BOOKOFF: A Nerd Paradise! | Retail Archaeology

[@xylopiano3]

This store looks so cool! I hope they expand to more states!

[@jornthree8881]

As an Arizonian, I have found out about so many awesome stores to visit from your channel. LIKE HOW DID I NOT HEAR ABOUT THIS STORE UNTIL NOW? Your content is much appreciated.

[@MDestron2282]

Arizonan

[@Murph-h1d]

The “special tool” killed me 🤣

[@Markimark151]

I wish we had Bookoff in my state, they’re what American video game stores like GameStop should be now! If Japanese retailers knows how to run store business in America, despite online shopping, this is proof that American retailers need to try harder in their brick and mortar stores. While GameStop isn’t even putting effort with retro video games, they should learn from Bookoff.

[@IVR02]

I have a friend who lives in New York City, and a stop at the Manhattan Book-off has become a tradition for us anytime I cross the Hudson to visit him. We'll always spend a good hour or so just poking around, and I can always count on walking out with something cool, be it a stack of Famicom games, a stack of CDs, or even just a silly figurine. My best find for sure was a LaserDisc copy of Rush - Exit Stage Left for a whole $4; I'd have to imagine whoever spotted it didn't realize it was a LaserDisc and just marked it on the cheap. Granted, carrying a whole LaserDisc around Manhattan and back to New Jersey for the day was no easy task, but it was worth it either way. So yeah, love Book-off for sure.

[@Wotvr]

Dang I had no idea Bookoff existed outside of Japan. When I visited Japan last year I stopped in to the Hardoff/Bookoff in Kanazawa and it was so cool. I mostly just went for the fun of it but it's neat to see this one you went to here in the States isn't watered down in the slightest.

[@drewconway7135]

Book-on, Book-off, Daniel-san 🙏

[@BDBD16]

The Booker

[@gothsurfshorts]

Daniel-san-- show me : paint the fence. show me: wax tha floor. kiyaaa

[@lidsman2221]

Awesome store and love how everything is in its place and not just trashed like you would see at other chains. Thanks for the video.

[@daviselliott4812]

Great video! I am living in Japan currently, and Bookoff is a great place to find all kinds of stuff!

[@sushicat.3707]

I’m not sure if yours does this, but the ones in my area (Yokohama) have a case of video games without their cases. Those games are 20% off the used price.

[@BracerJack]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours. Brings back so many good memories.

[@terryrocks2j]

My sister lives close to one of the two in Hawaii. Some people traveled from the mainland USA just to buy games there. Neat.

[@spacecastleshow]

Dude, I was just in the Phoenix area over the holiday weekend, and made the trek down to Mesa almost exclusively to check this place out, based entirely on this video. I had a blast digging through the old Famicom/Super Famicom stuff, and found a bunch of really neat stuff I had to grab. Thanks as always, and keep up the awesome work!

[@godsavant]

Book-Off was my weekend haven back when I lived in Kansai. Each major city has at least 2-3 locations so you can make an entire day of just cruising between them, browsing 100-yen manga and discount Blu-Rays. Although they might want to think about rebranding their electronics branch Hard-Off before coming overseas...

[@kirbysuperstaruhh3769]

Atleast it matches with uk chain CEX..

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Lol! I've seen KZbinrs living in Japan talk about "Hard-off" 😅. Yeah, definitely will want to rethink that name overseas.

[@CantFightRobots]

So glad we have multiple in LA! I love game stores and having music and books is a big bonus.

[@JustDaveIsGood]

You should make more videos on a consistent basis. Always interesting and you have a pleasant voice.

[@nabguy]

I've been to American Bookoffs (Manhattan and Gardena, CA), and finally went over to Japan this last summer. Japanese Bookoffs are insanely huge. I went to about 4-5 of them in different locations and barely scratched the surface of their stock.

[@BoratWanksta]

Looks like a very nice store! Hope they eventually expand to more places and states, such as the Chicago area.

[@Kira_Kovalyova]

Wow, I'm speechless really. That is a great selection of games. I bet there is more retro games at this store than at all the stores in my entire city (in Russia) combined. I'm on vacation in the UK, and this even beats the pants off of CEX. You are lucky to have a great store like that in your area. This chain could even take a massive market share away from GameStop.

[@sorcerethan]

The Shovel Knight amiibo with the retro consoles at 4:13 just feels right and looks good.

[@space-beetles]

I hope these stores continue to expand in the US! I’m lucky enough to live near one. Great video!!

[@TheEasyJoe]

I went here twice to buy anime figures and occasionally Anime and Manga. I have yet to buy a retro game from them but plan to look for PS vita games next time I go. Its such a gem of a store for nerds/weebs love the place

[@327journal]

Looks like another in Phoenix on Bell & I-17. Will have to check it out. There’s also a couple of Bookmans in Phx and Mesa so we’re fortunate.

[@TheElegantDandyFop]

There’s two in the South Bay area of Los Angeles like this. There’s also one in the Little Tokyo neighborhood, but that one is ONLY anime figures and toys. The South Bay ones are awesome, but often veer toward overpriced on certain things. That said, you can find some rare treasures or even a semi-common thing for a couple bucks cheaper.

[@sircampbellsoup]

Bro, I'm so going to this place for my birthday. This is awesome.

[@MrAfongasu]

The one in Japan is one of the best stores. Great video. Love how they are coming to the states

[@PixelatedH2O]

And yet another awesome store that will likely take forever to reach my state, if it does at all. Videos like this make me wish I still lived in Arizona, though the heat of the valley is unbearable and I really don't need to continue my Pokemon card buying obsession.

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

Good to see something other than Bookmans or Zia!

[@GeeEm1313]

Portland needs this.

[@JP_is_me]

Was recently in Japan and got to go to my first Book Off. It kind of overwhelms you at first the amount of stuff they cram in there. Never knew they brought the brand across the pond. On a side note, big fan of the channel, you make great content.

[@zim3962]

Great video tour! Just what I was looking for

[@Larry]

Been watching Luke Morse's tours of Book Off and it's hardware spin-off Hard Off in Japan for years, so it's cool they're in the US now. Hopefully they'll consider coming to the UK too.

[@guestdj6665]

Thank you very much for sharing this. Years of seeing the organization of Japanese 2nd hand retailers has had me jealous for years. I didn’t know we had one in town that is on my way home from work. I will be stopping today to check it out.

[@AVEXentSUCKS]

I still remember when they were selling a 3DS game that’s more expensive used than new. The game at that point in time was still very much current and you can find new copies everywhere.

[@williamharris8367]

Caveat emptor! Thrift shops commonly do the very same thing. Most people are stupid, take advantage of that fact.

[@AVEXentSUCKS]

@@williamharris8367 That's interesting to know that this isn't an outlier. Thanks for the info.

[@BarnabyJones07]

5:52 and what's even better than that is Kirby with a fake mustache

[@lainsechoes]

this store is awesome!!!!

[@UndeadEggmiester]

This reminds me of a Japanese version of bookmens and I hope one of these comes to Tucson.

[@kelsmister]

Would be nice. I hate everything goes to phx area first. I am happy we finally got a daiso at least.

[@jadenova]

Reminds me of a small bookstore chain called Mr. K's Books.

[@SeiferA2001]

HOLY HELL BOOK OFF?? This is so freakin amazing! I visited the location near Sunshine City in Tokyo so I know how awesome this store is, especially to anime and video game enthusiasts. To see they didn’t gut out much, if at all, from their Japanese selection and categories is a shocking thing to witness. You’re making me wish I lived near Mesa now XD

[@snuff3577]

How have I never heard of this before?! This looks amazing!

[@TexasKnuckle]

I always wanted to go to a Book Off, but none of them are in my state! Thanks for posting this video. It really whets my appetite for Book Off!

[@2010theunit]

I love this store. It's a true Gem here in NYC. Lots of cool hard to find items at affordable prices.

[@tappergal]

I've wanted to visit this store, but this makes me want to visit even more! Thanks for your video.

[@AkamaruFoxHound]

Oh man, these guys were at Matsuri this year and they had some really niche merch that's difficult to find this side of the pacific. You got me mad hyped to check this out later!

[@tadreaming1]

This place is wonderful. I spent hours today there, because of your video. I bought 26 $1.00 & 2 $5.00 CDs. All in like new condition except jewel cases, I take the old ones off, and put new one on, and wallah, a like new CD. Thanks for the video, there opening another one in north Phoenix, close to my house, in January!! All were top notch CDs.

[@drno-xc1yt]

Such a tidy and organized store - I wish I had a Bookoff nearby. 6:12 - in the glass case of "more expensive half naked anime girls", there's an Asuka figure I've been hunting for a while, the gold casino outfit Asuka.

[@solidkingcobra]

Nor-Cal seriously needs this place.

[@Cherubicpants95]

I had zero clue there are only 17 locations. I have two within close proximity in my area of Southern California, great stores! Thanks R.A. For the video.

[@JennNofficial]

I luv Bookoff!!!! its my fav place to find my fav Christmas books and movies!!!!

[@Hschlick84]

I'm gonna have to check this place out sometime. I live up in Prescott Valley, so its less than a 2 hour drive. Yippy!

[@Chilakkuma13]

I had no idea Book-Off expanded outside Japan, I'd love to see one in Australia. Especially for the games and music.

[@JohnFiala]

I'm going to have to try one of these out next time that I'm on the west coast.

[@thespookycore4344]

When I went to Japan, I loved Book off. It's less common, but some also have a 2nd hand clothing section. There were tons of actually nice, even designer clothes for really good prices, especially if you wait for markdowns. Part of that is because of the conversion rate right now, but it was still crazy to see thrifted clothes where the prices wasn't jacked up to sell it at "vintage" prices.

[@chriswilkerson1493]

This is really a cool looking place. Everything looks so neat and organized. Just the fact that they don’t just stick the price stickers right on the label really shows they care.

[@miilotheminer]

I went to book off once in Manhattan, thought it would be cool to just walk around. The place reeked of BO, i guess you get what you attract

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Sounds like most Florida gun shows. Mold, must, BO, 🥡 odors. 🤨

[@Melissa2087]

LOVE Bookoff. There is one in NYC and I can spend HOURS in there. The one in NYC is 2-3 floors.

[@TWX1138]

We already hit Bookmans', Half Price Books, Zia Records, and we used to hit places like Bookvault, looks like we have another one to add to our list.

[@Khaot1x]

Can't forget hastings. I know it don't exist anymore but it had similar stuff. I'll have to check this place out next month.

[@ShinobiShaw]

There is a BOOK-OFF in NYC now for many years ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@StrtStrt-fu8qh]

Checkout the Google review I left for your channel and thanks for turning us onto this amazing store! We LOVE your channel, so glad we discovered it! We may have to send you some music for your vids as my husband is a music producer! You are awesome thanks for the great content, keep it comin!!!

[@chrislongbeard]

I go to a store in NY once a month or so. Definitely got to watch your prices. Found a CD I've been looking for it was 29.99, and the bands website was 24.99 new, including shipping. Went in with some Manga/anime that has been sitting in my ebay store for a while. The offers were darn near insulting. Basically if the cover price was around 10 bucks it was 50 cents to a dollar. Regular books were worse.

[@MaxH0ward]

I do really enjoy these book off stores. Im from california so ive been to a few out there. In my experience the one in mesa is a little more expensive but still cool. Im gonna be in phoenix for the next few days im excited to check out some local stores and buy tons of games

[@ThyGreenKnight]

I prefer to remove the back of the SFC or Japanese N64 games and either temporary replace it with a North American back or just put it in the system without. It still requires a special tool to remove the screws, but I find it useful to have for cleaning games and possibly verifying authentic games if going for some of those rare, high price games. I recently visited 5 Book Off stores in one day (gotta put that video together) and found a good amount of Famicom and Super Famicom games I was looking for and some I wasn't looking for. Oh, and that was Championship Lode Runner. I recommend the Yellow cart with regular Lode Runner.

[@bmarie216]

I’m happy you posted a new video. I always enjoy whatever you post. This looks like a cool store. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻😀 Have a great week . Will you be posting one video per month now?

[@jamesarguello7560]

I wonder if US BookOff's have model kits. At the ones here in Japan I've found killer deals with many older Japanese-made plastic models. I got a Fujimi 1/72 A-6E Intruder for just 1,250 Yen a few years ago. I've seen a lot of 1/72 Fujimi US military jet aircraft going up in price recently (Especially their A-4's!) so you can find some absolute gems for an amazing price if your timing is right.

[@BabyCharmander]

Mannnn you have the coolest stores!! I wish I could go to this one. There’s some used game stores here but they’re more interested in ripping you off selling you a plushie for $30 that you could get for $10 at the Walmart next door…

[@ScottyPhoton]

Wow, I had no idea they came to the USA. It's wild seeing a "book*off" here, though not as wild as their sister store would be. 😄 I've been to a few in Nagasaki and Tokyo. Definitely a similar vibe.

[@92Pooky]

Yes, we love Kirby! I have quite the collection 😅

[@eon1166]

Visited a Book Off when I was in Japan in the summer, it was great! Really cool store, had a lot of nice games, tech, toys, audio equipment etc.

[@VicVergalito]

Book off! No way. Love that store

[@ShyGuyPal102]

Thank you for the video, and letting me know there are that many BookOffs in the states! I'll have to go to one when I can! @8:04 Oh yes, its going strong as ever! It doesn't get the lime light anywhere near as much as Pokemon, but it is still pretty popular! :)

[@jfwfreo]

I wish we had a store like this in Australia.

[@andrew6xrv]

Wow, I’ve visited this store at Lakewood Center and Del Amo malls in Southern California and thought it was just a small regional chain, had no idea it was a huge company from Japan! I’d love to see them expand more here.

[@Jake76667]

this video makes me wish there were more bookoff stores in the mainland united states, especially where i live

[@KerzacTransformed]

If they ever come to North Florida, I'd be there every weekend lol

[@SeekerPROs]

I live 5 minutes from this place. It’s awesome!

[@Bro3256]

I've stopped by this exact Book-Off a couple of times and managed to pick up quite a few interesting Famicom and Super Famicom cartridges but the video game prices in general are marked above than what you can find on Japanese auction sites. I tend to only pick up stuff that are marked down from the original price they give which lets me get cartridges for $3 a pop.

[@KTDFox]

This place was my retail therapy every week when I was going to Mesa for dog cancer treatments…

[@markmcla]

I always enjoy your videos! I just looked online, and there's a Bookoff in Costa Mesa CA. I'll check it out!

[@MrPeteykins]

Ooooh, I want one of these in the DC area!

[@LondonSnaps1]

I love book off, my fav place.

[@BreakTime10101]

Book off? Book you! 😂 Glad to see you back, we thought you retired. 😊 Cool store. What exactly do you do with the pliers to make the games work? Hope to see more videos from you soon. Hope you’re doing well.

[@twiggyjali]

i hope they open one in toronto :) looks like an afternoon well spent

[@annabbott1963]

My son loves this store, we go to the one in Japan Village, Brooklyn NY

[@ronmckenna5962]

I wish they'd open one here in Ottawa, Ont., 'cause it looks great.

[@Vic_Coco]

Wish it was a longer video! Seems like it could be a 30 minute video of coolness!

[@MacGuffinExMachina]

You can wash the sticky hands with soap and water, and they become sticky again. I forgot how I learned that, but I remember finding that out as a kid.

[@Raffi.Sabghir8]

As a New Yorker, the NYC and Massapequa locations follow the same format as the Arizona location, in terms of what's sold. The AnimeLab, in Brooklyn, slims down to just the Figures, Manga, TCG, and the other Anime stuff.

[@bentstrider]

Awesome. Apart from a hobby shop, I'm starting to suspect this could be a good spot to find some non-train vehicles and structures for various scale layouts. Going to have to make my way out to one of these with a couple of my N and HO scale locos in hand and measure up!!! I just noticed CS188 of YTP fame is one of your donors!!!

[@SinKillerJ]

I had no idea Off had popped up here. I practically live at HobbyOff and HardOff in Japan.

[@BottomBunkArt]

I’d love to have one of those stores in my area

[@shigemorif1066]

Oh man, now I wish I still had the famicon I had growing up!

[@shannonyoast6906]

As always great video 👍

[@DigitalStarry]

Man I wish we had that kind of thing around here. Near me there’s like one local chain that’s overpriced and a little dirty with maybe a quarter of the selection of games and media. And then another thats like 45 minutes away thats a family owned store and has its own arcade but its only two pretty small rooms.

[@ameliacarlson5580]

I live in California and I’ve never heard of Bookoff until now 😅

[@Mezcon2]

Oh man…I need a store like that here where I am. I’d be in at least once a week

[@iamsoverybored878]

I have one close to me. I don't go there often since I don't buy media anymore. I would go more often if they had more toys I collected. Not into Funkos and figures. Which is pretty much what they have at my location.

[@Deadwrongallalong]

I had no idea this store had locations in the US! So cool. Too bad I live in Canada haha

[@bradforddorsky2664]

It would be nice if they open up a store in Rhode Island or Massachusetts I would think that be really popular around here.

[@PlasticGeek]

Wow it’s crazy they import almost all of their products even used stuff!

[@williamharris8367]

I would love to have a place like that closer to where I live (Manhattan is ~600 miles away), but the population is far too small to support such a niche business. There are no used video game stores, one small used bookstore, and one store that sells comic books and Anime merchandise. The market just does not exist around here.

[@josephtafur]

This store needs to come to Texas, Next