Anime Figures (アニメのフィギュア）
Figure collecting and the otaku come hand in hand. In fact, figure collecting has been called the otaku’s “drug of choice.” The hobby as a whole can be quite overwhelming to the new comer with so many different brands, models, and sometimes outrageous prices. It can be a lot to take and at times will scare off those interested.
Why Collect Anime Figures?
Collecting as a hobby in general is nothing new. People collect all sorts of things, be it the classics like stamps and baseball cards or the more odd choices out there. Anime figure collecting can really be seen as a supplement to a love of anime and manga, because the characters portrayed in the figures are almost always from anime and manga. This is really where the appeal comes for many. Figures are a way to take your favorite characters off of the 2D screen or page and put them right in front of you. Individual figures can be appealing because of their detail, general style or mixture of both.
Hot Figures of 2018
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Guide to buying figures on TaobaoDifferentiating genuine and bootlegs. The sellers are quite honest about them, it's up to you to read and understand item description.
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
正版:
"Original". Genuine figure.
日版:
"Japanese version". Genuine figure.
正版散货:
Literally "Original, loose item". Genuine figure but with no box.
These are quite cheap. How? Why? In China this phrase refers to factory rejects. They were from the original factories (since all figures are made in china) but they are rejects for having flaws or quality issues. So you will find flaws (mainly painting) on the figure. AVOID.
国产:
"Locally produced". This is the main term for "bootleg" in China.
国产优质:
"Locally produced, high grade". Grade A/High quality bootleg.
初国版:
Something like "Locally produced, first batch". Bootleg.
Additional Words you may come across:
全新:
Brand new.
二手:
"Second hand". Preowned figure.
无盒：
”No box".
散货:
"Loose item" (No box).
现货:
In stock.
预定:
Preorder. Item is not in stock. The very cheap price you are seeing is a deposit payment to secure an order, and seller will mention the full price in item description. Some sellers also offer the option of full upfront payment. I don't recommend preordering figures in Taobao unless you are experienced in using the site in the first place, and you'll
be communicating with the seller directly at times so you need to be able to communicate in Chinese.
盒装:
In box.
未开 / 未拆：
"Unopened". Sealed/MISB.
盒损:
Damaged box.
盒压:
Dented box.
白模:
"White model". Unpainted figure - you usually see this term only for garage kits, which they also call "GK" in item description.
Certificate of Authenticity» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Some figure shops display this cert together with item description. It's a certification that their store sells only genuine products. You can buy in peace if you see this. However, not every store displays this cert despite selling genuine products, because they have to apply for it with their local government or consumer group, something like that, and it has to be renewed every year. 
Taobao seller ranking system» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
You will see Loves, Crowns or Diamonds right under the seller name. They represent trust level and seller experience. This picture here shows this particular seller has 2 diamonds.
Diamond is the highest rank, followed by Crowns, and lowest is Loves (inexperienced/new/small sellers). The number of Crowns and/or Diamonds do not determine a seller is good or bad. They earn more as they get more successful transactions and positive feedback.
Since Diamond is the higher rank, a seller with just one single diamond rating is higher rank than a seller with 4 or 5 crowns. A seller with 3 Crowns is still higher rank than a seller with 5 loves. Theoretically higher rank translates into a more trusted seller.
The general advice, as long the seller is Crown or Diamond ranked it's often always safe to buy from them, regardless of how many of it. You can be more wary with those with a rank at Love level. This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 27 2018, 01:04 PM 
Mar 3 2016, 05:37 PM, updated 6y ago
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