Odyssey Anime is a new store located at 7564 Hickman Road, in the Sherwood Forest Shopping Center in Windsor Heights. It is a new store that opened November 1st that rents and sells anime titles. Japanese animation, otherwise known as anime, has been popular for several decades here in the U.S., known by such titles as Speed Racer, Kimba the White Lion, and Robotech in the past. Now anime is getting more and more recognition on the Cartoon Network and other channels playing Dragonball Z, Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo, and of course, Pokemon.

Japan has a long history of using animation to entertain all ages, not just children. It evolved into what it is today as a less expensive option to bring stories to the screen without the cost of shooting film on locations that may or may not exist in Japan, and pop culture has sustained it as mainstream entertainment in Japan.

In the U.S., while some titles have made it to television, there are thousands that are available to order in either subtitled or English-dubbed versions. This has created a loyal collectors market for anime. The same people who collect comic books, role playing games, and science fiction find themselves drawn to anime. Most collectors are 14-34 years old, with a heavy concentration in college aged crowds.

The owners of Odyssey Anime are Orlando and Melissa Winters, long time residents of Des Moines. Although this is the first retail anime store in Des Moines, Orlando worked as an assist manager at the Gameshop for eight years, which was where he was first introduced to the genre. More recently, he worked for The Right Stuf, an international wholesale distributor of anime located in Urbandale. Melissa lived in Tokyo for a year teaching English, bringing some real life experience and connections to Japan. Orlando and Melissa are excited to be bringing a source for anime and a place for anime fans to Des Moines.

Odyssey Anime sells videos, DVD's, T-shirts and collectibles, and rents over 1000 titles of anime videos. If an item you are seeking is not in stock, many times it can be ordered same day or next day. Odyssey Anime is located at 7564 Hickman Road in Windsor Heights, in the Sherwood Forest Shopping Center. Hours are Monday through Saturday Noon to 8 p.m. Phone: 251-3739. Check out the website at www.odyssey-anime.com.