These words come up in Lesson 2: Asking Questions in a Shop and Lesson 6: Asking for Directions.
アニメイト (Animeito)
Meaning: "Animate," Japan's largest anime/manga goods store chain.
Example: アニメイトは何階ですか？
Animeito wa nan-kai desu ka?
"What floor is Animate on?"
Usage: A proper noun (store name), but functions as shorthand for "the anime goods store" in conversation.
同人誌 (dōjinshi)
Meaning: Self-published, fan-made comics and works, typically sold at conventions like Comiket.
Example: 同人誌はどこで売っていますか？
Dōjinshi wa doko de utte imasu ka?
"Where are dōjinshi sold?"
Usage: Distinct from official 漫画 (manga, commercially published) — dōjinshi are independently or fan-produced.
中古 (chūko)
Meaning: Used / secondhand.
Example: これは中古ですか？
Kore wa chūko desu ka?
"Is this secondhand?"
Usage: Attached before a noun — 中古品 (chūko-hin, "used goods"), 中古ショップ (used-goods shop, e.g. Mandarake).
買取 (kaitori)
Meaning: Buyback / purchase — a shop buying items from you.
Example: 買取カウンターはどこですか？
Kaitori kauntā wa doko desu ka?
"Where is the buyback counter?"
Usage: Seen on signs at used-goods shops — it's the counter where the shop buys your items, the opposite of the sales floor.
在庫 (zaiko)
Meaning: Stock / inventory.
Example: 在庫を確認してもらえますか？
Zaiko o kakunin shite moraemasu ka?
"Could you check the stock?"
Usage: The core word from Lesson 3 (checking stock) — also appears as 在庫切れ (zaiko-gire, "out of stock").
Quick Check
Q1. What kind of store is アニメイト (Animeito)?
A. Japan's biggest anime/manga goods store chain.
Q2. What's the difference between 同人誌 and 漫画?
A. 同人誌 is independently/fan-published; 漫画 is official, commercially published manga.
Q3. If a sign says 中古品 (chūko-hin), what does it mean?
A. "Used/secondhand goods."
Q4. What happens at a 買取カウンター (kaitori kauntā)?
A. The shop buys items from customers — it does not sell to them there.
Q5. What does 在庫切れ (zaiko-gire) mean?
A. "Out of stock."