This thread makes me want to take a trip to Japan, but I wouldn't even know where to start.

Another figurine purchased from Akihabara

Queen's Blade!

And then these figures i would have at least liked to see prices on, but of course they were completely sold out and on display only...

You should go and try to get some good paizuri before it's too late :P

I surprised it doesn't say, "Get!" (Did I use that right?)

OT: AWESOME Thread Mr Khan! ^_^ I really enjoyed our conversation on your wall about Japan. I really want to visit there!

Hmm, I always wondered if it was cost efficient to buy a bunch of figures on a visit to Japan or just rely on the big importers. I've never been to Japan, but I've spent hundreds at AmiAmi and Hobby Search.

outlawauron said: Hmm, I always wondered if it was cost efficient to buy a bunch of figures on a visit to Japan or just rely on the big importers. I've never been to Japan, but I've spent hundreds at AmiAmi and Hobby Search.

It gets ludicrously expensive, certainly. And when you're on the ground, it's an incredibly hostile environment for comparison shopping. A store owner literally screamed (in English, just to be sure) at a friend of mine who had a notebook and was making price-lists. Prices seem arbitrary between franchises and characters, and one wonders whether you're buying new or used (though everything that's still in a box, new or not, is of like-new quality, so it is of no matter). Found 1/6th scale Mikuru Asahina figures in-box (with her cosplaying as a nurse) for under 2000, and yet a smaller scale Melona out-of-box (different Queen's Blade girl) ran at 12000.

The Queen's Blade figure i got was the most inexpensive QB figure i had found thus far that wasn't Chibi (why would anyone want that?), but you really have to just kind of go out there looking for what you want and just comparing that with what's available, unless you have a good deal of disposable income.

In short, i would say the internet is preferable, simply because of the ability to target your search and to comparison shop. There is a certain allure to shopping on foot, but it's more about the adventure of it all than about being economical or about getting exactly what you want.

Shelf space also radically favors certain franchises above others. It is quite difficult to find Naruto and Bleach stuff, oddly enough, whereas if you're into Evangelion, Magical Lyrical Nanoha, Queen's Blade, Puella Magi Madoka, or Haruhi, working on foot is much easier. Of the mainstream on-air franchises, One Piece is the easiest to find, but even then there seems to be a dearth of Nico Robin (my favorite female character).

Mr Khan said: outlawauron said: Hmm, I always wondered if it was cost efficient to buy a bunch of figures on a visit to Japan or just rely on the big importers. I've never been to Japan, but I've spent hundreds at AmiAmi and Hobby Search. It gets ludicrously expensive, certainly. And when you're on the ground, it's an incredibly hostile environment for comparison shopping. A store owner literally screamed (in English, just to be sure) at a friend of mine who had a notebook and was making price-lists. Prices seem arbitrary between franchises and characters, and one wonders whether you're buying new or used (though everything that's still in a box, new or not, is of like-new quality, so it is of no matter). Found 1/6th scale Mikuru Asahina figures in-box (with her cosplaying as a nurse) for under 2000, and yet a smaller scale Melona out-of-box (different Queen's Blade girl) ran at 12000. The Queen's Blade figure i got was the most inexpensive QB figure i had found thus far that wasn't Chibi (why would anyone want that?), but you really have to just kind of go out there looking for what you want and just comparing that with what's available, unless you have a good deal of disposable income. In short, i would say the internet is preferable, simply because of the ability to target your search and to comparison shop. There is a certain allure to shopping on foot, but it's more about the adventure of it all than about being economical or about getting exactly what you want. Shelf space also radically favors certain franchises above others. It is quite difficult to find Naruto and Bleach stuff, oddly enough, whereas if you're into Evangelion, Magical Lyrical Nanoha, Queen's Blade, Puella Magi Madoka, or Haruhi, working on foot is much easier. Of the mainstream on-air franchises, One Piece is the easiest to find, but even then there seems to be a dearth of Nico Robin (my favorite female character).

That's kinda odd as the MSRP is clearly stated on the box. But most of the QB figures are more expensive due to the name brand + size of the figures. To be honest, they're generally terribly made but far better than Tittietousen. I would point you to this site. It's a pretty fantastic place to find official prices and all of the figures available for a certain series or character.

Edit: Obligatory, this is my profile.

I find that odd on my end. I see no MSRP on either of the boxes i purchased (second one was a cheaper Nico Robin by Banpresto), and this is usually the case for ones i've seen out and about, which is a fair deal of experience given four trips through Akihabara with the main intent being figurine shopping (more trips to Akiba, but those lacked Figya hunts). The only way i've seen pricing is in a little sticker put on the box by the shop, similar to how you'd buy used games, for instance.

That's quite odd. 95% of figure boxes have the yen MSRP clearly imprinted on the outside of the box (with tax included of course).

Quite possible that they package differently for retail sale vs online sale. Only thing i could think of.

I'll definitely try to check next time i go out that way.