Their staff are trained to check the authenticity of all items and will not accept or sell any items deemed to be illegitimate.Īnimate is one of the largest retailers for anime goods in Japan, including tons of exclusive and limited edition items.
Here are a few options to get you started!ĪmiAmi is a Japan-based retailer that offers a variety of anime merchandise, including new, pre-order items, and pre-owned goods. The international market has grown tremendously, and it’s not difficult to find a reliable retailer that will ship to you. A great way to support the creators you admire is to purchase directly from an official company webshop or through a recognized retail partner. If the seller doesn’t have any reviews, or the reviews are suspicious, it’s probably better to shop elsewhere.ĭo buy from a trustworthy, reputable seller when you can. Be sure to check the seller’s information and reviews.
Incorrect or poorly translated names, as well as listings that only use stock photos instead of their own photos, are all warning signs. If you do end up shopping on a big e-commerce site, avoid listings that use generic search terms like “anime schoolgirl” instead of the actual name of the item or character. While it is possible to find licensed merchandise on websites like Amazon and Ebay, there is no guarantee that these listings are indeed official goods. If you are interested in a particular item, it can be pretty easy to find out what to be on the lookout for to make sure you’re getting an official item.ĭon’t assume big-name sites will have legitimate licensed merch. One of the great things about the internet age is that there is no shortage of people who have already provided reviews, unboxing videos, and even bootleg comparisons for official merchandise. A box that does not have a tag or seal–or even worse, is missing the brand logo altogether–is a big red flag.ĭo a bit of research beforehand. ©Artist Name, etc…) Some figures may even have an official sticker seal with the name or logo of the manufacturer to prove that the product is authentic. Official merchandise will always include the official logo somewhere on the product or tag/packaging, as well as the copyright notice text (e.g. Official manufacturers will often put just as much effort into the quality of their packaging as they will into the product itself, and if needed, the actual product may come in multiple layers of wrapping, blister packaging, and an outer box. These are all potential indicators that the product is not legit.ĭon’t overlook the packaging. Look out for pixelated artwork, inconsistent/incorrect coloring, or imperfections in the paint or molds. This is easier to do if you are buying in person, but if you are shopping online, it’s not unreasonable to ask a seller to provide additional photos of an item. A higher price tag won’t guarantee that it’s not a bootleg, so examine the product beforehand, if you are able. If you find a product online at a price that’s too good to be true, it probably is.ĭo check that you are getting the quality you’re paying for. Anime merch can sometimes come with a steep price tag, but you are paying for quality. The materials, time, and care put into the design and creation of a product will be reflected in the price. So what can you do? We’ve prepared a list of some of the Do’s and Don’ts to help you avoid bootlegs and purchase licensed anime merchandise to support your favorite series.ĭon’t fall for a cheap price tag. Supporting bootleg merchandise is actively harmful to the anime industry!
But even though they often come with a cheaper price tag that may be tempting, the money from the purchase of these fake goods is going into the hands of criminals who have not only stolen artwork but may be hurting the reputation of the official goods with the poor quality copies competing on the market.
#RIGHT STUF ANIME LEGIT LICENSE#
Bootlegs are knock-offs or copies of official goods, and are not approved by the license holders, so none of the profits from your purchase are going to the real creators of your favorite series.īootlegs can be just about anything: clothing, accessories, figures, models, plushies, you name it. What is a bootleg, exactly? The term generally refers to unofficially produced merchandise, often made with stolen art and poor-quality materials. Score!īefore you click that “buy” button, have you confirmed that what you’re investing in is the real deal? If not, you may be trading your money away for a bootleg product. You’ve finished watching the most recent season of your current favorite anime, you’re all caught up on the latest chapter of the manga, and now you’re making space on your shelf to showcase your favorite character’s merch–plus, there’s a listing online for the exact figure you want at an amazing price.
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