Ask John: Can American Fans Buy Anime Direct From Japan?

Question:
Can you import anime straight from Japan? If so, how?

Answer:
Importing anime directly from Japan is possible, although the ease of personally importing from Japan depends largely on the exact products and types of products that you’re interested in purchasing. Since AnimeNation is an anime retailer, and AnimeNation does accept special order import inquiries, I can’t responsibly advertise competitors, so I’ll have to answer with generalities.

There are at least three major anime specialty retailers based in Japan which specialize in marketing to international fans. One of them concentrates on CD and video; one concentrates on toys and models; one concentrates on adult goods and quirky Japanese novelties. There are also a number of smaller and lesser known Japanese retailers that either market to foreign customers or will accept international orders. Certain global web retailers with a presence in Japan will also accept and process international orders, with some exceptions and exclusions. For collectors with eclectic tastes, there are a number of web based proxy purchasing services which will buy merchandise in Japan and deliver it to foreign customers in return for the cost of the item plus a service charge or commission. American collectors interested in items offered on Japanese web auction sites often employ purchasing services because most Japanese sellers on web auctions will not ship internationally.

Enterprising or desperate American fans often rely on purchasing directly from Japan, or importing from Japan through a purchasing service because doing so allows collectors to get rare or obscure Japanese items not normally offered by typical American retailers. Buying directly from Japan also ensures that the collector pays the lowest possible price, although shipping from Japan to America can often be expensive. Many American fans aren’t interested in imported Japanese goods or buying directly from Japan. And many American fans prefer the convenience of purchasing through familiar American retailers.

There’s almost nothing available in Japan which American collectors can’t purchase or import directly or personally. Buying straight from Japan only requires a willingness and determination to do so, which sometimes involves more effort than buying from a typical American retailer. Furthermore, certain retailers or buying services won’t accept particular orders or requests for specific types of products, requiring prospective buyers to selectively choose their method of importing. In simple terms, yes, American fans can import anime straight from Japan. But doing so often involves a bit of effort. There are a number of methods for buying straight from Japan, and a number of companies and services that help Americans buy from Japan. I haven’t named any of them specifically, but I think I’ve provided enough info to provide a starting point for any American collector who wants to buy directly from Japan.