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Something Missing
There is something missing from this room. From your point of view, what would that missing thing/s be? Via V... ( more » )
Fri 07/25 12:30 comments (52)
PSP Idolmaster
Idolmaster coming out on the PSP this Winter. Could be a good time to buy a PSP for me. Have you purchased a g... ( more » )
Fri 07/25 08:58 comments (23)
Tifa Lockheart
Hijacked from Gorgo who discovers a nice Tifa Lockheart cosplayer who keep you company tonight. Original te... ( more » )
Thu 07/24 23:24 comments (53)
Natsumi Hinata
Have always wanted this resin kit figure of Natsumi by Bome and saw a link at Figure GK going to Yahoo Auction... ( more » )
Thu 07/24 16:37 comments (35)
Flyable Heart
If you are thinking of picking up eroge then you may want to start with the up n coming title Flyable Heart by... ( more » )
Thu 07/24 13:00 comments (44)
Chimp disarms zookee...
The force is strong with Japanese Chimps. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2008/jul/23/chimp Or... ( more » )
Thu 07/24 07:41 comments (34)
日本語/Japanese  Sat 08/04 22:09 JST
I admit it. I buy eroge mags.
Here you can see BugBug and Pasokon Paradise. I used to get Tech Gian too but it costs about 1,000 yen because they include a DVD full of demos which I never use. I usually just get BugBug as its the most informative.

But why does married Danny buy these mags and how come Mrs Choo no mind?
Well you already know that I make a modest amount through online affiliating. What you probably didn't know is that a large percentage of my sales actually come through eroge.
I buy the mags and get release date info for titles which I add to my RDC calendar which in turn populates the global eroge calendar. Many users refer to this calendar as well as the daily updated eroge ranking charts. Many end up buying. So now you know ^^
Japanese Magazines (click to enlarge)
So what can you do to make money from selling products (not just eroge ^^;)?

For a start, you may want to try Amazon's aStore. You can easily set up a semi personalized store where all items contain your associate tag. This means that if anybody buys from your aStore, you will get commission. Amazon is pretty generous and gives up to 7% of a sale. Once you have set up your aStore, link to it from your blog/site. Here is an example of one of my eroge aStores.

One thing you probably dont want to do is directly ask people to buy from your store like "if you like this site then support me by buying from my store etc." Folks who do this will notice that their income is next to nothing.

What I do on this site is to surface products and direct users to product pages but never urge people to buy.
Unlike an offline shop, people cant physically handle a product so its important to give as much info as you can to help consumers make a decision to buy online. The many photo reviews that I do for example have contributed a lot to sales.

Member Lu-k who runs Mukyaa.com has got a good example of affiliate execution. Notice at the bottom of his page that he has a list of figures under "Recommended Products." He has taken the time to use attractive images which include photos that he took of his own figures. This execution not only converts better but looks better than practically asking your readers for money.

Get yourself started with Amazon aStore and I will do a follow up detailed post on how you can make money with Amazon associates. you need an Amazon associates account first. The associate program is available in UK, DE, FR, CA, JP and COM. You do not need to live in any of these locations to start. If you want to sell Japanese products then you need to have a Japanese associate account for example.

Ingredients that you need to make money online are:
  • Snip of My affiliate story - read this too on how I started.
  • Sprinkle of Blog Monetization - covers how your page should be designed. Mainly covers Google Adsense
  • Dash of Destinations - encompass your new found affiliate knowledge with focus and passion. If you decide that you want to earn 1000 USD online everyweek then you can do it. You can do it because its you. You can do it because you are passionate about what you do.

Anyway, back to the eroge mags. Whats inside? Well you get cute girls like this.
This is Erika from the up n coming eroge Fortune Aterial.
FORTUNE ARTERIAL (click to enlarge)
And you also get cute girls like this doing stuff. Looks like these girls are playing chess.
Japanese Magazines (click to enlarge)
Most of the content are screen shots from the games. There are usually posters and manga from some of the games too.
Japanese Magazines (click to enlarge)
Polls
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
"But why does married Danny buy these mags and how come Mrs Choo no mind?"

Ahahahaha. Good question you asked about yourself there.

Well,as long as your relationship with your dear wife is not in danger, there should be no problem at all, right?

For me, Bugbug = hot covers from Tony Taka.

Never had the opportunity to see what is inside and I am not sure if I would buy magazines like that. A part of me say yes and another says no, and the no wins in the end. ^_^;

*Laughs at the Mirai-Chan constellations on the photos otherwise*

(ID #53476) Posted on 2007/08/04 22:15
Perplexus in England
Film Student
[f] 
Registered on 2007/04/27 18:00
Thanks for all this monetization advice, I'm going to need to get started on this myself. Need a figure fund for a rainy day, heh. I think I'll need to get a hold of some of those eroge mags, despite the fact I own now eroge, they act pretty well as stand alone material.
(ID #53477) Posted on 2007/08/04 22:15
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
What would prevent me from buying stuff like that would be the presence of loli characters, it tends to keep me turned  off instantly.

The only loli characters I like are those from Lucky Star... (and there is nothing about pantsu shots, odd angles or other pervie's material) Otherwise... I'm not into it at all.
(ID #53478) Posted on 2007/08/04 22:18
Registered on 2007/07/20 04:47
Quite interesting how the internet community is evolving in such short time, wonder what it will become when it becomes more mature. Meanwhile it is very enjoyable reading about your experience as one of the leading figures (ie. danny dolls) in Japan/otaku blog.
(ID #53479) Posted on 2007/08/04 22:19
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Tsk tsk - dirty Danny! 
Still, eroge is a ruddy big business in Japan, so i cant say i blame you.

Better start up a Mirai maid cafe and some stormtrooper candy girls next!
(ID #53480) Posted on 2007/08/04 22:22
Registered on 2007/07/20 04:47
Hello AndyH, most people haves a few adult product in their lifetime. Most are 3D; however, some prefers 2D. It is only that traditionally this is something that was not allowed to be presented on the surface. As long as the contents do not encourage illegal activities (underage, gore, kidnap... rape) it should be quite natural. Lust has existed since the beginning of life and perhaps we could share our Eroge collecion heh ;)
(ID #53481) Posted on 2007/08/04 22:39
windbell in Singapore/シンガポール, Tokyo/東京
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
Registered on 2006/12/25 12:20
The closest to eroge magazines I've read are scans. Can't import any over here :(
(ID #53482) Posted on 2007/08/05 00:06
Zer0 in Singapore
Keyboard Warrior
Registered on 2007/01/11 18:55
I read B's Log.
(ID #53483) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:01
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
sex sells and makes profit and ero is big business XDDD

i didn't expect that there would that much eromag but then again this is japan XDDD
(ID #53485) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:09
terry in Singapore
=.=!
Registered on 2007/08/02 23:32
to me, i would only fall into the download category, it's basically impossible for me to get one, expecially the ero ones
(ID #53486) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:15
Akiraman in RIDGE RACER City
Designer & Animator
Registered on 2007/01/11 23:52
Jus a heads up ENG users if you sign up for a AMAZON JP associates account, best to have the online translator like google translate in your browser. So you can translate those japanese words and know what you are signing up for. Thats what I did when i signed up for Amazon JP. But the process is the same as the US Amazon one.

Danny is it advisable to have 2 aStores? like one form JP and US? 

I am still playing arround with my associates account, Do you use the tools in the associate page or hand code everyting for your site?
(ID #53487) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:33
Akiraman in RIDGE RACER City
Designer & Animator
Registered on 2007/01/11 23:52
its too bad I can't get TECH GAIN here otherwise I will too start RDC everything I see... ^^
(ID #53488) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:37
Aaronime in Mars, Canada
Human
Registered on 2007/07/27 10:28
Who cares what you sell, its for the money! Thats what matters!
I remember used to selling eroge but I stopped. My friend took over my business and makes like $100 a week. No wonder his girl dont care.
(ID #53490) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:41
lanie-emon in Keldabe, Malaysia
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Registered on 2007/06/05 11:28
Would next to impossible to get ero mag here :(
(ID #53491) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:43
Alafista OTAKU in Singapore
Singapore Customs
Registered on 2006/12/25 11:34
Its impossible to get eroge magazine over here. Therefore I can only read reviews before deciding which game to play.
(ID #53492) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:50
Hey, nice tips there Danny. Thanks. And i thought you always hide all your prons from Mrs Choo. Now we know :D
(ID #53494) Posted on 2007/08/05 01:59
Jason in Auckland
Student
Registered on 2006/12/24 17:38
A typo Mister Danny! "Know you know" should be "now you know", no?
(ID #53495) Posted on 2007/08/05 02:16
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
It's nice to know your reading material ;p.  I bought an ero pc dating game magazine while I was in Japan, I think it was Dengenki Hime.  It came with many posters, mostly ero but only a few semi-nude, will post the pic of it on my blog soon.
(ID #53497) Posted on 2007/08/05 02:34
Jamaipanese in Jamaica
overemployed
Registered on 2007/05/28 13:15
lol thanks for the heads up dDanny you sure make them look interesting, I might just give one a read or is that a "look"
(ID #53498) Posted on 2007/08/05 02:39
Tiny Red Man in Pedobear Land
Full Time Pedobear
Registered on 2007/04/11 16:51
we need kinokuniya to get this in!!! 
(ID #53499) Posted on 2007/08/05 02:41
AK-kun in Singapore
Writer.
Registered on 2007/06/19 22:48
Agreed. We need a whole section of ero mags in Kino.
(ID #53501) Posted on 2007/08/05 03:02
Atenacius in Brooklyn, NY
Architecture Student
Registered on 2007/08/04 06:12
You are my hero. I wish I had such easy access to all that kind of stuff. Very informative stuff there.
(ID #53502) Posted on 2007/08/05 03:36
Michael in Beijing
Registered on 2007/05/12 02:50
Did danny go to the midnight opening of Transformers?

(ID #53503) Posted on 2007/08/05 03:50
Setsuna-san in Selangor, Malaysia
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Registered on 2007/07/06 10:07
AK and Tiny: I'm with you. The Kino in my place seriously dissapoints me because not only do they not carry ero mags, they don't carry Megami as well. ToT
(ID #53506) Posted on 2007/08/05 04:57
Phenie in South Africa
Catgirl Trainer.
Registered on 2007/01/08 15:26
*Sigh*
I wish I could get some of those mags too, but importing too many to Africa is jut mad when it comes to shipping.

Perhaps one day I'll enjoy these mags with other people ^^
(ID #53507) Posted on 2007/08/05 05:51
blauereiter in Tokyo, Japan
CG artist, Sunrise Emotion
Registered on 2007/07/07 22:02
This is a little off the topic, but I was wondering - what happens to the Eroge pages ie short features, advertisements that appear in Japanese magazines in Singapore Kinokuniya ? ie NewType, etc. Does MICA close one eye and allow it to pass, or ban the entire issue altogeher ? I doubt they would take the trouble of manually removing the pages for every issue sold.
(ID #53508) Posted on 2007/08/05 05:58
the1iam in 新嘉坡市四美町3区
大学生
Registered on 2007/04/12 04:09
@ AK-kun + Tiny Red Man

Somewhere where small children won't know. ;)
(ID #53509) Posted on 2007/08/05 07:03
the1iam in 新嘉坡市四美町3区
大学生
Registered on 2007/04/12 04:09
@ blauereiter:
The magazines and manga sold in kinokuniya here are wrapped with (transparent) plastic. So as long as they don't appear on the front page and/or pose in such a way you can't see those parts, it might be okay since you can't open it at the store itself.

@ Setsuna-san:
are you talking about the one at suria klcc in kuala lumpur? I have never been inside the store there before.
(ID #53510) Posted on 2007/08/05 07:17
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
I don't read but would like to especially that one. ^^ most especially that! XD

And how come Mrs choo don't mind? :D
(ID #53515) Posted on 2007/08/05 09:39
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia
student
Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39
would like to buy 1.
(ID #53519) Posted on 2007/08/05 13:18
Shin in ATL
Thank you Mr. Choo for finding us eroge readers a loophole!!! XD
(ID #53520) Posted on 2007/08/05 13:31
Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium
IT, Programmer, ...
Registered on 2007/04/25 05:14
Don't read any ero mags cause we don't really have ero game mags in Belgium :D
I'd have to take a look at them again, when I'm in Japan ;p

About that Amazon aStore, I was actually going to put something in the same style on my blog. When I review an anime or so, I put links to amazon with my associate id. But because those links get lost when that review post is not on the front page any more, I was gonna have then appear randomly on the side. But I didn't know about aStore, this way you can have all them grouped together by amazon for you. (I would keep that randomly appearing link on my blog though). I'll have a look at it, thanks Danny!
(ID #53522) Posted on 2007/08/05 14:00
Tiny Red Man in Pedobear Land
Full Time Pedobear
Registered on 2007/04/11 16:51
i think in order for such stuffs to appear in singapore, we need the wrap the magazine up and place a "Conditional sale" sticker on it before we can sell them..there's a case of pornography illustration book on sale during a book fare and it was placed in the children section..it caused quite an uproar among "conservative" singaporeans..so if eroges mag wants to make it's way to singapore, we need to wrap it at least a few layers and place a sticker that says "conditional sale".. I do believe, if Kino wants it, it can be done. they are already importing idols magazine. so why not ^^;
(ID #53523) Posted on 2007/08/05 14:05
loplop in Somewhere on the Tokyo Subway
H/R Type person
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
There are several sources in the States where you can find most of the major eroge magizines a few weeks after they come out in Japan. A couple of sites even offer subscriptions to some of the major ones.  
(ID #53525) Posted on 2007/08/05 15:18
terry in Singapore
=.=!
Registered on 2007/08/02 23:32
for singapore case, it's not just wrap a plastic paper with conditional sale and that's it..
first of all ero magazine are most of the time full naked ones and pure OOXX ones..
normal magazine like the megami one are already hard to make it into the SG market, not to say about the ero ones.. the custom gets really tight on publication..


of course, i will be the first few to raise up my hand to agree on this type of method for sales of the magazine. At least, the product will finally get the chance to get into the tiny red dots..*i'm dreaming..
(ID #53526) Posted on 2007/08/05 17:33
Cosmo in Chicago, Illinois USA
Retail Manager
Registered on 2007/01/11 06:54
Sick
Depraved
Perverted
An abomination in the face of God!

Are you sure these weren't printed by the Roman Catholic Church?
It sure looks like something they'd be involved in!

(ID #53539) Posted on 2007/08/05 23:58
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia
student
Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39
#cosmo
why did you though the roman catholic church involved in this?

(ID #53552) Posted on 2007/08/06 02:37
Aya Kyunik in Melbourne, Australia
Hobby Store clerk guy thing...
Registered on 2007/05/22 16:38
I miss buying Tech Gians...
ok I lie, I miss seeing my friend's Tech Gian magazines ^^;

I don't really buy any eroge mags but I would if I had ample enough cash~
(ID #53554) Posted on 2007/08/06 03:08
lu-k in Bayonne, France
Software Developer
Registered on 2007/01/07 21:55
The same as Hatix, since there is no eroge game mag here in France, it's not easy to find some. I if I could, I think I'd buy some. I've already bought some eroge artbooks like Jingai Makyou one etc...

and thank you Danny for the mention ^^;
(ID #53579) Posted on 2007/08/06 08:40
Setsuna-san in Selangor, Malaysia
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Registered on 2007/07/06 10:07
@the1iam: Yup thats the one. 
(ID #53592) Posted on 2007/08/06 10:01
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
Here one usually doesn't find eroge magazines in bookshops.  Then again, I haven't lived near any large Japanese Bookshops.  I have order the few I've looked at over the last year.

However, I too have am paying attention to eroge.  It has come from the shadows and moved into the forefront in Japan over the last few years.  Many things do such, but it has permeated into all aspects of Otaku culture.  It's interesting how this coincides with anime industry increasing their presence in the U.S.  I guess the faithful need something to do...

Plain and simple, it's something that can't be ignored.

I know of a few people who directly solicit sales, it's just not a wise thing to do for bloggers.  After all, we all know why everyone places ads on their sites...

Only problem for people without Japanese readership is Amazon will not ship eroge outside of Japan.  One would need readership in Japan for this too work well.  Although, that wouldn't stop me from trying.  I'm sure many of the others here feel the same way.

I am careful about all this because of fiancee.  I know at fist she was ill at ease about it.  I explained my interest and what others where doing and she understands.  I guess it's asking too much for others to get a life and stop worrying about our better halves. 

Look forward to future post on this subject.  I have an associates account but have gotten no return on it yet. ^^; 
(ID #53643) Posted on 2007/08/06 23:15
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
Akiraman,
You can have as many aStores as you want in different locales.
(ID #53656) Posted on 2007/08/07 00:39
無明(mumyou) in 東京(Tokyo)
学生(student)
Registered on 2007/08/09 01:02
東京に住むライトなオタク大学生です。
毎夜のネットサーフィン中にこのサイトを見つけ、登録させていただきました。
日本のアニメやゲームの話で世界中の仲間と盛り上がれるなんて素晴らしい!
最初の投稿がこの記事なのは微妙な気分ですがw 

外国のオタクもエロゲ買ってるんですねー。言語の壁は高そうですけど、私自身、学校で学ぶ英語は苦手でしたが米国のゲームのルールブックは抵抗なく読めちゃいますね。
「萌え」の力で日本語をマスターした外人さんがいらっしゃったらすごいですね!

This site is fantastic. How Japanese Otaku culture is worldwide! This is my first comment(the subject of eroge……embarrassed)

I am surprised foreign Otaku friends buy Japanese eroge.
I guess the language is obstacle,but study for hobby is not telling.If someone master Japanese for eroge, I respect him!
(excuse for long commnets and poor English)
(ID #53913) Posted on 2007/08/09 16:26
CaTZ in Indonesia
Game Designer & 2D Artist
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
too bad it's not available here.. I would love to have one for... research purposes
(ID #54003) Posted on 2007/08/10 10:08
CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada
Web Design & Development
Registered on 2007/09/11 09:43
@Danny

I found this to be an interesting read. I myself try to earn a bit of money on my own blog through affiliates ads. So far I've managed to at least cover my hosting fees which is god. I'm trying to work my way away from using Google Ads, though that is so far my only income source surprisingly enough,

On each article I try to provide a link to where the item I was discussing can be bought but I only use a small link at the end of the last sentence, so if you have no interest in it you can just ignore it. If you have no interest in the product though, you probably wouldn't have read that far. ;)

It's always interesting to hear about how you do business. It very much reinforces my belief that honest marketing is always more effective than shoving a product in someone's face and screaming "BUY! BUY! BUY!". lol.
(ID #60697) Posted on 2007/10/23 23:59
tamerchris in Malaysia
Otaku in the Making
Registered on 2007/12/07 22:16
Ah, 無明(mumyou). That is power of eroge. It cross language borders.
We need control evil chi and inner mind. Only then have we hope to wipe out the EvIl one.

*endschinesekungfumastermode*

Nah, that's impossible. In fact, the reason I know a little Japanese is because of a mini Japanese dictionary and some doujinshi.
(ID #67684) Posted on 2007/12/23 14:23
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
Singapore needs that kind of Magazines LOL... Interesting, so you can actually get money just by placing a link? I'm a little dumb with IT and didn't know that you could get money so easily... 
(ID #70886) Posted on 2008/01/28 12:25
adan in Fiber Optic, Indonesia
Web Designer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:22
CaTZ where do you live in Indonesia? If you live at Jakarta, go to Plaza Senayan 5th floor, there is Kinokuniya Bookstore and they sale Megami Magazine, Megami Creator, Megami Deluxe, Newtype Magazine, Dengenki Hime, Dengenki Festival and many other Magazine.

I usually bought them monthly there.
(ID #99850) Posted on 2008/03/02 17:11
ginkatana in In the middle of nowhere
Being a one-eyed samurai!!!!
Registered on 2008/03/03 09:52
Ah some eroge mags. I have never read one before.
(ID #178236) Posted on 2008/04/30 14:39
ETERNAL in Gensokyo
Otaku
Registered on 2008/03/21 11:33
lol, I wouldn't even know where to find this stuff, let alone buy them.
(ID #184644) Posted on 2008/05/10 07:08
graeble. in Rockport, Texas
looking up your skirt and down your blouse
Registered on 2008/05/23 06:14
i would not mind picking up those mags if they sold them in my region. but i dont think i'll do any importing.
(ID #200266) Posted on 2008/05/30 06:19
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