A Beginners Guide to Starting Your Own Collection of Anime Figures
Anime figurines are collectibles which are based on Japanese style characters from television shows, films, manga (Japanese comics) and video games. The popularity of animes have grown significantly over the years, causing a worldwide frenzy of collecting.
If you are interested in anime figures and would like to get started with the fun hobby of collecting them, then you need to familiarise yourself with what makes a figure valuable. The most prized figures are most often the early figures that have never been removed from their packages. Terms such as MIB (Mint in Box) and NRFB (Never Removed From Box) are terms you should familiarise yourself with, as you will have an easier time figuring out why certain figures cost more than others.
An interesting fact about anime toys is the fact that they come in a variety of sizes. Many collectors begin collecting the smaller, often less expensive figures and then gradually work their way up to the larger sized models. Before starting your collection, determine what anime you like the most, specifically which character. Most anime collectors feel a sense of intimacy and attachment with the anime toys in their collection because of what they represent. It is a lot more fun and thrilling to collect the exact character that you love the most.
You can begin searching for anime figures in and around your area by visiting local toy stores and even second hand shops. It is a well known fact among collectors, that figures that are the most valuable, have often been found in thrift stores, so be sure to check these stores often. Take your time looking carefully through the toy boxes and the shelves because you strike it lucky and find a great figure worth a good deal of money.
Another great place to look is at online auction sites. You usually will find that you have the option of either buying figures at a set price on these websites or as a bid-only alternative. If you are not familiar with online bidding, be sure to set a top price that you are able to pay before placing your bid. The budget that you are prepared to spend will be the deciding factor in regards to how many figures you can buy. Some of the oldest and rarest figures will easily cost hundreds of dollars if found in outstanding condition. You can also visit a few anime collectible websites to get an idea of pricing and worth. Seasoned collectibles are very willing to disclose which features to check for so that you can acquire the figures you are after without becoming confused as to whether or not you are paying too much for a particular character.
Once you have started a collection, you will need to have a place to display the figures. Many collectors simply set their figures out on a few shelves while others prefer to have them on display in a glass covered showcase to keep them in their current condition. As your collection grows and you find yourself running out of space, you can solve this by having a rotation schedule for the figures. Every few weeks just switch the figures that are on display with others that are being stored.
Anime collecting is a lot of fun and it can become a hobby that gives you great pleasure for years. Joining online anime communities is encouraged when collecting, as is attending anime conventions, so that you can discuss your figures with other collectors.