6/30/2005

Don’t you just hate it when your browser consumes something you’ve spent half an hour working on?

Anyway, this is “The Hunt For Anime Swag Part 2″ – take 2. Today we’ll cover local areas where you might be able to spot imported goods. First is, of course, your resident comic shop, or even an anime store, if you’re lucky enough. Of course, they won’t necessarily carry Japanese products, as domestically-produced items are much easier to come by. So try setting your sites on the closest Japanese market – a Little Tokyo/Japantown/J-Town if you have one, or even one of the small variety stores. They might carry candy box toys or figures, and of course you can always stock up on Pocky. (Isn’t it strange how many Western anime fans are obsessed with Pocky?)

Lacking a Japanese market, go for Chinese (such as a Chinatown), Korean, or even any store you spot that carries Sanrio products. Sometimes anime merchandise manages to sneak in there, particularly in stores that carry Korean stationary and whatnot. Carefully check items before you buy, however, to ensure they aren’t bootlegged, elsewise you may end up with a product of inferior quality. This applies to action figures (try inspecting the paint job), Hong Kong DVDs, and even CDs. Bootlegged CDs are often difficult to identify because of the skilled job done with them to make them appear like the genuine product…SonMay and EverAnime are two well-known bootlegging comapnies whose CDs often end up mixed in with actual Japanese-produced items. You can identify them by the logo on the CD’s spine, and keep in mind that you pay nearly as much for these cheap knockoffs as you would the real thing!

Another great place to buy anime merchandise is at conventions. There are hundred of these worldwide, and chances are a little searching will locate one near you! Held (usually) yearly, anime cons bring together many fans, and with them come the eager salespeople of the Dealers’ Room, ready to sell you anything from schoolgirl skirts to region 2 DVDs. (Tip: While the first day of a con will yield the most selection, the last day may get you a good deal! Dealers have to lug their merchandise home too, so a Sunday is the best time to bargain with them!)

So now you’re on your way to finding the products of your anime dreams – don’t spend it all in one place, now!