New store opening: Tobias launches new retail concept
Manga fans and curious newcomers will soon have a new gathering spot in the heart of Aalborg.
On Nørregade, among the street’s many small specialty shops, a new “nerd haven” is moving into the former Lakridspizza premises.
The shop will be filled with manga, anime merchandise, and Japanese pop culture—and will be run by Tobias Green.
Suggested by his girlfriend
Originally, Tobias was on a very different path in life.
He was studying biology at university but went on sick leave and took a break to figure out what he really wanted to do.
“My girlfriend came up with the idea that I should open a manga shop.
I considered online sales and second-hand books, but there wasn’t really anything I could fully commit to,” he explains.
That changed when he one day walked past Lakridspizza on Nørregade.
“I saw they were moving out, and suddenly I could picture it. It was just a great space to take over,” he says.
Shortly after, he contacted the landlord, drew up a budget, and began sourcing suppliers.
“A spark just lit inside me, and everything came back to life.”
Manga, merch and a lounge corner
The original plan was “just” a manga store, but the concept quickly evolved once the location was secured.
“It’s going to be manga, some anime, and a lot of merchandise.
East Asian culture, cool bag charms, keychains, blind boxes with different characters.
I want to make it a true specialty shop for East Asian pop culture,” Tobias says.
The shop is also meant to be a place to hang out.
“There will be soft chairs, maybe a sofa. People should be able to sit down, play Pokémon cards, and talk about their love for this universe.
You should be able to grab a Japanese soda, snacks, a Faxe Kondi—and just be yourself,” he says.
The interior will be simple and airy.
“The space will be quite neutral, so the manga and merchandise provide the colors.
It should feel cozy, not cramped,” he explains.
A long-standing passion
Tobias’ fascination with manga goes all the way back to primary school.
“I dipped my toes into it at a very young age.
I had friends reading Dragon Ball in first grade. Later, I got even more into it.
Now there isn’t a day where I don’t read manga,” he says.
For him, manga is much more than just entertainment.
“Manga is like stepping into another world.
The stories draw on Japanese myths and culture and range from wild ninja and pirate series to quiet, deep narratives about identity and morality.
There’s something for both children and adults, and the selection is so vast that it’s almost impossible not to find something you like.”
Aalborg is behind
Opening a specialised manga shop in Aalborg may not seem like the most obvious move on paper, Tobias admits—but he believes the timing is right.
“I haven’t done major market analysis, but I know manga is on the rise.
Globally, it really took off during COVID.
France has had a huge manga culture since the 1980s, and many other countries are following.
Aalborg and Denmark are just behind.”
To test interest, he made a post on the Reddit forum r/aalborg.
“I got around 60 upvotes and just as many comments, which is actually quite a lot there.
There was support, but also concern about whether it was too niche.
At the time, I was almost only thinking about manga—since then, I’ve expanded the concept with more merchandise and a cozy atmosphere.”
Nørregade—and his mother just across the street
Nørregade is a perfect fit for the project, he believes.
“It’s a street of specialty shops, where you can find everything from French cheeses to yarn, ceramics, and vinyl records.
It’s a really cozy street with unique products you don’t find elsewhere.
A manga shop fits right in.”
At the same time, the location is almost a family affair.
Tobias’ parents, Majken and Christian Green, run “Majkens Hylde,” located just across the street.
“I’ve taken a few shifts in my mom’s shop to get a feel for retail life.
I’ve really caught the entrepreneurial bug, and I’m incredibly excited to get started,” he says.
Opening in mid-May
Tobias takes over the premises on 1 May and expects to open in mid-May.
“We just need to get the space ready, but we’ll prepare as much as possible in advance so we can just move everything in,” he says.
When the doors open, he will be behind the counter himself. The plan is to open Wednesday to Friday from 11:00 to 17:30 and Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00.
He hopes to attract both hardcore fans and curious locals.
“I’m hoping for manga enthusiasts who love this universe, as well as people who read Dragon Ball in the 2000s and want to pass it on to their children.
And also those who have heard about manga and anime, find it interesting, but don’t know where to start.
They can come in and get help finding great stories,” he says.
Families with an eye for quirky items are also welcome.
Outside, he dreams of installing Japanese gacha machines with capsule toys, while inside he envisions events such as drawing workshops and Pokémon trading days in collaboration with local partners.
The shop will be called “Tobis Univers,” and you can already follow its journey on Facebook.