by Risa Kiridori, a critic who has published numerous books on anime, special effects, and movies, opened “Neo Shobo Wonder Store” in Jimbocho, Tokyo, in April this year. In August 2019, he took over Neo Shobo in Asagaya from the previous owner, and this is his second store.
A share-type bookstore where each bookshelf of several dozen centimeters square has an owner and books are arranged freely. Recently, it is becoming popular all over the world. In Jimbocho, where there are many unique bookstores, there is PASSAGE, which is run by a book review site founded by French literature scholar Shigeru Kashima, and Neko, which is co-owned by Kumi Mizuno, a space planner, and Naofumi Higuchi, a film critic.
Mr. Kiritsugu said, “I was surprised to see a completely different bookshelf when I opened the lid, without even thinking about changing the angle of the store.” Hikari Toys Co., Ltd., which produces original soft vinyl dolls, UltramanAssociated with Akio Jissoji Study Group, MacLeod Publishing, which develops 80s culture events, Motomiya Movie Theater, Kenji Taketomi, Shigeru Tagawa and Yutaka Kondo from manga artists, Sekkensha, writers Rika Oizumi and Tsubaki Kanda, and publishers.
Tokyo Kirara Publishing, Ronso Publishing, Flashing Publishing, Biological Magazine “Biological Science Genetics,” etc. A wide range of bookshelves has been formed, from subcultures such as special effects and anime, to movies, hard-line social commentaries, things with sexual motifs, zines (independently produced booklets and books), figures, dolls, and video software. Asagaya Neo Shobo, of which Mr. Kiritsu inherited the name, has been in business for half a century.
The owner of the old bookstore, “@Wonder,” used to work at the former Asagaya store, so I received a proposal to produce the Jimbocho Book Cafe Nijisseiki on the second floor of @Wonder.
There is a reason why we decided to make it a shared bookstore, not just like the Asagaya store, where Kiritsu-san stocks old books. “When I arrange the books by myself, I feel like they are stuck in my head, and there is a limit to shuffling them. I thought that a new charm would be born.” I was worried it would be similar to other share-type bookstores, but half a month has passed since the store opened, and my worries are over.
One possible reason for this is that many of the owners of the bookshelves have had contact with Mr. Kiritsugu through his work. It is also the result of being involved with various people in various work contents, “I feel that the feeling of Asagaya and the bookshelf is similar,” and it is not bad.
On the other hand, “Like the TV ‘Saturday Wide Theater,’ at first there was a variety of things like ‘Nogiku no Tomb,’ but before I knew it, it was all about suspense.'”, and to avoid becoming one with a specific genre, he also looks forward to the shelves of handicrafts, gourmet foods, miscellaneous goods, etc. “I would like to link it with the cafe and make it a ‘place’ for people who make shelves for daily life,” he said.
The shop has a kitchen, a café where you can have light meals, a large monitor, etc., and also serve as a rental space that can prepare 50 seats. Asagaya has held events with a maximum of 15 seats but is enthusiastic about new attempts. On the 21st, we hosted a talk show between monster painter Yuji Kaida and anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa. We also welcome the use from outside, such as art exhibitions, meetings, and screenings.
Consignment sales related to the sponsored event were at the exhibition table near the entrance. Works by Yuji Kaida and Ryusuke Hikawa will be displayed until the 23rd.
Mr. Hikawa’s “Space Battleship Yamato 1974 Full Story Commentary”, which “sold 150 copies in Asagaya,” is selling well in Jimbocho. Mr. Kiridori’s books are lined up on the shelves where the owner is absent, and he says, “In Jimbocho, you can buy maniac things that can’t be sold in Asagaya. Asagaya is like a local bookstore, and novels and non-fiction for the general public used to be sold. I can now place more.”
There was also an unexpected effect. The rent is 4,400 yen per month for a large bookshelf (33 cm long, 76 cm wide, 16 cm deep) and 3,300 yen for a small bookcase (23-35 cm long, 28 cm wide, 24 cm deep). New publications, second-hand books, zines, CDs, figures, and other items for sale are free. Mr. Kiritsu said, “I want customers to enjoy just looking at the shelves. I want to make the store attractive so the shelf owner won’t regret it.”
1974 Full Story Commentary is selling well in Jimbocho. Mr. Kiridori’s books are lined up on the shelves where the owner is absent, and he says, “In Jimbocho, you can buy maniac things that can’t be sold in Asagaya. Asagaya is like a local bookstore, and novels and non-fiction for the general public used to be sold. I can now place more.” There was also an unexpected effect.
The rent is 4,400 yen per month for a large bookshelf (33 cm long, 76 cm wide, 16 cm deep) and 3,300 yen for a small bookcase (23-35 cm long, 28 cm wide, 24 cm deep). New publications, second-hand books, zines, CDs, figures, and other items for sale are free. Mr. Kiritsu said, “I want customers to enjoy just looking at the shelves.
I want to make the store attractive so the shelf owner won’t regret it.” 1974 Full Story Commentary is selling well in Jimbocho. Mr. Kiridori’s books are lined up on the shelves where the owner is absent, and he says, “In Jimbocho, you can buy maniac things that can’t be sold in Asagaya. Asagaya is like a local bookstore, and novels and non-fiction for the general public used to be sold. I can now place more.” There was also an unexpected effect.
The rent is 4,400 yen per month for a large bookshelf (33 cm long, 76 cm wide, 16 cm deep) and 3,300 yen for a small bookcase (23-35 cm long, 28 cm wide, 24 cm deep). New publications, second-hand books, zines, CDs, figures, and other items for sale are free. Mr. Kiritsu said, “I want customers to enjoy just looking at the shelves. I want to make the store attractive so the shelf owner won’t regret it.”
