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If you are a fan of classic 1980s Japanese robot anime, the city of Nagoya holds a very special place in history. While Tokyo is often considered the undisputed anime capital of the world, it was actually Nagoya TV Broadcasting—commonly known as Me~Tele (メ～テレ)—that served as the nationwide broadcast network for some of the most iconic mecha series ever produced by Sunrise.
In autumn 2026, MeTele is honoring its legendary anime broadcasting legacy by teaming up with SUNRISE WORLD (the official brand portal for classic Sunrise properties) for a massive, exclusive collaboration merchandise pop-up. This special event is part of MeTele's annual Dode Matsuri (ドデ祭), a massive, free-to-enter street festival held around the network's headquarters in central Nagoya.
For inbound tourists visiting Japan in mid-to-late October 2026, this presents a phenomenal opportunity. Not only do you get to experience a vibrant, localized Japanese street festival complete with food stalls and games, but you can also hunt for exclusive crossover merchandise featuring iconic retro mecha franchises that rarely get this level of dedicated pop-up treatment today. Because the festival is free and general admission, it makes for a perfect 1-to-2-hour "geeky detour" (寄り道) to add to your broader Nagoya sightseeing itinerary.
This comprehensive, massive 5,000+ word guide will walk you through every single detail of the Me~Tele × SUNRISE WORLD Robot Anime Goods Sale 2026, the rules for buying merchandise, the exact locations, deep dives into the featured franchises, and how to build an ultimate retro anime day trip in Nagoya around this pop-up.
1. Event Overview: Me~Tele × SUNRISE WORLD at Dode Matsuri 2026
The MeTele x SUNRISE WORLD pop-up is a limited-time merchandise booth celebrating five legendary robot and armor anime series that originally aired nationwide across Japan via the MeTele network in the 1980s.
Key Event Facts
- Event Name: メ～テレ×サンライズワールド ロボットアニメ グッズ販売2026 (Me~Tele x SUNRISE WORLD Robot Anime Goods Sale 2026)
- Dates: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Note: These dates are listed officially as "予定" / scheduled, and are subject to change).
- Hours: 10:00 to 19:00 on both days.
- Admission: 100% Free. (Dode Matsuri is a public street festival).
- Featured Mascot: Me~Tele's official station mascot character, "Wolfy" (ウルフィ).
- Rights/Copyright: ©SUNRISE ©Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.
Where is it Located?
The outdoor pop-up booth is integrated into the larger Dode Matsuri festival grounds. Specifically, the official Sunrise World announcement places the booth immediately to the west of Higashibetsuin Terrace Hall (東別院テラスホール西隣の特設ブース).
The festival itself takes over the Me~Tele headquarters and the surrounding Higashibetsuin area in Naka-ku, Nagoya.
Exact Location Map: Higashibetsuin Terrace Hall
Access:
- By Train: Take the Nagoya Subway Meijo Line to Higashibetsuin Station (東別院駅). Use Exit 4. The Me~Tele headquarters and the Terrace Hall are less than a 1-minute walk from the exit.
- From Nagoya Station: Take the Higashiyama Line to Sakae Station, then transfer to the Meijo Line heading south to Higashibetsuin. Total transit time is roughly 15 minutes.
- Pro Tip for Tourists: Ensure you have your transit card ready. If you are confused about which card works in Nagoya, check our guide: What is the Best IC Card for Tourists in Japan 2026? | Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA. (Spoiler: Suica, Pasmo, and ICOCA all work perfectly on the Nagoya Subway system!).
2. What to Expect at the Dode Matsuri (ドデ祭)
If you are traveling to Japan, visiting a local festival (matsuri) is a cultural bucket-list item. While many tourists aim for traditional summer shrine festivals, autumn festivals hosted by modern media companies offer a uniquely vibrant, pop-culture-infused experience.
Dode Matsuri is Me~Tele's massive annual thanksgiving festival aimed at the local community. It ties heavily into their daytime and evening television programming blocks. Because it is a general-admission street festival, the grounds are completely free to enter for anyone—no tickets or reservations are required to walk around and soak up the atmosphere.
While you are visiting the SUNRISE WORLD pop-up booth, you can easily spend an hour or two enjoying the rest of the festival. Expected highlights include:
- Dode-Pura Yokocho (ドデプラ横丁) Food Court: A sprawling food and drink market featuring popular restaurants, food trucks, and sweets shops from across the Tokai region (Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures). This is a fantastic place to grab lunch.
- Traditional Festival Games: Enjoy classic Japanese ennichi (festival) games like shooting galleries (shateki) and scooping games.
- TV Studio "Announcer Experience": A fun, interactive booth where visitors can try their hand at reading the news or experiencing what it is like to be on a live television set.
- Local Market: Various regional shops set up booths selling local crafts, snacks, and souvenirs.
Payment Tips for the Festival
While larger booths and the official SUNRISE WORLD pop-up will likely accept credit cards and IC cards, traditional festival food stalls (yatai) and game booths in Japan frequently still operate on a cash-only basis. Be sure to carry a few thousand yen in 1,000-yen bills and coins. For a deeper breakdown of how to manage your money while traveling, read our guide on Cash vs Card in Japan 2026: How Much Cash Do You Need?.
Also, October in Nagoya can still be surprisingly sunny and warm during the day. Because Dode Matsuri is largely an outdoor street festival, bringing sun protection is highly recommended. Check out the Best Japanese Sunscreens 2026 | TOP5 for Western Travelers to pick up some local UV protection at a nearby pharmacy before heading to the festival grounds.
3. The Merchandise: Anime Collaborations & Shopping Rules
The core attraction of the SUNRISE WORLD pop-up booth is the exclusive merchandise.
The main gimmick of this 2026 event is a crossover between the classic 1980s Sunrise robot anime franchises and "Wolfy" (ウルフィ), a cute sheep-wearing-a-wolf-skin mascot that represents Me~Tele. You will find unique "Wolfy x 1980s Sunrise Robot Anime" collaboration items that inject a bit of Nagoya local flavor into these iconic sci-fi series.
In addition to the mascot crossover items, the booth will sell standard, official SUNRISE WORLD merchandise for each of the featured franchises. This includes apparel, acrylic stands, clear files, badges, and other collectible staples of modern Japanese anime events.
The 5 Featured Sunrise Franchises
All five of the anime highlighted at this event share a common historical bond: they were broadcast to living rooms across the entire nation of Japan via Me~Tele (Nagoya Broadcasting Network).
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (機動戦士Ζガンダム - 1985) The direct sequel to the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam. Helmed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, Zeta Gundam took the franchise in a famously darker, more complex political direction. It introduced transformable mobile suits and remains one of the most critically acclaimed entries in the Gundam pantheon.
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (機動戦士ガンダムΖΖ - 1986) Following immediately after the devastating conclusion of Zeta, ZZ Gundam ("Double Zeta") initially pivoted to a lighter, more comedic tone before descending back into high-stakes tragedy. With its massive, heavily armed titular mecha, ZZ is a cornerstone of mid-80s Sunrise design.
- Heavy Metal L-Gaim (重戦機エルガイム - 1984) Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino with breathtaking, revolutionary mechanical and character designs by Mamoru Nagano (who would later create The Five Star Stories). L-Gaim's sleek, organic-looking mecha ("Heavy Metals") with internal skeleton frames directly influenced the design philosophy of the Gundam series that followed it.
- Armored Chronicle Dragonar (機甲戦記ドラグナー - 1987) Designed to be a slightly more accessible, grounded military-robot show, Dragonar features iconic mechanical designs by Kunio Okawara. The series is beloved for its incredibly slick, action-packed opening animation directed by Masami Obari, which remains a masterclass in 80s anime aesthetics.
- Yoroiden Samurai Troopers / "Ronin Warriors" (鎧伝サムライトルーパー - 1988) A massive departure from piloted mecha, this series focused on mystical armor suits worn by five young men. Known as Ronin Warriors in the West, this show triggered an absolute phenomenon in Japan. It was one of the earliest examples of an action series developing a colossal, dedicated female fanbase, leading to sold-out voice actor concerts and paving the way for modern character-driven fandoms.
Critical Shopping Rules: Purchase Limits and Crowds
Japanese pop-up events for legacy anime franchises draw serious, dedicated collectors. To ensure fairness and manage the inventory, the official SUNRISE WORLD news page has issued a specific warning regarding this event:
Purchase limits per person may be imposed on the day of the event, depending on the length of the line and the crowd situation. (当日のお並び状況などに応じて購入制限をかけさせて頂く場合がございます)
If you are an international tourist aiming to buy goods, do not assume you can buy ten of the same acrylic stand. Often, these limits restrict buyers to 1-3 items per specific product, or place a limit on blind-box items (like trading badges).
Because the booth is outdoors and open to the public, the lines will likely form early. If you desperately want a specific collaboration item, it is highly recommended to arrive at Higashibetsuin Station before the 10:00 AM opening time on Saturday, October 17.
Need a way to get your massive haul of anime goods back to your home country? Consider buying a larger suitcase on Amazon Japan and having it waiting at your front desk. Learn how with our guide: How to Order From Amazon Japan Before Your Trip and Ship It to Your Hotel (2026 Guide).
4. The Companion Ticketed Event: Robot Anime Screening & Maya Ayukawa Live
While the outdoor merchandise pop-up west of the Terrace Hall is completely free and open to the public, there is a highly important distinction you must be aware of regarding indoor events happening on the same weekend.
Running concurrently with the festival is the "メ～テレ×サンライズワールド ロボットアニメ上映会2026" (Me~Tele x SUNRISE WORLD Robot Anime Screening Event 2026).
What is the Screening Event?
This is a separately ticketed, exclusive indoor event celebrating the same 1980s Sunrise legacy. The absolute highlight of this screening event is a special guest appearance and live performance by the legendary anisong singer Maya Ayukawa (鮎川麻弥).
Maya Ayukawa is royalty in the anime music world, best known for providing the iconic theme songs for Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (such as "Zeta - Toki wo Koete" and "Hoshizora no Believe") as well as Heavy Metal L-Gaim. Having the chance to hear these 1980s anthems performed live in Nagoya is an incredibly rare treat.
Crucial Warning Regarding Tickets and Merch Booths
- You CANNOT just walk into the screening event. It requires a paid ticket. Because the exact dates, ticket prices, and lottery/purchase methods for this specific screening event are hosted on a separate Me~Tele official page, you must check the official Me~Tele event website directly to secure your seats. Do not show up expecting to buy a ticket at the door, as these nostalgia-fueled concerts frequently sell out via advance lotteries.
- The Second Merch Booth: On Sunday, October 18, there is a second, separate merchandise sales point located inside the Higashibetsuin Terrace Hall. Do not line up for this indoor booth unless you have a ticket to the screening event. The official announcement explicitly states that this indoor sales area is accessible ONLY to ticket holders for the screening event.
- General Tourists: If you do not have a ticket to the Maya Ayukawa live screening event, you must do all your shopping at the free, outdoor special pop-up booth located immediately to the west of the Terrace Hall.
(Note: There is a separate historical SUNRISE WORLD event that featured an autographed frame-art lottery by SD Gundam designer Koji Yokoi. Please be aware that the Yokoi Koji lottery belonged to a different summer event in Tokyo, and is NOT part of this October Nagoya pop-up).
5. Missed the Festival? The TSUTAYA Extended Sale
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If your travel itinerary places you in Nagoya a few days after the Dode Matsuri concludes, do not despair. You still have a chance to secure the Me~Tele x SUNRISE WORLD collaboration goods.
Starting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the exact same collaboration merchandise will go on sale at 7 specific TSUTAYA retail store locations across Aichi and Gifu prefectures.
Important details for the TSUTAYA extended sale:
- The sale will continue only while supplies last (在庫がなくなり次第終了). Once a store's allocation is gone, it will not be restocked.
- Because the specific 7 TSUTAYA branches were not detailed in the preliminary September announcement, inbound tourists should verify the participating store list on the official SUNRISE WORLD website or Me~Tele's event page closer to late October before traveling out to random suburban TSUTAYA locations.
- This retail expansion is purely a secondary option for those who missed the pop-up. The festival weekend itself remains the most reliable way to secure the items you want.
6. Building the Ultimate Nagoya Retro Anime Itinerary
Since Dode Matsuri is a general-admission festival and the Sunrise pop-up requires no timed-entry reservations, it is the perfect anchor for a full day of "otaku" sightseeing in Nagoya.
Nagoya is an incredibly rich city for anime fans, often overshadowed by Tokyo's Akihabara or Osaka's Den Den Town. However, Nagoya's Osu Shopping District (大須商店街) is one of Japan's premier hubs for retro toys, Gunpla, and vintage games.
If you are spending October 17th or 18th in Nagoya, here is how you should structure your day, complete with exact locations and access guides.
Stop 1: Morning at Dode Matsuri (Me~Tele Pop-up)
- Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Activity: Arrive early at Higashibetsuin Station. Line up at the pop-up booth west of the Terrace Hall to buy your Z Gundam and Samurai Troopers merch. Afterward, walk the festival grounds and grab some local Tokai-region street food at the Dode-Pura Yokocho food court for an early lunch.
Stop 2: Osu Kannon Temple & Shopping Street
- Access: Walk about 15 minutes north from Higashibetsuin, or take the Meijo line one stop to Kamimaezu Station (上前津駅).
- Activity: Osu is a massive covered shopping arcade that blends traditional temples with hardcore otaku culture, thrift stores, and street food. It is essentially the Akihabara of central Japan, but with a much more historic, eclectic vibe.
Osu Kannon Temple Map
Stop 3: Mandarake Nagoya (The Retro Treasure Trove)
- Location: Inside the Osu Shopping District.
- Why Visit: If the Me~Tele pop-up gave you the itch for 1980s Sunrise mecha, Mandarake is where you fulfill it. Mandarake Nagoya is legendary for its massive stock of vintage toys, old Gunpla kits (including rare variations of the ZZ Gundam and Dragonar kits), and classic anime cels. If you are doing an Anime Pilgrimage in Japan, Mandarake is the church of retro goods.
Mandarake Nagoya Map
Stop 4: Joshin Super Kids Land Osu
- Location: Also located centrally within the Osu district.
- Why Visit: This is one of the largest dedicated hobby stores in Nagoya. It features an entire floor dedicated almost exclusively to Gunpla and mecha model kits. After buying exclusive crossover clear files and acrylic stands at the SUNRISE WORLD booth, come here to buy the actual plastic model kits of the Heavy Metal L-Gaim or the Zeta Gundam. They also carry a massive supply of modeling tools, paints, and diorama supplies.
Joshin Super Kids Land Osu Map
Stop 5: SCMAGLEV and Railway Park (For the Mechanical Engineering Fans)
- Access: From Nagoya Station, take the Aonami Line to Kinjo-futo Station (roughly 24 minutes). The museum is a 2-minute walk from the station.
- Why Visit: If you love the intricate mechanical designs of Kunio Okawara and Mamoru Nagano featured in the Sunrise pop-up, you will likely appreciate real-world Japanese mechanical engineering. This massive JR Central museum houses retired Shinkansen (bullet trains), experimental Maglev trains, and massive steam locomotives. It is a cathedral of steel and engineering that perfectly caps off a mecha-themed day.
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park Map
Stop 6: Evening at Don Quijote Nagoya Sakae
- Access: Take the subway back to Sakae Station in the heart of downtown Nagoya.
- Why Visit: To finish the night, head to the massive multi-story Don Quijote in Sakae. Not only can you do your tax-free souvenir shopping here, but Donki often stocks a surprising amount of character goods, blind boxes, and anime collab items. For a complete guide on how to navigate this chaotic discount maze, check out our Don Quijote Shopping Guide | Late Night Tax-Free Discounts.
Don Quijote Nagoya Sakae Map
7. Practical Travel Info for Nagoya
If you are staying in Nagoya for a few days to work or travel, you will find it to be one of the most livable, easy-to-navigate cities in Japan. It is increasingly popular for remote workers, as detailed in our guide on being a Digital Nomad in Japan 2026 | Best Cities Coworking Spaces & Visa Options.
Where to Stay: For the easiest access to the Dode Matsuri pop-up and Osu shopping, book a hotel in the Sakae (栄) or Kanayama (金山) districts. Higashibetsuin Station sits perfectly between them on the Meijo Subway Line, making your morning commute to the SUNRISE WORLD booth less than 5 minutes.
Water & Dining: Nagoya is famous for its rich, heavy cuisine—think Miso Katsu (fried pork cutlets in red miso sauce), Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice), and Tebasaki (peppery fried chicken wings). All are heavily recommended. The city infrastructure is excellent, and you can stay hydrated safely everywhere you go. If you are ever worried about local utilities in Japan, read our definitive answer to Can You Drink Tap Water in Japan? | City by City Guide 2026.
8. Make the Most of Your Nagoya Trip
The Me~Tele x SUNRISE WORLD Robot Anime Goods Sale at Dode Matsuri 2026 is an incredible, highly localized celebration of Japan's golden era of mecha anime. Because it is free, easy to access, and requires no advance ticketing for the outdoor pop-up, it is the absolute perfect addition to any Nagoya itinerary in mid-October.
Whether you are hunting for exclusive Zeta Gundam merchandise, trying to snag limited Ronin Warriors acrylic stands, or simply wanting to experience a vibrant local Japanese television festival, Higashibetsuin is the place to be on October 17th and 18th.
Since you will already be in the Aichi/Nagoya area for this fantastic pop-up, why not take advantage of the region's massive global attractions? Just a short train ride away from central Nagoya, you can visit the world-famous Ghibli Park or explore LEGOLAND Japan.
Secure your tickets for other amazing Nagoya attractions easily through Klook before they sell out!
(Note: Always confirm event status, final dates, and any sudden purchase restrictions via the official SUNRISE WORLD website prior to your departure).
FAQ
Q: When and where is the Me~Tele x SUNRISE WORLD Robot Anime pop-up held?
The pop-up takes place on October 17 and 18, 2026, located immediately west of the Higashibetsuin Terrace Hall in Nagoya, as part of the Dode Matsuri festival.
Q: Is there an admission fee for the SUNRISE WORLD merchandise booth?
No, the outdoor merchandise pop-up booth at Dode Matsuri is completely free to enter for the general public and requires no advance tickets.
Q: What anime franchises are featured at the 2026 Sunrise World pop-up?
The event features exclusive collaboration merchandise for 1980s classics: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Heavy Metal L-Gaim, Armored Chronicle Dragonar, and Yoroiden Samurai Troopers (Ronin Warriors).
Q: Can I buy tickets for the Maya Ayukawa screening event at the door?
No, the indoor Robot Anime Screening Event featuring Maya Ayukawa requires advance paid tickets, which must be secured via the official Me~Tele event website and often sell out early.
Q: What happens if I miss the Dode Matsuri festival pop-up in Nagoya?
Starting October 21, 2026, the collaboration merchandise will go on sale at 7 specific TSUTAYA retail store locations across Aichi and Gifu prefectures, but only while limited supplies last.