A store selling anime products located in Santa Marta, Matanzas, was the victim of a robbery during the early hours of Tuesday, according to a report on social media by the account Bankai Project, which specializes in merchandising for Japanese series and otaku culture.
In the post, the store team explained that the thieves took a large amount of merchandise, including anime pullovers, character plushies, and themed backpacks from franchises such as Attack on Titan, Naruto, Demon Slayer, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones.
"It’s not just merchandise. It’s effort, sleepless nights, dreams, hard work, and the passion with which we set up this store each day," expressed the administrators of Bankai Project in a message shared across their social media.
The post is accompanied by images of the stolen products. The store has requested assistance from its followers and the otaku community in Cuba to identify the items if they appear for sale in the informal market.
“If you see someone selling these items on the street, on Facebook, or on any social network, please notify us immediately at the number 55792586,” they requested.
The private business, which promotes anime culture and sells customized t-shirts, figures, and accessories, recalled that the stolen products are “very specific” and easily recognizable by their style.
As a token of appreciation, the Bankai Project team announced that it will offer a special discount to those who provide useful information for recovering the merchandise.
The theft has caused outrage among the supporters of the project, which had become a meeting place for anime fans in Santa Marta, near Varadero, and symbolizes the efforts of young Cuban entrepreneurs amid the country's economic crisis.
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