Comic Takaoka
.jpg) Comic Takaoka in June 2015 | |
Native name | コミック高岡 |
|---|---|
| Formerly | Takaoka Shoten |
| Company type | Joint-stock |
| Industry | Manga |
| Founded | 1880 |
| Founders | Yasutarou Takaoka Torajiro Takaoka |
| Defunct | March 31, 2019 |
| Headquarters | , Japan |
was a prominent comic book store specializing in manga located in Jinbōchō, Tokyo, Japan. Originating in 1880 under the name , it originally functioned as a general bookstore before dedicating itself solely to manga in 1979 and adopting the name Comic Takaoka. It holds the distinction of being one of Japan’s earliest dedicated manga retailers and, until its closure in 2019, one of the country’s longest-operating establishments in this niche.
History
The shop was founded by brothers Yasutarou and Torajiro Takaoka, who moved from Gifu Prefecture. Initially, it operated as a general used bookstore. The founders later ventured into publishing, producing reference materials authored by mathematician and scientist . After ceasing operations during Second World War, the business was reestablished as a joint-stock company in 1948. The shift to exclusively selling manga in 1979 coincided with its rebranding to Comic Takaoka.
Recognized as one of the trailblazers among specialized manga outlets in Japan, Comic Takaoka gained fame as "one of Tokyo's most iconic manga stores" due to its comprehensive selection, ranging from major publishing houses to specialized otaku works. Situated in Jinbōchō—a district famed for its concentration of used bookstores—the store was notable for its vivid yellow exterior. During its peak period in the mid-1980s, daily sales reached around 1,700 volumes.
In February 2019, Comic Takaoka declared it would cease operations on March 31, attributing this decision to challenges such as the downturn in Japan’s publishing sector, the rise of e-book formats, and increasing rental prices in Jinbōchō. That same year, the British Museum included a virtual exhibit of Comic Takaoka within The Citi Exhibition: Manga, underscoring its importance within manga culture and history.
External links
- (defunct, via Internet Archive)
- Comic Takaoka on Twitter