good times! I've had a long-standing relationship with animate, and I'm sincerely thankful for that.

Today, I noticed that the goods available have evolved a lot, and the variety has increased, too. Practical, everyday items and office-friendly accessories are becoming more common. I ended up buying pens and clear files—they're just so handy! But I do fantasize about how awesome it would be to decorate an "anime-themed room" with larger items like tapestries and acrylic stands.

――What would you say are the highlights of the animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store?

Hanazawa:The store is filled with treasures, but what particularly caught my eye is the intuitive merchandise layout based on what anime is currently airing. Despite the store's expansive size, this makes it incredibly easy to find what you're looking for without having to bother the staff.

And let's not forget the first floor, which is a gacha-lover's paradise. I wanted to spend all day there, trying out each machine. On top of that, they offer dorayaki (a limited-time treat that might sell out). The inclusion of souvenirs and novelty items really adds an extra dimension to the shopping experience.

――Feel free to try the gacha machines out next time you visit the store! Your autographed panel from today is also on display.

Hanazawa:I think my panel has its own unique flair. I encourage everyone to check it out: it's on the sixth floor!

――It came out great!

Hanazawa:I think my panel has its own unique flair. I encourage everyone to check it out: it's on the sixth floor!

――Any final words for fans eagerly awaiting your video on YouTube?

Hanazawa:During the planning stage of my 20th-anniversary YouTube project, we considered doing a location shoot. When I heard about animate Ikebukuro's renovation, I thought it was a perfect fit—even though it seemed like a long shot. To my surprise, animate welcomed the idea. I think this episode will be really special, so I hope you'll watch it!

I haven’t many chances to enter an animate store since becoming a working adult, and perhaps it's the same for some of you. No matter the reason, I encourage you to drop by and rediscover the joys of this wonderful store!

I had an amazing time just browsing and shopping, even snagging a few items during shooting breaks. It was a truly memorable day for me, and I can't thank you enough for that.

[取材/石橋悠　撮影/小川遼]

今回撮影した動画はこちら！

Blu-ray情報

【Blu-ray】花澤香菜/HANAZAWA KANA Live 2023 “Not As Dramatic As...”

アニメイト通販での購入はこちら

【タイトル】HANAZAWA KANA Live 2023 “Not As Dramatic As...” Blu-ray
【発売日】2023年9月27日(水)

収録内容※全形態共通

-OPENING-
M-01 Moonlight Magic
M-02 運命の扉
M-03 ブルーベリーナイト
-MC-1-
M-04 駆け引きはポーカーフェイス
M-05 SHINOBI-NAI
M-06 ユメノキオク
-MC-2-
M-07 ダエンケイ
M-08 あたらしいうた
M-09 眠るサカナ
M-10 星結ぶとき
M-11 息吹インザウィンド
M-12 Circle
-MC-3-
M-13 CALL ME EVERYDAY
M-14 Groovy Mystery Train
M-15 無邪気なキミと真夏のメロディ
-MC-4-
M-16 Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
M-17 マラソン
M-18 恋する惑星
-MC-5-
M-19 ドラマチックじゃなくても
EN-1 雲に歌えば
-MC-6-
EN-2 星空☆ディスティネーション
-ENDING-

特典映像

OPENING MOVIE
Documentary of HANAZAWA KANA Live 2023 “Not As Dramatic As...”

Blu-ray仕様

特製三方背ケース
特製デジパック
ライブフォトブック

発売形態

・Blu-ray(BD) PCXP-51000／8,580円(税込)
・Blu-ray【きゃにめ限定版(Tシャツ付)】(BD+Tシャツ)SCXP-00155／11,880円(税込)
きゃにめ限定版にはライブにてSTAFFが着用した同じデザインの「STAFF Tシャツ」付き！※S/M/L/XLよりお選びください

音楽配信サイト一覧