Anime Cafe ‘ANIPLUS’ Opens At Esplanade & All The Otakus Are Already In Line


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Otakus, your time has come.

If you love, live, breathe, eat, and sleep anime, I have good news and just the new hangout spot for you and your friends…

There’s a new anime cafe in Singapore!

Image: Gfycat

Anime Cafe Opens

Say konnichiwa to ANIPLUS, a fully anime themed wonderland in the form of a cafe which has officially opened its doors to the public at Esplanade on 29 Nov. It is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Image: Instagram (@pointless_stickfigure)

Everywhere you look, you’ll see kawaii anime characters on the walls, on the tables, on the wide shelves full of merchandise, and of course, not forgetting the food.

What’s interesting about the decor of this cafe, however, is that it does not have a fixed theme. Every few months, the cafe plans to change up their theme, depending on its popularity. So that means your favourite anime may just receive the spotlight one day!

The current theme is that of “BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!” which is a Japanese rhythm game (think Tap Tap Revenge) based off the original BanG Dream! franchise. The anime follows a bunch of five girls who come together to fulfil their dream of starting a band.

Image: aminoapps

Sounds like One Direction but with Japanese girls, honestly.

Fantasy-Like Food

Unlike some popular themed cafes in Singapore such as Pompompurin Cafe, Hello Kitty Cafe and Gudetama Cafe, the food in ANIPLUS Cafe isn’t designed after that of the characters nor will there be character shaped food. Sounds reasonable enough – it seems relatively easier to make a pancake shaped like Hello Kitty rather than make one shaped like an actual human being.

The cafe’s special collaboration menu will instead include dishes inspired by the ones in the actual anime series, such as the Hikawa Sisters’ Junk Food Stash and the Girls Band Tea Time Party set.

Image: Instagram (@yuuhimura)

The Yamabuki Bakery Special looks delicious!

If you’d prefer eating something light, there are also desserts such as the Pastel Palettes’ Fuwa Fuwa Waffles, which looks like a unicorn made it.

Image: Instagram (@zeeruy)

Besides main meals and desserts, there are also colourful themed drinks. Maybe you can actually get to experience what it’s like to be living in the anime through the fictional foods brought to life.

Alas, in line with the standard of most themed cafes here, the prices can get a little steep. An ala carte main meal starts from $17.90, while desserts start from $15.90. Well, you’re paying for the whole experience and not just the food, right?

However, you can also opt to order food from the non-collaboration menu, which includes waffles, fries, and normal beverages for below $10, if you don’t mind just soaking in the atmosphere.

You Can Splurge On Merchandise Too

Those looking to collect even more anime merch (there’s never enough) will also be able to purchase merchandise at the cafe itself.


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Besides BanG Dream! merchandise, the cafe also carries a wide range of merchandise of other animes such as Sword Art Online and Fate/Grand Order among other franchises.

Image: Know Your Meme

Well, even though your wallet may be empty by the end of your visit, at least your heart will be full, right?

Booming Popularity

Are you hyped yet after reading this article? You’re not the only one.

On ANIPLUS cafe’s opening day just last week on 29 Nov, crowds of excited fans already began queuing to enter the cafe more than an hour before the stipulated opening time of 6pm, eager to experience their anime dreams.

Image: Instagram (@hayashiforest)

Some guest cosplayers such as Azusa, Yukiko and HayashiForest, which some of you cosplayers may be familiar with in the scene, also graced the opening launch for a special event, allowing cafegoers to snap photos with them.


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It’s actually quite smart of the cafe to open during the weekend when the annual Anime Festival Asia’s taking place just nearby at Suntec City Convention Centre. Hungry cosplayers could just make their way down to the cafe decked out in full cosplay gear for an entire day of anime fun.

By the way, showing up in cosplay attire entitles you to a 10% discount off your total bill from now until 8 Dec, so prepare your best outfit!

Address: ANIPLUS cafe, 01-13C Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue

Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm, daily