Are you a manga fan? These Parisian spots will help you live out your passion to the full!

Published on October 24, 2023 at 5:49 pm

Manga is a whole universe, and above all a style and codes that fascinate: there are many manga fans in the Western world, and Paris and France are no exception. While 'otaku' aficionados can be found wherever this culture takes pride of place, manga is also embodied and staged in real life. That's why we're taking you to these 'manga' places in Paris, where people live, eat, play and parade manga!

The Manga Café

If you're an 'otaku' (manga fan), Manga Café V2 probably holds no secrets for you. It's the place to be, not to show off, but because it's been designed with manga fans in mind. It's a manga kissa, a Japanese concept given a Western twist, not far from the Bibliothèque F. Mitterrand. Here you can indulge your passion for reading manga on sofas or armchairs, with as many mangas as you like (it's the biggest manga library in France), as well as hot and cold drinks and video games.

Note that Manga Café V2 is being challenged in the capital by other places keen to reproduce the manga kissa principle. One of these is the very interesting and no less friendly Extra Life Café and its manga library of over 6,000 mangas. Here (as at the Manga Café), you can play your favourite games on Nintendo 64, Game Cube, Playstation One or Sega Saturn consoles! You can also enjoy milkshakes and iced tea. All in the heart of the 5th arrondissement.

Practical information

Le Manga Café V2

📍 Location: this Parisian manga mecca can be found here.

⏰ O pening times: Mondays, 12pm to 7.30pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10.30am to 7.30pm, and Sundays, 2pm to 7.30pm.

👛 Prices including drinks: mornings, €3/hour + €1.50 for each additional half-hour. In the afternoon, the same principle applies, with the hour priced at €4. Packages (prepaid cards) are available at reduced rates.

Extra Life Café

📍 Location: this Parisian manga café-restaurant can be found here.

⏰ Opening times: 2pm to 10pm, every day except Tuesday.

👛 Prices including drinks: from €6 (can, coffee, chocolate) to €8.50 (milkshake, granita, latté) per hour. Then €2.50 for each additional half-hour.

The art of cosplay

Manga isn't just a type of comic strip, it's also otakus who don the same clothes as their heroes, imposing the same sophistication and style on themselves, embodying themselves in them. It's the art of cosplay, which takes place at conventions, outings or just for fun.

Paris Manga is one of those trade fairs where, as in the US, it's great fun to come along in the shoes of your heroes. This year, the 33rd edition of the show falls on the weekend of 28 and 29 October, again at Paris Nord Villepinte. On the programme: cosplay parades! You'll be able to feast your eyes and see your favourite manga characters embodied on stage! What's more, 200 entertainment and sales stands will be on hand to bring you all the latest Japanese releases!

Japan Expo, or Japex, which also takes place in Paris every summer, is no slouch when it comes to cosplays, as you can see in this video. It's a case of perfection. Passion works wonders!

There's another really nice place in the capital, dedicated to manga cosplay culture, among other things. It's the Kawaii Café, on rue de Nemours, where you can eat your Asian burger in Naruto or Sakura costume. And don't worry, you won't be the only one, because the waiters will all be in manga cosplay too! Go there with your eyes shut, because Japanese geek culture is also on offer at the Kawaii Café!

Practical information

Paris Manga

📍 Location: the exhibition centre where it will be held is here.

⏰ Opening times: Saturday, 9.30am to 7pm and Sunday, 9.30am to 6pm. For tickets purchased on site: 10.30am to 7pm on Saturday and 10.30am to 6pm on Sunday.

👛 Admission: €20 for 1 day.