Gintama Chara Pop Store Unleashes a Storm of New Art in Akihabara
Dive into the ‘Shippu Doto’ Experience with Exclusive Goods and Character-Focused Festivals, Kicking Off with Hijikata Toushirou!
Tokyo’s Akihabara district is about to get a dynamic new attraction with the grand opening of the “Gintama Chara Pop Store” at the Bandai Namco Cross Store Atre Akihabara. Running from April 17, 2026, to November 23, 2026, this event promises to immerse fans in the vibrant world of Gintama with a series of exclusive reveals and merchandise.
The store’s central theme is “Shippu Doto” (疾風怒濤), a Japanese idiom meaning “stormy and raging” or, more aptly for this context, “dynamic and powerful.” This concept will bring forth new, specially drawn illustrations of six fan-favorite characters: Sakata Gintoki, Hijikata Toushirou, Okita Sougo, Katsura Kotarou, Takasugi Shinsuke, and Kamui. These illustrations will be unveiled sequentially over six months, keeping the excitement fresh and engaging for visitors.
To kick off this epic event, the store will host a dedicated “Hijikata Festival” from April 17 to May 11, 2026. This initial phase will spotlight Hijikata Toushirou with new artwork, including both a full-color illustration and a unique original-art-style line drawing of the same design. This offers fans a rare glimpse into the artistic process behind their beloved character.
Exclusive Merchandise and Engaging Mini-Games Await
Visitors to the Gintama Chara Pop Store will find a treasure trove of original goods based on the new “Shippu Doto” illustrations and adorable chibi character designs. Among the highlights are various acrylic stands, tapestries, can badge sets, and unique keychains, with many items featuring designs that will be revealed as each character’s festival approaches.
Here are some examples of the exclusive merchandise:
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Acrylic Stands (2 types): Each priced at 1,800 yen. Future designs for other characters are planned.
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Big Acrylic Stand (1 type): Priced at 7,900 yen, with more characters to follow.
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Tapestry (1 type): Priced at 5,500 yen, future character designs anticipated.
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75mm Can Badge Set (1 type): Priced at 1,500 yen.
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Mini Acrylic Block Stands (6 types): Each priced at 990 yen, featuring all six main characters.
As a special purchase bonus, customers who spend 3,000 yen or more on Gintama-related products in a single transaction at the Bandai Namco Cross Store Atre Akihabara will receive one of six randomly selected original illustration sheets.
Beyond shopping, the store will also feature the “Gintama Garapon” mini-game, a traditional Japanese lottery wheel, available exclusively at the Atre Akihabara location for 660 yen per play. Participants can win exclusive prizes:
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A Prize: Acrylic Board (2 types), with future character designs expected.
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B Prize: Square Can Badge (8 types), with more characters to be added.
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C Prize: Die-cut Sticker (6 types, randomly distributed).
A Journey Through the Gintama Universe: Event Schedule
While the main event runs until November, specific character festivals will rotate, offering fans multiple opportunities to visit and celebrate their favorite Gintama heroes. Some merchandise will also be available at Bandai Namco Cross Spot locations nationwide starting April 24, 2026, making it easier for fans across Japan to get their hands on new items.
Gintama Chara Pop Store Event Schedule at Bandai Namco Cross Store Atre Akihabara:
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Hijikata Festival: April 17 (Fri) – May 11 (Mon)
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Kamui Festival: May 12 (Tue) – June 5 (Fri)
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Katsura Festival: June 6 (Sat) – June 29 (Mon)
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Okita Festival: June 30 (Tue) – July 29 (Wed)
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Takasugi Festival: July 30 (Thu) – September 2 (Wed)
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Gintoki Festival: September 3 (Thu) – October 12 (Mon/Holiday)
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General Compilation: October 13 (Tue) – November 23 (Mon/Holiday)
This long-running event is a testament to Gintama’s enduring popularity and its unique blend of comedy, action, and heartfelt moments. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for fans to truly immerse themselves in the world of Gintama and collect some incredible new items,” commented one excited fan. The sequential rollout of character-focused periods ensures that there’s always something new to discover.
For more details, visit the official Gintama Chara Pop Store website:
https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/chara_shop/gintama/
And follow their official X (formerly Twitter) for updates:
https://x.com/chara_pop
As Gintama continues to captivate audiences worldwide, events like the Chara Pop Store in Akihabara play a crucial role in bringing the series’ vibrant culture to life. The innovative approach of rotating character themes and exclusive goods ensures that the spirit of “Shippu Doto” will resonate with fans, further cementing Gintama’s place in the global kawaii character landscape for years to come.
