Animate Umeda Celebrates 1st Anniversary of Grand Opening! Events Start April 20th with 'Mugendai Mewtype' as Ambassadors
Animate Umeda will host various events from April 20, 2026, to celebrate its first anniversary since its grand opening at NU Chayamachi. The virtual band 'Mugendai Mewtype' will serve as ambassadors, featuring in-store appearances, exhibitions, and exclusive campaign benefits.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 20:00
Animate Co., Ltd. is organizing various events to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the grand opening of 'Animate Umeda.'
Animate is a specialist store for anime, comics, and games with 125 locations across Japan, offering a wide range of popular merchandise. Animate Umeda, originally opened in 2011, relocated to the 3rd floor of 'NU Chayamachi' on November 15, 2024, for a partial opening, followed by its grand opening on April 24, 2025.
Thanks to everyone's support, Animate Umeda is successfully reaching its first anniversary! To express gratitude, commemorative events will start on April 20. For this milestone, 'Mugendai Mewtype' from the 'BanG Dream!' project has been appointed as the 1st-anniversary ambassadors! In addition to costume exhibitions at the 'Stage-han' space, in-building broadcasts at NU Chayamachi, and illustration card distributions, members Arari Nakamachi and Ritsu Minezuki will personally welcome customers at the entrance on the anniversary day.
Other initiatives include the re-display of celebrity autograph boards from the grand opening, the '1st Anniversary Flower with Gratte' campaign, and a postcard distribution for 'Uta no Prince-sama LIVE EMOTION.'
## 1st Anniversary Commemorative Project Information
### 1) 'Mugendai Mewtype' x Animate Umeda 1st Anniversary Campaign
- **Panel & Costume Exhibition:** April 20 – May 7, 2026. Displaying scene panels and actual LIVE costumes.
- **In-store Broadcast:** April 20 – May 10, 2026. Announcements by Arari Nakamachi and Ritsu Minezuki within NU Chayamachi common areas.
- **Illustration Card Distribution:** From April 20. Customers spending over 1,000 yen (tax incl.) will receive one of five random cards.
- **Special Visit:** April 24, 11:00 – 11:40 (scheduled). Arari Nakamachi and Ritsu Minezuki will visit the store to greet customers and participate in the stamp rally.
### 2) Celebrity Autograph Board Re-display
- **Period:** April 24 – May 24, 2026. Signs received from various celebrities during the grand opening will be re-exhibited.
- **Location:** Animate Umeda.
### 3) 1st Anniversary Thank You Flower with Gratte
- **Period:** April 24 – 26, 2026. The first 50 customers each day will receive a single rose and a 200-yen Gratte discount coupon.
### 4) Celebration Video Screenings
- **Period:** April 24 – May 10, 2026. Video messages from various celebrities will be played on in-store monitors.
### 5) Animate Exclusive Lucky Bags (Fukubukuro)
- **Release Date:** From April 24. Limited quantities priced at 3,000 yen and 5,000 yen (tax incl.).
### 6) Stationery Lucky Bags
- **Release Date:** From April 24. Priced at 1,100 yen (tax incl.). Available on a first-come, first-served basis.
### 7) 'Uta no Prince-sama LIVE EMOTION' Postcard Distribution
- **Period:** April 29 until supplies last. One postcard (3 types) given for purchases over 1,000 yen.
## Store Information
- **Animate Umeda**
- **Address:** NU Chayamachi 3F, 10-12 Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0013
- **Hours:** 11:00 – 21:00
©BanG Dream! Project ©SAOTOME GAKUEN
Animate is a specialist store for anime, comics, and games with 125 locations across Japan, offering a wide range of popular merchandise. Animate Umeda, originally opened in 2011, relocated to the 3rd floor of 'NU Chayamachi' on November 15, 2024, for a partial opening, followed by its grand opening on April 24, 2025.
Thanks to everyone's support, Animate Umeda is successfully reaching its first anniversary! To express gratitude, commemorative events will start on April 20. For this milestone, 'Mugendai Mewtype' from the 'BanG Dream!' project has been appointed as the 1st-anniversary ambassadors! In addition to costume exhibitions at the 'Stage-han' space, in-building broadcasts at NU Chayamachi, and illustration card distributions, members Arari Nakamachi and Ritsu Minezuki will personally welcome customers at the entrance on the anniversary day.
Other initiatives include the re-display of celebrity autograph boards from the grand opening, the '1st Anniversary Flower with Gratte' campaign, and a postcard distribution for 'Uta no Prince-sama LIVE EMOTION.'
## 1st Anniversary Commemorative Project Information
### 1) 'Mugendai Mewtype' x Animate Umeda 1st Anniversary Campaign
- **Panel & Costume Exhibition:** April 20 – May 7, 2026. Displaying scene panels and actual LIVE costumes.
- **In-store Broadcast:** April 20 – May 10, 2026. Announcements by Arari Nakamachi and Ritsu Minezuki within NU Chayamachi common areas.
- **Illustration Card Distribution:** From April 20. Customers spending over 1,000 yen (tax incl.) will receive one of five random cards.
- **Special Visit:** April 24, 11:00 – 11:40 (scheduled). Arari Nakamachi and Ritsu Minezuki will visit the store to greet customers and participate in the stamp rally.
### 2) Celebrity Autograph Board Re-display
- **Period:** April 24 – May 24, 2026. Signs received from various celebrities during the grand opening will be re-exhibited.
- **Location:** Animate Umeda.
### 3) 1st Anniversary Thank You Flower with Gratte
- **Period:** April 24 – 26, 2026. The first 50 customers each day will receive a single rose and a 200-yen Gratte discount coupon.
### 4) Celebration Video Screenings
- **Period:** April 24 – May 10, 2026. Video messages from various celebrities will be played on in-store monitors.
### 5) Animate Exclusive Lucky Bags (Fukubukuro)
- **Release Date:** From April 24. Limited quantities priced at 3,000 yen and 5,000 yen (tax incl.).
### 6) Stationery Lucky Bags
- **Release Date:** From April 24. Priced at 1,100 yen (tax incl.). Available on a first-come, first-served basis.
### 7) 'Uta no Prince-sama LIVE EMOTION' Postcard Distribution
- **Period:** April 29 until supplies last. One postcard (3 types) given for purchases over 1,000 yen.
## Store Information
- **Animate Umeda**
- **Address:** NU Chayamachi 3F, 10-12 Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0013
- **Hours:** 11:00 – 21:00
©BanG Dream! Project ©SAOTOME GAKUEN
FAQ
When does the Animate Umeda 1st anniversary event start?
It starts sequentially from April 20, 2026. Special events, including ambassador appearances, are concentrated on April 24, the actual anniversary day.
Is there a chance to meet the members of 'Mugendai Mewtype'?
Yes, Arari Nakamachi and Ritsu Minezuki are scheduled to visit Animate Umeda on April 24 from 11:00 to 11:40 for a greeting and stamp rally event.
Will there be any limited edition products?
Limited edition 'Animate Lucky Bags' (3,000 yen/5,000 yen) and 'Stationery Lucky Bags' (1,100 yen) will be sold starting April 24 on a first-come, first-served basis.