Even though it was before my time and I saw the VHS recorded versions of Astro Boy and I saw actual TV footage of the 2003 series, Prince Planet, Eighth Man, and the list continues. Astro Boy was the first black and white Anime I have ever seen on television. I would watch Pokemon every morning with my brothers before getting on the bus or driven to school. Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best and has a great amount of wonderful work. The Wind Rises is still one of the best Anime’s, in my opinion, I could watch it over and over. There were other things sent home from my father from Asia: A Korean Mink blanket. It was dark pink/red on one side and light pink on the other. It was heavy, but the most softest material I have ever touched. I also received manga, china, kyoto and kokeshi dolls, and other things. The one thing I will always hold dear to me are the mangas, mink blanket, and the kokeshi dolls. They say, 時々, you have to grow up. I do not believe anime has anything with “growing up” per say.

The enriched history behind Anime, culture, my Father, and my family, and so many other things of why the culture of Anime will be something I will always love until I grow old. Anime was and still is, a voice for Asian people; it was a way of life to speak out against injustices. It was their (Japanese) ambassador. Moreso, in America, I see more otaku culture and not even a full understanding of manga or anime itself. It is quite interesting because a lot of Americans are quick to talk about how some people rob others of their cultures, dress like them, carry conversations, but will not ask themselves about this very thing when it comes to cosplay, the allusions to Asian culture in the very Anime you watch, most do not even catch on (gods, culture, practice of life, their way of life, etc.) to the allusions in the anime, and if you do not think it is important, you are sadly wrong. Most people do not even know the origins of Mickey Mouse and still to this day believe it is an American cartoon; it is not. If you are curious, you can read a paper I wrote more pertaining to this by clicking the download button.

I believe there is no other artist who captures the very otaku culture of America and mixture of Asian culture (Anime and Manga) like the artist, Simone Legno. Legno is an artist I watched as a teenager, followed every blog post posted, every drawing, watched his career take off, and he is still one of the greatest artist of my generation. Visiting this store in Los Angeles was one of the best decisions I have ever made, but also due to the fact it is no longer opened and it was the only store (Tokidoki) in the U.S. A newer location will be announced soon. I will do a follow up on the new location once they have fully moved. The packaging (the shopping bag) I will never throw away. It is heavy duty, but I use it to keep my drawing markers and pens in. With your purchase you get at least 2 stickers and my beach rucksack (MSRP $165) came with a tokidoki keychain.

This Tokidoki location was located at 7965 1/2 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA., 90046 | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest