Let fandom come: Anime World brings pop phenomenon to Northridge Mall in Salinas

Decorated from floor to ceiling in comic book scenes, the latest addition to Salinas' retail landscape brings the imaginary world of Japanese-style animation to life.

With shelves newly stocked with a variety of products from soft plush toys to ornate figurines, Anime World celebrated its grand opening at Northridge Mall on Friday with a ribbon cutting and goodie bag for the first 50 customers to pass through its entrance.

Owner Mohamed Tolba said he was excited about the reception from shoppers, which led to a very successful opening weekend.

"Everybody from Salinas and nearby cities like Castroville come here to shop," Tolba said. "There is a good flow of people and a lot of community interest in anime."

With over 60 locations in 21 states, Anime World in Salinas is the company's first shop in California.

"We are attempting to expand throughout California, starting with this location," Tolba said. "We decided to open the store in Salinas because it is a great community for anime fans and Northridge Mall has good foot traffic."

While shopping malls may have changed since the 1980s and 1990s when they were the hangout of choice for the nation's teenagers, the Northridge Mall in Salinas has evolved into a family-friendly destination with the inclusion of Round 1 Bowling and Arcade, Cinemark Century theater and youth-oriented shops like RetailBoyz and Fanzz.

A popular trend among people of all ages, anime has its origins in Japanese film and television with characters from popular series including Pokémon and Dragon Ball Z becoming global phenomena and the subject of motion pictures and troves of merchandise.

Salinas shoppers can now stay local to find collectibles, themed apparel, manga, action figures, posters and trinkets like keychains of their favorite anime characters.

"Anime is great for its diverse storytelling, unique art styles, and the way it connects fans through shared interests," Tolba said. "I am excited to create a space for anime lovers to gather and share their passion."

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Let fandom come: Anime World brings pop phenomenon to Northridge Mall in Salinas