Portland’s newest manga cafe, Reggie’s Manga Shop, offers a new space for teens and tweens to hang and find community, adding an all-important family-friendly space in the Arbor Lodge neighborhood.
As a ’90s teen who practically grew up in a coffee shop, I walked into this reinvented house and stood speechless as I saw a happy tween reading comics in front of a wall of fancy ramen noodles. Manga, for those unfamiliar, generally refers to comics and comic characters, and in the U.S., this generally means Japanese comic culture. (You might have heard of One Piece, Gundam or Full Metal Alchemist.)
While stuck imagining myself happily tucked away with noodles and comics in a corner, my far less introspective 9-year-old ran gleefully across the room, drawn to the many colorful character displays between the books. Near the entrance, he found a wall of gashapon, Japanese vending machines in which you put tokens in and get a mystery prize inside a plastic egg (pictured below). Pro tip: The $3 tokens can be purchased at the cashier and younger kids can choose from a range including cute bunnies to fighting robots.
At Reggie’s, my son’s excitement was palpable and he jumped from topic to topic. He tugged down on my arm to whisper that he, “Knows that one guy” from a comic he enjoys and wanted to know which shows I will watch with him — after he gets a prize, of course.
I’ve already mentioned ramen, but there’s more. Explore a wide variety of Japanese food and drinks, plus a really great variety of cold coffee beverages for adults. I decided on a Kona coffee drink, my son chose a banana milk, and we shared a dessert that reminded me of Nutella and breadsticks. Most snacks range between $3 to $6 with a few exceptions.
The full Reggie’s experience is larger than simply a good snack and some Pokémon (although we witnessed that combo while in house). Check the website for regular clubs categorized by adult, teen and youth. The facility also hosts drawing, stationary and other art classes, housed in the back community room and on the large, rear patio. Signs on the wall tease summer/day camps coming soon.
Check out our reel of Reggie’s!
More Places to Get Manga
If you love manga, don’t stop at just one shop. Check out these other area favorites.
Kinokuniya Portland
Comics and comic book characters abound at this downtown Portland location in the old Guild Theatre building. Enjoy a cup of authentic Japanese tea. Open daily 10:30 am-7 pm.
GeekEasy Anime Cafe
Chinatown’s newest addition, this venue opened in late March and features elaborate wall murals, comfy seating and robots. Weekdays, 8 am-6 pm; Saturday, 10:30 am-8 pm and Sunday, 10 am-7 pm.
Powell’s City of Books
It’s almost impossible to mention books in Portland without Powell’s, and that includes a large selection of manga and manga-adjacent reading and merchandise. Open daily 10 am–9 pm.