Compared to the early days of anime fandom, collecting anime merchandise has never been more accessible. Long gone are the days of borrowing fansubbed VHS tapes or hunting through niche online forums just to track down the next installment of Sailor Moon or Neon Genesis Evangelion. What I would have given back then to casually find a Sailor Moon t-shirt at Target.
Of course, there are far more retailers and vendors than I could reasonably list here. This guide focuses on the shops and marketplaces I’ve personally used, along with a few that come highly recommended by fellow collectors.
Whether you’re a parent shopping for a birthday gift, a casual fan looking for something special, or a new collector starting your first shelf, knowing where to buy—and what to avoid—can make all the difference.
So, let’s start with the basics.
Local Retailers
Walmart
Believe it or not, Walmart has become a surprisingly accessible place to pick up anime merchandise. Head toward the electronics section—usually near the posters—and you’ll often find a small display of figures and collectibles.
Most of these are produced by Western companies like Funko or McFarlane Toys, though it’s not uncommon to spot prize figures from Banpresto or Bandai mixed in. While you’re there, check the DVD and Blu-ray aisles for anime box sets, and don’t overlook the book section—you may stumble across manga volumes from popular series like Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun or Attack on Titan.
My biggest recommendation: buy in-store rather than online. Walmart’s website allows third-party sellers, which increases the risk of accidentally buying bootlegs.
Target
Target has become a reliable stop for anime-themed merchandise, especially clothing, accessories, and seasonal collaborations. They’ve hosted exclusive collections for series like Sailor Moon, making it a great place for casual fans or gift buyers looking for something unique.
While their figure selection tends to be smaller, their apparel and home goods collaborations can be surprisingly good.
Barnes and Nobles
Barnes & Noble is no longer just for books. Alongside their manga aisles, many locations now carry dedicated merchandise sections filled with prize figures, S.H. Figuarts, Figuarts Mini, plushies, and collectibles.
It’s one of the easiest places for new collectors to browse in person without the pressure of navigating overseas shipping or resale markets. And if you’re making a day of it, the café isn’t a bad bonus
Books-A-Million
Books-A-Million has expanded heavily into manga and anime merchandise over the years. Depending on your location, you may find large manga sections paired with tables of figures, plushies, cushions, Funko Pops, and other fandom goods.
They frequently run book and manga sales, making it a solid stop for both readers and collectors. If you’re shopping for someone new to anime, this is one of the easiest places to start.
FYE
FYE has changed a lot since its early 2000s days as a music and DVD store. These days, it’s packed with pop culture merchandise, anime figures, imported snacks like Pocky and Ramune, shirts, plushies, and collectibles.
As a teen, this was one of the only places I could reliably find anime DVDs—I still remember picking up my first ADV box set of Princess Tutu here. Back then, anime merchandise felt rare. Now, entire sections are dedicated to it.
For longtime collectors, FYE feels like a snapshot of how far anime retail has come.
Hot Topic
Hot Topic has been a staple for anime merchandise since the mid-2000s, even when selections were far more limited. Back then, I was showing up in an Inuyasha messenger bag and oversized TRIPP pants, grabbing whatever anime gear I could find.
Today, their inventory has exploded. Beyond shirts and accessories, you can now find affordable figures, pajamas, stationery, snacks, stickers, jewelry, and exclusive collaborations tied to major series.
It remains one of the easiest places for younger collectors to start.
Box Lunch
Box Lunch shares a parent company with Hot Topic, but has a brighter, more polished shopping experience. Their anime merchandise ranges from figures and apparel to home décor and accessories, often with more premium-feeling exclusives.
Prices can run slightly higher, but I’ve found their jewelry and fashion collaborations tend to be better quality.
They also donate a meal for every $10 spent, which is where the name comes from—a nice bonus if you’re deciding between retailers.
Online Stores Located in the USA
Big Bad Toy Store
Big Bad Toy Store is one of the most beginner-friendly online retailers for anime figures and collectibles. They import directly from Japan and carry everything from prize figures to high-end scales, often making them an easy entry point for collectors who want to avoid navigating overseas storefronts.
Some rarer or exclusive items may be listed at aftermarket prices, but their regular pre-orders are generally reliable. One thing to keep in mind: releases often arrive later than Japanese storefronts due to overseas shipping delays.
One of their most popular features is the Pile of Loot, which lets you combine multiple orders into one shipment for a flat shipping fee. I haven’t personally used it, but many longtime collector friends swear by it.
Crunchyroll
Most people know Crunchyroll Store for streaming, but they also carry a wide range of figures, apparel, Blu-rays, and exclusive merchandise.
If you have a Crunchyroll membership, you receive discounts on purchases, and higher membership tiers often include bonus coupons and exclusive deals. They also offer payment installments through Sezzle, which can be helpful for larger purchases.
That said, I recommend ordering from Crunchyroll with one caveat: packaging quality can be inconsistent. While prices are often excellent, their shipping protection can be minimal. If you’re buying prize figures or items where the box condition isn’t important, it’s a solid option. For mint-box collectors, it can be more of a gamble.
Good Smile Company US
Good Smile Company, is one of the safest and most cost-effective places to order Nendoroids, Figma, and many scale figures directly.
Their US branch allows collectors to avoid the steep international shipping costs associated with ordering from Japan. The tradeoff is that releases often arrive several months after the Japanese release date, since inventory is shipped overseas in bulk.
They frequently offer discounted shipping on pre-orders and run excellent inventory clearance sales, making it a favorite for collectors trying to save money over time.
Aniplex+
Aniplex+ specializes in premium, exclusive figures and merchandise tied to major anime franchises.
These exclusives can be difficult to obtain once pre-orders close, often becoming extremely expensive on the aftermarket. If you’re interested in preorder bonuses or Japan-exclusive extras, ordering through the Japanese store with a proxy service is often the better option.
For beginners, however, the US storefront is the simpler and safer place to start.
Amazon*
Amazon can be one of the easiest places to buy anime merchandise—but also one of the riskiest.
Official manufacturers and retailers do sell directly on Amazon, and you can often find pre-orders at retail price. However, third-party sellers can list bootlegs, overpriced items, or misleading listings. Even products fulfilled by Amazon may still come from independent sellers.
Always check:
- Seller name
- Reviews
- Product photos
- Price consistency
If something seems too cheap—or strangely expensive—it’s worth researching first. I also recommend having a backup preorder elsewhere when possible, since cancellations do happen.
Online Stores Located Internationally
For collectors ready to branch outside of US-based retailers, ordering directly from Japan or international storefronts can often mean earlier release dates, better exclusives, and wider inventory. The tradeoff is usually shipping costs, longer wait times, and occasionally more complicated payment systems.
Here are a few of the most reliable international storefronts I recommend:
AmiAmi.com
AmiAmi is one of the largest and most trusted anime merchandise retailers in the world, and for many collectors, it’s the gold standard.
Their system is simple: you either purchase in-stock items or place pre-orders. If you preorder multiple items releasing in the same month, AmiAmi allows you to consolidate them into one shipment to save on shipping costs.
One important thing for new buyers to understand: you do not pay immediately for pre-orders. Instead, when your items are ready, AmiAmi sends you an invoice with your final shipping options and total cost. Once you pay, your order ships shortly after.
Their packaging is excellent, and in my experience items arrive in pristine condition. If anything arrives damaged, their customer service is generally responsive and helpful.
For new collectors, AmiAmi is one of the safest places to start if you’re comfortable ordering internationally.
Big in Japan
Big in Japan is especially useful for region-locked exclusives and harder-to-find Japanese merchandise.
This is where many collectors go for items that may not appear on bigger storefronts, such as certain Aniplex exclusives or region-restricted Nendoroids.
Unlike some retailers who heavily upcharge for exclusives, Big in Japan tends to stay fairly close to retail pricing. They also offer flexible payment options and allow you to pay either upfront or when the item is ready to ship.
Their customer service has been quick and helpful in my experience, which matters a lot when ordering internationally.
If you’re hunting something rare or region-locked, this is one of the first places I would check.
Good Smile Company
Good Smile Company offers direct access to their worldwide releases, often several months before the US store receives them.
This is one of the biggest reasons collectors choose the global store: speed.
The pricing is usually straightforward. For example, a Nendoroid may cost around 6,500 yen, with a flat international shipping fee added at checkout. Depending on the item, this can sometimes be cheaper—or more expensive—than using the US storefront.
The tradeoff comes down to priorities:
- Global Store: faster releases, direct source
- US Store: cheaper domestic shipping, slower arrival
If you’re impatient or chasing popular releases before they sell out, the global store is often the better option.
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I’ll be covering second-hand buying, proxy services, and my personal strategies for finding rare figures at better prices in a future guide. That side of collecting can save you a lot of money—but it comes with its own risks.
Until next time, happy collecting!