5 Reasons Why The Bandai Namco Cross Store Is The Ultimate Anime Fan Destination (2025 Update)

The Bandai Namco Cross Store has rapidly redefined the landscape of anime and pop culture retail, transforming a simple shopping trip into an immersive, multi-sensory experience. As of December 2025, the excitement is reaching a fever pitch with major, highly-anticipated global expansions that prove the Japanese entertainment giant is doubling down on its "Fun for All into the Future" philosophy.

This isn't just another store; it’s a physical touchpoint where the diverse products, characters, and events from the entire Bandai Namco Group converge under one massive roof, allowing fans to "see, touch, and experience" their favorite intellectual properties (IPs) like never before. From exclusive merchandise to hands-on arcade amusements, the Cross Store is the ultimate destination for collectors and casual fans alike.

The Global Expansion: Major New Cross Store Locations in 2025

The core intention behind the Bandai Namco Cross Store is to create a large-scale, comprehensive retail concept that pulls together the vast portfolio of companies within the group, including Bandai Spirits, Bandai Candy, and Namco Amusement. The strategy is to move beyond traditional retail and offer a dynamic, ever-changing hub for fan engagement. The biggest news for fans worldwide revolves around two monumental openings scheduled for 2025, solidifying the store's status as a global phenomenon.

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1. The First U.S. Bandai Namco Cross Store: New York City

For years, North American fans have envied the expansive, all-in-one experience available in Japan, but that is all set to change. The first-ever U.S. Bandai Namco Cross Store is scheduled to open its doors in Industry City's Japan Village in Brooklyn, New York, on February 28, 2025. This flagship location marks a significant step in Bandai Namco’s global strategy, bringing a dedicated, massive space for American fans to explore a wide selection of high-quality Japanese character products and experiences.

The New York Cross Store is expected to house several "official shops" that feature the group's diverse content, ensuring that New Yorkers and visitors will have direct access to merchandise and events previously difficult to obtain outside of Asia. This opening is poised to become the premier gathering spot for the East Coast's anime, gaming, and collector communities.

2. The Highly-Anticipated Shibuya Flagship

Even in Japan, the Cross Store concept is receiving a massive upgrade. Bandai Namco has announced the grand opening of the BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 in Tokyo, set to take place in August 2025. Shibuya, already a global hub for fashion and pop culture, is the perfect location for this new experiential mega-store. This new location will serve as a central touchpoint, continuing the company’s mission to provide an exciting opportunity for fans to see, touch, and experience all of the group's offerings in one of the world's most iconic districts.

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The Core Components: What Makes The Cross Store Unique?

The "Cross Store" name is derived from the way it cross-pollinates various retail and amusement concepts from the Bandai Namco Group, creating a synergistic retail environment. It’s a dynamic space that is constantly refreshed with new themed events and limited-time offerings. The true value for the customer lies in the combination of distinct, specialized shops:

• GASHAPON BANDAI OFFICIAL SHOP: This is a dedicated capsule collectable shop, often boasting hundreds of machines. Some locations, like the one in Ikebukuro's Sunshine City, have even been hailed as the "World's Largest Gashapon Store". Fans can find the latest Gashapon releases, from tiny figures to detailed accessories, featuring beloved franchises.
• Ichiban Kuji: The Cross Store is a primary location for the popular Ichiban Kuji prize lottery. This is a system where customers buy a ticket for a guaranteed prize, ranging from high-quality figures and plush toys to smaller keychains, often featuring exclusive, high-demand designs from series like *One Piece*, *Dragon Ball*, and *My Hero Academia*.
• BANDAI SPIRITS Hobby SHOP: A haven for model kit enthusiasts, this section focuses on products like Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) and other detailed figures from the Bandai Spirits label. This is the place to find the newest releases and limited-edition Premium Bandai items.
• BANDAI Candy OFFICIAL SHOP: This area focuses on food-related collectables, including high-quality confectionery, Shokugan (candy toys), and small figures that come packaged with treats.
• Amusement and Crane Games: Operated by Bandai Namco Amusement, the Cross Store integrates a mini-arcade experience, featuring the latest crane games and prize machines, allowing fans to win exclusive plushies and limited-run prizes from their favorite IPs.

A Deep Dive into the Featured IPs and Merchandise

The sheer topical authority of the Bandai Namco Cross Store comes from its ability to host a massive, rotating roster of the world's most popular IPs. By bringing together the products of its various group companies, the store ensures there is something for every fan, regardless of their preferred medium—be it video games, anime, or collectables.

Key franchises that are consistently featured and drive massive foot traffic include:

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• Gundam: With the dedicated BANDAI SPIRITS Hobby SHOP, the store is a central hub for Gunpla builders and collectors of all scales, from High Grade (HG) to Perfect Grade (PG).
• Pac-Man: As a foundational IP for Namco Amusement, *Pac-Man* is prominently featured in the arcade section and through exclusive merchandise, such as the new PAC-MAN Gift Card & Gift Bag available in late 2025.
• Dragon Ball Z & Super: A perennial favorite for Ichiban Kuji and high-end figure collectables.
• One Piece: Essential for the *One Piece Card Game* community, which often sees special shop stock information updates and dedicated events.
• Tamagotchi: The classic digital pet franchise continues to be a staple, with new versions and exclusive accessories being a core part of the collectable offerings.
• MegaHouse: Products from the MegaHouse Official Store, including high-end figures and the cute MEGA Kawaii SHOP line, are integrated into the retail space.

The rotating nature of pop-up shops and limited-time themed events, such as those for *Digimon* or other seasonal anime, ensures that the merchandise and experiences are always fresh and unique, encouraging repeat visits from dedicated collectors who are always on the hunt for the newest and most exclusive items.