AmiAmi Offices
Amiami is the biggest figure retailer in Japan in terms of sales. Recently went to visit their offices to discuss this n that and this is how it went.

The first photo is of their mascot character Amiko who walks around the corridors of their headquarters.

On the roof of the Amiami offices after our meeting. Results of the meeting will be announced soon ^^;
Here they grow their own cucumbers, tomatoes and spare limbs.

AmiAmi are also making their own figures too and are currently in the middle of making Yoshika and Charlotte from Strike Witches.

This is where they do their figure photo shoots. Where possible, AmiAmi replace manufacturer stock photos with their own.

With some of the AmiAmi team.
Have not bought figures for quite some time now but when I did, I used to get my booty mainly from Amazon and at times from Hobby Stock and AmiAmi.
Where do you currently get your figures from? Are there retailers in your neck of the woods where you can get figures off the shelf? Or do you order online most of the time? Do you order from the same store all the time and if not is that because of price/availability?
Also interested how your fave store handles cancellations. At Amazon, you can cancel any order before its sent. If you decide you don't want the goods after receiving it, you can send it back but you pay for shipping.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
If you don't have much time now, maybe subscribe to the RSS Feed, Twitter Feed or join the other readers in the FaceBook Page.
Alternatively, you may want to read more about the site.
If you are a regular reader then this message will probably annoy you each time - hide it forever.
-Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)





























To Aru Tenki Rain
http://kyourin7.blogspot.com/
I get most of my pre-orders from them ^w^ (including black rock shooter pvc and vocaloid puchis ^w^)
hmmm, maybe I should apply there for work - and get discount on figures XD
Otaku Programmer
http://oufukunaga.wordpress.com
We are one of the same ^_^
I got most of mine from them too
Alchemist in training
That Kigurumi is really freaking me out .
Lots of Figures there ^_^ . My eyes is one that Little Loli Bunny Girl on ID#75677
Tech Support
http://anime.thenexxus.org/
You mean HoiHoi-san?
Lover of Akiba!
http://vincentosshrine.com/
I prefer Amazon Japan, they have nice price discounts ^_^
Aurora Unit
AmiAmi is the greatest store ever. I never buy from anyone else <33333
I'm so glad you're in ties with them Danny =)
Otaku Graphic Designer
http://neoprolacus.spaces.live.com
If only they do international shippings... T_T
I see Terminator-chan! X3
Time Traveller/High School Student
http://thetsundere.wordpress.com
Kigurumi Amiko is a little bit scary! =P But the offices look pretty cool - lots of good figures ^^
Medical School Student
was disappointed with amiami, i wanted to cancel a figure due to some reasons, yet if i do, they'll ban me and won't let me shop with them anymore :/
Otaku Programmer
http://oufukunaga.wordpress.com
Hahahaha, yeah yeah XD
Student
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dramacd/
Wear your kig to work day?
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
ah- I really want to get myself a HoiHoi-san
Bounty Hunter
Same here too can't wait for it to be released. Did you know ID3 HoiHoi-San its a Palmo?
Overman
http://myplasticmoustache.blogspot.com/
Wow! I bet their stockroom's a haven of toys and goodies.
Amiami always have good photos of the products on sale, and I t'was treat to see their set-up. Wish I could find a large background like that around here.
I usually order from a local retailer, and never cancelled an order. Not exactly polite, especially when you know it's on the way.
Student
http://foxkey.blog126.fc2.com/
Their office is really neat. I'd like 1x Hoihoi-san, I've seen the runners of the kits, and they are really nice, even included some transfers for those who want to paint their Hoihoi=san before assembly.
There are FEW places here where you can pick up figures straight off the shelf, but as you can guess they are expensive, almost double the RRP. Haven't really bought much loot from online, although I have been considering it from 1999, hlj. Of course i've still yet to get around to having a look at Amazon because I do occasionally buy some books from there. Other than that, I prefer to go over to the mainland and pick them up myself which I plan to do in a few months.
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
I got most of my figures (95%) from Hobby Search. The rest from HLJ and Play Asia. Hobby Search is excellent in support. For cancellation i just sent a mail with the orderids (in their required format) and the orders were cancelled. Also you need to cancel before the item is sent for shipping i think.
No local sellers in my country atleast to my knowledge.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Whats the Anime scene like in India?
Student/Amateur Artist
http://poisondusk.wordpress.com/
In the UK I mainly used HLJ, but in Japan I'm taking advantage of being able to use Amazon for figures. They have good prices and it's easy to adjust and cancel orders, and I'm familiar enough with their UK and US versions that I feel comfortable using even Japanese-only parts of the site like the marketplace.
Self Employee NEET
http://www.nekoroid.com
I got the feeling if there is a connection between this meeting with shopping chart features on figure.fm :D
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
^^;
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Danny going into the proxy business? XD
College Student | Novice Figure Collector ★彡
http://myfigurecollection.net/profile/neo_valkyrie
I've never bought from them since I would have to use a proxy site. I rather shop at US based website like Toyslogic or through HLJ since they do international shipping. I mean even if I used a proxy service and managed to find figures for a good price, I would still have to pay the additional fees. The price ends up being the same if I bought it from a US based store.
No more NEET, enineering student now...g
http://saiseki.blogsome.com/
No credit card in my family so I was never able to do any online ordering at all, have to pre order locally instead ^^;
Amiami's Charlotte figure is very nice, I must get it! Very nice eyes desu.
http://moemoekyun.wordpress.com
I want office like that !
Software Engineer
Would love to order from AmiAmi but since they don´t do international sales i only check them for the nice photos ^^
http://figure.tsuki-board.net/profile/Ashlotte
Aye....It sure would be nice if more sites sold internationally. *cough hint hint* >_>
NEET
http://austrianotaku.com/
I'm ordering from Archonia a lot as the prices are quite good considering the added shipping costs and taxes. They do a good job. (Besides my preorder Freeing Asakura which I never got beacuse they didnt receive enough copies of her.)
Hobysearch and HLJ are fine too but if I order a figure from Japan taxes are mostly way too high. We are spending money in the price range of an Nendoroid on taxes everytime on overseas orders ToT
failing student
http://ukyuki.blogspot.com/
i would love to visit there lol
Student and full-time otaku
I'm forced to get everything online and sofar I'v gotten all my stuff from HobbySearch. Good service and availability, so I'll stick with em a little longer
Nendo Exhibitionist
http://www.kodomut.com
HS was my the first place I stumbled upon during my early figure collection days and still remains as the source of where almost every nendo and figma which I constantly takes pixs of comes from!
But no matter where I order from, recycling the cardboard parcels is an important part for me!
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
I get almost all of my figure from the same store locally. i believe danny knows the store, ToynToys. it's GSC's business partner i believe. they offer the best pre-order price in town.
in an event the pre-order is closed or not available, i will get it from another local store or from HLJ or Hobbysearch. recently i bought a figure from Hobbysearch and it arrives on the 3rd day! very efficient EMS shipping! but i do try to get figures locally as much as possible as shipping is a killer!
whenever i see posts of members' loot from japan i always wonder whether there is an anime store in their neck of their wood? i cannot imagine myself bringing back so many boxes since i can get most new releases locally. will probably be looking for older releases.
Mad scientist
The picture of Amiko scared me. It somehow looks really wrong to use such a head D:
It looks like a nice place to work. It looks fairly small though. How many people actually work in that office?
Injured
I have to order online and use only PlayAsia and Roberts Anime Corner Store. I have not had any problems and never returned any items. Seeing as I almost always use 2nd day delivery if I had a store locally to buy from I would buy more possibly. Oh man that food looks good. Off to cook some breakfast now I am very hungry.
Administrative Assistant
http://bob-san.animeblogger.net
Other than hitting up an anime convention, there's unfortunately no place around here I can get figures and such. I tend to have tos hop carefully since they'll be expensive for me to import. Typically, I go through BeNippon or Right stuf if they have anything.
I only order from HLJ. I used to order from domestic online stores here in the US since shipping is way cheaper but recently I haven't since I can't be arsed to wait a month extra (US based online stores ship figures a month after original Japan release date); I'm just too impatient, lol.
Apprentice
I import most of my stuff from cdjapan.co.jp. I have no problems with them yet, never seem to have wide range on amazon.co.uk
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
HoiHoiSan do want
NEET,no namecards.
OMG,how can they dump aisaka taiga in that box?what's gonna happen to all of them figures in teh boxes?can i has them?
Student
Most my stuff comes from Amazon, J-List and a store in the city.
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
spanish buffet looks yummy *drools
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
Since i live in a small town from US, i have to pre-order online. I bought my first figures from Hobby search because of the fast and expensive shipping. Then, i met Hobby Link Japan and have order a couple of things from them. I had to cancel some orders due to some financial reasons so it was really good that I could cancel them if not shipped. But, it would be the best if i could buy them at a store and save in shipping XD
Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/
Sancti Mierda! Que buffet es para morirse! nom nom nom...
And I don't know, something about Kigurumi's just scare me.. Maybe it's that blank stare.
Over all, That's a rather nice office they got. I spy Strike witches Figures.. me wants.
http://www.stefkov.com/
Living in England, up north, the only shops that you even think of selling figures is Forbidden Planet. But they don't. I'd have to go down to London for anything like that.
Nearly everything I've bought has been from HLJ because they offer Paypal payment which is really easy for me. Just recently I've been pre-ordering from Hobby Search because their prices are slightly cheaper, they put up items quicker, and they have a waiting list function. They don't accept Paypal which is annoying but I'll have to bare with it. I've bought one item from Amazon JP through Tenso which was cool, but very expensive in the end.
Student
miyafuji figure woo
Certified Trouble Maker, Part-Time Otaku
http://picasaweb.google.com/adi.widyatmoko?feat=email
Got my stuff from yahoo auction once, and currently waiting for nendo saber, good smile company 1/8 saber from hobby stock, and waiting for disgaea 3 rasberil from amiami :D. but the delay is killin me.....cant wait....
animetard and a writer
http://kluxorious.blogspot.com/
I get my stuff online since their store is like 4 hours ride from my place. It sucks to live in a place where collecting figurines is unheard of. We need at least one store here!!
C.E. Student
I am trying to pay some figurines from online stores but recently I have been finding some from local stores or when I travel. I would probably find the best price when I buy most of my figures online.
大学生
Those poor web developers being stuck using only a single monitor. I doubt I could productively work with any less than 2, and even then, I'd stare enviously at all the people with 3.
International Being of Mystery
http://oneandonlyjem.com
hahaha, the mask for that mascot can definitely scare someone if they've never seen something like that before.
http://sfohrgrand.wordpress.com/
Aww! Spainish restaurant. That's one of my top 10 country food. ^^. They are lucky they can eat there eat therenear their office, while at my place, there isn't a single Spainish restaurant nearly. Just when I was on vacation in Spain. T_T
Chinese/Viet restaurant waiter, no post secondary
No local stores in my neck of the woods. I usually buy from Hobby Search online. Their packaging and shipping are nice and fast. Shipping prices are decent, and I don't pay attention to it too much. I sometimes do Hobby Link Japan but not to often cause I always get customs fees from their packages.
I do like J-list cause they sometimes have items that are usually sold out everywhere else, but their site is a headache to shop on, and their shipping and delivery seems to be a tad more expensive. I go for the second best choice, and it still takes about 3-4 weeks for my item to arrive where as HS, or HLJ, takes 1-2 weeks.
I haven't canceled any orders yet, but I'll let you know when I do :P
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Huh. I always get custom'd on HS, but not HLJ. I think it has to do with the cost of the order though.
University Student
I just recently found a good place at WEM (west Edmonton mall). They sell wallscrolls, gundam related things, figures, and other do it yourself kits. They have big shipments from Japan that come in around October. The next batch is due pretty soon, can't wait to see what comes in. ^^,
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
looks like lots of fun!
PhD Student
I order almost always from HLJ. I like Hobby search too,but their shipping is more expensive because they use EMS(which is faster) but normally I am not in a hurry to receive the figure so I don't mind waiting. I wish I could order from amiami, they had sometimes special figures only able to buy from them >_<
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Nice office environment ^_^
Usually I order from HLJ & TheFigureMall.com~~~
Star Gazer
http://vixums.wordpress.com/
Thankfully, I've never had to cancel orders, but if I did, I think I would just put it up for sale again on my ebay account. It's a hassle, but eh. I've never had to do it yet!
What I'd give to work in a place like that, if only for a few months ;-; It looks like so much fun!
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
I get most of mine online...and i usually do it from the same place because it is convenient...
University's Slave
I get most of my figures from HLJ because they ship internationally and offer the deliciously cheap SAL shipping option. ^^; If I use SAL I can actually get figures cheaper than if I waited for the US imports to come in, and sooner too.
I do give AmiAmi props for doing their own photography, though. Seems more. . . honest, somehow.
大学生
http://naitonojikan.blogspot.com/
Seeing as there's no stores in my area that sell figures, I have to buy them online, so I usually do my figure shopping at hlj.
Photography Student
http://hugodeathy.deviantart.com/
Most of my figures I end up ordering from HLJ, even if the shipping is a bit expensive to where I live it's a lot cheaper them buying from stores here.
http://reggiocomics.blogspot.com/
comin from italy, i have to order by italian sites on line, i know, livin in Japan is better, models are cheapest than italy.
but ordering from ami ami or others, for me is impossible, i pay more.
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
When I first came on the scene, I ordered from Hobby Search since they had a English page, international service, and pictures of the items on top page for easy searching. However, they always use pricey EMS service.
Then all my giveaway prizes came from Hobby Link Japan, and they came with no problems. While the site is harder to navigate without itemized pics on the top page, it offered SAL shipping, so I started using them.
I only know of one local retailer in my area. While buying locally cost a little bit more, it is the price you pay for getting your product instantly. Since this business is all about pre-ordering to assure you get upcoming figures, I usually buy online.
So far, HS and HLJ have no fuss in cancellations as long as it's before it ships. Both are quick and very good about canceling, as someone is usually waiting to snatch up my canceled item.
Student, Software Engineer in the Making!!!
http://miettechan.wordpress.com/
I buy piratically everything from Hobby Search with some occasional HLJ on the side.
Lazy Gamer at home
http://www.espadakiller.wordpress.com
I get most of my figures in Singapore shops, kinda easy to get them but it's not cheap of course XD
And that Firefox shirt again? LOL
???Confused???
I usually get my at the local shop...if they have it in stock...or I wait for the anime expo where many stores are in one convenient location...ordering online is like a last resort for me...I pretty much check AmiAmi everyday to see what's new...I'd order from them if they had an English site...
Spanish Buffet... I've never tried that. It looks quite interesting
Pokemon master
http://thecococafe.wordpress.com/
I want Amiko to walk along my corridors. If only to keep the burglars away.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
LOL
IT Crowd
Hobby Link Japan is where I get most of mine now, though will use Hobby Search for figures that HLJ run out of.
http://lagevol.blogspot.com/
wow~ its so amazing!
love the foodz >.<
Nurse
No figure retailers near me :( So I get most from Hobby Search and HLJ, both of which have always been wonderful. I am completely happy with both of them and would always highly recommend those online shops first for figures. I always ship EMS anyway since I'm paranoid and want to know where my packages are. Have only ever had one thing ship from Japan without EMS (not from HLJ or HS) and having no tracking number, and wouldn't you know it, I think it got lost and I have no way to track it.
I have a ton of pre-orders right now, thanks to the massive amounts of awesome figures coming out before year end. I have used Amazon Japan to get things I couldn't find elsewhere through a proxy service, which I also use for other little things I can only get through japanese sites, like exclusives or those little Nanoha metal charms from Animate stores, heh (but that kills my wallet with all of the extra fees). I also use Play Asia as well and Kid Nemo at times, but only in rare occasions.
HS and HLJ remain my major figure lifelines. One day when I finally get to Japan and have stores I can actually walk into for this stuff, I shall collapse and die from happiness...or from too much delectable food intake, one of the two...have I mentioned the food pictures on DC always make me drool?
College Freshmen
That Kanu figure next to the Strike Witches looks pretty good from afar.
Pharmacist, Accountant to be!
http://www.rickytang.com.au
Lucky Danny don't have to buy figures anymore!
Any Gundam stuff that still lands in your lap?
Young Grasshopper
http://miragestrike.blogspot.com
My only figure was purchased from Amazon.
The Amazon over here doesn't carry much figures and are mostly sold through 3rd party sellers. :/
Student artist
http://www.requestview.wordpress.com
@danny: Is the buffets in Japan any good?
Lowlife
http://www.mistakesofyouth.com
I buy used figures at Mandarake.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
There are a couple of local stores around, but they're downtown and about an hour and a half from where I live. Since the inventory's usually lacking (no current figures) and the price is just about as much as ordering online + shipping I don't bother.
When I first started getting figures, I ordered exclusively from HobbySearch due to reward points, faster pre-orders, and an easier-to-navigate site. Then Hobby Link Japan stocked something old I couldn't find on HS, so I tried them out. No problems, and cheaper SAL shipping - customs also seemed less inclined to bill me. I used the rest of the reward points I had saved up and switched to HLJ.
Nowadays I usually pre-order on HS as soon as something comes up; a day later or so I fight over pre-orders at HLJ, and if I'm successful, I cancel the HS one.
About the cancel process: HLJ's is simpler, but both require you to cancel before it becomes available. But HLJ stores you credit card number, which I find a tad uncomfortable.
Graphic Arts Student
Hmmm, their mascot seems a little masculine. -_-;
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
They're re-releasing the Yoshika??!! YESSSS! Thats the Yoshika I'm getting!
College Student, Computer Science Major
http://www.projectsaber.com
Pretty cool seeing the inside of the Amiami offices. Always curious to how other companies function.
As for where I get my figures, I mostly get old releases on Ebay and new releases from my own store - Figure Haven. ^^;
keroro platoon member
http://heathorn.wordpress.com
the mascot is a guy with girl's face >.<
When I was in Indonesia, I prefer to order from our online retailers. But now here, I can buy from local stores in Singapore. I buy figure only when I really like the figure and character.
student
http://listlessink.wordpress.com/
Wow, that food looks delish.
I love looking at pics of food; please do more. ^ ^
Btw, do you bring your figmas and nendroids with you every time you eat?
Otaku
http://imperiomoe.wordpress.com
Crossing finger, they are going international with Danny's support ^^
Student
http://konadora.wordpress.com
The strike witches ones looks really good ^__^
~Undine~
http://bluebluewave.wordpress.com
I usually buy figures from Archonia or Hobby Link Japan. While at Archonia the item price per figure is more expensive than at Hobby Link Japan, Archonia allows me to more conveniently group items and orders into a single shipment.
Lately I've pre-ordered more figures at Hobby Link Japan though, even with the expensive EMS shipping and the fact they don't allow you to group available pre-orders once they're out into a single shipment, they've been more successful in getting new releases to me in a timely fashion.
Archonia lately for figures they've been having huge delays and you often fear if they might not get any stock at all. I pre-ordered Alter's Yoko bounty hunter with them and they've yet to get it in stock and ship it to me.
Have purchased from J-List too but never any figures, only books.
Might look into other stores that combine orders and have items at the same time as Hobby Link Japan.
Student
GO Strike witch figures! I loved that series and will definitely get some figures when they are out!
Engineer
http://www.mechafactory.com
What a great environment to work in, the employees look like they are having fun =)
http://quentinlau.blogspot.com
I don't browse on Amiami unless it's a source for some new products mentioned from blogs then I'd give it a quick visit. They usually make pretty good discounts on preorders so I can see it being very potent as an online store within Japan.
Since I don't buy figures very often but lots of stuff are available in Hong Kong anyway I usually buy my gunpla and figma etc from local shops.
Art Student/Freelancer
http://jenarwen.deviant.art.com
Get most of my figurines from Evertoys, and Soul Anime here. Sometimes Sakura Media IF I'm desperate.
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
I usually order from either HLJ or Hobby Search. I only go after the alternative stores if these two don't have the figures anymore. I don't go out to buy in the stores in Vancouver area much because I tend to order them beforehand ^^;
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Oop forgot to comment about AmiAmi... I find their prices are quite good... I almost bought something from them when I won one of the giveaways ^^
pixels & photography
http://www.studiosushi.com
strike witches o//
FREETER
aaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAHHHH kigurumi is so creepy >.>
Online Business, Doujinshi Artist
http://crazeotaku.blogspot.com/
AHAHHAH..figure..!!! i wish i can work with company, which something like this...
Too bad i not stay in Japan, and i dont have any knowledge about making figure...orz
Future Mangaka,God,Student
http://www.hiyono.net/blog/
I usually buy at local stores,I always check the contents since most stores have fake figurines
tuner, freak student
the mascot shocks me..... X@