The beloved anime series Sailor Moon is taking center stage as VIZ Media launches its new official online store, VIZ Shop, catering to North American anime and manga enthusiasts. This marks a significant moment for fans, offering access to officially licensed merchandise previously difficult to obtain outside of Japan. The launch is headlined by a special edition Sailor Moon Monopoly set, signaling the store’s commitment to popular and classic anime titles.
VIZ Shop: A New Hub for Official Anime Merchandise
The newly unveiled VIZ Shop is set to become a go-to destination for fans in the U.S. and Canada, providing a curated collection of merchandise from popular anime and manga series. This official online store aims to fill a gap in the market, giving North American fans the opportunity to purchase authentic merchandise directly, which was often limited to imports.
The store’s initial offerings prominently feature series popular in North America, with Sailor Moon taking a leading position. The inclusion of the special edition Monopoly set highlights the timeless appeal of the series and its continued popularity. Alongside Sailor Moon, VIZ Shop also features merchandise from the popular series RWBY, demonstrating a mix of classic and contemporary titles.
Exclusive Access to Officially Licensed Products
VIZ Shop distinguishes itself by exclusively delivering to the U.S. and Canada, ensuring that fans in these regions can readily access officially licensed products. This direct access will allow fans to purchase authentic goods, avoiding the risks associated with unofficial or counterfeit merchandise.
The store’s launch signifies a move towards making officially licensed anime and manga merchandise more accessible to North American fans. By providing a platform dedicated to authentic goods, VIZ Shop is positioning itself as a trusted source for fans.
Sailor Moon Monopoly: A Nostalgic Twist on a Classic Game
The Sailor Moon Monopoly set is a standout item, perfectly blending nostalgia with a classic board game. This special edition features iconic Sailor Moon characters and imagery, making it a must-have for fans of the series. The game includes custom tokens, a unique game board, and themed money, all designed to capture the essence of the anime.
Features of the Sailor Moon Monopoly Set
The game includes several features that enhance the playing experience for Sailor Moon fans:
- Custom Tokens: The set comes with six rosé-finished tokens, including the Cosmic Heart Compact, Moon Chalice, Spiral Heart Moon Rod, Garnet Orb, Deep Aqua Mirror, and Space Sword. These tokens are designed to represent key items from the series, adding a touch of authenticity.
- Themed Game Board: The game board is adorned with pink and pastel colors, reflecting the aesthetic of Sailor Moon. Locations on the board are also themed around the series, allowing players to revisit familiar places and characters.
- Love and Friendship Cards: Instead of traditional Chance and Community Chest cards, the Sailor Moon Monopoly set features Love and Friendship cards, adding a unique twist to the game play. These cards can either reward players or present them with unexpected challenges, much like the trials faced by the Pretty Guardians.
- Custom Money: The game includes custom money that also reflects the theme of the series.
Where to Purchase Sailor Moon Monopoly
The Sailor Moon Monopoly game is available at various retailers, including:
- VIZ Shop: As a headline product for the store’s launch, it can be found there.
- Amazon.com: The game is listed as “Monopoly Sailor Moon Board Game” and can be purchased online.
- GameStop: This retailer also carries the special edition Monopoly game.
- Walmart.com: The board game is available through their online store.
- Barnes & Noble: The game can be found online and in stores.
- The Op Games: The game can be purchased online through their website.
- Entertainment Earth: They have the game available for purchase online.
- eBay: Various sellers offer new and used versions of the game.
This wide availability ensures fans have multiple options for acquiring this unique collectible.
The Broader Landscape of Anime Merchandise in the U.S.
The launch of VIZ Shop and the availability of the Sailor Moon Monopoly game are indicative of the growing popularity of anime in the U.S. This increasing demand has led to a proliferation of online stores specializing in anime and manga merchandise. Some notable retailers include:
Crunchyroll Store
The Crunchyroll Store is a significant player in the anime merchandise market, offering a wide range of officially licensed figures, clothing, and collectibles. The store features products from numerous popular series, including Dragon Ball, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, and, of course, Sailor Moon. They also offer free U.S. shipping on orders over $75.
Animate USA Online Shop
Animate USA is the official online shop for Japan’s leading anime/manga goods retailer. They specialize in officially licensed character goods, figures, and Blu-rays & DVDs. This store offers a vast selection of Japanese anime merchandise, directly catering to dedicated fans.
BoxLunch
BoxLunch features an extensive anime collection, offering everything from clothing and home décor to collectibles and figurines. Their catalog includes merchandise from popular series like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, and classics such as Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z.
The Anime Corner Store
The Anime Corner Store is an original anime super store with over 19,000 items in stock. They offer a wide variety of anime DVDs, Blu-rays, manga, soundtracks, toys, apparel, and more. This store is dedicated to anime fans and offers fast shipping with competitive pricing.
Super Anime Store
The Super Anime Store provides a broad selection of collectibles, toys, and other merchandise. The store is constantly updating its inventory with new releases and features a variety of categories, from clothing to games.
Hot Topic
Hot Topic also features a wide selection of anime merchandise including clothing, accessories, and collectibles. They offer products from a vast number of anime series and often feature sales and discounts.
Otaku.Shop
Otaku.Shop creates officially licensed home goods, apparel, and accessories in collaboration with anime and production studios around the world. They offer a variety of unique items including LED lamps, wall lights, and various collectibles.
Otaku House
Otaku House brands itself as the “#1 Anime Shop in USA”. They offer a variety of anime figures, jigsaw puzzles, posters, stationery, T-shirts and more.
Conclusion
The launch of VIZ Shop, headlined by the Sailor Moon Monopoly game, is a clear indication of the growing anime market in the U.S. and Canada. This online store will provide fans with direct access to a variety of officially licensed merchandise, previously challenging to obtain, and solidifies the position of anime as a mainstream and influential form of entertainment. The various other online stores also show the diversity of products available for fans.
Whether it’s the classic charm of Sailor Moon or the latest hits, the landscape of anime merchandise is continually expanding, providing a plethora of options for fans to express their passion.
