Ikebukuro - A Town with an Artistic Soul

Overview

This time we explore Ikebukuro, a bustling commercial area. Today it's known as a destination for fans of manga, anime and cosplay, but its artistic roots stretch back to the first half of the 20th century. We visit an anime superstore, hop over to an apartment building that housed manga legends in postwar Japan, and then learn about how artists in the 1930s and 40s established a community that was nicknamed Ikebukuro Montparnasse. Along the way we discover the area's creative energy and charm.