The 10 Anime Set in Ikebukuro to Sightsee its Beauty

Ikebukuro is a district in the Toshima district, part of Tokyo. But despite being only a district, it’s very touristy and populated.

Its highlights are its train station, one of the most populated in Japan, the streets full of anime and manga themed products, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater, where performances of all kinds are given.

The real highlight of the area is the Sunshine City Complex, a huge building that includes many stores and attractions, such as an aquarium.

As you may have already guessed, therefore, many anime will take this very tourist magnet as their setting.

This listicle is based on our experience and we will update it as soon as we get new information.

10. Tokyo ESP

One day, a group of Esper terrorists attack Tokyo’s parliament, lifting it off the ground, taking multiple hostages, and killing anyone who tries to revolt.

It’s panic, but everyone hopes for the intervention of the white-haired girl.

And what better way to showcase Ikebukuro than by showing its station, recognizable from miles away. We are talking about one of the most famous and populated train stations in all of Japan, but also in the world.

But before moving on to the next one it should be pointed out: despite the good portrayal of Ikebukuro, this is not a good anime.

The initial premise is great, but it is then exploited badly, resulting in a bland and unappealing viewing experience.

9. The Idolmaster – Cinderella Girls

Spin off of Idolm@aster, the original work based on the hugely successful mobile video game of the same name in Japan.

We will see the raids of a group of idols and their manager in a series of ever-changing events.

One of the most iconic places in Ikebukuro, tourist and otherwise, is Sunshine City, a huge building located in Ikebukuro that contains everything from stores to even an aquarium.

And this must-see focal point of the area also appears in this anime, however with the name changed to Sunset City, slightly different but the same in spirit.

The Idolmaster – Cinderella Girls is recommended if you love idols and some music-based shows with dance and choreographies.

8. Hanasaku Iroha: Blossoms for Tomorrow

Hanasaku Iroha is a very light and enjoyable slice of life consisting of no less than 26 episodes released in 2011.

The anime tells the story of Matsumae Ohana, a 16-year-old girl who leaves the capital for a quiet hillside village, where she will find employment in her grandmother’s spa hotel.

It should be pointed out that the anime is mainly set in the Ishikawa Prefecture, where her grandmother’s hotel is located.

Some episodes change the setting, specifically 11, 12, and 23, moving to Ikebukuro. In episode 23 we will also see a beautiful view of the city, captured from the Sunshine City, a local building.

7. Digimon Adventure

This series from the late 90s revolves around a group of children who one day are transported into a new world populated by strange animal-like creatures called Digimon.

The Digimon tell the kids that they’ve landed in Digiworld and they will have to find their way back home. Every kid will get a Digimon partner and the group will be led by Taichi Yagami and Agumon.

Digimon is a very famous series, which is why you all know that it is mainly set in a parallel world, being an isekai.

But some scenes are also sometimes set in the real world and some are even in Ikebukuro.

One fight scene between Digimon is set right there, specifically at the west exit of the station, recognizable by the surrounding buildings and palaces.

6. Lucky Star

An anime that despite appearances, due to the chibi style, is aimed at an adult audience, and is based on a seinen manga.

Lucky Star follows the daily routine of four pretty high school students. Konata Izumi, the lazy otaku, twins Tsukasa and Kagami Hiragi, and intelligent Miyuki Takara.

Their eccentric and lively friendship provides us with amusing observations about the world around them and life in general.

Once again we will see the Sunshine City appear, already mentioned several times, but not only that.

We will see none other than Otome Road, the nerve center of Ikebukuro in terms of anime, and manga aimed at a female audience.

5. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

A boy’s love, perfect for those who love the genre.

The main character is Onodera Ritsu, who is transferred from his father’s publishing company to Marukawa Shoten, being assigned to the Shojo department.

There he meets a person from his past, Takano Masamune, now head of his division who unexpectedly kisses him.

The entire story is set in Ikebukuro, of which we can see several glimpses of really existing neighborhoods portrayed very well. A little treat lies in the fact that we will see the Louis-Vuitton store located in Ikebukuro.

4. Tokyo Ghoul

One of the most famous and talked-about violent anime with romance of recent years, which has been at the center of attention for a variety of reasons. One of them is the discussed anime adaptation that’s not faithful.

The story revolves around Ken Kaneki, an ordinary college-going boy who lives in a town where strange and violent murders are happening.

According to the police investigation, these deaths are caused by Ghouls, mysterious and unknown creatures that feed on the bodies of their victims. No one has ever seen them even in passing.

In the first episode, as you all know, Kaneki and Rize go on a date to a cafe. And the same one is located in Ikebukuro and is based on a real existing one, on Omotesando street.

3. Ikebukuro West Gate Park

A recent anime, released in 2020 punctuated in just 12 episodes, and the title speaks for itself.

The story centers on Makoto Majima, the son of a fruit vendor, known to all as The Problem Solver of Ikebukuro. In fact, the boy helps everyone from his friends to street thugs solve their troubles by always receiving new assignments.

An anime that through solving these self-contained assignments deals with heavy and edgy topics such as racism and immigration.

As the name implies Ikebukuro West Gate Park is set in the famous Ikebukuro district, one of the top 3 most dangerous areas of Tokyo according to their Police Department in 2019.

2. Mawaru Penguindrum

If someone extremely dear to you were to pass away, what would you do if he or she came back to life? And what if it’s possessed by another entity that promises to bring them back to life in exchange for a favor?

The initial premise reflects on Shoma and Kanba Takakura, two brothers who lose their beloved little sister Himari to an illness. Their surprise is then justified as they see her come back to life via a bizarre penguin-shaped hat.

The girl will not be her in spirit as she is possessed by the Princess of Crystals, who promises the brothers to bring their little sister back to life in exchange for their help in finding the Penguindrum.

Mawaru Penguindrum, one of the best thriller anime, shows us a real glimpse of Ikebukuro recognizable from miles away. Indeed, it’s the Ikebukuro train station again, one of the most famous and populated in Japan and the whole world.

1. Durarara!!

Durarara!!! is based on Ryōgo Narita’s light novel of the same name, which was also later transposed into a manga, and it’s one of the best anime set in modern day Tokyo.

The story is set in the Ikebukuro district where the protagonist Ryugamine Mikado moves to. Here he will be warned about the various criminal gangs that infest the area, especially the Dollars.

As soon as he arrives, he will also come across a Dullahan in the guise of a headless motorcyclist riding a motorcycle with headlights off.

The strong point of the series is the storytelling, very strange for first-time watchers as there is no main character. You may be left wondering if some of them will be relevant to the story.

One of the most important places in the anime is Sunshine 60 Street, one of the most central places in the Ikebukuro district. Some of the shops mentioned in Durarara!! exist but had their names changed.