"Gotta catch 'em all" isn't just for Pokémon – it's the motto for navigating Shanghai's booming anime scene.

From life-sized anime statues and cosplay cafés to trading card zones and walls of "gachapon" (capsule toys), Shanghai has steadily – and now unmistakably – become China's go-to city for all things ACG (anime, comics and games). With the guzi (ACG character-themed goods) economy in full swing, shopping malls across the city are transforming into creative hubs where fandom, fashion and pop culture collide.

Whether you're chasing rare merch, posing with your favorite characters, or just diving into a surprise "gachapon" haul, this guide has you covered with the coolest ACG-themed malls in the city.

Bailian ZX Creative Arena (百联ZX创趣场)

Welcome to the crown jewel of Shanghai's anime scene. Bailian ZX is the holy land of guzi – home to world-first flagship stores for SEGA, I.G & WIT Studio, One Piece Straw Hat Shop and Kotobukiya. Expect wall-to-wall anime merch, life-sized character statues, themed cafés and weekend dance-offs.

With more than 40 stores and fan services that include free luggage storage and access to a giant outdoor screen, it's no surprise that up to 90,000 visitors show up on peak days. This place isn't a mall – it's a multiverse.

Nanjing Road E. branch

Address: 340-372 Nanjing Rd E., Huangpu District

黄浦区南京东路340-372号

Wujiaochang branch

Address: 2500 Siping Rd, Yangpu District

杨浦区四平路2500号

Jing'an Joy City (静安大悦城)

Joy City is the mall that saw the anime boom coming years ago. Back in 2017, it launched "i-LAND," China's first anime shopping zone, and it's been leveling up ever since.

With more than 50 anime-related shops over 5,500 square meters, this is where pop-ups happen before they go viral. Think Sanrio, March Monster and countless global IPs. Cosplayers are welcome (there's even a dress code to keep things classy).

Sales here have topped 350 million yuan (US$48.66 million), and it's got major fan cred for being both trend-setting and cosplay-friendly.

Address: 198 Xizang Rd N., Jing'an District

静安区西藏北路198号

Shanghai No. 1 Department Store Hall C (第一百货C馆)

Tucked right into the heart of Nanjing Road, this spot is home to three themed ACG streets. Each zone has its own vibe, from fantasy aesthetics to urban otaku energy. It's a must-visit if you want to explore multiple anime mini-worlds under one roof. It's also surrounded by other ACG landmarks, so it fits perfectly into your downtown anime crawl.

Address: 830 Nanjing Rd E., Huangpu District

黄浦区南京东路830号

New World City (新世界城)

This classic mega-mall has carved out space for anime lovers with a dedicated ACG exhibition zone on the 11th floor, frequently hosting large-scale pop-ups like One Piece Grand Voyage.

You'll also find themed dining, collectibles and event spaces that double as cosplay stages. When it comes to balancing mainstream retail with 2D culture, New World City knows how to keep things both stylish and fan-focused.

Address: 2-68 Nanjing Rd W., Huangpu District

黄浦区南京西路2-68号

Pinault Printemps-Redoute · Yuehui Tianshan (巴黎春天·悦汇天山)

This freshly revamped mall in the Hongqiao-Gubei area blends anime culture, lifestyle retail and interactive fun into one sleek, youth-driven hub.

With themed zones like "Valley of Light" and "Temporal Rift" across B1 and Level 4, you'll find guzi stores, DIY stands, cosplay gear and fan-favorite brands like THE GREEN PARTY.

The vibe? Think indoor anime fair with dancing cosplayers, oversized mascots and limited-edition merch. Don't miss the MINISO Pink store and JK fashion boutiques. Bonus: direct access from Metro Lines 2 & 15 makes it an easy stop on any ACG shopping quest.

Address: 762 Tianshan Rd, Changning District

长宁区天山路762号

Mosaic Plaza (悦荟广场)

Mosaic Plaza's "QiaQiaGu" (恰恰谷) is like a hidden treasure chest – if treasure equals adorable plushies and rare "gachapon."

Tucked on the 4th floor, this vibrant corner hosts 20+ niche stores like Rejet Shop, 谷GO, DearDolls and the "Deep Sleep Sheep" (深睡羊), a brand featuring J-POP IP.

Expect collectible card shops, cosplay boutiques, and plenty of "limited edition only today!" signs. It's part mall, part marketplace and part cosplay meet-up zone.

Address: 353 Nanjing Rd E., Huangpu District

黄浦区南京东路353号

TPY Center (TPY中心)

TPY Center is like that quiet gamer friend who suddenly flexes a killer setup. Once a digital mall, it's been reborn underground as an ACG basement paradise, with stores for One Piece, Pokémon, Digimon, and more.

There's even themed escape rooms and tabletop gaming zones. It's where you go when you're serious about fandom, and maybe want to duel someone in the card arena while you're at it.

Address: 1117 Zhaojiabang Rd, Xuhui District

徐汇区肇嘉浜路1117号

Global Harbor Mall (环球港)

Global Harbor hosts the Alien Universe (异星宇宙), which sounds like a sci-fi movie but is actually one of Shanghai's most immersive anime zones.

Here, shopping blends with AR/VR experiences, cosplay stages and giant exhibitions. The concept is simple: "Don't just shop – interact, role-play and show off your fit." It's big, loud, and brilliant if you're down for more than just browsing shelves.

Address: 3300 Zhongshan Rd N., Putuo District

普陀区中山北路3300号

96 Plaza (九六广场)

This plaza is home to the AXG Rainbow Island, a 1,500sqm anime dreamscape packed with photo zones, 2D immersion corridors and themed experience areas.

It's ideal for cosplay shoots, TikTok content, and taking 100 selfies with your new plushie. Think aesthetic first, shopping second.

Address: 796 Dongfang Rd, Pudong New Area

浦东新区东方路796号

Metro City (美罗城)

One of the OGs of Shanghai's anime shopping scene, Metro City brought in Donguri Republic back in 2016 and never looked back. It's now a bustling hub for Sanrio, LOFT, Jump Shop and March Monster, perfect for casual fans and longtime otaku alike.

Address: 1111 Zhaojiabang Rd, Xuhui District

徐汇区肇嘉浜路1111号

Cloud 9 Mall (龙之梦购物中心)

If you're into cards and collectibles, Cloud 9 Mall is your battlefield. Home to China's first Pokémon Card Gym and the Bandai Card Game flagship, it draws duelists, collectors and cosplay crews. The mall also holds Chinese animation pop-ups like Nezha and Link Click, adding a local flavor to your fandom fix.

Address: 1018 Changning Rd, Changning District

长宁区长宁路1018号

Super Brand Mall (正大广场) & Lalaport Jinqiao

Both malls proudly host Gundam Base Shanghai, and yes, there's a giant Gundam statue waiting for your camera at Lalaport. A must-see for Gunpla builders and mecha heads. Bring your wallet – and maybe a suitcase for your haul.

Super Brand Mall

Address: 168 Lujiazui Rd W., Pudong New Area

浦东新区陆家嘴西路168号

Lalaport Jinqiao

Address: 738 Xinjinqiao Rd, Pudong New Area

浦东新区新金桥路738号

Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza C Tower (五角场万达广场C馆)

Renovated into the Gu Wan Dimension Street (谷WAN次元街), this tower is a jackpot of small shops selling figures, cards, blind boxes and accessories. It's cozy, quirky, and packed with budget-friendly finds. Ideal if you like browsing and bargaining with fellow fans.

Address: 77 Songhu Rd, Yangpu District

杨浦区淞沪路77号

D-Mall (迪美购物中心)

Tucked beneath People's Square, this underground 50,000sqm maze has earned the title "OG ACG street of Shanghai."

Long before anime malls were trending, Dimei was already full of guzi stores – and it still is.

With 20+ anime and collectible shops, plus vintage merch, lolita, hanfu (Chinese Han-style clothing) and cosplay outfits, and street food, D-Mall's nostalgic vibe and tight corridors feel straight out of a 2000s fan forum.

Address: 221 People's Ave, Huangpu District

黄浦区人民大道221号

Also Worth a Visit

Hopson One (合生汇): Home to stationery expos, cosplay events, and brand collabs like LOFT, Miffy and Detective Conan.

Songjiang IN City (松江印象城): Giant rooftop Pikachu. Enough said.

Jing An Kerry Center (静安嘉里中心): Yes, you can now mix Doraemon with luxury shopping.