Melonbooks

Melonbooks is the one-stop shop for all doujinshi, offering a wide range of products, including manga, anime, video games, hentai, eroge and more. Founded in 1998, it is now the largest retailer specializing in doujinshi in Japan, with over 30 stores nationwide and a robust online presence.

In 2017, Melonbooks expanded its reach by acquiring Fromagee, a Japanese doujin shop catering to women. Since then, Fromagee has been managed under the Melonbooks umbrella, further diversifying their offerings.

For those unfamiliar with the term, doujinshi refers to self-published works created by individuals or groups known as “circles” or “doujin.” These works are often derivatives of existing franchises and are typically produced by amateurs. Sometimes the quality can rival that of professional publications, some other times it’s just fanservice or a way to publish sexually explicit content of a famous series

Like Gamers, one of the strategies that made the Melonbooks chain so popular among collectors is its frequent collaborations with anime production companies and publishers. These partnerships result in exclusive merchandise and special bonuses, often with an emphasis on risqué designs featuring undressed or lightly dressed characters, a hallmark of their brand appeal.

Their japanese site is accessible only through a VPN