What this is
The Gintama TV Anime Animate Fair: Past and Present 2026 is a limited-time merchandise event held across Animate stores nationwide in Japan and the Animate Online Shop, running from August 14 to September 27, 2026. The fair is split into two phases — the 'Past' first half (August 14 – September 4) and the 'Present' second half (September 5 – September 27) — each featuring distinct themed merchandise and exclusive bonus items. The event celebrates beloved characters from the long-running comedy samurai anime Gintama, including Gintoki, Katsura, Takasugi, Sakamoto, Hijikata, Okita, Shinpachi, and Kagura. Gintama, originally a manga by Hideaki Sorachi, ran for over a decade and became one of the most beloved anime franchises in Japan, known for its irreverent humor and surprisingly emotional storylines. This type of Animate Fair is a staple of Japanese anime merchandise culture, offering fans exclusive goods and collectible bonuses unavailable elsewhere.
Who should go
This event is ideal for dedicated Gintama fans who want to collect limited-edition merchandise and exclusive bonus items tied to their favorite characters. It will also appeal to anime merchandise collectors who enjoy the thrill of random bonus items and phase-specific exclusives. The split 'Past and Present' structure gives fans a reason to visit during both halves of the campaign. If you're visiting Japan during this period and are an anime fan, stopping into an Animate store is a quintessential otaku culture experience. Plan your visit early in each phase to ensure the best merchandise selection before popular items sell out.
Good to know
Merchandise is available both in-store at Animate locations across Japan and via the Animate Online Shop, making it accessible even if you're not near a major city. The random foil-stamped postcard bonus (one per ¥1,100 spent) is distributed while supplies last, so earlier visits during each phase give you the best odds of receiving your preferred designs. Animate stores generally accept major credit cards including foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard, though it's wise to carry cash as a backup. The Animate Akihabara and Animate Ikebukuro flagship stores tend to have the largest stock and are the most convenient for visitors to Tokyo. Note that bonus items are random and cannot be chosen, which is standard practice for Animate Fair campaigns.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.