About Us

Our family's roots in the bay area started in the 1910s on Amy's side and the 1960s on Jason's. Amy and Jason grew up in Berkeley (BHS '86 and '87) and bought our first house in El Cerrito; our three sons (Kalen, Alton, and Revin) graduated from Albany High ('16, '21, and '24). 

During the "dark" pandemic years, our family spent a lot of great time together watching anime, but the boys were disappointed in the inadequacy of available anime merchandise. Having grown up playing trading card games, the boys recognized that there was also a growing scarcity of local card tournament spaces. After much consideration, we decided to take the leap into retail and attempt to fill both needs at once!

We are incredibly grateful for all the welcoming support we've received and are excited to be a vibrant part of the east bay anime, comics, trading card, and gaming communities. Please stop by and visit!

The Anime Island 2024 Holiday Staff Party! - December 2024 

 

We moved across the Plaza - November 2023

 

Anime Island grand opening ribbon cutting - Kalen, Jason, Alton, Revin, Mayor Lisa Motoyama, and Amy

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting - May 2023